title: PEG-assisted DNA solubilization in organic solvents for preparing cytosol specifically degradable PEG/DNA nanogels.
abstract: DNA was dissolved in selected organic solvents in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Nanoscale PEG/DNA complex (approximately 100 nm) was produced in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) phase. Using a thiol-functionalized six-arm branched PEG for DNA solubilization, the PEG/DNA nanocomplex was cross-linked through the formation of disulfide linkages between the thiol groups, resulting in the production of stable PEG/DNA nanogels in aqueous solution. DNA release from the nanogels could be modulated by changing the concentration of an external reducing agent. The released plasmid DNA from the nanogels maintained intact structural integrity and exhibited appreciable gene transfection efficiency. The PEG/DNA nanogels could be potentially applied for gene therapy including DNA vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyejung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mok
authors.forename: Tae Gwan
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D003600:Cytosol; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D015394:Molecular Structure; D000080385:Nanogels; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D012997:Solvents
chemical_list: D000080385:Nanogels; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012997:Solvents; C413692:polyethylene glycol polyethyleneimine nanogel; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; D004247:DNA