Non-viral gene transfection in vitro using endosomal pH-sensitive reversibly hydrophobilized polyethylenimine

Encapsulation and <i>In Vitro </i>Controlled Release of Doxycycline in Temperature-Sensitive Hydrogel Composed of Polyethyleneglycol–polypeptide (L-Alanine-co-L-Aspartate)

Doxycycline was loaded with synthesized micelles composed of methyl Poly (ethylene glycol-block-poly (L-alanine–co–L-aspartate), or mPEG–Ala–Asp, and then characterized as a drug delivery carrier. The synthesis of the temperature-sensitive mPEG–Ala–Asp block copolymer was carried out by two-step ring-opening polymerization: firstly, the mPEG reacts with L-alanine N-carboxylic anhydride, and secondly the resulting mPEG–Ala reacts with benzyl aspartate N-carboxylic anhydride. The molecular structure of the copolymers obtained was determined by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy methods and the micelles were characterized by SEM, TEM and DLS, respectively. The controlled release of Dox from hydrogel in the presence of PBS (8 to 9% by weight) lasts 6 to 7 days exhibiting stable release rates. The drug release mechanisms were studied: Higuchi and zero order models. The results and correlation coefficients applied to the Higuchi and zero-order models. The findings show the potential use of mPEG–Ala–Asp as an effective depot matrix to deliver anthracycline class drugs.

Structure-function relationships of nonviral gene vectors: Lessons from antimicrobial polymers

In recent years, substantial advances have been achieved in the design and synthesis of nonviral gene vectors. However, lack of effective and biocompatible vectors still remains a major challenge that hinders their application in clinical settings. In the past decade, there has been a rapid expansion of cationic antimicrobial polymers, due to their potent, rapid, and broad-spectrum biocidal activity against resistant microbes, and biocompatible features. Given that antimicrobial polymers share common features with nonviral gene vectors in various aspects, such as membrane affinity, functional groups, physicochemical characteristics, and unique macromolecular architectures, these polymers may provide us with inspirations to overcome challenges in the design of novel vectors toward more safe and efficient gene delivery in clinic. Building off these observations, we provide here an overview of the structure-function relationships of polymers for both antimicrobial applications and gene delivery by elaborating some key structural parameters, including functional groups, charge density, hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance, MW, and macromolecular architectures. By borrowing a leaf from antimicrobial agents, great advancement in the development of newer nonviral gene vectors with high transfection efficiency and biocompatibility will be more promising. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The development of gene delivery is still in the preclinical stage for the lack of effective and biocompatible vectors. Given that antimicrobial polymers share common features with gene vectors in various aspects, such as membrane affinity, functional groups, physicochemical characteristics, and unique macromolecular architectures, these polymers may provide us with inspirations to overcome challenges in the design of novel vectors toward more safe and efficient gene delivery in clinic. In this review, we systematically summarized the structure-function relationships of antimicrobial polymers and gene vectors, with which the design of more advanced nonviral gene vectors is anticipated to be further boosted in the future.

Realizing enhanced luminescence of silver nanocluster-peptide soft hydrogels by PEI reinforcement

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) are a new type of fluorescent nanomaterial composed of several to several tens of metal ions or atoms with a wide range of applications in the fields of catalysis, optics, and biomedicine. However, fluorescence quenching when existing as individuals in aqueous solutions greatly limits their applications. In this study, six-core Ag(i) NCs (Ag₆-NCs) were interacted with peptides (DD-5) in water to form soft hydrogels with the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) of Ag₆-NCs. The introduction of polyethyleneimine (PEI) into the Ag₆-NCs/DD-5 hydrogel succeeded in further enhancing the fluorescence intensity. This dual-AIE behavior of the Ag₆-NCs/DD-5/PEI hydrogels is mainly ascribed to the strong hydrogen bonding among the carboxyl groups of Ag₆, those of DD-5 and the amino groups of PEI, which effectively restricted intramolecular vibration of the capping ligands on the Ag₆-NCs. Moreover, the addition of PEI can effectively promote the gelation speed of Ag₆-NCs/DD-5 and act as a physical cross-linker, leading to an increase of the mechanical strength of the hydrogel. This work opens a new pathway for the fabrication of smart composite materials with multiple functions, which show a variety of applications such as chemical/biosensing and bioimaging.

