Triterpensaponins as a novel transfection enhancer

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that triterpensaponins of Saponaria officinalis L. (Caryophyllaceae) and Gypsophila paniculata L. (Caryophyllaceae) are able to augment the effect of certain toxins such as ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) [1]. Due to their amphiphilic properties these saponins are able to interact with the endosome and lysosome membrane and thus enhance the release of the cargo into the cytosol [2]. In order to exploit this kind of interaction, in this study DNA containing nanoparticles were formulated and characterized to be applied together with saponins. Murine neuroblastoma cells were transfected with nanoplexes, containing mammalian plasmids with green fluorescing protein (GFP), Luciferase or the RIP Saporin of Saponaria officinalis L. A transfection with saponins showed a significant increase of transfection efficiency in terms of fluorescence, luminescence or viability compared to a transfection without saponin co-application. First in-vitro cell experiments showed a 6-fold increase of luciferase expression compared to nanoparticles alone. GFP-transfection even achieved a 33-fold increase of GFP-expression. With the co-application of saponins a transfection of 52% regarding all cells could be observed, while nanoparticles just showed an efficiency of 2%. Therefore triterpensaponins hold a great potential to improve the transfection efficiency and for being used as a valuable transfection booster in pharmaceutical therapies.