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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2019 Feb 1.
Published in final edited form as: Adv Healthc Mater. 2017 Dec 11;7(4):10.1002/adhm.201701070. doi: 10.1002/adhm.201701070

Figure 3.

Figure 3

(a) Schematic illustration of the assembly of PCPP/siRNA polyplexes using electrostatic interactions and borate ester formation. (b) Mechanism of action of the dual pH-responsibility and tumor-targeted siRNA delivery by PCPP: (i) avoiding off-target effects by the protection of PEG corona; (ii) accumulation of PCPP/siRNA at the tumor site by EPR effect; (iii) extracellular acidity-activated detachment of PEG-shell and exposure of PBA; (iv) PBA recognition and SA receptor-meditated cellular internalization;(v) endosomal/lysosomal escape and acidity-triggered disassembly of the polyplexes accompanied by the release of siRNA; (vi) gene silencing. Reproduced with permission from[24]. Copyright 2017, Ivy spring.