High transfection efficiency of poly(4-vinylimidazole) as a new gene carrier

Bioconjug Chem. 2003 Jul-Aug;14(4):707-8. doi: 10.1021/bc025611q.

Abstract

Poly(4-vinylimidazole) (P4V) was obtained by free radical polymerization of 4-vinylimidazole (4V) prepared by decarboxylation of urocanic acid. P4V formed a complex with DNA that exhibited higher transfection effiency on Hela cells than polyethylenimine (PEI), through the proton sponge mechanism of the imidazole groups in the side chain of the P4V, and low cell toxicity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / genetics*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Carriers / chemical synthesis
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacology
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Imidazoles / chemistry*
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Models, Chemical
  • Molecular Weight
  • Particle Size
  • Polyvinyls / chemical synthesis*
  • Polyvinyls / chemistry*
  • Polyvinyls / pharmacology
  • Transfection / methods*

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Imidazoles
  • Polyvinyls
  • poly(4-vinylimidazole)
  • DNA