Comparison of methods for transfection of human epidermal keratinocytes

Several methods for DNA-mediated cell transfection were tested to determine the optimal conditions for transfection of human epidermal keratinocytes. The following methods were compared: electroporation, lipofection, Ca3(PO4)2 co-precipitation, DEAE-dextran, and polybrene-mediated transfection. The transfected DNA included human keratinocyte-specific promoter for keratin K14 as well as SV40 and RSV viral promoters. Enzyme assays and in situ staining were used to evaluate both quantitative and qualitative aspects of transfection, and both subconfluent and post-confluent, stratifying keratinocytes were examined. Lipofection, Ca3(PO4)2 co-precipitation, and polybrene methods transfect very efficiently, but lipofection is expensive and Ca++ in the co-precipitation procedure induces keratinocytes to differentiate. We have found that polybrene-mediated transfection followed by a 27% DMSO shock is optimal for introducing DNA into human epidermal keratinocytes.