title: Plasmid DNA nanogels as photoresponsive materials for multifunctional bio-applications.
abstract: This study provides a detailed description on the synthesis and characterization of novel polyamine plasmid DNA nanogels. Ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether was used as cross-linker, in conjugation with polyamines to promote pDNA condensation. The biocompatible nanovectors exhibit a unique swelling behavior in water and salt solutions. These systems are light photodegradable allowing their use in a broad range of biotechnological applications. Different plasmids, pVAX1-LacZ and pcDNA3-FLAG-p53, and anticancer drugs were, thus, efficiently loaded in the nanogels and their controlled release was demonstrated. Furthermore, the dual delivery of pcDNA3-FLAG-p53 gene and anticancer drugs illustrates the possibility of the combination of chemical and gene therapies. This new versatile and easy method of nanohydrogels preparation provides a potential synthetic approach for the design of tunable systems which can display multiple functions, sensitivity to different stimuli and exhibit programmed responses as well.
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal. Electronic address: dcosta@fcsaude.ubi.pt.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: CQC, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Artur J M
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Queiroz
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D000080385:Nanogels; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010782:Photolysis; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D011073:Polyamines / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D000080385:Nanogels; D011073:Polyamines; C413692:polyethylene glycol polyethyleneimine nanogel; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D015251:Epirubicin; D004317:Doxorubicin; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; D004247:DNA; D017239:Paclitaxel
keywords: Co-delivery; Nanogels; Non-viral vectors; Plasmid DNA; Swelling behavior