Xin Zhang

Publications (3)10.87 Total impact

• Source

  Available from: Vladimir E Tikhonov

  Article: Hydrophobically modified low molecular weight chitosans as efficient and nontoxic gene delivery vectors.

  Xin Zhang, Sebnem Ercelen, Guy Duportail, Emmanuel Schaub, Vladimir Tikhonov, Alexander Slita, Vladimir Zarubaev, Valery Babak, Yves Mély
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  ABSTRACT: Chitosan derivatives are potential candidates for gene delivery because they are biocompatible and low toxic. However, their use has been limited by their moderate transfection efficiency and the rather large sizes of DNA complexes with high molecular weight chitosans. To circumvent these limitations, we used low molecular weight (approximately 5 kDa) chitosans grafted at 3 and 18 mol% with N-/2(3)-(dodec-2-enyl)succinoyl groups (HM-LMW-ch) that exhibit surfactant-like properties. The physico-chemical properties of complexes of DNA with the two HM-LMW-ch derivatives and the nonmodified LMW-ch were compared by electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Moreover, their transfection efficiencies and cytotoxicity were evaluated and their intracellular trafficking was monitored by confocal microscopy. Finally, their ability to deliver genes in mice kidneys after systemic administration was investigated. Complexes with HM(3%)-LMW-ch, but not with HM(18%)-LMW-ch and LMW-ch, efficiently delivered genes in mice kidneys. HM(3%)-LMW-ch formed small positively charged particles that were resistant to DNases and nucleases and marginally interact with serum components. Moreover, these particles were efficiently internalized in cells and low toxic. By contrast, HM(18%)-LMW-ch formed large and weakly charged aggregates with DNA that were highly susceptible to DNases and nucleases. HM(3%)-LMW-ch appears to be a promising nonviral vector with low cytotoxicity and efficient transfection properties.
  The Journal of Gene Medicine 06/2008; 10(5):527-39. · 2.48 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Vladimir E Tikhonov

  Article: Physicochemical properties of low molecular weight alkylated chitosans: a new class of potential nonviral vectors for gene delivery.

  Sebnem Ercelen, Xin Zhang, Guy Duportail, Christian Grandfils, Jacques Desbrières, Svetlana Karaeva, Vladimir Tikhonov, Yves Mély, Valery Babak
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  ABSTRACT: Low molecular weight chitosans grafted with N-/2(3)-(dodec-2-enyl)succinoyl groups (HM-LMW-chitosans) with a mean molecular mass of 5 kDa, a degree of acetylation of 3% and a degree of tetradecenoyl substitution (TDC) of 3-18 mol% have been synthesized. These molecules are monodisperse and soluble in water at neutral pH. Using tensiometry and Nile Red fluorescence, the HM-LMW-chitosans were found to form micelles through hydrophobic interactions involving their tetradecenoyl chains and nonprotonated glucosamine monomers. Their critical micelle concentration decreases with increasing TDC values but varies little with pH and salt. Interaction with large unilamellar vesicles taken as model membranes indicated that HM-LMW-chitosans interact mainly with vesicles mimicking the inner leaflet of biomembranes both through electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. This preferential interaction may destabilize endosomal membranes and favor the DNA release into the cytoplasm in gene delivery applications. Moreover, since this interaction significantly decreased the membrane fluidity of these vesicles, the HM-LMC-chitosans are thought to exhibit limited lateral mobility and flip-flop ability, and thus, limited cytotoxicity. These properties suggest that the HM-LMW-chitosans may constitute a promising new class of nonviral vectors for gene therapy.
  Colloids and Surfaces B Biointerfaces 09/2006; 51(2):140-8. · 3.46 Impact Factor
• Article: Conjugation of a new two-photon fluorophore to poly(ethylenimine) for gene delivery imaging.

  Ali Hayek, Sebnem Ercelen, Xin Zhang, Frédéric Bolze, Jean-François Nicoud, Emmanuel Schaub, Patrice L Baldeck, Yves Mély
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  ABSTRACT: We report herein the molecular engineering of an efficient two-photon absorbing (TPA) chromophore based on a donor-donor bis-stilbenyl entity to allow conjugation with biologically relevant molecules. The dye has been functionalized using an isothiocyanate moiety to conjugate it with the amine functions of poly(ethylenimine) (PEI), which is a cationic polymer commonly used for nonviral gene delivery. Upon conjugation, the basic architecture and photophysical properties of the active TPA chromophore remain unchanged. At the usual N/P ratio (ratio of the PEI positive charges to the DNA negative charges) of 10 used for transfection, the transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity of the labeled PEI/DNA complexes were found to be comparable to those of the unlabeled PEI/DNA complexes. Moreover, when used in combination with unlabeled PEI (at a ratio of 1 labeled PEI to 3 unlabeled PEI), the labeled PEI does not affect the size of the complexes with DNA. The labeled PEI was successfully used in two-photon fluorescence correlation spectroscopy measurements, showing that at N/P = 10 most PEI molecules are free and the diffusion coefficient of the complexes is consistent with the 360 nm size measured by quasielastic light scattering. Finally, two-photon images of the labeled PEI/DNA complexes confirmed that the complexes enter into the cytoplasm of HeLa cells by endocytosis and hardly escape from the endosomes. As a consequence, the functionalized TPA chromophore appears to be an adequate tool to label the numerous polyamines used in nonviral gene delivery and characterize their complexes with DNA in two-photon applications.
  Bioconjugate Chemistry 18(3):844-51. · 4.93 Impact Factor