title: Novel biodegradable polymers as gene carriers.
abstract: This study investigated two new biodegradable polymers as gene controlled-released coatings for gene transfer. Poly(ethylene glycol)-co-poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PELA) and poly(ethylene glycol)-co-poly(lactic acid)-co-poly(glycolic acid) random copolymer (PELGA) were synthesized and used as microspheres matrices with encapsulated plasmid pCH110. The plasmid loading efficiency, cytotoxicity, transfection efficiency and in vitro degradation and release profiles of microsphere complexes were evaluated in details. The biodegradable polymers showed high DNA loading efficiency and low cytotoxicity as gene controlled-released coatings, and the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) contents of polymer matrices influenced the diameter, loading efficiency and transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA within the microspheres. The average diameters of PELA and PELGA microspheres were between 0.5 and 1.5 microm, and the plasmid loading efficiency was 62 and 73% for PELA and PELGA microspheres with 10% PEG content, respectively. In vitro testing showed a gradual release profile of DNA from polymeric matrices. The polymers/DNA microspheres had high transfection efficiency and early gene expression and maintenance of gene expression level for up to 96 h, although transfection efficiency were slightly lower than that of liposome in the initial 24 h. The biodegradable polymeric materials possess potential superiority as gene carriers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Huaxi Basic Medicine and Forensic College, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wenxiang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Chun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zairong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Juhui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Shaobing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xiaohong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019556:COS Cells; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D015870:Gene Expression; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D010957:Plasmids; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011108:Polymers; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004247:DNA