Photothermal Spongy Film for Enhanced Surface-Mediated Transfection to Primary Cells

Surface-mediated transfection has drawn tremendous interest for gene therapy due to its localized gene delivery characteristic and promising perspective for combination devices in clinical applications. However, a method for the controllable load of genetic agents and tunable transfection efficiency to primary cells remains unsatisfactory. Herein, we present a polymeric spongy film with modification of polydopamine (PDA) for controlling load of plasmid DNAs and improving transfection to primary endothelial cells. We demonstrate that, via wicking action, the loading of DNA into the film is simple, rapid, and highly controllable while easily reaching ∼95 μg/cm² by only a one-shot loading process. Meanwhile, PDA endows the spongy films with a very good photothermal conversion capability. Consequently, we obtain an enhanced transfection up to ∼85% to hard-to-transfect primary endothelial cells upon NIR irradiation. Furthermore, we realize a spatial cell transfection through NIR irradiation in the defined area, suggesting a high potential for precise gene therapy. This photothermal spongy film could serve as a robust platform for surface-mediated gene therapy, and extend the paradigm of a light enhanced delivery system.