Dual-Functionalized PAMAM Dendrimers with Improved P‑Glycoprotein Inhibition and Tight Junction Modulating Effect

This study aims to surface modify poly(amido amine) or PAMAM dendrimers by sequentially grafting poly(ethylene glycol) or PEG and 4-thiobutylamidine (TBA) so as to reduce PAMAM cytotoxicity while improving the ability of PAMAM to modulate P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux and tight junction integrity. Conjugation of functional groups was determined by NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR, thiol group quantification and molecular weight estimation. The yield of the dual-functionalized dendrimers was >80%. The dual-functionalized dendrimer could significantly reduce PAMAM cytotoxicity to