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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Enhanced Gene Delivery and Expression using Intraosseous Injection of Chitosan Nanoparticles Encapsulated Adenine Base Editor Plasmids
Published on: May 16, 2025
Gene transfer by DNA/mannosylated chitosan complexes into mouse peritoneal macrophages
Mayu Hashimoto1, Minoru Morimoto, Hiroyuki Saimoto
1Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, 3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan.
Abstract:
Chitosan is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer and is useful as a non-viral vector for gene delivery. In order to deliver pDNA/chitosan complex into macrophages expressing a mannose receptor, mannose-modified chitosan (man-chitosan) was employed. The cellular uptake of pDNA/man-chitosan complexes through mannose recognition was then observed. The pDNA/man-chitosan complexes showed no significant cytotoxicity in mouse peritoneal macrophages, while pDNA/man-PEI complexes showed strong cytotoxicity. The pDNA/man-chitosan complexes showed much higher transfection efficiency than pDNA/chitosan complexes in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Observation with a confocal laser microscope suggested differences in the cellular uptake mechanism between pDNA/chitosan complexes and pDNA/man-chitosan complexes. Mannose receptor-mediated gene transfer thus enhances the transfection efficiency of pDNA/chitosan complexes.

