Abstract. We developed a novel and convenient method for the synthesis of a potentially safe non-viral gene delivery vehicle based on the cationic block copolymer of spermine and aspartic acid (ASSP) and coupled it with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The copolymer ASSP was prepared by direct polycondensation in the ionic liquid, butylmethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, using triphenyl phosphite as the condensing agent under mild reaction conditions. The highly hydrophobic ASSP was transformed into a water soluble hydrophilic micelle by coupling ASSP with polyethylene glycol (PEG) using the same ionic liquid and 1,1-carbonyl diimidazole as the condensing agent without harsh conditions. The polycationic ASSP-PEG was then used to condense calf thymus and plasmid deoxyribonuclceic acids (DNAs) in Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4) to get a series of block ionomer complexes with various charge ratios. The physicochemical properties of the copolymer micelle and the DNA polyplexes were studied using fourier transform-infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and particle size measurements. It was observed that the DNA was condensed to compact particles by its interaction with the copolymer. Since DNA condensation to nano/micrometer sized particles is essential for gene delivery, our results indicate a potential use of the copolymer for gene delivery applications.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.