Dynamic self-assembly of polycationic clusters based on cyclodextrins for pH-sensitive DNA nanocondensation and delivery by component design

Abstract

The ability of cyclodextrin-based polycationic cluster to undergo reversible DNA condensation and release in a physiologically useful pH window has been finely tuned by the installation of a capping xylylene moiety at the secondary face of the cyclooligosaccharide. This strategy can be exploited advantageously in the design of self-assembling nonviral gene-delivery systems from molecular entities.

Keywords: cyclodextrin; fluorescence; gene delivery; pH sensitivity; self-assembly.