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- Gene delivery vectors (1) (entfernen)
This review gives representative examples of the various types of synthetic cationic polymers or polyampholytes (chemical structure, architecture, etc) that can be used to complex DNA (forming polyplexes) for their application in gene delivery. In designing polycations for gene delivery, one has to take into account a balance between protection of DNA versus loss of efficiency for DNA condensation and efficient condensation versus hindering of DNA release. Indeed, if the polyplexes are not stable enough, premature dissociation will occur before delivery of the genetic material at the desired place, resulting in low transfection efficiency; on the other hand, a complex that is too stable will not release the DNA, also resulting in low gene expression. The techniques generally used to determine these properties are gel electrophoresis to test the DNA/polymer complexation, ethidium bromide or polyanion displacement to test the affinity of a polymer for DNA, and light scattering to determine the extent of DNA condensation. Moreover, with the development of more precise instruments for physico-chemical characterization and appropriate biochemical and biophysical techniques, a direct link between the physico-chemical characteristics of the polyplexes and their in vitro and in vivo properties can be drawn, thus allowing tremendous progress in the quest towards application of polyplexes for gene therapy, beyond the research laboratory.