CHAPTER 18: Interactions of Cationic Polymers with Cells

Cationic polymers and their derivatives are being investigated for development of a multitude of biomedical applications. In this chapter we focus on the interactions of cationic polymers with biological milieu, which shape their potential efficacies in drug and gene delivery. The chapter is divided into sections describing interactions of cationic polymers with extracellular components, whole cells and various cell organelles. In the intracellular interactions subsection we focus on the uptake mechanism and intracellular trafficking of polyplexes (complexes of cationic polymers and genetic material). Further, the cytocompatibility of the polymers as related to their structure and gene delivery ability is reviewed. The chapter concludes with a discussion on future research opportunities and clinical applications of cationic polymers in gene and drug delivery.