Synthesis and Characterization of Poly (β-amino Ester) and Applied PEGylated and Non-PEGylated Poly (β-amino ester)/Plasmid DNA Nanoparticles for Efficient Gene Delivery

Designing a green poly(β-amino ester) for the delivery of nicotinamide drugs with biological activities and conducting a DFT investigation

The environmentally friendly polymerization process was carried out using microwave irradiation without additional solvents or catalysts to produce poly(β-amino ester) (PβAE) which served as a drug delivery system. PβAE was synthesized through Michael addition polymerization of 1,4-butane diol diacrylate and piperazine. Swelling and biodegradation studies were conducted in various solvents and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) at 37 °C to evaluate the properties of the polymeric gel. The PβAE matrix demonstrated solubility enhancement for hydrophobic antimicrobial and antitumor-active nicotinamide derivatives (TEINH, APTAT, and MOAPM), controlling their release over 10 days in (PBS). The successful formation of free and loaded PβAE with nicotinamide active materials was confirmed by spectroscopic analysis including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Optimization and physical descriptor determination via the DFT/B3LYP-631(G) basis set were performed to aid in the biological evaluation of these compounds with elucidation of their physical and chemical interaction between poly(β-amino ester) and nicotinamide drugs.

TPGS-b-PBAE Copolymer-Based Polyplex Nanoparticles for Gene Delivery and Transfection In Vivo and In Vitro

Poly (β-amino ester) (PBAE) is an exceptional non-viral vector that is widely used in gene delivery, owing to its exceptional biocompatibility, easy synthesis, and cost-effectiveness. However, it carries a high surface positive charge that may cause cytotoxicity. Therefore, hydrophilic d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) was copolymerised with PBAE to increase the biocompatibility and to decrease the potential cytotoxicity of the cationic polymer-DNA plasmid polyplex nanoparticles (NPs) formed through electrostatic forces between the polymer and DNA. TPGS-b-PBAE (TBP) copolymers with varying feeding molar ratios were synthesised to obtain products of different molecular weights. Their gene transfection efficiency was subsequently evaluated in HEK 293T cells using green fluorescent protein plasmid (GFP) as the model because free GFP is unable to easily pass through the cell membrane and then express as a protein. The particle size, ζ-potential, and morphology of the TBP2-GFP polyplex NPs were characterised, and plasmid incorporation was confirmed through gel retardation assays. The TBP2-GFP polyplex NPs effectively transfected multiple cells with low cytotoxicity, including HEK 293T, HeLa, Me180, SiHa, SCC-7 and C666-1 cells. We constructed a MUC2 (Mucin2)-targeting CRISPR/cas9 gene editing system in HEK 293T cells, with gene disruption supported by oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) insertion in vitro. Additionally, we developed an LMP1 (latent membrane protein 1)-targeting CRISPR/cas9 gene editing system in LMP1-overexpressing SCC7 cells, which was designed to cleave fragments expressing the LMP1 protein (related to Epstein-Barr virus infection) and thus to inhibit the growth of the cells in vivo. As evidenced by in vitro and in vivo experiments, this system has great potential for gene therapy applications.

Poly(β-amino ester)s-based nanovehicles: Structural regulation and gene delivery

The first poly(β-amino) esters (PβAEs) were synthesized more than 40 years ago. Since 2000, PβAEs have been found to have excellent biocompatibility and the capability of ferrying gene molecules. Moreover, the synthesis process of PβAEs is simple, the monomers are readily available, and the polymer structure can be tailored to meet different gene delivery needs by adjusting the monomer type, monomer ratio, reaction time, etc. Therefore, PβAEs are a promising class of non-viral gene vector materials. This review paper presents a comprehensive overview of the synthesis and correlated properties of PβAEs and summarizes the progress of each type of PβAE for gene delivery. The review focuses in particular on the rational design of PβAE structures, thoroughly discusses the correlations between intrinsic structure and effect, and then finishes with the applications and perspectives of PβAEs.