Plasmid DNA nanogels as photoresponsive materials for multifunctional bio-applications

This study provides a detailed description on the synthesis and characterization of novel polyamine plasmid DNA nanogels. Ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether was used as cross-linker, in conjugation with polyamines to promote pDNA condensation. The biocompatible nanovectors exhibit a unique swelling behavior in water and salt solutions. These systems are light photodegradable allowing their use in a broad range of biotechnological applications. Different plasmids, pVAX1-LacZ and pcDNA3-FLAG-p53, and anticancer drugs were, thus, efficiently loaded in the nanogels and their controlled release was demonstrated. Furthermore, the dual delivery of pcDNA3-FLAG-p53 gene and anticancer drugs illustrates the possibility of the combination of chemical and gene therapies. This new versatile and easy method of nanohydrogels preparation provides a potential synthetic approach for the design of tunable systems which can display multiple functions, sensitivity to different stimuli and exhibit programmed responses as well.