SAINT-Vivo Transfection Reagent

SAINT-Vivo is an optimised version of the SAINT-18 cationic lipid, which has been used by several groups of researchers for in vivo application as a delivery agent for DNA.

The group of C.N.Kuo et al. has shown non-inflammatory corneal transfection in rats. In one of their publications they demonstrate inhibition of corneal neovascularization with a plasmid encoding pigment epithelium-derived factor (p-PEDF), delivered by SAINT-18, in an experimental model of rat corneal angiogenesis. Yet another publication examines the combination of a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody to VEGF with p-PEDF/SAINT-18. Together, this work demonstrates that a combination of antibody and gene therapy using SAINT-18 may have potent and prolonged anti-angiogenic effects, thus providing a potential new therapy for severe complications of ischaemic ocular diseases caused by neovascularisation.

In the field of DNA vaccination, Endmann et al. have shown SAINT-mediated delivery of a gene expression vector coding for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). Upon intradermal injection of this DNA vaccine, a dose-dependent antibody response was elicited in mice. Another publication by the same group demonstrated that when administered in combination with SAINT-18, the expression vector is found in significantly larger amounts in draining lymph nodes compared to the same vector without SAINT-18. Furthermore, the use of SAINT-18 resulted in greater antigen expression, and the combination of SAINT-18 with the gene expression vector was well tolerated in mice and rats. In a study in pigs, Endmann et al. show that a SAINT-18 formulated DNA vaccine at a relatively low dose elicits an immune response similar to a normal dose of a commercial, licensed aluminum hydroxide-adjuvanted protein vaccine. After three vaccinations, the SAINT-18 formulated DNA vaccine induces a specific antibody response at a level considered protective. In conclusion, a SAINT-formulated DNA vaccine may provide a safe and effective alternative to current hepatitis B vaccines.

A research group at the university of Hannover has shown the application of SAINT-18 as a delivery agent in therapeutic DNA vaccination therapy against equine melanoma. Grey horses vaccinated thrice with DNA vectors encoding equine IL-12 and IL-18 display a significant decrease in tumour burden.

In conclusion, these animal studies demonstrate that SAINT-18 is an excellent delivery vehicle for gene expression vectors for in vivo applications, including DNA vaccines that elicit effective immune responses against viruses and cancer.

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Background

SAINT™ delivery technology is based on a set of proprietary, entirely synthetic, cationic lipid structures which have demonstrated to be safe and non-toxic both in vitro and in vivo. Due to its cationic headgroup and amphiphilic nature, SAINT lipids readily bind to most biomolecules (DNA, RNA, and protein) and to cellular membranes, facilitating efficient uptake and release of these biomolecules inside cells. SAINT lipids have demonstrated to reach similar or much higher transfection efficiencies (depending on the cell type) than competing, well-known products for a fraction of the price.