Arginine-conjugated bioreducible poly(disulfide amine) polymers for gene delivery systems
An arginine-grafted bioreducible poly(disulfide amine) (“ABP”) as a reagent for efficient and nontoxic gene delivery is described. ABP forms positively charged nano-particles of less than 200 nm with plasmid DNA. ABP is biodegraded under reducing conditions, such as the cytoplasm. ABP exhibits much higher transfection efficiency than polyethyleneimine in mammalian cells and exhibits no cytotoxicity.
1. A gene delivery carrier comprising an arginine-grafted bioreducible polymer, wherein the gene delivery carrier is represented by the formula
wherein n is about 1 to about 1000; R 1 is (CH 2 ) m NH, wherein m is about 1 to about 18; and R 2 is an arginine residue.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein R 1 is (CH 2 ) 6 NH.
3. The composition of claim 1 wherein R 1 is (CH 2 ) 4 NH.
4. The composition of claim 1 wherein R 1 is (CH 2 ) 2 NH.
5. A complex comprising a selected nucleic acid bonded to an arginine-grafted bioreducible polymer, wherein the arginine-grafted bioreducible polymer is represented by the formula
wherein n is about 1 to about 1000; R 1 is (CH 2 ) m NH, wherein m is about 1 to about 18; and R 2 is an arginine residue.
6. The complex of claim 5 wherein R 1 is (CH 2 ) 6 NH.
7. The complex of claim 5 wherein R 1 is (CH 2 ) 4 NH.
8. The complex of claim 5 wherein R 1 is (CH 2 ) 2 NH.
9. The complex of claim 5 wherein the selected nucleic acid comprises a plasmid.
10. The complex of claim 5 wherein the selected nucleic acid comprises an oligonucleotide.