Synthesis and Properties of Low-Molecular-Weight PEI-Based Lipopolymers for Delivery of DNA

Rapid enzymatic degradation and fragmentation during DNA administration can result in limited gene expression, and consequently, poor efficacy. It is necessary to use novel vectors for DNA delivery. Herein, we aimed to design useful carriers for enhancing transfection efficiency (TE). These lipopolymers were prepared through Michael addition reactions from low-molecular-weight (LMW) polyethyleneimine (PEI) and linkers with three kinds of steroids. Agarose gel electrophoresis assay results displayed that the three lipopolymers could condense plasmid DNA well, and the formed polyplexes had appropriate sizes around 200⁻300 nm, and zeta potentials of about +25⁻40 mV. The results of in vitro experiments using HeLa, HEK293, and MCF-7 cells showed that these lipopolymers present higher TE than 25-kDa PEI, both in the absence and presence of 10% serum. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy studies also demonstrated that these lipopolymer/DNA complexes present higher cellular uptake and intracellular distribution. The measurement of critical micelle concentration (CMC) revealed that these lipopolymers could form micelles, which are suited for drug delivery. All results suggest that the three materials may serve as hopeful candidates for gene and drug delivery in future in vivo applications.

Modular Synthesis of Bioreducible Gene Vectors through Polyaddition of N,N'-Dimethylcystamine and Diglycidyl Ethers

Bioreducible, cationic linear poly(amino ether)s (PAEs) were designed as promising gene vectors. These polymers were synthesized by the reaction of a disulfide-functional monomer, N,N'-dimethylcystamine (DMC), and several different diglycidyl ethers. The resulting PAEs displayed a substantial buffer capacity (up to 64%) in the endosomal acidification region of pH 7.4⁻5.1. The PAEs condense plasmid DNA into 80⁻200 nm sized polyplexes, and have surface charges ranging from +20 to +40 mV. The polyplexes readily release DNA upon exposure to reducing conditions (2.5 mM DTT) due to the cleavage of the disulfide groups that is present in the main chain of the polymers, as was demonstrated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Upon exposing COS-7 cells to polyplexes that were prepared at polymer/DNA w/w ratios below 48, cell viabilities between 80⁻100% were observed, even under serum-free conditions. These polyplexes show comparable or higher transfection efficiencies (up to 38%) compared to 25 kDa branched polyethylenimine (PEI) polyplexes (12% under serum-free conditions). Moreover, the PAE-based polyplexes yield transfection efficiencies as high as 32% in serum-containing medium, which makes these polymers interesting for gene delivery applications.

Endogenous pH-responsive nanoparticles with programmable size changes for targeted tumor therapy and imaging applications

Nanotechnology-based antitumor drug delivery systems, known as nanocarriers, have demonstrated their efficacy in recent years. Typically, the size of the nanocarriers is around 100 nm. It is imperative to achieve an optimum size of these nanocarriers which must be designed uniquely for each type of delivery process. For pH-responsive nanocarriers with programmable size, changes in pH (~6.5 for tumor tissue, ~5.5 for endosomes, and ~5.0 for lysosomes) may serve as an endogenous stimulus improving the safety and therapeutic efficacy of antitumor drugs. This review focuses on current advanced pH-responsive nanocarriers with programmable size changes for anticancer drug delivery. In particular, pH-responsive mechanisms for nanocarrier retention at tumor sites, size reduction for penetrating into tumor parenchyma, escaping from endo/lysosomes, and swelling or disassembly for drug release will be highlighted. Additional trends and challenges of employing these nanocarriers in future clinical applications are also addressed.

