Supramolecular host-guest pseudocomb conjugates composed of multiple star polycations tied tunably with a linear polycation backbone for gene transfection

Bioconjug Chem. 2013 Jun 19;24(6):1049-56. doi: 10.1021/bc400115e. Epub 2013 Jun 3.

Abstract

A series of novel supramolecular pseudocomb polycations (l-PGEA-Ad/CD-PGEAs) were synthesized by tying multiple low-molecular-weight β-cyclodextrin (CD)-cored, ethanolamine-functionalized poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGEA) star polymers (CD-PGEAs) with an adamantine-modified linear PGEA (l-PGEA-Ad) backbone via the host-guest interaction. The pseudocomb carriers were studied in terms of their DNA binding capabilities, cytotoxicities, and gene transfection efficiencies in the HepG2 and HEK293 cell lines. The pseudocomb l-PGEA-Ad/CD-PGEAs exhibited better plasmid DNA-condensing abilities than their counterparts, CD-PGEA and l-PGEA. Meanwhile, the pseudocomb carriers displayed low cytotoxicity, similar to CD-PGEA and l-PGEA. Moreover, the gene transfection efficiencies of the pseudocomb carriers were much higher than those of CD-PGEA and l-PGEA at various PGEA nitrogen/DNA phosphate molar ratios. Such supramolecular preparation of pseudocomb gene carriers could provide a flexible approach for adjusting the structure and functionality of supramolecular polymers via the proper use of non-covalent interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amantadine / chemistry*
  • Cations / chemical synthesis
  • Cations / chemistry*
  • Cations / pharmacology
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • DNA / chemistry
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Ethanolamine / chemistry*
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemical synthesis
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Macromolecular Substances / pharmacology
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Particle Size
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polymers / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Surface Properties
  • beta-Cyclodextrins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cations
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Polymers
  • beta-Cyclodextrins
  • Ethanolamine
  • DNA
  • Amantadine
  • betadex