Zinc-Chelated Poly(1-vinylimidazole) and a Carbohydrate Ligand Polycation Form DNA Ternary Complexes for Gene Delivery

摘要

Zinc-chelated poly(1-vinylimidazole) (PVIm-Zn) and a carbohydrate ligand polycation, a poly(L-lysine) conjugated with lactose molecules (PLL-Lac) have formed DNA ternary complexes for gene delivery. The PLL-Lac/PVIm-Zn/DNA complexes with the specific recognition of cell surface receptors mediated the highest gene expression without cytotoxicity at a relative less charge ratio (+/- = 2.5). These results suggest that the pH-dependent dissociation of the carbohydrate ligands after the recognition of cell surface receptors, including the physicochemical and biochemical function of PVIm-Zn, played an important role in gene expression.