pH-Responsive Nanovesicles with Enhanced Emission Co-Assembled by Ag(I) Nanoclusters and Polyethyleneimine as a Superior Sensor for Al3

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) have been engineered as a new kind of luminescent material, whereas the application of metal NCs in aqueous solution was subjected to great limitations owing to their poor solubility, stability, and strong luminescence quenching in a single-molecule state. Herein, facile supramolecular self-assembly strategy was carried out to enhance the luminescence of Ag(I) NCs (Ag₆-NCs) through multiple electrostatic interactions with polyethyleneimine (PEI). Functional colloid aggregates of Ag₆-NCs such as nanospheres and nanovesicles were formed along with the enhanced emission because of the formation of compact-ordered self-assemblies, which effectively restricted intramolecular vibration of the capping ligands on Ag₆-NCs to diminish the nonradiative decay. All those could block energy loss and facilitated the radiative relaxation of excited states which ultimately induced an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) phenomenon. Furthermore, the luminescent Ag₆-NCs/PEI nanovesicles are pH-responsive and show a superior fluorescent sensing behavior for the detection of Al³⁺ with a limit of detection low to 3 μM. This is the first report about AIE of silver NCs with polymers in aqueous solution. This work sheds light on the controlled NCs-based supramolecular self-assembly and the NCs-based functional materials, which will be well-established candidates in controllable drug delivery, biomarkers, and sensors in aqueous solution.

Physicochemical stability and transfection efficiency of cationic amphiphilic copolymer/pDNA polyplexes for spinal cord injury repair

Multiple age-related and injury-induced characteristics of the adult central nervous system (CNS) pose barriers to axonal regeneration and functional recovery following injury. In situ gene therapy is a promising approach to address the limited availability of growth-promoting biomolecules at CNS injury sites. The ultimate goal of our work is to develop, a cationic amphiphilic copolymer for simultaneous delivery of drug and therapeutic nucleic acids to promote axonal regeneration and plasticity after spinal cord injury. Previously, we reported the synthesis and characterization of a cationic amphiphilic copolymer, poly (lactide-co-glycolide)-graft-polyethylenimine (PgP) and its ability to efficiently transfect cells with pDNA in the presence of serum. We also demonstrated the efficacy of PgP as a therapeutic siRhoA carrier in a rat compression spinal cord injury model. In this work, we show that PgP/pDNA polyplexes provide improved stability in the presence of competing polyanions and nuclease protection in serum relative to conventional branched polyethylenimine control. PgP/pDNA polyplexes maintain bioactivity for transfection after lyophilization/reconstitution and during storage at 4 °C for up to 5 months, important features for commercial and clinical application. We also demonstrate that PgP/pDNA polyplexes loaded with a hydrophobic fluorescent dye are retained in local neural tissue for up to 5 days and that PgP can efficiently deliver pβ-Gal in a rat compression SCI model.

Acid-labile poly(amino alcohol ortho ester) based on low molecular weight polyethyleneimine for gene delivery

A series of acid-labile poly(amino alcohol ortho ester) (POEeis) were synthesized through ring-opening polymerization between diglycidyl ethers with ortho ester bonded and low molecular weight polyethyleneimine by various feed molar ratios. The obtain POEei 1 and POEei 2 exhibited clear kinetic of degradation and condensed plasmid DNA into nanoparticles of suitable sizes (250-300 nm) and positive zeta potentials (+20-30 mV) while protecting DNA from enzymatic digestion. Further, these polymers have uniform distribution of abundant hydroxyl groups, which could improve their water solubility, biocompatibility, and lower protein adsorption. Significantly, ortho ester groups in POEeis main-chains could hydrolyze rapidly at acidic endosomal pH, resulting in intracellular DNA release and diminished material toxicity. MTT assay revealed that all the polymers exhibited much lower cytotoxicity than 25 kDa PEI in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, the transfection efficiency of POEei 1 was higher than 25 kDa PEI in serum-free medium or 10% serum medium.

Defined pH-sensitive nanogels as gene delivery platform for siRNA mediated in vitro gene silencing

An advanced cationic carrier system which combines high transfection efficiency with low cytotoxicity and a control over the release of the encapsulated genetic material by the reduction of the multivalent architecture upon pH triggered degradation was developed.

Low Molecular Weight PEI-Based Vectors via Acid-Labile Ortho Ester Linkage for Improved Gene Delivery

A series of novel pH-sensitive gene delivery vectors (POEI 1, 2, and 3) are synthesized through Michael addition from low molecular weight PEI (LMW PEI) via acid-labile ortho ester linkage with terminal acrylates (OEAc) by various feed molar ratios. The obtained POEI 1 and POEI 2 can efficiently condense plasmid DNA into nanoparticles with size range of 200-300 nm and zeta-potentials of about +15 mV while protecting DNA from enzymatic digestion compared with POEI 3. Significantly, ortho ester groups of POEI main-chains can make an instantaneous degradation-response to acidic endosomal pH (≈5.0), resulting in accelerated disruption of polyplexes and intracellular DNA release. MTT assay reveals that all POEIs exhibit much lower cytotoxicity in different cells than branched PEI (25 KDa). As expected, POEI 1 and POEI 2 perform improved gene transfection in vitro, suggesting that such polycations might be promising gene vectors based on overcoming toxicity-efficiency contradiction.

Cationic, amphiphilic copolymer micelles as nucleic acid carriers for enhanced transfection in rat spinal cord

Spinal cord injury commonly leads to permanent motor and sensory deficits due to the limited regenerative capacity of the adult central nervous system (CNS). Nucleic acid-based therapy is a promising strategy to deliver bioactive molecules capable of promoting axonal regeneration. Branched polyethylenimine (bPEI: 25kDa) is one of the most widely studied nonviral vectors, but its clinical application has been limited due to its cytotoxicity and low transfection efficiency in the presence of serum proteins. In this study, we synthesized cationic amphiphilic copolymers, poly (lactide-co-glycolide)-graft-polyethylenimine (PgP), by grafting low molecular weight PLGA (4kDa) to bPEI (25kDa) at approximately a 3:1 ratio as an efficient nonviral vector. We show that PgP micelle is capable of efficiently transfecting plasmid DNA (pDNA) and siRNA in the presence of 10% serum in neuroglioma (C6) cells, neuroblastoma (B35) cells, and primary E8 chick forebrain neurons (CFN) with pDNA transfection efficiencies of 58.8%, 75.1%, and 8.1%, respectively. We also show that PgP provides high-level transgene expression in the rat spinal cord in vivo that is substantially greater than that attained with bPEI. The combination of improved transfection and reduced cytotoxicity in vitro in the presence of serum and in vivo transfection of neural cells relative to conventional bPEI suggests that PgP may be a promising nonviral vector for therapeutic nucleic acid delivery for neural regeneration.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Gene therapy is a promising strategy to overcome barriers to axonal regeneration in the injured central nervous system. Branched polyethylenimine (bPEI: 25kDa) is one of the most widely studied nonviral vectors, but its clinical application has been limited due to cytotoxicity and low transfection efficiency in the presence of serum proteins. Here, we report cationic amphiphilic copolymers, poly (lactide-co-glycolide)-graft-polyethylenimine (PgP) that are capable of efficiently transfecting reporter genes and siRNA both in the presence of 10% serum in vitro and in the rat spinal cord in vivo. The combination of improved transfection and reduced cytotoxicity in the presence of serum as well as transfection of neural cells in vivo suggests PgP may be a promising nucleic acid carrier for CNS gene delivery.

From solution to in-cell study of the chemical reactivity of acid sensitive functional groups: a rational approach towards improved cleavable linkers for biospecific endosomal release

pH-Sensitive linkers designed to undergo selective hydrolysis at acidic pH compared to physiological pH can be used for the selective release of therapeutics at their site of action.

An in situ gelling liquid crystalline system based on monoglycerides and polyethylenimine for local delivery of siRNAs

The development of delivery systems able to complex and release siRNA into the cytosol is essential for therapeutic use of siRNA. Among the delivery systems, local delivery has advantages over systemic administration. In this study, we developed and characterized non-viral carriers to deliver siRNA locally, based on polyethylenimine (PEI) as gene carrier, and a self-assembling drug delivery system that forms a gel in situ. Liquid crystalline formulations composed of monoglycerides (MO), PEI, propylene glycol (PG) and 0.1M Tris buffer pH 6.5 were developed and characterized by polarized light microscopy, Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), for their ability to form inverted type liquid crystalline phases (LC2) in contact with excess water, water absorption capacity, ability to complex with siRNA and siRNA release. In addition, gel formation in vivo was determined by subcutaneous injection of the formulations in mice. In water excess, precursor fluid formulations rapidly transformed into a viscous liquid crystalline phase. The presence of PEI influences the liquid crystalline structure of the LC2 formed and was crucial for complexing siRNA. The siRNA was released from the crystalline phase complexed with PEI. The release rate was dependent on the rate of water uptake. The formulation containing MO/PEI/PG/Tris buffer at 7.85:0.65:76.5:15 (w/w/w/w) complexed with 10 μM of siRNA, characterized as a mixture of cubic phase (diamond-type) and inverted hexagonal phase (after contact with excess water), showed sustained release for 7 days in vitro. In mice, in situ gel formation occurred after subcutaneous injection of the formulations, and the gels were degraded in 30 days. Initially a mild inflammatory process occurred in the tissue surrounding the gel; but after 14 days the tissue appeared normal. Taken together, this work demonstrates the rational development of an in situ gelling formulation for local release of siRNA.

Multifunctional poly(methacrylate) polyplex libraries: A platform for gene delivery inspired by nature

Polymer-based gene delivery systems have enormous potential in biomedicine, but their efficiency is often limited by poor biocompatibility. Poly(methacrylate)s (PMAs) are an interesting class of polymers which allow to explore structure-activity relationships of polymer functionalities for polyplex formation in oligonucleotide delivery. Here, we synthesized and tested a library of PMA polymers, containing functional groups contributing to the different steps of gene delivery, from oligonucleotide complexation to cellular internalization and endosomal escape. By variation of the molar ratios of the individual building blocks, the physicochemical properties of the polymers and polyplexes were fine-tuned to reduce toxicity as well as to increase activity of the polyplexes. To further enhance transfection efficiency, a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-like functionality was introduced on the polymeric backbone. With the ability to synthesize large libraries of polymers in parallel we also developed a workflow for a mid-to-high throughput screening, focusing first on safety parameters that are accessible by high-throughput approaches such as blood compatibility and toxicity towards host cells and only at a later stage on more laborious tests for the ability to deliver oligonucleotides. To arrive at a better understanding of the molecular basis of activity, furthermore, the effect of the presence of heparan sulfates on the surface of host cells was assessed and the mechanism of cell entry and intracellular trafficking investigated for those polymers that showed a suitable pharmacological profile. Following endocytic uptake, rapid endosomal release occurred. Interestingly, the presence of heparan sulfates on the cell surface had a negative impact on the activity of those polyplexes that were sensitive to decomplexation by heparin in solution. In summary, the screening approach identified two polymers, which form polyplexes with high stability and transfection capacity exceeding the one of poly(ethylene imine) also in the presence of serum.

