Abstract

Development of materials with stimuli-responsive properties is of interest for biotechnical applications including gene delivery and regenerative medicine. Here, we report a multilayer film through layer-by-layer self-assembly of DNA polyplexes and charge-reversible poly(ethylenimine) (cPEI). Through functionalizing PEI with cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, cPEI showed negatively charged and therefore was used for electrostatic self-assembly with positively charged DNA polyplexes. Side chains of cPEI can be hydrolyzed in acidic environment while it is stable in neutral condition. Such pH-triggered hydrolysis led to charge reverse of cPEI from negative to positive, which consequently led to a disassembly of multilayer film. Both UV–vis and ellipsometry spectrum measurements suggested that the multilayer film grew with a thickness of 150nm for twelve bilayers. Under low pH condition, the multilayer film collapsed and DNA polyplexes were released. The multilayer film containing cPEI could be served as a local gene delivery system in specific low pH conditions such as extracellular acidity of solid tumor and lysosomal.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.