Phospholipid-modified polyethylenimine-based nanopreparations for siRNA-mediated gene silencing: Implications for transfection and the role of lipid components

Polyethylenimine (PEI 1.8 kDa) was hydrophobically modified with phosphoethanolamine (PE-PEI) or phosphocholine phospholipids (PC-PEI) to obtain different amphiphiles. This study highlights the importance of amphiphile structure in promoting the interaction of PEI with cell membranes, siRNA uptake and intracellular delivery.162