Compositions for Delivering Nucleic Acids to Cells

Abstract

Cyclic amidinium containing compounds and their methods of preparation are described. Compositions containing these compounds facilitate delivery of biologically active polymers to cells in vitro and in vivo.

1 . A composition for delivering a polynucleotide to a cell comprising: a cationic poly(cyclic amidinium)-containing compound capable of condensing nucleic acid and the polynucleotide. 
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein the poly cyclic amidinium consists of a poly 1,3-piperazinium. 
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein the polynucleotide is selected from the group consists of: DNA, RNA, and siRNA. 
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein the poly cyclic amidinium is selected from the group consisting of: partially acylated polyethylenimine, partially acylated polyallylamine, and partially acylated polyvinylamine. 
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein the poly cyclic amidinium consists of a poly 1,3-nitrogen-8-membered heterocyclic ring. 
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 5  wherein the polynucleotide is selected from the group consists of: DNA, RNA, and siRNA. 
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein the poly cyclic amidinium is selected from the group consisting of: partially acylated polyethylenimine, partially acylated polyallylamine, and partially acylated polyvinylamine. 
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the cell consists of an in vivo cell. 
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 11  wherein the in vivo cell consists of a lung cell. 
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 11  wherein the in vivo cell consists of a liver cell. 
   
   
       11 . The composition of claim  13  wherein the liver cell consists of a hepatocyte.