Thiolation Augments Gene Delivery Potential of Low Molecular Weight Chitosans

摘要

A series of low molecular weight chitosans werethiolated in this study by immobilizing thiol groups tochitosans via amide bonds. These modifiedchitosans were characterized and their potential asgene transfer agents was evaluated with HEK 293cell line using flow cytometry and fluorescencemicroscopy. The results show that thiolatedchitosans exhibit substantially increased transfectionefficiency compared to corresponding unmodifiedchitosans. Thus, thiolated chitosans may be usefulas gene carrier reagents.