Folate conjugated phosphorylcholine-based polycations for specific targeting in nucleic acids delivery

J Drug Target. 2009 Aug;17(7):512-23. doi: 10.1080/10611860903023312.

Abstract

Folic acid has been investigated as a targeting ligand for imaging and therapeutic agent for over a decade; however, studies on its use in targeting of nonviral gene or nucleic acids delivery systems are sparse. This study assesses potential application of a new folic acid conjugate with aminomethacrylate-phosphoryl-choline based copolymer (DMAEMA-MPC-FA) as a targeting gene delivery vector. The folate-conjugated polymers produce colloidally stable polyplexes with a particle size <200 nm and demonstrate the ability to protect DNA from enzymatic degradation to a certain extent. In cells that overexpress folate receptors (MCF-7 and KB cultures), the conjugated systems show a folate-specific association and achieved significantly enhanced transfection efficiency, compared to the nonconjugated control, with a dramatically reduced nonspecific cellular association. The transfection enhancement is achieved without a corresponding increase in cellular association, suggesting that an internal cellular trafficking of folate-conjugated system may be altered, resulting in an increased transfection efficacy. In summary, a new folate-conjugated aminomethacrylate-phosphorylcholine copolymer is capable of forming colloidal complexes with DNA, modulating their specific cell uptake and improving the level of cell transfection in folate expressing cells.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cations
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colloids
  • DNA / administration & dosage*
  • Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored
  • Folic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Folic Acid / chemistry
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Humans
  • KB Cells
  • Ligands
  • Methacrylates / chemistry
  • Particle Size
  • Phosphorylcholine / analogs & derivatives
  • Phosphorylcholine / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Transfection / methods

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cations
  • Colloids
  • Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored
  • Ligands
  • Methacrylates
  • Polymers
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Phosphorylcholine
  • 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine
  • DNA
  • Folic Acid
  • 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate