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Low Charge Density Cationic Polymers for Gene Delivery: Exploring the Influence of Structural Elements on in vitro Transfection
Author(s) -
Mindemark Jonas,
Tabata Yasuhiko,
Bowden Tim
Publication year - 2012
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.201100480
Subject(s) - cationic polymerization , polymer , transfection , gene delivery , dna , chemistry , in vitro , cytotoxicity , charge density , biophysics , polymer chemistry , materials science , gene , biochemistry , organic chemistry , biology , physics , quantum mechanics
A series of end‐functionalized poly(trimethylene carbonate) DNA carriers, characterized by low cationic charge density and pronounced hydrophobicity, is used to study structural effects on in vitro gene delivery. As the DNA‐binding moieties are identical in all polymer structures, the differences observed between the different polymers are directly related to the functionality and length of the polymer backbone. The transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity of the polymer/DNA complexes are thus found to be dependent on a combination of polymer charge density and functionality, highlighting the importance of such structural considerations in the development of materials for efficient gene delivery.