Gemini-Type Tetraphenylethylene Amphiphiles Containing [12]aneN3 and Long Hydrocarbon Chains as Nonviral Gene Vectors and Gene Delivery Monitors

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b01850
• Publication Date: 2017-03-15T15:54:06Z
• Authors: Ai-Xiang Ding; Zheng-Li Tan; You-Di Shi; Lin Song; Bing Gong; Zhong-Lin Lu
• Keywords: Genetic Vectors; Stilbenes; Gene Transfer Techniques; Transfection; Lipids; 01 natural sciences; Hydrocarbons; Micelles; 0104 chemical sciences

Four gemini amphiphiles decorated with triazole-[12]aneN3 as the hydrophilic moiety and various long hydrocarbons as hydrophobic moieties, 1-4, were designed to form micelles possessing the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property for gene delivery and tracing. All four amphiphiles give ultralow critical micelle concentrations, are pH-/photostable and biocompatible, and completely retard the migration of plasmid DNAs at low concentrations. The DNA-binding abilities of the micelles were fully assessed. The coaggregated nanoparticles of 1-4 with DNAs could convert back into AIE micelles. In vitro transfections indicated that lipids 1 and 2 and their originated liposomes bearing decent delivering abilities have great potentials as nonviral vectors. Finally, on the basis of the transfection and the transitions between condensates and micelles, lipid 2 was singled out as the first example for real-time tracing of the intracellular deliveries of nonlabeled DNA, which provides spatiotemporal messages about the processes of condensate uptake and DNA release.