Synthesis and properties of a novel biodegradable poly(ester amine) copolymer based on poly(L-lactide) and low molecular weight polyethylenimine for gene delivery

Int J Nanomedicine. 2011:6:1641-9. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S21141. Epub 2011 Aug 11.

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.

Conclusion: These results indicate that such PEA might have potential application as a gene delivery system.

Keywords: cytotoxicity; gene delivery; poly(L-lactide); polyethylenimine; transfection efficiency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Molecular Weight
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Particle Size
  • Polyesters / administration & dosage
  • Polyesters / chemical synthesis
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Polyethyleneimine / administration & dosage
  • Polyethyleneimine / chemical synthesis
  • Polyethyleneimine / chemistry*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Polyesters
  • poly(lactide)
  • Polyethyleneimine