Aim: To achieve safe and biocompatible gene carriers. Materials & methods: A core/shell-structured hierarchical carrier with an internal peptide/gene coacervate 'core' and a dextran nanogel 'shell' on the surface has been designed. Results: The dextran nanogels shield coacervate (DNSC) can effectively condense genes and release them in reducing environments. The dextran nanogel-based 'shell' can effectively shield the positive charge of the peptide/gene coacervate 'core', thus reducing the side effects of cationic gene carriers. In contrast with the common nonviral gene carriers that had high cytotoxicities, the DNSC showed a high transfection efficiency while maintaining a low cytotoxicity. Conclusion: The DNSC provides an effective environmentally responsive gene carrier with potential applications in the fields of gene therapy and gene carrier development.

中文翻译：

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通过组装右旋糖酐纳米凝胶和纳米凝聚层构建的具有低细胞毒性的受生物启发的基因载体

目的：获得安全和生物相容的基因载体。材料和方法：设计了一种核/壳结构的分层载体，其表面具有内部肽/基因凝聚层“核”和葡聚糖纳米凝胶“壳”。结果：右旋糖酐纳米凝胶屏蔽凝聚层（DNSC）可以有效缩合基因并在还原性环境中释放它们。基于葡聚糖纳米凝胶的“壳”可以有效地屏蔽肽/基因凝聚层“核心”的正电荷，从而减少阳离子基因载体的副作用。与具有高细胞毒性的普通非病毒基因载体相反，DNSC在保持低细胞毒性的同时显示了高转染效率。结论：