内容提要: |
In the present studies, we have reported the synthesis of redox-responsive PEG-b-poly(disulfide-L-lysine) (PEG-SSL) polymer and investigated its physiochemical characteristics as a prerequisite for gene delivery. We evaluated in vitro transfection and gene expression of PEG-SSL/pZNF580 complexes to understand the feasibility of PEG-SSL polyplexes as smart gene vector. These investigation has shown that PEG-SSL polymer efficiently encapsulate pDNA into nano-sized polyplexes at different weight ratios with positive zeta potential and exhibited good colloidal stability. Furthermore, PEG-SSL polymer effectively protected pDNA from DNase action and exhibited a redox-responsive release of pDNA when exposed to the reducing environment contain DTT. PEG-SSL polymer and their gene complexes exhibited good biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity. From the flow cytometry and CLSM results, we concluded that complexes not only exhibited good cellular uptake, but also could efficiently escape from the endosomes, accumulate around the nucleus and then enter into the nucleus. Therefore, PEG-SSL polymer is expected to serve as a potential gene carrier to successfully transfer genes into the cells. |