• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2009

In order to enhance the gene delivery efficiency and decrease the cytotoxicity of polyplexes, we synthesized Solutol-g-PEI by conjugating polyethyleneimine (PEI) to Solutol (polyoxyethylene (10) stearate), and evaluated its efficiency as a possible nonviral gene carrier candidate. Structural analysis of synthesized polymer was performed by using $^1H$-NMR. Gel retardation assay, particle sizes and zeta potential measurement confirmed that the new gene carrier formed a compact complex with plasmid DNA. The complexes were smaller than 150 nm, which implicated its potential for intracellular delivery. It showed lower cytotoxicity in three different cell lines (Hela, MCF-7, and HepG2) than PEI 25 kDa. pGL3-lus was used as a reporter gene, and the transfection efficiency was in vitro measured in Hela cells. Solutol-g-PEI showed much higher transfection efficiency than unmodified PEI 25 kDa.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.493-499
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• 2007

Polymeric hydrogel particles were fabricated to demonstrate the scale-up possibilities with the Particle Replication In Non-wetting Templates (PRINT) process. A permanently etched, specifically designed master was made on a silicon wafer using conventional photolithography, then reactive ion etching. The master and substrate were used repeatedly to make a large number of identical elastomeric perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) replica molds. The PFPE replica molds were used to fabricate and harvest individual, monodisperse micron-sized particles using the PRINT process. A water-soluble polymer adhesive was used as a sacrificial layer for harvesting particles. Particles were composed of biodegradable poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-diA), and aminoethylacrylate (AEM) and 2-acryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (AETMAC) were added to them for improving the uptake of the cells. This study suggested PRINT used to produce the uniformed and shape specific biodegradable polymer is the effective technique for the non viral vector for the drug and the gene delivery.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2001

To evaluate the non-ionic polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), as a component in cationic copolymers for non-viral gene delivery systems, PEG was coupled to polyethylenimine (PEI). We present the effects of different degrees and shapes of pegylation of PEI on cytotoxicity, water solubility and transfection efficiency. This work reports the synthesis and characterization of a series of cationic copolymers on the basis of the conjugates of PEI with PEG. The modified molecules were significantly less toxic than the original polymer. Moreover, the chemical modification led to enhancement of their solubility. The comparison of pegylated PEIs with different degrees of derivation showed that all the polymers tested reached comparable levels of transgene expression to that of native PEI. As assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis, even highly substituted PEI derivatives were still able to form polyionic complexes with DNA. However, aside from an increase in solubility and retention of the ability to condense DNA, methoxy-PEG-modified PEIs resulted in a significant decrease in the transfection activity of the DNA complexes. In fact, the efficiency of the copolymer was compromised even at a low degree of modification suggesting that the PEG action resulting from its shape is important for efficient gene transfer. The mode of PEG grafting and the degree of modification influenced the transfection efficiency of PEI.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.277.1-277.1
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to develop PEl-based gene carriers with optimal serum stability and reduced cytotoxicity. PEl is an efficient gene transfer agent with the ability of DNA condensation and endosome escape: however; use of the polymer in vivo is hampered by signigicant reduction in transfection activity by the presence of serum. Chitosan is a non-toxic. biodegradable and biocompatible polymer with hydrophilic functional groups so it may provide a physical stability against challenge by serum proteins. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.277.2-278
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• 2002

Synthetic vectors have been considered as a safer and more versatile alternative to viral-based gene delivery systems. A variety of simple synthetic vector systems such as cationic lipid- and polymer-complexed plasmid DNA were shown to have a significant transfection activity in vitro but their use in vivo has been hampered by the decrease in transfection efficiency mediated by non-specific electrostatic interactions with serum components. (omitted)

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.129-131
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• 2006

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.261-265
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• 2003

Tumor necrosis facto-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a recently identified member of the tumor necrosis factor cytokine superfamily. TRAIL has been shown to induce apoptosis in a number of tumor cells whereas cells from most of normal tissues are highly resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. These observations have raised considerable interest in the use of TRAIL in tumor therapy. In this study we report the biodistribution fates and serum expression pattern of plasmid DNA encoding TRAIL (pTRAIL) delivered in erythrocyte ghosts (EG). pTRAIL was loaded into EG by electroportion in a hypotonic medium The mRNA expression of pTRAIL was prolonged following delivery in EG-encapsulated forms. EG containing pTRAIL showed significant levels of mRNA expression in the blood over 9 days. The organ expression patterns of pTRAIL delivered via EG, however, did not significantly differ from those of naked pTRAIL, indicating that the expression-enhancing effect of EG containing pTRAIL was localized to the blood. These results suggest that pTRAIL-loaded EG might be of potential use in the treatment of hematological diseases such as TRAIL-sensitive leukemia.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.44-45
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• 2006

Gene therapy holds great promise for treating various forms of diseases with a genetic origin including cystic fibrosis, different forms of cancer, and cardiovascular disorders. The clinical use of gene therapy treatments is however restricted, mainly because of the absence of safe and efficient gene delivery technologies. In our group, with an aim of developing efficient and nontoxic polymeric gene delivery systems, several novel types of polymeric gene carriers have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated. Herein, I will mainly present our recent work on low molecular weight linear PEI-PEG-PEI triblock copolymers, degradable hyperbranched poly(ester amine)s, and reduction-sensitive poly(amido amine)s.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.722-729
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• 2005

With the aim to improve the specificity and to reduce the cytotoxicity of polyethylenimine (PEI), we have synthesized the conjugates of the branched PEI (25 kDa) with transferrin. The trans-ferrin-PEI (TP) conjugates with five compositions were synthesized using periodate oxidation method and confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The free amine contents of TP conjugates, which were able to condense and deliver DNA, increased as the amount of PEI increased. TP/DNA polyplexes were characterized by measuring gel elec-trophoresis, ethidium bromide fluorescence quenching, particle size and zeta potential of complexes. Complete complexation of the polyplexes was observed above the N/P ratio of 5 in TP/DNA, and above 3 in PEI/DNA, respectively. The zeta potential of the complexes decreased as the amount of transferrin in TP conjugates increased. Transfection efficiency of TP conjugates was evaluated in HeLa cell and Jurkat cell systems. Among the five compositions of TP conjugates, TP-2 system mediated a higher $\beta$-galactosidase gene expression than PEI system in Jurkat cell which was known to express elevated numbers of transferrin receptors. From the results of the cell viability based on MTT assay, TP conjugates showed lower cytotoxicity com-pared with the PEI system. We expect that the TP conjugate can be used efficiently as a non-viral gene delivery vector.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.329-334
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• 2006

Cationic liposome has been studied as one of the most promising non-viral gene delivery systems. In this report, we describe a new synthesized cholesterolic cationic lipid (2-aminoethylcarbamate-cholesterol) and dioleylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) improve the cellular uptake properties of antisense ODNs, as well as plasmid DNA with low toxicity. This formulation of cholesterolic cationic lipid termed Chol-E, efficiently transfects ODNs and plasmids into many cell types in the presense or absence of 10% serum in the medium.