Galactosylated chitosan-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) as hepatocyte-targeting DNA carrier

Lactobionic acid bearing galactose group was coupled with chitosan for liver specificity, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was grafted to galactosylated chitosan (GC) for stability in water and enhanced cell permeability. Complex formation of galactosylated chitosan-graft-PEG (GCP)/DNA complexes was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Compared to GC/DNA complex, the stability of GCP/DNA complex could be enhanced. Particle sizes of GCP/DNA complexes decreased as the charge ratio of GCP to DNA increased and had a minimum value around 27 nm at the charge ratio of 5. Conformational change of DNA did not occur after complex formation with GCP compared to conformation of DNA itself. GCP/DNA complexes were only transfected into Hep G2 having asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGR), indicative of specific interaction of ASGR on cells and galactose ligands on GCP.