Naslov
Polyethylenimine as a gene delivery tool in triple-negative breast cancer cell line and breast cancer stem cell model

Autori
Matovina, Mihaela ; Lemmens, Steffi ; Kralj, Marijeta ; Ester, Katja

Izvornik
Periodicum biologorum (0031-5362) 123 (2021), 3-4; 65-70

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
polyethylenimine ; triple-negative breast cancer ; breast cancer stem cells ; SUM159 ; HMLETwist ; lipofectamine

Sažetak
Background and purpose: Polyethylenimine is a cationic polymer able to neutralise negative DNA charges and to condense large genes which makes it suitable for gene delivery in human cells. Because of its low cost, simplicity of use and moderate toxicity, there is still room for broader usage and experimental adjustments, especially in cell lines that are difficult to transfect. In the presented research, we used polyethylenimine for the delivery of plasmid DNA into triple-negative breast cancer cell line SUM159 and breast cancer stem cell model HMLE-Twist. Material and methods: Cultured cells were transfected with GFPexpressing plasmid using both polyethylenimine and Lipofectamine. Transfection efficiency was determined by flow cytometry measurements of the intensity of the green fluorescence, while viability was determined by measuring intensity of the red fluorescence after propidium iodide staining. Results: In SUM159 and HMLE-Twist cells we obtained transfection efficiency between 30-40% using polyethylenimine, while cytotoxicity was generally low to moderate. Polyethylenimine caused 10% of cell death in SUM159 and 20% in HMLE-Twist. Transfection efficiency of polyethylenimine was comparable and even higher than the efficiency of the Lipofectamine in both SUM159 and HMLE-Twist, but not significantly different. In mammary epithelia (control HMLE) we obtained only 20% transfection efficiency using both carriers. Conclusions: We demonstrated for the first time that polyethylenimine represents a suitable nanocarrier for gene delivery into breast cancer stem cell model. We successfully transfected both breast cancer stem cell model HMLE-Twist and triple-negative breast cancer line SUM159. Since polyethylenimine is inexpensive and easy to use, we recommend it for further exploitations of these cell lines in triple- negative breast cancer research.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Temeljne medicinske znanosti, Biotehnologija u biomedicini (prirodno područje, biomedicina i zdravstvo, biotehničko područje)

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