DEAE-Dextran

DEAE-Dextran (Di-ethyl-amino-ethyl Dextran) is a polycationic derivative of Dextran. It is a white, hygroscopic powder, freely soluble in water and salt solutions which can be sterilized by autoclaving or by sterile filtration.

DEAE-Dextran maintains its quality and efficacy for more than 3 years when stored at room temperature in airtight packaging. The product is supplied as the hydrochloride.

Applications

DEAE-Dextran offers a wide range of chemical and biological properties. The applications below are well documented.

Adjuvant in vaccines

DEAE-dextran is a well-known adjuvant in vaccines.¹ The DEAE-dextran will help create a strong immune reaction in the human or animal receiving the vaccine.

Agent for transfection

DEAE-dextran can be used to transfer nucleic acid into cells. Due to the cationic properties of DEAE-dextran, it will associate tightly with the anionic backbone of the nucleic acid ^2,3. This will create a net-positive complex which can adhere to the cell membrane and enter the cytoplasm via endocytosis or an induced osmotic shock.

Stabilizer of proteins

DEAE-dextran has shown to stabilize both lyophilized proteins and enzyme as well as proteins in solutions⁴.

Agent for reduction of cholesterol count

Clinical studies of DEAE-dextran have shown that it can reduce both blood cholesterol and triglycerides.⁴

Enhancer of viral infectivity

Studies have shown that DEAE-dextran can increase the infectivity of viruses.⁵

References

1. Coffman, R. L., Sher, A. & Seder, R. A. Vaccine Adjuvants: Putting Innate Immunity to Work. Immunity 33, 492–503 (2010).
2. Lalani, J. & Misra, A. 4 - Gene Delivery Using Chemical Methods. in Challenges in Delivery of Therapeutic Genomics and Proteomics (ed. Misra, A.) 127–206 (Elsevier, 2011). doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-384964-9.00004-9.
3. Spain, S. G. et al. 4.424 - Nanoparticles for Nucleic Acid Delivery. in Comprehensive Biomaterials (ed. Ducheyne, P.) 389–410 (Elsevier, 2011). doi:10.1016/B978-0-08-055294-1.00133-1.
4. de Belder, A. N. Dextran Handbook. (Amersham Biosciences, 2003).
5. Pagano, J. S., McCutchan, J. H. & Vaheri, A. Factors Influencing the Enhancement of the Infectivity of Poliovirus Ribonucleic Acid by Diethylaminoethyl-Dextran. J. Virol. 1, 891–897 (1967).