Fig. 3

NS coupled with PEI modification for cellular DNA transfection. (a) Schematic illustration outlining the transfection by NS coupled with PEI modification (PEI modification@NS). (b) Depiction of the PEI modification procedure of the NS. (c) Fluorescent microscopy images illustrating the cell condition on the PEI@NS context over a 24-h period after initial cell seeding. Merged signals from Calcein AM (green), Hoechst (gray), and PI (red) are presented. The upper panel represents HeLa cells, the middle panel shows DC2.4 cells, and the lower panel features HL-1 cells. Cell condition on PEI@NS modified with various concentrations of PEI (0.1, 1.0, 10.0, and 40.0 mg/mL) solution are arranged from left to right. (d) Quantification of cell viability on the PEI@NS based on microscopy images. Mean ± SEM, n = 3, One-way ANOVA. (e) Fluorescent microscopy images showcasing cells expressing GFP following transfection through PEI@NS. These images display the merged signals of GFP, Hoechst, and PI, and the rows correspond to those shown in panel (c). (f) Quantification of transfection efficiency and cell viability after pMAX-GFP transfection mediated by PEI@NS, based on the microscopic images. Mean ± SEM, n = 3, Two-way ANOVA. Scale bars in all images are 200 μm