title: Chemically programmed polymers for targeted DNA and siRNA transfection.
abstract: Plasmid DNA and siRNA have a large potential for use as therapeutic nucleic acids in medicine. The way to the target cell and its proper compartment is full of obstacles. Polymeric carriers help to overcome the encountered barriers. Cationic polymers can interact with the nucleic acid in a nondamaging way but still require optimization with regard to transfer efficiency and biocompatibility. Aiming at virus-like features, as viruses are the most efficient natural gene carriers, the design of bioresponsive polymers shows promising results regarding DNA and siRNA delivery. By specific chemical modifications dynamic structures are created, programmed to respond towards changing demands on the delivery pathway by cleavage of labile bonds or conformational changes, thus enhancing biocompatible gene delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Butenandtstrate 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Eveline Edith
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Salcher
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D004247:DNA