Fabrication of DNA-antibody–apatite composite layers for cell-targeted gene transfer

• Main Author: Yushin Yazaki, Ayako Oyane, Hiroko Araki, Yu Sogo, Atsuo Ito, Atsushi Yamazaki and Hideo Tsurushima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2012-01-01
• Series: Science and Technology of Advanced Materials
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1468-6996/13/6/064204
• ISSN: 1468-6996; 1878-5514

Surface-mediated gene transfer systems using apatite (Ap)-based composite layers have received increased attention in tissue engineering applications owing to their safety, biocompatibility and relatively high efficiency. In this study, DNA-antibody–apatite composite layers (DA–Ap layers), in which DNA and antibody molecules are immobilized within a matrix of apatite nanocrystals, were fabricated using a biomimetic coating process. They were then assayed for their gene transfer capability for application in a specific cell-targeted gene transfer. A DA–Ap layer that was fabricated with an anti-CD49f antibody showed a higher gene transfer capability to the CD49f-positive CHO-K1 cells than a DNA–apatite composite layer (D–Ap layer). The antibody facilitated the gene transfer capability of the DA–Ap layer only to the specific cells that were expressing corresponding antigens. When the DA–Ap layer was fabricated with an anti-N-cadherin antibody, a higher gene transfer capability compared with the D–Ap layer was found in the N-cadherin-positive P19CL6 cells, but not in the N-cadherin-negative UV♀2 cells or in the P19CL6 cells that were pre-blocked with anti-N-cadherin. Therefore, the antigen–antibody binding that takes place at the cell–layer interface should be responsible for the higher gene transfer capability of the DA–Ap than D–Ap layer. These results suggest that the DA–Ap layer works as a mediator in a specific cell-targeted gene transfer system.