Sulfonated Polyethylenimine for Photosensitizer Conjugation and Targeting

Polysulfonated macromolecules are known to bind selectins, adhesion membrane proteins which are broadly implicated in inflammation. Commercially available branched polyethylenimine (PEI) was reacted with chlorosulfonic acid to generate sulfonated PEI with varying degrees of sulfonation. Remaining unreacted amine groups were then used for straightforward conjugation with pyropheophoribide-a, a near-infrared photosensitizer. Photosensitizer-labeled sulfonated PEI conjugates inhibited blood coagulation and were demonstrated to specifically bind to cells genetically programmed to overexpress L-selectin (CD62L) or P-selectin (CD62P). In vitro, following targeting, selectin-expressing cells could be destroyed via photodynamic therapy.