Gene carriers modified with PEG demonstrate increased transport and stability in mucus as explored with high-resolution nanoparticle tracking

The modification of gene carriers with poly(ethylene glycols) (PEG) which demonstrated increased transport and stability in mucus as explored with high-resolution nanoparticle tracking was described. The average rate of transport of polyethylemine (PEI) or standard-sized polystyrene (PS) particles surface-modified with PEG increases by approximately 10-fold. The percentage of particles undergoing diffusive transport in mucus increases for PEI particles modified with PEG by approximately 10%. Particle formulations were optimized for rapid transport, stability in mucus, cell uptake, and trasfection efficiency in mucus-covered lung or gastrointentinal (GI) cells.