Dendronised block copolymers as potential vectors for gene transfection.
A series of block copolymers containing a dendronised cationic block for efficient DNA binding and a poly(ethylene glycol) block for encapsulation of the complex were synthesised in a modular fashion using a combination of click chemistry and ring-opening metathesis polymerisation. DNA binding experiments, investigated using gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, showed that all polymers prepared in this study strongly complex DNA and self-assemble into polyion complex micelles with apparent hydrodynamic radii ranging from 20-120 nm at physiological pH (7.4). The in vitro transfection efficiency and toxicity of these potential non-viral vectors were also evaluated in HeLadouble dagger cells using plasmid DNA encoding for green fluorescent protein as the reporter gene.
Wigglesworth
Tony J
TJ
Laboratorium für Organische Chemie, ETH-Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
Teixeira
Francisco
F
Axthelm
Fabian
F
Eisler
Sara
S
Csaba
Noemi S
NS
Merkle
Hans P
HP
Meier
Wolfgang
W
Diederich
François
F
D050091:Dendrimers; D008027:Light; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014162:Transfection
D050091:Dendrimers; D011108:Polymers