pH-Triggered DNA delivery based on multilayer film of DNA polyplexes and charge-reversible poly(ethylenimine)

• Published in: Thin solid films Vol. 520; no. 16; pp. 5426 - 5430
• Main Authors: Sun, Jie-Kan, Ren, Ke-Feng, Ji, Jian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.06.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acidity; Charge-reversible; DNA; Exact sciences and technology; Gene delivery; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Layer-by-layer complexation; Multilayer film; Optical instruments, equipment and techniques; pH-Triggered delivery; Physics; Polarimeters and ellipsometers; Polyplexes; Gene delivery; Layer-by-layer complexation; DNA; Polyplexes; pH-Triggered delivery; Multilayer film; Charge-reversible; pH value; Ellipsometry; Genetic transfer; Hydrolysis; Multilayers; Self-assembly; Tumours; Electrostatics; Bilayers
• ISSN: 0040-6090; 1879-2731
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2012.04.019

Development of materials with stimuli-responsive properties is of interest for biotechnical applications including gene delivery and regenerative medicine. Here, we report a multilayer film through layer-by-layer self-assembly of DNA polyplexes and charge-reversible poly(ethylenimine) (cPEI). Through functionalizing PEI with cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, cPEI showed negatively charged and therefore was used for electrostatic self-assembly with positively charged DNA polyplexes. Side chains of cPEI can be hydrolyzed in acidic environment while it is stable in neutral condition. Such pH-triggered hydrolysis led to charge reverse of cPEI from negative to positive, which consequently led to a disassembly of multilayer film. Both UV–vis and ellipsometry spectrum measurements suggested that the multilayer film grew with a thickness of 150nm for twelve bilayers. Under low pH condition, the multilayer film collapsed and DNA polyplexes were released. The multilayer film containing cPEI could be served as a local gene delivery system in specific low pH conditions such as extracellular acidity of solid tumor and lysosomal. ► A charge-reversible poly(ethylenimine) (cPEI) was synthesized. ► cPEI can be hydrolyzed from negative to positive charge depending on pH. ► The (cPEI/DNA polyplexes) multilayer was fabricated via layer-by-layer deposition. ► pH-triggered hydrolysis of cPEI leads to a disassembly of multilayer film.