PLGA-dendron nanoparticles enhance immunogenicity but not lethal antibody production of a DNA vaccine against anthrax in mice.

Dendriplexes, complexes of dendrons and condensed plasmids containing the gene for protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis, were encapsulated in poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) particles using the double emulsion method. The two dendrons employed are a dendron with three C(18) chains (C(18) dendron) and one with no attached hydrocarbon chains (the C(0) dendron). Three types of particles were examined, namely PLGA-C(18) dendriplexes, PLGA-C(0) dendriplexes and the control PLGA-naked DNA system.

Release of DNA from dendriplexes encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles.

Biodegradable PLGA particles of less than 1 microm can encapsulate DNA and DNA-dendron complexes (dendriplexes) providing sustained DNA release for transfecting cells in gene delivery. Two polylysine-based dendrons prepared by solid state peptide synthesis were used to condense pRedN-1 DNA (7.5 kbp), a fluorescent protein vector.