Self-Reporting Aggregation-Induced Emission Gene Transfection System via Multivalent Tetrazole-Amine Complexation

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Materials Science
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Gene transfection visualization offers real-time insights into gene function and cellular signaling.
• Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorophores provide bright fluorescence upon aggregation, useful for tracking.
• Branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) is a common non-viral gene vector.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a self-reporting fluorescent gene delivery system for real-time tracking.
• To synthesize novel AIE fluorophores with tetrazole moieties for integration with gene carriers.
• To evaluate the transfection efficiency of the developed system.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of two tetraphenylethylene-backboned AIE fluorophores with acidic tetrazole moieties.
• Integration of AIE fluorophores with branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) gene carriers via electrostatic interactions.
• Real-time tracking of gene delivery using GFP-tagged plasmid DNA in HeLa cells and quantitative flow cytometry.

Main Results:

• A novel fluorescent gene delivery complex system was constructed, combining AIE properties with BPEI.
• The system demonstrated real-time spatiotemporal tracking and precise localization of gene transport into HeLa cells.
• The TPE-4TA/BPEI/DNA complexes showed enhanced transfection efficiency (52.7%) compared to conventional BPEI vectors (47.9%).

Conclusions:

• The developed self-reporting gene delivery platform enables visualization and enhances transfection efficiency.
• The study provides valuable insights into gene transfection processes and methods for designing advanced gene delivery systems.
• This approach offers a promising strategy for developing smart, responsive gene delivery vectors.