Biodegradable hybrid recombinant block copolymers for non-viral gene transfection

Tze Haw H. Chen, Younsoo Bae, Darin Y. Furgeson, Glen S. Kwon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Thermal targeting of therapeutic genes can enhance local gene concentration to maximize their efficacy. However, lack of safe and efficient carriers has impeded the development of this delivery option. Herein, we report the preparation and evaluation of a hybrid recombinant material, p[Asp(DET)] 53ELP(1-90), that possess a thermo-responsive elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) segment and a diethylenetriamine (DET) modified poly-l-aspartic acid segment. The term, hybrid, indicates that the material was prepared by genetic engineering and synthetic chemistry. In summary, the thermal phase transition behavior and cytotoxicity of the biodegradable copolymer were studied. The polyplexes formed by the copolymer and pGL4 plasmid were characterized by dynamic light scattering and ζ-potential measurements. The polyplexes retained the thermal phase transition behavior conferred by the copolymer; however, they exhibited a two-step transition process not seen with the copolymer. The polyplexes also showed appreciable transfection efficiency with low cytotoxicity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)105-112
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics
Volume427
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2012

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to acknowledge the School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin–Madison for funding this research, and would also like to thank Mr. Tsz Chung Lai and Ms. Tracy Williamson for their valuable suggestions on the manuscript.

Keywords

  • Diethylenetriamine (DET)
  • Elastin-like polypeptide (ELP)
  • Gene delivery
  • Hybrid recombinant polymer
  • Thermo-responsive

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmaceutical Science

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