The effects of PVP(Fe(III)) catalyst on polymer molecular weight and gene delivery via biodegradable cross-linked polyethylenimine.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Crosslinked, degradable derivatives of low-molecular-weight polyethylenimine (PEI) are relatively efficient and non-cytotoxic gene delivery agents. To further investigate these promising materials, a new synthetic approach was developed using a poly(4-vinylpyridine)-supported Fe(III) catalyst (PVP(Fe(III))) that provides more facile synthesis and enhanced control of polymer molecular weight.

Methods

Biodegradable polymers (D.PEI) comprising 800-Da PEI crosslinked with 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate and exhibiting molecular weights of 1.2, 6.2, and 48 kDa were synthesized utilizing the PVP(Fe(III)) catalyst. D.PEI/DNA polyplexes were characterized using gel retardation, ethidium bromide exclusion, heparan sulfate displacement, and dynamic light scattering. In vitro transfe

SUBMITTER: Shum VW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3465843 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature