Interaction of nanostructured polyelectrolyte complexes with cells

Gene therapy is a technique in which nucleic acids are introduced into cells with the purpose to alter the course of a medical condition or disease. Due to its negative charge and its large hydrodynamic volume, free DNA is not taken up in cells very efficiently. To overcome this problem, the DNA can be combined with a vector. One of the topics our research groups is focussing on is the synthesis and evaluation of cationic polymers that can be used as a gene delivery system. Starting from a series of cationic amine containing polymers, we observed large differences in transfection efficiency. To further study these findings, we carried out interaction studies of polymer-DNA complexes and GAG. Complexes showing a lower stability towards GAG, also possess a low transfection efficiency. These findings were also confirmed by cell uptake studies, showing that complexes showing high levels of transfection are taken up in cells efficiently.