title: Dendritic poly(ether imine) based gene delivery vector.
abstract: The nonviral vector based gene delivery approach is attractive due to advantages associated with molecular-level modifications suitable for optimization of vector properties. In a new class of nonviral gene delivery systems, we herein report the potential of poly(ether imine) (PETIM) dendrimers to mediate an effective gene delivery function. PETIM dendrimer, constituted with tertiary amine branch points, n-propyl ether linkers and primary amines at their peripheries, exhibits significantly reduced toxicities, over a broad concentration range. The dendrimer complexes pDNA effectively, protects DNA from endosomal damages, and delivers to the cell nucleus. Gene transfection studies, utilizing a reporter plasmid pEGFP-C1 and upon complexation with dendrimer, showed a robust expression of the encoded protein. The study shows that PETIM dendrimers are hitherto unknown novel gene delivery vectors, combining features of poly(ethylene imine)-based polymers and dendrimers, yet are relatively nontoxic and structurally precise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurovirology, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India.
authors.forename: Ullas Padinjaremattathil
authors.initials: UP
authors.lastname: Thankappan
authors.forename: Shampur Narayan
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Madhusudana
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: Govindasamy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jayamurugan
authors.forename: Yamajala B R D
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Rajesh
authors.forename: Narayanaswamy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jayaraman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D006224:Cricetinae; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D050091:Dendrimers; D011108:Polymers; C039807:co(polyether-imide)