Abstract: This patent discloses compositions and methods of use thereof to normalize the blood glucose levels of patients with type 2 diabetes. It relates particularly to a plasmid comprising a chicken ? actin promoter and enhancer; a modified GLP-1 (7-37) cDNA (p?GLP1), carrying a furin cleavage site, which is constructed and delivered into a cell for the expression of active GLP-1.

Abstract: A biodegradable cationic lipopolymer comprising a polyethylenimine (PEI), a lipid, and a biocompatible hydrophilic polymer, wherein 1) the lipid and the biocompatible hydrophilic polymer are directly linked to the PEI backbone or 2) the lipid is linked to the PEI backbone through the biocompatible hydrophilic polymer. The cationic lipopolymers of the present invention can be used for delivery of a nucleic acid or any anionic bioactive agent to various organs and tissues after local or systemic administration.

Abstract: A biodegradable, novel cationic lipopolymer comprising a branched polyethylenimine(PEI), a cholesterol derived lipid anchor, and a biodegradable linker which covalently links the branched PEI and cholesterol derived lipid anchor. One example of such a novel lipolymer is poly{(ethylene imine)-co-[N-2-aminoehtyl)ethylene imine]-co-[N-(N-cholesteryloxycabonyl-(2-aminoethyl))ethylene imine]} (“PEACE”). The cationic lipopolymers in the present invention can be used in drug delivery and are especially useful for delivery of a nucleic acid or any anionic bioactive agent to various organs and tissues after local or systemic administration. Methods of preparing and using the cationic lipopolymer gene carriers of the present invention to efficiently transfect cells, both in vitro and in vivo, are disclosed.

Abstract: This patent discloses compositions and methods of use thereof to normalize the blood glucose levels of patients with type 2 diabetes. It relates particularly to a plasmid comprising a chicken &bgr; actin promoter and enhancer; a modified GLP-1 (7-37) cDNA (p&bgr;GLP1), carrying a furin cleavage site, which is constructed and delivered into a cell for the expression of active GLP-1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cationic polymeric conjugates and methods of preparing and using them as gene carriers. The cationic polymeric conjugates comprise a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafted cationic polymer and a targeting moiety(TM), wherein 0.1 to 10 mole percent of the cationic groups of the cationic polymer are substituted with PEG-TM.

Abstract: A biodegradable, positively-charged aminoalkyl polyester polymer for the delivery of bioactive agents, such as DNA, RNA, oligonucleotides is disclosed. Biologically active moieties, such as drugs, ligands, and the like, can be coupled to the free amino groups of the polymer.

Abstract: A polymeric conjugate for targeted gene delivery comprising a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafted cationic polymer and a targeting moiety(TM), wherein 0.1 to 10 mole percent of the cationic groups of the cationic polymer are substituted with said PEG-TM, and the grafted cationic polymer contains at least 50% unsubstituted free cationic groups. The TM is preferably lactose or galactose, which are capable of specifically targeting hepatocytes. Methods of preparing and using the TM-PEG-CP as polymeric gene carriers to efficiently transfect cells are disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable, novel cationic coopolymer comprising a a poly(alkylenimine)(PAI), a hydrophilic polymer, and a biodegradable linker, wherein the biodegradable linker covalently links the PAI and the hydrophilic polymer. The biodegradable cationic copolymers in the present invention can be used in drug delivery and are especially useful for delivery of a nucleic acid or any anionic bioactive agent to various organs and tissues after local or systemic administration.

Abstract: Poly[&agr;-(4-aminobutyl)-L-glycolic acid] (PAGA) is disclosed as a biodegradable composition suitable for delivering a gene into a cell. Methods of making and using PAGA are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compound for targeted gene delivery is provided consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG) grafted poly(L-lysine) (PLL) and a targeting moiety, wherein at least one free amino function of the PLL is substituted with the targeting moiety, and the grafted PLL contains at least 50% unsubstituted free amino function groups. TM is preferably lactose or galactose which are capable of specifically targeting a hepatoma cell or a liver cell. The new synthetic carriers with various substitution ratios of targeting moiety-PEG were characterized using NMR spectroscopy. The new polymeric gene carriers of this invention are capable of forming stable and soluble complexes with nucleic acids, which in turn are able to efficiently transform cells. PEG attached to the PLL gives better solubility properties to the gene/carrier complex and improved transfection efficiency without considerable cytotoxicity. Methods of preparing and using the targeting moiety-PEG-PLL as gene carriers to efficiently transfect cells are disclosed.