title: Multifunctional nanoparticulate polyelectrolyte complexes.
abstract: Water-soluble, biodegradable, polymeric, polyelectrolyte complex dispersions (PECs) have evolved because of the limitations, in terms of toxicity, of the currently available systems. These aqueous nanoparticulate architectures offer a significant advantage for products that may be used as drug delivery systems in humans. PECs are created by mixing oppositely charged polyions. Their hydrodynamic diameter, surface charge, and polydispersity are highly dependent on concentration, ionic strength, pH, and molecular parameters of the polymers that are used. In particular, the complexation between polyelectrolytes with significantly different molecular weights leads to the formation of water-insoluble aggregates. Several PEC characteristics are favorable for cellular uptake and colloidal stability, including hydrodynamic diameter less than 200 nm, surface charge of >30 mV or <-30 mV, spherical morphology, and polydispersity index (PDI) indicative of a homogeneous distribution. Maintenance of these properties is critical for a successful delivery vehicle. This review focuses on the development and potential applications of PECs as multi-functional, site-specific nanoparticulate drug/gene delivery and imaging devices.
authors.affiliation: Divison of Pediatrics Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030-4009, USA.
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hartig
authors.forename: Rachel R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Jayasri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DasGupta
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carlesso
authors.forename: Mikhail M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Dikov
authors.forename: Ales
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prokop
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Davidson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004705:Endocytosis; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D053758:Nanoparticles; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004573:Electrolytes; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011108:Polymers; D011506:Proteins; D014867:Water