Photo-induced release of active plasmid from crosslinked nanoparticles: o-nitrobenzyl/methacrylate functionalized polyethyleneimine

To facilitate DNA packaging and photolytic release, o-nitrobenzyl and methacrylate functionalized PEI (P10A) was synthesized for condensing DNA into nanoparticles as small as 160 nm after radical polymerization with initiator. The gene expression following delivery of uncross-linked P10A/DNA was unchanged by photoirradiation of cells. However, exposure to photo-irradiation caused a 3-fold increase in gene expression in cells transfected with cross-linked P10A/DNA. These polyplexes were designed to mimic viral particles that condense and protect DNA while allowing subsequent triggered release of DNA.