title: Novel polymeric micelles of amphiphilic triblock copolymer poly (p-dioxanone-co-L-lactide)-block-poly (ethylene glycol).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to characterize the micelles of novel block copolymer of poly (p-Dioxanone-co-L-Lactide)-block-Poly (ethylene glycol) (PPDO/PLLA-b-PEG-) and evaluate its ability to induce gene transfection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ability of the block copolymer to self-assemble was determined by viscometery, dye solublization, NMR spectra and dynamic light scattering. The Trypan blue assay for in vitro biocompatibility of the block copolymer was carried out with NIH 3T3, CT-26 and MCF-7 cells, and beta-glactosidase assay was applied to measure the transfection efficiency of the block copolymer on MCF-7 breast cancer cell.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depending on the block lengths and molecular weights, solubility of the polymeric samples in water was varied. Diluted aqueous solution properties of the copolymer were studied. 1,6-Diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene solubilization and 1H NMR spectra carried out in CDCl3 and D2O, were used to prove the existence of hydrophobic domains as the core of micelle. Average particle size of 60-165 nm with low polydispersity, and lower negative zeta potential of -3 to -14 mV were observed on the aqueous copolymer dispersion. Copolymer was found with almost no cytotoxic effect and was able to promote the transfection efficiency (about 3-fold) in MCF-7 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PPDO/PLLA-b-PEG copolymer has ability to assemble into nanoscopic structures in aqueous environment, which enable to enhance gene transfection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Organic Materials Engineering, Chonbuk National University, Chonju 561 756, South Korea.
authors.forename: Narayan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bhattarai
authors.forename: Shanta Raj
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bhattarai
authors.forename: Ho Keun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Jung Chang
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Myung Seob
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Khil
authors.forename: Pyong Han
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Hak Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D004563:Electrochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007763:Lac Operon / Q000235:genetics; D008027:Light; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D051379:Mice; D008823:Micelles; D010316:Particle Size; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012996:Solutions; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D014162:Transfection; D014783:Viscosity; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D008823:Micelles; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D011091:Polyesters; D012996:Solutions; C483760:poly(p-dioxanone-co-L-lactide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol); D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004247:DNA; D001616:beta-Galactosidase