Integrin-targeted pH-responsive micelles for enhanced efficiency of anticancer treatment in vitro and in vivo

The key to developing more nanocarriers for the delivery of drugs in clinical applications is to consider the route of the carrier from the administration site to the target tissue and to look for a simple design to complete this whole journey. We synthesized the amphiphilic copolymer cRGDfK-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(2,4,6-trimethoxybenzylidene-1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl) ethane methacrylate) (cRGD-PETM) to construct multifunctional micelles. These micelles combined enhanced drug-loading efficiency with tumor-targeting properties, visual detection and controllable intracellular drug release, resulting in an improved chemotherapeutic effect in vivo. Doxorubicin (DOX) was encapsulated within the cRGD-PETM micelles as a model drug (termed as cRGD-PETM/DOX Ms). The size and morphology of the micelles were characterized systematically. As a result of the hydrophobic interaction and the π-π conjugation between the DOX molecules and the PTTMA copolymers, the cRGD-PETM/DOX Ms showed an excellent drug-loading capacity. The results of in vitro drug-release studies indicated that the cumulative release of DOX from cRGD-PETM/DOX Ms at pH 5.0 was twice that at pH 7.4. The results of fluorescent microscopic analysis showed that the cRGD-PETM/DOX Ms could be internalized by 4T1 and HepG2 cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis with rapid intracellular drug release, which resulted in increased cytotoxicity compared with free DOX. Ex vivo imaging studies showed that the cRGD-PETM/DOX Ms improved the accumulation and retention of the drug in tumor tissues. Studies of the in vivo anticancer effects showed that the cRGD-PETM/DOX Ms had a significantly higher therapeutic efficacy with lower side-effects than free DOX and PETM/DOX Ms. These results show that the multifunctional cRGD-PETM/DOX Ms have great potential as vehicles for the delivery of hydrophobic anticancer drugs.

Current advances in polymer-based nanotheranostics for cancer treatment and diagnosis

Nanotheranostics is a relatively new, fast-growing field that combines the advantages of treatment and diagnosis via a single nanoscale carrier. The ability to bundle both therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities into one package offers exciting prospects for the development of novel nanomedicine. Nanotheranostics can deliver treatment while simultaneously monitoring therapy response in real-time, thereby decreasing the potential of over- or under-dosing patients. Polymer-based nanomaterials, in particular, have been used extensively as carriers for both therapeutic and bioimaging agents and thus hold great promise for the construction of multifunctional theranostic formulations. Herein, we review recent advances in polymer-based systems for nanotheranostics, with a particular focus on their applications in cancer research. We summarize the use of polymer nanomaterials for drug delivery, gene delivery, and photodynamic therapy, combined with imaging agents for magnetic resonance imaging, radionuclide imaging, and fluorescence imaging.

Design of chitosan-based nanoformulations for efficient intracellular release of active compounds

The use of chitosan-based nanocarriers to transport active compounds gained an increasing attention in drug delivery. Intracellular delivery, with efficient intracellular release, become an important design considerations in chitosan based nanoformlations. Internal stimuli-responsive nanoformulations are designed to release active compounds after internalization based on certain internal stimuli like pH, redox potential and enzymes. Futhermore, nondestructive pathways may provide a nondigestive compartment for active compounds transport, which can protect the encapsulated agents from possible lysosomal degradation, thereby realizing release agents safely. This review gives a brief overview about the chitosan-based nanoformulations for efficient intracellular cargo release, including internal stimuli-responsive nanoformulations and nondestructive pathways based nanoformulations: design strategies and applications. The present problems and a possible future perspective related them are also discussed.

Current progress in gene delivery technology based on chemical methods and nano-carriers

Gene transfer methods are promising in the field of gene therapy. Current methods for gene transfer include three major groups: viral, physical and chemical methods. This review mainly summarizes development of several types of chemical methods for gene transfer in vitro and in vivo by means of nano-carriers like; calcium phosphates, lipids, and cationic polymers including chitosan, polyethylenimine, polyamidoamine dendrimers, and poly(lactide-co-glycolide). This review also briefly introduces applications of these chemical methods for gene delivery.

pH-sensitive drug-delivery systems for tumor targeting

Drug-delivery system responses to stimuli have been well investigated recently. As pH decrease is observed in most solid tumors, drug-delivery systems responsive to the slightly acidic extracellular pH environment of solid tumors have been developed as a general strategy for tumor targeting. Drug vehicles that are sensitive to acidic endosome/lysosome pH have been constructed for efficient drug release in tumor cells. This review explains the mechanisms of acidic pH in the tumor microenvironment and endocytic-related organelles, endosomes and lysosomes. Nanoparticle responses to acidic extracellular pH are discussed, along with approaches for improving tumor-specific therapy. Endosome/lysosome pH-triggered vehicles are reviewed, which achieve rapid drug release in tumor cells and overcome multidrug resistance.

