SYNTHESIS OF BIODEGRADABLE CATIONIC TRIBLOCK COPOLYMER mPEG-PCL-PLL FOR siRNA DELIVERY

摘要

Amino-terminated methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(e-caprolactone) (mPEG-PCL-NH2) was synthesized by azidizing the end OH group of mPEG-PCL and by subsequent hydrogenation of the azido group. It was used to initiate ring-opening polymerization of ε-CBz (L-lysine)-N-carboxyanhydride to obtain cationic triblock copolymer methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(L-lysine) (mPEG-PCL-PLL). The copolymer could self-assemble directly in water into nanoscale micelles with a hydrophobic core and a cationic corona. Therefore, they can further complex with anionic siRNA for possible application in gene delivery.