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Published on: February 1, 2016
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Mechanical Effect on Gene Transfection Based on Dielectric Elastomer Actuator
Chao Gao1, Zhichao Li1, Jiang Zou2
1Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|January 13, 2022
Summary
Mechanical stimulation significantly impacts gene transfection. Dielectric elastomer actuator bioreactors show stretching reduces efficiency while compression increases it, offering new transfection strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Bioengineering
Background:
- Gene transfection is crucial for genome research and gene therapy.
- Existing research primarily focuses on materials and methods, neglecting mechanical stimulation's role.
- Understanding mechanical influences is key to optimizing gene delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of mechanical stimulation on gene transfection efficiency.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms of mechanical influence on cellular processes.
- To develop novel bioreactor systems for controlled mechanical stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Designed dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA)-based stimulation bioreactors.
- Applied simultaneous tensile and contractile stress to cells.
- Utilized enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transfection as a model system.
- Analyzed cell endocytosis pathways under mechanical stress.
Main Results:
- High membrane tension from stretching reduced transfection efficiency.
- Compressive stress tended to increase gene transfection efficiency.
- Duty cycle and loading frequency of mechanical stress were identified as critical factors.
- Mechanical stimulation altered cell endocytosis pathways, influencing transfection.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical stimulation is a significant, understudied factor in gene transfection.
- DEA-based bioreactors provide a novel platform for studying and controlling transfection efficiency.
- Findings offer a new strategy for developing more effective gene delivery methods.
