A dendrimer-like DNA-based vector for DNA delivery: a viral and nonviral hybrid approach.
DNA can be used as a generic delivery vector in addition to its genetic role as a antigen expression vector. This is inspired in part by the fact that DNA molecules are true polymers. Surprisingly, DNA molecules have not been used as a delivery vector material. This is probably due to the fact that almost all DNA have only two shapes: linear or circular. This chapter details our efforts in fabricating highly branched dendrimer-like DNA (DL-DNA) that may serve as a multivalent DNA delivery vector. Just like chemical dendrimers, DL-DNA is multi-valent and monodisperse. However, unlike traditional chemical dendrimers, DL-DNA is much larger (~100 nm, generation 4) and can be designed to be nonsymmetric as well. Most importantly, DL-DNA possesses two unique properties: anisotropicity and biodegradability, making multiple, specific conjugations of viral peptides possible. Our method suggests that viral-pep-tide conjugated DL-DNA vectors can deliver genes into cells without any other transfection reagents. This viral-nonviral hybrid system can be further tailored to specific cells by conjugating specific ligands. We believe that such a DL-DNA-based, viral, and nonviral hybrid assembly will provide a new platform for drug delivery in general and gene delivery in particular.
Luo
Dan
D
Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Li
Yougen
Y
Um
Soong Ho
SH
Cu
Yen
Y
D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000737:chemistry*; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*
D050091:Dendrimers; D010455:Peptides; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D014764:Viral Proteins