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Efficient Gene Delivery into Multiple CNS Territories Using In Utero Electroporation
Published on: June 23, 2011
A Self-Assembled Coumarin-Anchored Dendrimer for Efficient Gene Delivery and Light-Responsive Drug Delivery
Hui Wang1, Wujun Miao2, Fei Wang3
1Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology , East China Normal University , Shanghai , 200241 , P. R. China.
Abstract:
The assembly of low molecular weight polymers into highly efficient and nontoxic nanostructures has broad applicability in gene delivery. In this study, we reported the assembly of coumarin-anchored low generation dendrimers in aqueous solution via hydrophobic interactions. The synthesized material showed significantly improved DNA binding and gene delivery, and minimal toxicity on the transfected cells. Moreover, the coumarin moieties in the assembled nanostructures endow the materials with light-responsive drug delivery behaviors. The coumarin substitutes in the assembled nanostructures were cross-linked with each other upon irradiation at 365 nm, and the cross-linked assemblies were degraded upon further irradiation at 254 nm. As a result, the drug-loaded nanoparticle showed a light-responsive drug release behavior and light-enhanced anticancer activity. The assembled nanoparticle also exhibited a complementary anticancer activity through the codelivery of 5-fluorouracil and a therapeutic gene encoding tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). This study provided a facile strategy to develop light-responsive polymers for the codelivery of therapeutic genes and anticancer drugs.
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