| 摘要 |
The invention relates to polynucleotide transfection (e.g. of pDNA or siRNA), and in particular, the use of polyplexes (complexes of a polynucleotide and a reducible (disulfide) polymer) as delivery vehicles. Compositions of the invention contain a reducing agent, such as glutathione (GSH) or N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). These are able to reduce, and so break, S- S bonds in the reducible disulfide polymer formed form polymerisation of thiol-containing monomers. This can result in the release of the polynucleotide (e.g. pDNA or siRNA). The reducible (disulfide) polymer is preferably formed from constituent monomer(s) units having a thiol group at each end, and a middle repeating section or unit of a polyamine, such as a spermine molecule. |
