title: pH-Sensitive pentablock copolymer nanocapsules as nontoxic and efficient gene carriers.
abstract: A biodegradable amphiphilic pentablock copolymer PAE-PCL-PEG-PCL-PAE with a pH-sensitive unit was synthesized for use as a nontoxic, biodegradable carrier for gene delivery by forming nanocapsules entrapping nucleic acid drugs. The PAE block can interact with plasmid DNA to form polyelectrolyte complexes in an acidic environment. At physiological pH, the PAE blocks are deprotonated and form an insoluble skin, resulting in the formation of nanocapsules that encapsulate plasmid DNA. The surface charges of the nanocapsules became almost neutral at pH = 7.4, and their size ranged from 210 to 280 nm. The nanocapsule maintained most of its transfection efficiency even in the presence of serum. These nanocapsules are therefore potential carriers for systemic gene therapy.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min Sang
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yeon Lim
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Dai Phu
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Huynh
authors.forename: Cong Truc
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Huynh
authors.forename: Yuhan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Su Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Sun Hwa
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae Gwan
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Doo Sung
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ji Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jeong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D051379:Mice; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000737:chemistry*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D010316:Particle Size; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011522:Protons; D055672:Static Electricity; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D053769:Nanocapsules; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011522:Protons; C507253:poly(beta-amino ester); C515340:poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-b-poly(ethyleneglycol)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone); D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004247:DNA