Polythylenimine AS A Nonviral Vector for Murine Interleukin-12 Gene Transfer to the Mouse Osteosarcoma Cells

Objective 　To investigate the best condition of polyethylenimine ( PEI) for murine interleukin-12 gene transfer to MG63 cells. Methods 　The cytotoxicity of PEI was evaluated by MTT. In different conditions, using PEI as the vector, MG63 cells were t ransfected with luciferase gene and murine interleukin-12 (mIL-12) gene. Expression efficiency of the transduced gene was monitored. Results 　The cytotoxicity of PEI was low. When N/ P ratio equalled to 8, the t ransfection efficiency was highest, and mIL-12 gene could also be successfully t ransferred to MG63 cells with PEI as the vector. Conclusion 　PEI is low cytotoxicity, and high efficiency vector. It can be widely used in the area of gene therapy.