Abstract: The study aimed to develop polyethyleneimine-dexamethasone(PEI-Dex) conjugates for the nucleus-targeting gene delivery by amidation reaction. The results showed that the PEI-Dex could effectively condense DNA and form the PEI-Dex/DNA complex. The size of the complex at the optimal N/P ratio was (162±1.90) nm and zeta potential was (12.8±0.11) mV, which could facilitate the gene transfection. Moreover, it exhibited much higher transfection efficiency compared with the PEI 1800/DNA complex due to efficient nuclear translocation and low cytotoxicity. In conclusion, PEI-Dex should be a promising non-viral gene vector.

Key words: Low molecular weight polyethyleneimine, Dexamethasone, Nucleus-targeting, Gene delivery