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Polyelectrolyte Complexes in the Dispersed and Solid State II pp 103–195Cite as

Polyelectrolyte Complexes of DNA and Polycations as Gene Delivery Vectors

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Part of the book series: Advances in Polymer Science ((POLYMER,volume 256))

Abstract

This review gives representative examples of the various types of synthetic cationic polymers or polyampholytes (chemical structure, architecture, etc) that can be used to complex DNA (forming polyplexes) for their application in gene delivery. In designing polycations for gene delivery, one has to take into account a balance between protection of DNA versus loss of efficiency for DNA condensation and efficient condensation versus hindering of DNA release. Indeed, if the polyplexes are not stable enough, premature dissociation will occur before delivery of the genetic material at the desired place, resulting in low transfection efficiency; on the other hand, a complex that is too stable will not release the DNA, also resulting in low gene expression. The techniques generally used to determine these properties are gel electrophoresis to test the DNA/polymer complexation, ethidium bromide or polyanion displacement to test the affinity of a polymer for DNA, and light scattering to determine the extent of DNA condensation. Moreover, with the development of more precise instruments for physico-chemical characterization and appropriate biochemical and biophysical techniques, a direct link between the physico-chemical characteristics of the polyplexes and their in vitro and in vivo properties can be drawn, thus allowing tremendous progress in the quest towards application of polyplexes for gene therapy, beyond the research laboratory.

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Abbreviations

AFM:

Atomic force microscopy

Arg:

Arginine

bp:

Base pair

CAC:

Critical aggregation concentration

CMC:

Critical micelle concentration

CMV:

Cytomegalovirus

COS (cells):

CV-1 (simian) cell line carrying the SV40 genetic material

ctDNA:

Calf thymus DNA

Da:

Dalton, g.mol−1

DLS:

Dynamic light scattering

DLVO:

Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey, and Overbeek theory

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

DP:

Degree of polymerization

ds:

Double stranded

EGFP:

Enhanced green fluorescent protein

EM:

Electron microscopy

EtBr:

Ethidium bromide

Glu:

Glutamic acid

HEK (cells):

Human embryonic kidney cell line

HepG2 (cells):

Human hepatocarcinoma cell line with epithelial morphology

His:

Histidine

HIV:

Human immunodeficiency virus

IPEC:

Interpolylectrolyte complex

LPEI:

Linear polyethyleneimine

LS:

Light scattering

Luc:

Luciferase

Lys:

Lysine

MPC:

2-Methacryloxyethyl phosphorylcholine

MPS:

Mononuclear phagocyte system

NCP:

Nucleosome core particle

NMR:

Nuclear magnetic resonance

PAMAM:

Poly(amido amine)

PCL:

Poly(ε-caprolactone)

PDI:

Polydispersity index

PDMAEMA:

Poly[(2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate]

pDNA:

Plasmid DNA

PEC:

Polyelectrolyte complex

PEG:

Poly(ethylene glycol)

PEI:

Polyethyleneimine

PHEMA:

Poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate)

PHPMA:

Poly(2-hydroxy propyl methacrylate)

PLL:

Poly(l-lysine)

PLLA:

Poly(l-lactide)

PMMA:

Poly(methyl methacrylate)

PNIPAM:

Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)

PPI:

Poly(propylene imine)

PTMAEMA:

Poly[(N-trimethylammonium) ethyl methacrylate]

PVP:

Poly(4-vinylpyridine)

RNA:

Ribonucleic acid

SV:

Simian virus

TEM:

Transmission electron microscopy

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division 6.5 “Polymers in Life Science and Nanotechnology”, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany

    Annabelle Bertin

  2. Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustrasse 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Annabelle Bertin

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  1. Annabelle Bertin
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Correspondence to Annabelle Bertin .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Polyelectrolytes and Dispersions, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Dresden, Germany

    Martin Müller

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Bertin, A. (2013). Polyelectrolyte Complexes of DNA and Polycations as Gene Delivery Vectors. In: Müller, M. (eds) Polyelectrolyte Complexes in the Dispersed and Solid State II. Advances in Polymer Science, vol 256. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/12_2013_218

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