Polycation-detachable nanoparticles self-assembled from mPEG-PCL-g-SS-PDMAEMA for in vitro and in vivo siRNA delivery

Long circulation, cell internalization, endosomal escape and small interfering RNA (siRNA) release to the cytoplasm are the prerequisite considerations for siRNA delivery vectors. Herein, a kind of sheddable nanoparticles (NPs) with micelle architecture for siRNA delivery were fabricated by using an intracellular-activated polycation-detachable copolymer (PECssD), which was prepared by introducing highly reducing environment-responsive disulfide linkages between PEGylated polycaprolactone (PCL) and the grafted polycation, poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA). The architecture of PECssD self-assembled NPs includes a biodegradable hydrophobic PCL core, a PEG shield and a detachable comb-like polycation surface. The stable nanosized complexes of PECssD NPs with siRNA, termed PECssD/siRNA micelleplexes, were formed, which could prolong circulation, improve accumulation and retention in tumor tissue, and be favorable for internalization. In particular, the cleavage of the disulfide linkages in the intracellular microenvironment and the subsequent dissociation of the PDMAEMA/siRNA polyplexes from the PEGylated PCL cores of PECssD/siRNA micelleplexes were also confirmed, which facilitated the endosomal escape and the efficient release of siRNA. As a result, the distribution of siRNA in cytoplasm was enhanced and subsequently promoted the efficiency of siRNA in gene silencing. Furthermore, systemic administration of the NPs carrying siPlk1 (polo-like kinase 1 specific siRNA) induced a tumor-suppressing effect in the HeLa-Luc xenograft murine model. Therefore, the devised strategy of the polycation-detachable copolymer PECssD NPs could address the requirements of the multistep systemic delivery process of siRNA. The hydrophobic core of the PECssD/siRNA micelleplexes is expected to entrap antitumor drugs or other therapeutic agents for combined therapies.

Polymeric theranostics: using polymer-based systems for simultaneous imaging and therapy

Polymer-based nanomedicine is a large and fast growing field. Polymer-based systems have been extensively used as therapeutic carriers as well as bioimaging agents for example in tumour diagnosis. However, fewer polymeric systems have been able to combine both therapy and imaging in a new field that is called theranostics (theragnostics). This review aims to summarise the recent developments and trends on polymeric theranostics. Four different types of therapies/treatments are examined namely drug delivery, gene delivery, photodynamic therapy and hyperthermia treatment combined with different imaging moieties like magnetic resonance imaging agents, fluorescent agents and microbubbles for ultrasound imaging.

Highly sensitive fluorescent and colorimetric pH sensor based on polyethylenimine-capped silver nanoclusters

Silver nanoclusters capped by hyperbranched polyethylenimine (PEI) have been developed as a highly sensitive fluorescent and colorimetric pH sensor. The probe responds rapidly to pH fluctuations and has such absorption characteristics that the color changes from the colorless or a nearly colorless state to a colored state with increasing acidity, so PEI-capped Ag nanoclusters could be used as a color indicator for colorimetric pH detection. Quantitatively, the fluorescence intensity of PEI-capped Ag nanoclusters exhibits a linear fashion over the pH range of 5.02-7.96 and increases by around 10-fold approximately with greater fluorescence at higher pH values. The repulsion development and conformational change of PEI with decreasing pH induce the aggregation of Ag nanoclusters, leading to an obvious color change and fluorescence quenching of Ag nanoclusters at low pH values. As expected, the pH probe is also sensitive to the different buffer solutions, except for those containing some anions that could react with Ag nanoclusters. Besides, the ionic strength of the buffers has a little influence on the pH-responsive behavior. Our pH sensor with nanoscaled physical dimensions would be a promising candidate in the applications in biological, medical, and pharmaceutical fields.

