Design and gene delivery activity of modified polyethylenimines

The polycation polyethylenimine (PEI) has recently been widely employed for the design of DNA delivery vehicles. Gene delivery using PEI involves condensation of DNA into compact particles, uptake into the cells, release from the endosomal compartment into the cytoplasm, and uptake of the DNA into t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advanced drug delivery reviews 2001-12, Vol.53 (3), p.341-358
Main Authors: Kircheis, Ralf, Wightman, Lionel, Wagner, Ernst
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
DNA - administration & dosage
DNA - chemistry
Drug Delivery Systems
Gene Targeting - methods
Gene transfer in vivo
Humans
PEI
Polyethyleneimine - chemical synthesis
Polyethyleneimine - chemistry
Polyethylenimine
Targeting
Transferrin
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Summary:The polycation polyethylenimine (PEI) has recently been widely employed for the design of DNA delivery vehicles. Gene delivery using PEI involves condensation of DNA into compact particles, uptake into the cells, release from the endosomal compartment into the cytoplasm, and uptake of the DNA into the nucleus. Particularly for in vivo gene delivery, optimal coordination and timing between DNA complexation for protection of the DNA from nucleases and the disassembly of the complexes is essential. For in vivo application, DNA complexes have to pass a variety of anatomical and physiological barriers, and an environment of biological fluids and extracellular matrix before reaching their targets. Furthermore, targeted gene delivery is seriously hampered by non-specific interactions with non-target cells. Strategies have been developed to protect transfection complexes from non-specific interactions and to increase target specificity and gene expression.
ISSN:0169-409X
1872-8294
DOI:10.1016/S0169-409X(01)00202-2