Hydrophilic Random Cationic Copolymers as Polyplex-Formation Vectors for DNA

Abstract

Research on the improvement and fabrication of polymeric systems as non-viral gene delivery carriers is required for their implementation in gene therapy. Random copolymers have not been extensively utilized for these purposes. In this regard, double hydrophilic poly[(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate)-co-(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] [P(DMAEMA-co-OEGMA)] random copolymers were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The copolymers were further modified by quaternization of DMAEMA tertiary amine, producing the cationic P(QDMAEMA-co-OEGMA) derivatives. Fluorescence and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy revealed the efficient interaction of copolymers aggregates with linear DNAs of different lengths, forming polyplexes, with the quaternized copolymer aggregates exhibiting stronger binding affinity. Light scattering techniques evidenced the formation of polyplexes whose size, molar mass, and surface charge strongly depend on the N/P ratio (nitrogen (N) of the amine group of DMAEMA/QDMAEMA over phosphate (P) groups of DNA), DNA length, and length of the OEGMA chain. Polyplexes presented colloidal stability under physiological ionic strength as shown by dynamic light scattering. In vitro cytotoxicity of the empty nanocarriers was evaluated on HEK293 as a control cell line. P(DMAEMA-co-OEGMA) copolymer aggregates were further assessed for their biocompatibility on 4T1, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and T47D breast cancer cell lines presenting high cell viability rates.

Influence of DNA Type on the Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Polyplexes Based on Star Polymers Bearing Different Amino Functionalities

“…Particularly for the polyplex with the plasmid DNA, it reached 440%, which was too large to be attributed solely to swelling of the polyplex. The following scenario, which is supported by results from a previous study [ 30 , 40 ], is suggested: upon loosening of the polyplex structure, the segments of the long DNA chains can be partially dissociated, and thus, are free to participate in complexation with other polyplexes. Thus, large superaggregates of loose polyplexes were formed.…”

Turning Waste into Wealth: An Efficient Platform for Capturing, Recycling and Reusing Perfluorinated Compounds

“…FTIR further con rms the successful quaternization of the PFPE-IEX resin, with typical absorption peaks at 3005 cm − 1 , 1474 cm − 1 , and 950 cm − 1 appearing after quaternization, assigned to the C-H bending and stretching of trimethyl group from quaternized ammonium cations (Fig. 1d) 22,23 . The above results demonstrate the successful preparation of PFPE-IEX and subsequent quaternization of the sorbent to produce PFPE-IEX+.…”

Leveraging the Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Process to Create Regenerative Biocidal ePTFE Membranes

“…Owing to the shared chemical composition of DMAEMA and TMAEMA, the majority of absorption peaks, such as C–N and CO, are also present in the FT-IR spectra of the TMAEMA monomer. Meanwhile, absorption peaks at around 950 and 1484 cm –1 are observed in TMAEMA spectra which correspond to the peak of quaternary amine, N + (CH 3 ) 3 . ,, In addition, there is a broad peak located from 3200 to 3700 cm –1 which is ascribed to the O–H functional group of the aqueous solution of the TMAEMA monomer. The peak situated around 1636–1638 cm –1 correspond to the superimposed peaks of CC bond stretching of the alkene group and adsorbed water .…”