Figures & data
Figure 1 Preparation and characterization of HPEI nanoparticles. (A) Preparation scheme, (B) transmission electron microscopic image of HPEI nanoparticles, (C) zeta potential spectrum of HPEI nanoparticles, (D) the DNA-binding ability of HPEI nanoparticles determined by gel retardation assay, (E) fluorescent image of transfected C-26 cells, and (F) transfection efficiency determined by cytometry analysis.
Abbreviation: HPEI, heparin-polyethyleneimine.
Figure 2 Antitumor activity of ms-T34A-HPEI on C-26 cancer cells in vitro. (A) Cell viability was measured by MTT, (B) cellular apoptosis was testified by flow cytometric analysis, and (C) nuclear morphology of C-26 cells, which were treated with the indicated agents for 48 hours and analyzed for nuclear apoptosis by propidium iodide staining.
Abbreviations: HPEI, heparin-polyethyleneimine; ms-T34A, mouse survivin-T34A; NS, normal saline.
Figure 3 Antitumor effect of ms-T34A-HPEI on subcutaneous C-26 tumor models in vivo. (A) Transfection ability of HPEI was evaluated in vivo, while Lac-Z gene was used as the report gene. Blue staining means the gene expression, and (B) tumor volume of each treatment group. Mice bearing C-26 tumors were treated with NS, HPEI, null-HPEI, or ms-T34A-HPEI every three days for five doses (5 μg DNA/dosage).
Note: There was a significant difference in tumor volume between ms-T34A-HPEI and the controls (P < 0.05).
Abbreviations: HPEI, heparin-polyethyleneimine; ms-T34A, mouse survivin-T34A; NS, normal saline.
Figure 4 Detection of apoptotic tumor cells. (A) TUNEL assay (green fluoresence indicates apoptotic cells) and (B) hematoxylin and eosin assay. ms-T34A-HPEI complexes induced a significant nuclear condensation, implying induction of apoptosis.
Abbreviations: HPEI, heparin-polyethyleneimine; ms-T34A, mouse survivin-T34A; NS, normal saline.
Figure 5 Angiogenesis of tumor tissues stained by CD31 in different groups. It revealed that ms-T34A-HPEI treatment led to a dramatic inhibition of angiogenesis in tumor tissue.
Abbreviations: HPEI, heparin-polyethyleneimine; ms-T34A, mouse survivin-T34A; NS, normal saline.
