INTERPOLYELECTROLYTE AND BLOCK IONOMER COMPLEXES FOR GENE DELIVERY - PHYSICOCHEMICAL ASPECTS

Interpolyelectrolyte complexes formed as a result of the polyion coupl ing reaction between polynucleotide and polycation chains have been us ed for gene delivery. A general disadvantage of these systems is their reduced solubility. To overcome this problem, cationic copolymers com prised of polycation and poly(ethylene oxide) segments have been devel oped. These copolymers form block ionomer complexes with DNA that are water soluble even if all electrostatic charges are neutralized. This paper discusses physico-chemical aspects of formation and behavior of interpolyelectrolyte and block ionomer complexes and presents recent r esults on the use of block ionomer complexes for gene delivery. (C) 19 98 Elsevier Science B.V.