Modified-epsilon-polylysine-grafted-PEI-β-cyclodextrin supramolecular carrier for gene delivery

Cyclodextrin-based supermolecular systems have become one of significant nonviral gene delivery carriers. In this study, epsilon-polylysine-grafted-succinic acid-grafted-β-cyclodextrin-LMW PEI (PPC) and adamantane-functionalized poly-(ethylene glycol) derivative (PEG-AD) were synthesized, and PEG-AD was encapsulated into PPC to form the complexes. These complexes were used to condense pDNA to make polyplexes, which biophysical properties, cytotoxicity and transfection efficiencies were studied. The results showed that the polyplexes were less cytotoxic than branched PEI without degrading the transfection efficiency. These findings suggest that the complexes with high stability could be an effective and low-toxicity carrier for delivering nucleic acid to target cells.