Parameters Affecting Gene Delivery

Three families of polymers have been used to study transfection mechanisms polyamines, polyamides, and polyvinyl type polymers. The transfection efficiencies achievable with these systems vary widely, so an in-depth analysis of each polymer family and subsequent comparison of what affects gene delivery will be discussed in this chapter. In addition to high transfection efficiency, it is important for the polymeric systems to be relatively nontoxic to cells in vitro and not to elicit an immune response in vivo. Thus, the effect of transfection parameters on cytotoxicity and immunogenicity will also be examined. 

It is important to maintain low cytotoxicity, since transfection reagent-mediated toxicity could potentially mask the true phenotype of a target gene being studied. This chapter will attempt to describe the use of several cationic lipid/polymer-based transfection reagents for the in vitro delivery of siRNA and DNA. Emphasis will be laid on the key parameters that affect transfection efficacy. 

---