Increased tumor distribution and expression of histidine-rich plasmid polyplexes

BACKGROUND: Selecting nonviral carriers for in vivo gene delivery is often dependent on determining the optimal carriers from transfection assays in vitro. The rationale behind this in vitro strategy is to cast a net sufficiently wide to identify the few effective carriers of plasmids for in vivo studies. Nevertheless, many effective in vivo carriers may be overlooked by this strategy because of the marked differences between in vitro and in vivo assays. METHODS: After solid-phase synthesis of linear and branched histidine/lysine (HK) peptides, the two peptide carriers were compared for their ability to transfect MDA-MB-435 tumor cells in vitro and then in vivo. RESULTS: By contrast to their transfection activity in vitro, the linear H2K carrier of plasmids was far more effective in vivo compared to the branch H2K4b. Surprisingly, negatively-charged polyplexes formed by the linear H2K peptide gave higher transfection in vivo than did those with a positive surface charge. To examine the distribution of plasmid expression within the tumor from H2K polyplexes, we found widespread expression by immunohistochemical staining. With a fluorescent tdTomato expressing-plasmid, we confirmed a pervasive distribution and gene expression within the tumor mediated by the H2K polyplex. CONCLUSIONS: Although mechanisms underlying the efficiency of gene expression are probably multifactorial, unpacking of the H2K polyplex within the tumor appears to have a significant role. Further development of these H2K polyplexes represents an attractive approach for plasmid-based therapies of cancer. © 2014 The Authors. The Journal of Gene Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.