PEGylated iminodiacetic acid zinc complex stabilizes cationic RNA-bearing nanoparticles.

Self-assembling nanoparticles comprising cationic polymers are of interest for the delivery of oligonucleotide-based therapeutics. Unfortunately, exposure of the nanoparticle cationic surface to plasma and plasma proteins compromises particle stability and circulating half-life. Herein, we report that improved nanoparticle stability can be achieved through temporary grafting of PEG to the nanoparticle surface. Grafting is induced through zinc complexation between PEG-IDA and the exposed polyhistidylated polylysine (H-K) cationic polymer of pre-formed nanoparticles. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.