Abstract
A series of amphiphilic star and linear block copolymers were synthesized using ATRP. The core consisted of either polystyrene (PS) or poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PBuA), having different glass-transition (T(g)) values. These polymers were used as macroinitiators in the polymerization of the cationic 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). The polymers were used to study the effects of polymer architecture and flexibility on the self-assembling properties, DNA complexation, and transfection. All polymers formed core-shell micelles in aqueous solutions and condensed plasmid DNA. Linear PDMAEMA-PBuA-PDMAEMA has transfection efficiency comparable to PEI25K in ARPE19 cell line. Glassy state of the micellar core and star-shaped architecture decreased the DNA transfection compared with the rubbery and linear polymer structures. The polymers showed low cellular toxicity at low nitrogen/phosphate (n/p) ratios.
MeSH terms
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Acrylates / chemistry
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Animals
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Cations / chemistry
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Cell Line
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Cell Survival / drug effects
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Cryoelectron Microscopy
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DNA / genetics
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DNA / metabolism
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DNA / pharmacology*
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Drug Carriers / chemical synthesis*
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Drug Carriers / metabolism
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Epithelial Cells / cytology
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Epithelial Cells / drug effects*
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Epithelial Cells / metabolism
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Fibroblasts / cytology
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Fibroblasts / drug effects*
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Fibroblasts / metabolism
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Gene Expression
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Gene Transfer Techniques*
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Haplorhini
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Humans
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Methacrylates / chemical synthesis*
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Methacrylates / metabolism
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Micelles
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Plasmids
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Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
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Polymers / chemistry
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Polystyrenes / chemistry
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Solutions
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Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
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Transfection
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beta-Galactosidase / genetics
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beta-Galactosidase / metabolism
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beta-Galactosidase / pharmacology*
Substances
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Acrylates
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Cations
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Drug Carriers
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Methacrylates
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Micelles
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Polymers
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Polystyrenes
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Solutions
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poly(n-butyl acrylate)
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Polyethylene Glycols
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DNA
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beta-Galactosidase
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2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate