PEPTIDES FOR EFFICIENT GENE TRANSFER

摘要

The present invention relates to nucleic acid condensates comprising a nucleic acid bound to a polycationic peptide, and in particular a CWK (cysteine, tryptophan, lysine) polycationic peptide, and to methods of making and using such condensates. The invention further relates to a novel pharmaceutical compositions comprising condensed DNA incorporated into matrices (gene-activated matrices) that may be utilized for delivery of nucleic acids into targeted cells. The invention further relates to methods for producing gene-activated matrices involving the addition of polycationic peptides, and in particular a CWK polycationic peptide, to negatively charged DNA prior to incorporation into a matrix. The invention further relates to the linkage of the polycationic peptides to ligand molecules, thus permitting targeting of the DNA to specific targeted cell types. The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations and methods that are applicable to wound healing and a wide variety of genetic or acquired diseases.