Gene Delivery Vectors (gene + delivery_vector)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Modification of pLL/DNA complexes with a multivalent hydrophilic polymer permits folate-mediated targeting in vitro and prolonged plasma circulation in vivo

THE JOURNAL OF GENE MEDICINE, Issue 5 2002
Christopher M. Ward
Abstract Background Gene delivery vectors based on poly(L -lysine) and DNA (pLL/DNA complexes) have limited use for targeted systemic application in vivo since they bind cells and proteins non-specifically. In this study we have attempted to form folate-targeted vectors with extended systemic circulation by surface modification of pLL/DNA complexes with hydrophilic polymers. Methods pLL/DNA complexes were stabilised by surface modification with a multivalent reactive polymer based on alternating segments of poly(ethylene glycol) and tripeptides bearing reactive ester groups. Folate moieties were incorporated into the vectors either by direct attachment of folate to the polymer or via intermediate poly(ethylene glycol) spacers of 800 and 3400,Da. Results Polymer-coated complexes show similar morphology to uncoated complexes, their zeta potential is decreased towards zero, serum protein binding is inhibited and aqueous solubility is substantially increased. Intravenous (i.v.) administration to mice of coated complexes produced extended systemic circulation, with up to 2000-fold more DNA measured in the bloodstream after 30,min compared with simple pLL/DNA complexes. In further contrast to simple pLL/DNA complexes, coated complexes do not bind blood cells in vivo. Folate receptor targeting is shown to mediate targeted association with HeLa cells in vitro, leading to increased transgene expression. We demonstrate for the first time that DNA uptake via the folate receptor is dependent on pEG spacer length, with the transgene expression relatively independent of the level of internalised DNA. Conclusions We show increased systemic circulation, decreased blood cell and protein binding, and folate-targeted transgene expression using pLL/DNA complexes surface-modified with a novel multireactive hydrophilic polymer. This work provides the basis for the development of plasma-circulating targeted vectors for in vivo applications. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Preparation of monomethyl poly(ethylene glycol)- g -chitosan copolymers with various degrees of substitution: Their ability to encapsulate and condense plasmid DNA

JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008
Wei Zhang
Abstract Chitosan (CS) has great potential as a nonvirus gene delivery vector, but its application is limited because of poor water solubility. Monomethyl poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG)- graft -CS copolymers were synthesized by the reaction of mPEG,aldehyde (oxidized mPEG) with amino groups on CS chains; they showed enhanced solubility in water. Copolymers with various mPEG degrees of substitution (DS) and CS molecular weights were obtained, and their capabilities of DNA encapsulation were compared through gel retardation assay and particle size and , potential measurements. The effects of different ratios of primary amines on CS to the phosphate groups on DNA (N/P ratios), DS, and molecular weights on particle size and encapsulation efficiency were investigated. The results show that high N/P ratios and proper DS were necessary for the formation of well-distributed complex particles. Among all of these samples, mPEG (3.55),CS (50 kDa)/DNA complexes [where the parentheses following mPEG indicate DS (%), and the parentheses following CS indicate the molecular weight of CS] raised the , potential from negative to positive most quickly, yielded the smallest particle size, and were retarded in agarose gel at the lowest N/P ratio; this indicated the best efficiency of DNA encapsulation. On the contrary, mPEG (0.80),CS (50 kDa)/DNA complexes raised the , potential to positive most slowly, fluctuated around the value 0 from N/P ratios of 15 : 1 to 30 : 1, and were retarded in agarose gel at the highest N/P ratio; this indicated the lowest efficiency of encapsulating plasmids. Copolymers with desirable efficiencies of DNA encapsulation could be promising gene carriers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source]


Brush-Like Amphoteric Poly[isobutylene- alt -(maleic acid)- graft -oligoethyleneamine)]/DNA Complexes for Efficient Gene Transfection

MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 13 2010
Majad Khan
Abstract Synthetic gene delivery vectors, especially cationic polymers have attracted enormous attention in recent decades because of their ease of manufacture, targettability, and scaling up. However, certain issues such as high cytotoxicity and low transfection efficiency problems have hampered the advance of nonviral gene delivery. In this study, we designed and synthesized brush-like amphoteric poly[isobutylene- alt -(maleic acid)- graft -oligoethyleneamine] capable of mediating highly efficient gene transfection. The polymers are composed of multiple pendant oligoethyleneimine molecules with alternating carboxylic acid moiety grafted onto poly[isobutylene- alt -(maleic anhydride)]. The polymer formed from pentaethylenehexamine {i.e., poly[isobutylene- alt -(maleic acid)- graft -pentaethylenehexamine)]} was able to condense DNA efficiently into nanoparticles of size around 200,nm with positive zeta potential of about 28,30,mV despite its amphoteric nature. Luciferase expression level and percentage of GFP expressing cells induced by this polymer was higher than those mediated with polyethyleneimine (branched, 25,kDa) by at least one order of magnitude at their optimal N/P ratios on HEK293, HepG2, and 4T1 cells. In vitro cytotoxicity testing revealed that the polymer/DNA complexes were less cytotoxic than those of PEI, and the viability of the cells after being incubated with the polymer/DNA complexes at the optimal N/P ratios was higher than 85%. This polymer can be a promising gene delivery carrier for gene therapy. [source]


Influence of N-Terminal Hydrophobicity of Cationic Peptides on Thermodynamics of their Interaction with Plasmid DNA

CHEMICAL BIOLOGY & DRUG DESIGN, Issue 5 2009
Geetha N. Goparaju
There is a need to understand the thermodynamics of interaction of cationic peptides with DNA to design better peptide based non-viral gene delivery vectors. The main aim of this study was to understand the influence of N-terminal hydrophobicity of cationic amphiphilic peptides on thermodynamics of interaction with plasmid DNA. The model peptides used were TATPTD and TATPTDs modified at the N-terminal with hydrophobic amino acids. The thermodynamic binding data from isothermal titration calorimetry were compared with ethidium bromide analysis and ultrafiltration to correlate the binding parameters with the structural features of the various peptides used. It was observed that peptides having a smaller hydrophobic domain at the N-terminal have good DNA condensing ability compared with the ones with a longer hydrophobic domain. Calorimetry of peptides that reached saturation binding indicated that enthalpy and entropy are favorable for the interaction. Moreover, the interaction of these peptides with DNA appears to be predominantly electrostatic. [source]