Cationic Hyperbranched Polymers with Biocompatible Shells for siRNA Delivery

Biomacromolecules. 2018 Sep 10;19(9):3754-3765. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b00902. Epub 2018 Aug 27.

Abstract

Cationic hyperbranched polymers (HBP) were prepared by self-condensing vinyl polymerization of an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) inimer containing a quaternary ammonium group. Two types of biocompatible shells, poly(oligoethylene glycol) methacrylate (polyOEGMA) and poly(2-(methylsulfinyl) ethyl methacrylate) (polyDMSO), were grafted respectively from HBP core to form core-shell structures with low molecular weight dispersity and high biocompatibility, polyOEGMA-HBP and polyDMSO-HBP. Both of the structures showed low cytotoxicity and good siRNA complexing ability. The efficacy of gene silencing against Runt-related transcription factor 2 ( Runx2) expression and the long-term assessment of mineralized nodule formation in osteoblast cultures were evaluated. The biocompatible core-shell structures were crucial to minimizing undesired cytotoxicity and nonspecific gene suppression. polyDMSO-HBP showed higher efficacy of forming polyplexes than polyOEGMA-HBP due to shell with lower steric hindrance. Overall, the gene silencing efficiency of both core-shell structures was comparable to commercial agent Lipofectamine, indicating long-term potential for gene silencing to treat heterotopic ossification (HO).

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / adverse effects
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / genetics
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / metabolism
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Osteoblasts / drug effects
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • Osteoblasts / physiology
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / chemistry
  • RNA, Small Interfering / chemistry
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit
  • POEGMA
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RUNX2 protein, human
  • Polyethylene Glycols