TITLE:
An Overview of the Synthesis and Gene Transfer Properties of Triblock Copolymers Poly(2-Methyl-2-Oxazoline-b-Tetrahydrofurane-b-2-Methyl-2-Oxazoline)
AUTHORS:
Bazoly Rasolonjatovo, Bruno Pitard, Philippe Guégan, Hervé Cheradame
KEYWORDS:
Triblock Copolymer; Cell Transfection; Vector; Gene Therapy; Neutral Amphiphilic Block Copolymers
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology,
Vol.5 No.2,
March
31,
2014
ABSTRACT: The synthesis of
poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline-b-tetrahydrofurane-b-2-methyl-2-oxazoline) triblock
copolymer of low molar mass has been carried out. Characterization of the
purified polymer by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies is
described. These block copolymers did not give DNA containing polyplexes. The in vivo transfection properties were
investigated by injection of tibialis muscles and intratracheal administration
of female Swiss mice. These triblock copolymers with a molar ratio
[2-methyl-2-oxazoline units]/[tetrahydrofurane units] in the 3 - 5 range gave a higher transfection efficiency
than that of Lutrol or of PE6400 which are the gold standards of this
transfection technique. Hydrolysis increased the performances of muscle
transfection, showing the beneficial effect of the presence of positive
charges, but was clearly detrimental to the transfection efficiency of
pulmonary epithelium.