You are here

Virus-Inspired Polymer for Efficient In Vitro and In Vivo Gene Delivery

Virus-Inspired Polymer for Efficient In Vitro and In Vivo Gene Delivery
Published: 
Aug 2016
Publisher: 
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2016 Sep 19;55(39):12013-7. doi: 10.1002/anie.201605958. Epub 2016 Aug 19.
Author: 
Suzie H. Pun, Ph.D.

Cheng Y1, Yumul RC1, Pun SH2.

Author information

  • 1Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
  • 2Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. spun@u.washington.edu.

Abstract

Clinical translation of nucleic acids drugs has been stunted by limited delivery options. Herein, we report a synthetic polymer designed to mimic viral mechanisms of delivery called VIPER (virus-inspired polymer for endosomal release). VIPER is composed of a polycation block for condensation of nucleic acids, and a pH-sensitive block for acid-triggered display of a lytic peptide to promote trafficking to the cell cytosol. VIPER shows superior efficiencies compared to commercial agents when delivering genes to multiple immortalized cell lines. Importantly, in murine models, VIPER facilitates effective gene transfer to solid tumors.

© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

KEYWORDS:

DNA release; VIPER; gene delivery; melittin; virus-inspired polymers