Charged Magnetic Nanoparticles for Enhancing Gene Transfection

Abstract

Magnetite nanoparticles were surface modified with five kinds of agents and used to enhance gene transfection. Standard polyethyleneimine (PEI) transfections were found to be enhanced only for the magnetic nanoparticles with strong surface potentials, since these can form complexes with PEI or genes via electrostatic interactions. Thus, it is not necessary to prepare gene-vector-coated magnetic nanoparticles for magnetofection.