Synthesis of bioreducible polycations with controlled topologies

Abstract

Bioreducible polycations, which possess disulfide linkages in the backbone, have emerged as promising nucleic acid delivery carriers due to their high stability in extracellular physiological condition and bioreduction-triggered release of the genetic material. Further benefits of bioreducible polycations include decreased cytotoxicity due to intracellular reducing environment in the cytoplasm that contains high levels of reducing molecules such as glutathione. Here, we describe the synthesis of bioreducible polycations with emphasis on methods to control their topology.