Improved transfection of HUVEC and MEF cells using DNA complexes with magnetic nanoparticles in an oscillating field

Abstract

First paragraph: Cells such as mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) used in stem cell research and endothelial cell physiology and pathology studies are difficult to transfect using ‘standard' nonviral transfection methods. We have developed a novel gene delivery technique, which uses magnetic nanoparticles under the influence of an oscillating magnetic array. Here we report results from this technique showing significantly higher transfection efficiency in these cells compared to a static magnetic array and lipid reagents, with no effect on cell viabilities. Further in HUVECs, we report increasing gene transfection and expression with increasing oscillation frequencies and in serum-starved conditions.