Bioreducible POSS-cored star-shaped polycation for efficient gene delivery

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2014 Jan 22;6(2):1044-52. doi: 10.1021/am404585d. Epub 2013 Dec 9.

Abstract

The bioreducible star-shaped gene vector (POSS-(SS-PDMAEMA)8) with well-defined structure and relatively narrow molecular weight distribution was synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of (2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) from a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) macroinitiator. POSS-(SS-PDMAEMA)8 was composed of a biocompatible POSS core and eight disulfide-linked PDMAEMA arms, wherein the PDMAEMA chain length could be adjusted by controlling polymerization time. POSS-(SS-PDMAEMA)8 can effectively bind pDNA into uniform nanocomplexes with appropriate particle size and zeta potential. The incorporation of disulfide bridges gave the POSS-(SS-PDMAEMA)8 material facile bioreducibility. In comparison with POSS-(PDMAEMA)8 without disulfide linkage, POSS-(SS-PDMAEMA)8 exhibited much lower cytotoxicity and substantially higher transfection efficiency. The present work would provide useful information for the design of new POSS-based drug/gene carriers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Methacrylates / chemistry*
  • Organosilicon Compounds / chemistry*
  • Polymerization
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Methacrylates
  • Organosilicon Compounds
  • polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane methacrylate
  • DNA
  • 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate