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pH‐Sensitive Pentablock Copolymer Nanocapsules as Nontoxic and Efficient Gene Carriers
Author(s) -
Lee Min Sang,
Jang Yeon Lim,
Huynh Dai Phu,
Huynh Cong Truc,
Lee Yuhan,
Chae Su Young,
Kim Sun Hwa,
Park Tae Gwan,
Lee Doo Sung,
Jeong Ji Hoon
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
macromolecular bioscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.924
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1616-5195
pISSN - 1616-5187
DOI - 10.1002/mabi.201000401
Subject(s) - nanocapsules , copolymer , amphiphile , gene delivery , chemistry , nucleic acid , transfection , dna , polyelectrolyte , poloxamer , biophysics , polymer chemistry , nanotechnology , polymer , organic chemistry , materials science , biochemistry , gene , nanoparticle , biology
A biodegradable amphiphilic pentablock copolymer PAE‐PCL‐PEG‐PCL‐PAE with a pH‐sensitive unit was synthesized for use as a nontoxic, biodegradable carrier for gene delivery by forming nanocapsules entrapping nucleic acid drugs. The PAE block can interact with plasmid DNA to form polyelectrolyte complexes in an acidic environment. At physiological pH, the PAE blocks are deprotonated and form an insoluble skin, resulting in the formation of nanocapsules that encapsulate plasmid DNA. The surface charges of the nanocapsules became almost neutral at pH = 7.4, and their size ranged from 210 to 280 nm. The nanocapsule maintained most of its transfection efficiency even in the presence of serum. These nanocapsules are therefore potential carriers for systemic gene therapy.