Folic Acid/Peptides Modified PLGA–PEI–PEG Polymeric Vectors as Efficient Gene Delivery Vehicles: Synthesis, Characterization and Their Biological Performance

Abstract

Polymeric vectors are safer alternatives for gene delivery owing to their advantages as compared to viral vectors. To improve the stability and transfection efficiency of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)- and poly(ethylenimine) (PEI)-based vectors, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), folic acid (FA), arginylglycylaspartic acid (RGD) peptides and isoleucine-lysine-valine-alanine-valine (IKVAV) peptides were employed and PLGA–PEI–PEG–FA and PLGA–PEI–PEG–RGD copolymers were synthesized. PLGA–PEI–PEG–FA/DNA, PLGA–PEI–PEG–RGD/DNA and PLGA–PEI–PEG–RGD/IKVAV/DNA nanocomplexes (NCs) were formed through bulk mixing. The structure and properties, including morphology, particle size, surface charge and DNA encapsulation, of NCs were studied. Robust NCs with spherical shape, uniform size distribution and slightly positive charge were able to completely bind DNA above their respective N/P ratios. The critical N/P ratio for PLGA–PEI–PEG–FA/DNA, PLGA–PEI–PEG–RGD/DNA and PLGA–PEI–PEG–RGD/IKVAV/DNA NCs was identified to be 12:1, 8:1 and 10:1, respectively. The covalent modification of PEI through a combination of biodegradable PLGA, hydrophilic PEG and targeting motifs significantly decreased the cytotoxicity of PEI. The developed NCs showed both N/P ratio and cell type-dependent transfection efficiency. An increase in N/P ratio resulted in increased transfection efficiency, and much improved transfection efficiency of NCs was observed above their respective critical N/P ratios. This study provides a promising means to produce polymeric vectors for gene delivery.