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Redox‐responsive polyethyleneimine‐coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for controllable gene delivery and magnetic resonance imaging
Author(s) -
Peng Si,
Wang Qiuyue,
Xiao Xue,
Wang Rui,
Lin Juan,
Zhou Qinghan,
Wu Lina
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.5943
Subject(s) - gene delivery , cystamine , transfection , reagent , iron oxide nanoparticles , nanoparticle , zeta potential , cytotoxicity , materials science , iron oxide , chemistry , redox , nanotechnology , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry , gene , in vitro
Recently, theranostic candidates that provide a combination of gene delivery and image diagnosis have attracted much interest in medical research. However, there are still many challenges for their clinical applications, such as uncontrollable gene delivery, high cytotoxicity, low transfection efficiency and reduced image contrast. Herein, redox‐responsive polyethyleneimine‐coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs@rPEI) were prepared for both efficient gene delivery and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Firstly, crosslinked rPEI was synthesized by Michael addition reaction with N , N ‐bis(acryloyl)cystamine, dopamine and low‐molecular‐weight branched PEI. The rPEI was then coated onto IONs by ligand exchange reaction forming IONs@rPEI. The physicochemical properties of the IONs@rPEI, such as chemical structure, size, zeta potential and DNA condensation ability, were investigated. In addition, a rapid degradation of the as‐prepared nanoparticles was observed, which was triggered by reducing glutathione via destruction of disulfide linkages suggesting a potential controllable DNA release in tumor cells. In MR imaging detection, the IONs@rPEI had a high T 2 relaxivity of 81 L mmol −1 s −1 indicating a potential usage as MR imaging contrast reagent. In cell assay, the IONs@rPEI exhibited low cytotoxicity and good transfection efficiency. In conclusion, the as‐prepared crosslinked IONs@rPEI can be used as a promising technology platform for gene therapy and MR imaging in theranostics. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry