Integument of Cytoplasmic Membrane onto Cationic DNA Condensates for Selective Gene Expression at Homologous Cells.

The surface properties of drug/gene delivery systems are critical important to their ultimate therapeutic performance. In the present studies, cytoplasmic membranes deriving from cancerous cells (Hep-G2) were attempted as the external integument onto the polycationic theranostic DNA delivery systems with the aim of diminishing unfavorable biointerfacial reactions of nanomedicine. Herein, a multiple of polycationic oligoethylenimine (OEI) segments were installed onto the surface of luminescent carbon quantum dots (CQD, facile bioimaging utilities) for complexation with plasmid DNA (pDNA) into DNA delivery constructs, followed by surface integument by cytoplasmic membranes. The subsequent investigations verified this strategic integument capable of shielding the unfavorable surface positive net charge of the polycationic DNA delivery constructs and thereby markedly diminishing the potential nonspecific reactions in biological milieu. Leadingly, improved biocompatibilities as well as additional protection of inner vulnerable DNA cargos from enzymatic degradation, have been accomplished. More importantly, preferential affinities to the homologous cells were identified as a result of this membrane integument based on facile fluorescence quantification for the intracellular CQD. Significant higher cellular uptake efficiency for the polycationic constructs based on Hep-G2 membrane integument was confirmed in the homologous Hep-G2 cells in contrast to the heterologous MCF-7 and HeLa cells (approximately 4-fold). Note that this homologous privilege was observed for the delivery constructs not only from cancerous HeLa and MCF-7 membrane integuments but also normal cells (COS-7), heralding the intriguing potentials of this membrane-integument strategy in pursuit of targeting functions. Eventually, gene expression activities were also determined to prevail in the homologous cells. Therefore, our proposed surface integument strategy by homologous cell membrane could imply an alternative facile and versatile avenue in construction of active-targeted nanomedicine.