Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-21-2016
Department
Biological Sciences
School
Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences
Abstract
Block ionomer complex (BIC)–siRNA interactions and effectiveness in cell transfection are reported. Aqueous RAFT polymerization was used to prepare a series of hydrophilic-block-cationic copolymers in which the cationic block statistically incorporates increasing amounts of neutral, hydrophilic monomer such that the number of cationic groups remains unchanged but the cationic charge density is diluted along the polymer backbone. Reduced charge density decreases the electrostatic binding strength between copolymers and siRNA with the goal of improving siRNA release after targeted cellular delivery. However, lower binding strength resulted in decreased transfection and RNA interference pathway activation, leading to reduced gene knockdown. Enzymatic siRNA degradation studies with BICs indicated lowered binding strength increases susceptibility to RNases, which is the likely cause for poor gene knockdown.
Publication Title
Polymer Chemistry
Volume
7
Issue
39
First Page
6044
Last Page
6054
Recommended Citation
Parsons, K. H.,
Holley, A. C.,
Munn, G. A.,
Flynt, A. S.,
McCormick, C. L.
(2016). Block Ionomer Complexes Consisting of siRNA and aRAFT-Synthesized Hydrophilic-Block-Cationic Copolymers II: The Influence of Cationic Block Charge Density on Gene Suppression. Polymer Chemistry, 7(39), 6044-6054.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/15469
Comments
This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Polymer Chemistry following peer review. The version of record is available online at: 10.1039/C6PY01048B.