Figure 8.

Hypothesis of “Balloon puncturing effect”. PSL complexes possess two endosomal escape strategies for DNA including the proton sponge effect and an additional endosomal destabilization effect, thus resulting in a synergistic and much more efficient ability of endosomal escape. More DNA from PSL complexes can escape from endosomes in lesser time. In contrast, endosomal escape of DNA from PS complexes is only triggered by the proton sponge effect that requires swelling and rupture of the endosomal membrane, which has been proven to be less effective.