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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
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Programming Stem Cells for Therapeutic Angiogenesis Using Biodegradable Polymeric Nanoparticles
Published on: September 27, 2013
Polymer transfected primary myoblasts mediated efficient gene expression and angiogenic proliferation
Mei Ou1, Tae-il Kim, James W Yockman
1Center for Controlled Chemical Delivery (CCCD), Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States.
Summary
New biodegradable polymers, poly(cystaminebisacryamide-diaminohexane) [poly(CBA-DAH)] and poly(cystaminebisacryamide-diaminohexane-arginine) [poly(CBA-DAH-R)], show efficient and safe gene delivery into primary myoblasts for potential cardiac disease therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Gene Therapy
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Primary myoblasts can be engineered for myocardial repair and therapeutic angiogenesis.
- Viral vectors for gene delivery face limitations like immunogenicity and genotoxicity.
- Biodegradable polymers offer a safer alternative for gene delivery applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate novel biodegradable poly(disulfide amine)s as non-viral gene carriers.
- To assess the in vitro gene expression efficiency and therapeutic potential of these polymers in primary myoblasts.
- To compare the performance of new polymers against a benchmark branched poly(ethylenimine) (bPEI).
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of poly(cystaminebisacryamide-diaminohexane) [poly(CBA-DAH)] and poly(cystaminebisacryamide-diaminohexane-arginine) [poly(CBA-DAH-R)].
- Transfection of primary myoblasts using polymer/pDNA complexes.
- Luciferase and green fluorescence protein assays for gene expression analysis.
- Flow cytometry for cellular uptake assessment and cytotoxicity assays.
Main Results:
- Poly(CBA-DAH) and poly(CBA-DAH-R) demonstrated significantly higher luciferase (up to 16-fold) and GFP expression compared to bPEI.
- Cellular uptake rates for the new polymers were high (97% and 99%) versus bPEI (87%).
- The novel poly(disulfide amine)s exhibited markedly lower cytotoxicity than bPEI.
Conclusions:
- Poly(CBA-DAH) and poly(CBA-DAH-R) are effective and safe polymeric gene carriers for transfecting primary myoblasts.
- Engineered primary myoblasts show potential for stimulating endothelial proliferation.
- These findings support the therapeutic application of polymer-mediated gene delivery in treating ischemic heart diseases.
