Mixed Polymer Micelles of Amphiphilic and Cationic Copolymers for Delivery of Antisense Oligonucleotides

Cationic copolymers were synthesized by conjugation of branched 2 kDa polyethylenimine (PEI) and Pluronic® block copolymers (F38, P85, P123). Compositions of these copolymers mixed with corresponding free Pluronics® at weight ratio 1:9 were used to complex phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (ODN). As a result stable suspensions of small micelle-like particles (<220 nm) were obtained. Incorporation of ODN in these formulations increased uptake of ODN in KBv cells and increased sequence specific activity of antisense ODN targeted against MDR gene in multidrug resistant cells resulting in inhibition of the functional activity of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in these cells. Furthermore, these formulations increased transport of ODN across model intestinal barrier, Caco-2 cell monolayers, suggesting that they could be useful for oral delivery of biologically active ODN.