Return to Gene Therapy Alert Section
Data on gene therapy reported by X.L. Wang and co-researchers
November 29th, 2007
2007 NOV 29 -- According to a study from the United States, "Clinical application of nucleic acid-based therapies is limited by the lack of safe and efficient delivery systems. The purpose of this study is to design and evaluate novel biodegradable polymeric carriers sensitive to environmental changes for efficient delivery of nucleic acids, including plasmid DNA and siRNA." "A novel polydisulfide with protonatable pendants was synthesized by the oxidative polymerization of a dithiol monomer, which was readily prepared by solid phase chemistry. The polydisulfide exhibited good buffering capacity and low cytotoxicity. It formed stable complexes with both plasmid DNA and siRNA. The particle sizes of the complexes decreased with the increase of the N/P ratios in the range of 100 to 750 nm. The complexes were stable in the presence of salt and heparin under normal physiological conditions, but dissociated to release nucleic acids in a reductive environment similar to cytoplasm. The polydisuffide demonstrated Nip ratio dependent transfection efficiency for plasmid DNA and gene silencing efficiency for siRNA. The presence of an endosomal disrupting agent, chloroquine, did not affect the DNA transfection efficiency of the polydisulficle. The transfection or gene silencing efficiency of the polydisulfide/DNA or siRNA complexes was comparable to or slightly lower than that of corresponding PEI complexes. Moreover, the polydisuffide showed better serum-friendly feature than PEI when delivering either DNA or siRNA in the presence of 10% FBS," wrote X.L. Wang and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "This novel polydisulfide is a promising lead for further design and development of safe and efficient delivery systems for nucleic acids." Wang and colleagues published the results of their research in the Journal of Controlled Release (A novel environment-sensitive biodegradable polydisulfide with protonatable pendants for nucleic acid delivery. Journal of Controlled Release, 2007;120(3):250-258). For additional information, contact Z.R. Lu, 421 Wakara Way, Suite 318, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA. The publisher of the Journal of Controlled Release can be contacted at: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands. Keywords: United States, Salt Lake City, Biotechnology, Gene Therapy. This article was prepared by Genetics & Environmental Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Genetics & Environmental Business Week via NewsRx.com.
Return to Gene Therapy Alert Section
|
