Evaluation of the toxicity effects of polyethyleneimine (PEI) on cell viability and morphology of VSMC cells

Today, PEI is used for high-efficiency gene transfection. This polycation can have toxic effects on cells due to charged amine groups. This study evaluated the toxic effects of PEI in both single and oligonucleotide-binding modes on VSMC cells.

First, VSMC cells were cultured and then transfected by nanoparticles in two PEI states alone and containing oligonucleotides. After 24 hours, cell viability and morphology were assessed using MTT and electron microscopy methods respectively. Data were analysed using the one-way ANOVA, followed by the Tukey Post-Hoc test.

The results showed that nanoparticles significantly reduced the cell viability by causing toxicity to cells (P<0.0001) and also its images showed cell death and apoptosis. But PEI containing oligonucleotides had no toxic effects on cell viability (P= 0.7414). Its electron microscope image also showed a normal cell morphology.

Overall, this study showed that the effect of PEI toxicity on VSMC cells is inhibited by oligonucleotide sequencing and thus neutralizing the positive charges of the amine group.