Redox and pH-responsive degradable micelles for dually activated intracellular anticancer drug release

Redox and pH dual-responsive biodegradable micelles were developed based on poly(ethylene glycol)-SS-poly(2,4,6-trimethoxybenzylidene-pentaerythritol carbonate) (PEG-SS-PTMBPEC) copolymer and investigated for intracellular doxorubicin (DOX) release. PEG-SS-PTMBPEC copolymer with an Mn of 5.0-4.1kg/mol formed micellar particles with an average diameter of 140nm and a low polydispersity of 0.12. DOX was loaded into PEG-SS-PTMBPEC micelles with a decent drug loading content of 11.3wt.%. The in vitro release studies showed that under physiological conditions only ca. 24.5% DOX was released from DOX-loaded micelles in 21h. The release of DOX was significantly accelerated at pH5.0 or in the presence of 10mM glutathione (GSH) at pH7.4, in which 62.8% and 74.3% of DOX was released, respectively, in 21h. The drug release was further boosted under 10mM GSH and pH 5.0 conditions, with 94.2% of DOX released in 10h. Notably, DOX release was also facilitated by 2 or 4h incubation at pH 5.0 and then at pH 7.4 with 10mM GSH, which mimics the intracellular pathways of endocytosed micellar drugs. Confocal microscopy observation indicated that DOX was delivered and released into the nuclei of HeLa cells following 8h incubation with DOX-loaded PEG-SS-PTMBPEC micelles, while DOX was mainly located in the cytoplasm for reduction-insensitive PEG-PTMBPEC controls. MTT assays revealed that DOX-loaded PEG-SS-PTMBPEC micelles had higher anti-tumor activity than reduction-insensitive controls, with low IC50 of 0.75 and 0.60μg/mL for HeLa and RAW 264.7 cells, respectively, following 48h incubation. PEG-SS-PTMBPEC micelles displayed low cytotoxicity up to a concentration of 1.0mg/mL. These redox and pH dual-bioresponsive degradable micelles have appeared as a promising platform for targeted intracellular anticancer drug release.

Crosslinked self-assemblies of lipoid acid-substituted low molecular weight (1800 Da) polyethylenimine as reductive-sensitive non-viral gene vectors

In this study, amphiphilic polyethylenimine-graft-thioctic acid (PEI-TA) and polyethylenimine-graft-lauric acid (PEI-LA) were synthesized. Both PEI-TA and PEI-LA could self-assemble into micelles. Due to the existence of disulfide-linked rings at the end of hydrophobic moieties, PEI-TA could form stable micelles with disulfide crosslinked cores (PEI-TA-SS). In comparison with the PEI-LA micelle, PEI-TA-SS possessed higher DNA binding ability according to the gel retardation assay and heparin replacement assay. In vitro transfection experiments indicated that PEI-TA-SS showed comparably high transfection efficiency as compared to 25 kDa PEI. More interestingly, the luciferase expression of PEI-TA-SS was superior to that of PEI-LA at low N/P ratio, which might be ascribed to the stronger binding capacity of PEI-TA-SS facilitating the entering of PEI-TA-SS/pDNA complexes into cells.

Cationic polymers and their therapeutic potential

The last decade has witnessed enormous research focused on cationic polymers. Cationic polymers are the subject of intense research as non-viral gene delivery systems, due to their flexible properties, facile synthesis, robustness and proven gene delivery efficiency. Here, we review the most recent scientific advances in cationic polymers and their derivatives not only for gene delivery purposes but also for various alternative therapeutic applications. An overview of the synthesis and preparation of cationic polymers is provided along with their inherent bioactive and intrinsic therapeutic potential. In addition, cationic polymer based biomedical materials are covered. Major progress in the fields of drug and gene delivery as well as tissue engineering applications is summarized in the present review.