Folate mediated in vitro targeting of depolymerised trimethylated chitosan having arginine functionality

摘要: Delivery vectors having targeting ligands provide an impending impact on cancer gene therapy. Our work focuses on folate mediated targeting induced by conjugating poly(ethylene glycol)–folate (PEG–FA) with arginine modified chitosan polymer having low molecular weight of 15kDa and high degree of quaternization (ATFP15H). The ATFP15H derivative on condensation with plasmid DNA formed nanoparticles with core shell nanostructure. It also affirmed good buffering capacity. The derivative was found to protect DNA from DNase I degradation and also from disassembly in presence of negatively charged plasma proteins. It exhibited blood compatibility in terms of percentage hemolysis, erythrocyte aggregation and also by platelet activation. At a concentration of 10μg, the capability of the derivative to enhance cell growth at normal cell growing conditions was observed. The transfection efficiency was also …