title: Synthesis and properties of a novel biodegradable poly(ester amine) copolymer based on poly(L-lactide) and low molecular weight polyethylenimine for gene delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gene therapy is a promising approach to the treatment of a wide range of diseases. The development of efficient and adequate gene delivery systems could be one of the most important factors. Polyethyleneimine, a cationic polymer, is one of the most successful and widely used vectors for nonviral transfection in vitro and in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  A novel biodegradable poly(ester amine) copolymer (PEA) was successfully prepared from low molecular weight polyethylenimine (PEI, 2000 Da) and poly(L-lactide) copolymers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the results of agarose gel electrophoresis, particle size and zeta potential measurement, and transfection efficiency, the PEA copolymers showed a good ability to condense plasmid DNA effectively into nanocomplexes with a small particle size (≤150 nm) and moderate zeta potential (≥10 mV) at an appropriate polymeric carrier/DNA weight ratio. Compared with high molecular weight PEI (25kDa), the PEA obtained showed relatively high gene transfection efficiency as well as low cytotoxicity in vitro.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that such PEA might have potential application as a gene delivery system.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
authors: Qing Fa
authors: QF
authors: Guo
authors: Ting Ting
authors: TT
authors: Liu
authors: Xi
authors: X
authors: Yan
authors: Xiu Hong
authors: XH
authors: Wang
authors: Shuai
authors: S
authors: Shi
authors: Feng
authors: F
authors: Luo
authors: Zhi Yong
authors: ZY
authors: Qian
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide); D011094:Polyethyleneimine