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Pluronic Block Copolymers for Gene Delivery
Alexander Kabanov1, Jian Zhu, Valery Alakhov
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, Nebraska 68198.
Advances in Genetics
|October 26, 2005
Summary
Pluronic block copolymers enhance gene delivery and expression when used with viral or non-viral vectors. These pharmaceutical excipients can act as biological adjuvants, boosting gene transcription via pathways like NF-kappaB.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Polymer Science
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Pluronic (poloxamer) block copolymers are pharmaceutical excipients.
- These amphiphilic polymers are gaining attention for gene delivery applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence for Pluronic block copolymers enhancing gene expression.
- To discuss the mechanisms behind Pluronic-mediated gene delivery improvements.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on Pluronic in gene delivery.
- Analysis of Pluronic's effects with viral and non-viral vectors.
- Investigation of Pluronic's role in naked DNA delivery.
Main Results:
- Pluronics increase transfection efficiency with adenovirus and lentivirus vectors.
- They enhance gene expression from non-viral vectors and naked DNA.
- Pluronic-polycation conjugates form effective DNA-condensing polyplexes.
- Pluronics improve regional gene expression in muscle and tumor tissues.
Conclusions:
- Pluronic block copolymers significantly improve gene expression across various delivery systems.
- Pluronics can function as biological adjuvants, activating signaling pathways like NF-kappaB.
- Upregulation of gene transcription is a key mechanism for Pluronic's efficacy.