title: Vinyl polymers as non-viral gene delivery carriers: current status and prospects.
abstract: Since the first application of polymers as non-viral gene delivery systems in 1965 by Vaheri and Pagano using functionalised dextran (A. Vaheri and J. S. Pagano, "Infectious poliovirus RNA: a sensitive method of assay", Virology 1965, 27, 434-6), a large number of different polymers have been developed, studied and compared for application as DNA carriers. Vinyl-based polymers are one type of polymers that have gained considerable interest. The interest in developing this particular type of polymer is partly related to the straightforward way in which large amounts of these polymers can be prepared by radical (co)polymerisation. This opens up a path for establishing a wide range of structure-property relations using polymer libraries. The present review aims to give an overview of past and ongoing research using vinyl-based gene delivery systems. The application of cationic, neutral and zwitterionic polymers as DNA carriers is summarised and discussed. [structure: see text] Chemical structure of DEAE-functionalised dextran.
authors.affiliation: Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S4 Bis), B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Peter.Dubruel@UGent.be
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dubruel
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schacht
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009757:Nylons / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011522:Protons; D014753:Vinyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D008689:Methacrylates; D009757:Nylons; D011108:Polymers; D011522:Protons; D014753:Vinyl Compounds; C407037:poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate); D004247:DNA