Poly ([beta]-amino ester)s as pH sensitive biomaterials for microparticulate genetic vaccine delivery

Genetic vaccination is the administration of nucleic acids to induce cellular expression of antigens, leading to an immune response. Unlike traditional vaccines, this technology has tremendous potential for treating or preventing diseases such as HIV, malaria, and cancer. However, this potential is currently unrealized because of the safety concerns which plague viral vaccine carriers and the inefficiency of nonviral delivery systems when compared to their viral counterparts. A promising and versatile nonviral delivery method for genetic vaccines involves microencapsulation of antigen-encoding DNA, because such particles protect their payload and target it to phagocytic, antigen-presenting immune cells. However, the biomaterial conventionally used in these microparticle formulations, an FDA-approved polyester called poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), was not designed specifically to deliver DNA, takes too long to release encapsulated payload, and therefore fails to induce high levels of target gene expression. A new class of novel biomaterials have been synthesized called poly([beta]-amino ester)s which are biodegradable and can have similar physical properties to PLGA, but are pH-sensitive and have gene delivery functionalities.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Little, Steven (Steven Ronald)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Robert S. Langer.

• Chemical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/34159
• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Identifier URI

http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/34159

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/34159