title: N,N,N-Trimethylchitosan chloride as a gene vector: synthesis and application.
abstract: N,N,N-Trimethylchitosan chloride with different degrees of quaternization has been synthesized and characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The particle size ranges from 150 to 600 nm, which is dependent on the N/P ratio and is less influenced by the degree of quaternization. The majority of the particles have a spherical morphology. The zeta potential of the particles increases with the N/P ratio and the quaternization degree of TMC. Short-term contact experiments show good biocompatibility of TMC, but long-term contact experiments reveal its high toxicity. This study suggests that TMC is a promising gene carrier, but further modification is still required to improve its cytocompatibility.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Ministry of Education, and Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
authors.forename: Zhengwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Lie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Changyou
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Jiacong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010316:Particle Size; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: C118071:N-trimethyl chitosan chloride; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D004247:DNA; D048271:Chitosan; C022616:thiazolyl blue