Shape Transformation Following Reduction-Sensitive PEG Cleavage of Polymer/DNA Nanoparticles.

ABSTRACT: PEGylated polycation/DNA micellar nanoparticles have been developed that can undergo shape transformation upon cleavage of the PEG grafts in response to an environmental cue. As a proof-of-principle, DNA nanoparticles with higher PEG grafting density adopting long, worm- and rod-like morphologies, transition to more condensed nanoparticles with spherical and short-rod morphologies upon cleavage of a fraction of the PEG grafts from the copolymer. This shape transformation leads to increased surface charges, correlating with improved transfection efficiency.

SUBMITTER: Williford JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4269835 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature