Novel poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives with carboxylic acid pendant groups: synthesis and their protection and enhancing effect on non-viral gene transfection systems

Abstract

Novel carboxylic acid pendant-containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivatives (PEGCs) were synthesized by the chemical modification of the carbon-carbon double-bond side chain of copoly(allyl glycidyl ether/ethylene oxide) (copoly(AGE/EO)). PEG-C showed a protecting ability for the DNA/polycation complex from the albumin-induced aggregation. It also expressed the enhanced efficiency on the polycation-mediated gene transfection on the cultured cells (up to 3-4-times higher), probably due to its disperse-stabilizing property and also the proton-sponge effect.

Keywords:

• POLY ETHYLENE GLYCOL
• GENE TRANSFECTION
• POLYANION
• PROTECTION
• PROTON-SPONGE EFFECT.