Abstract
The existing strategies in the design of non-viral vectors for gene therapy are primarily conceived for cationic systems. However, the safety concerns associated with the use of positively charged systems for nucleic acid delivery and several reports regarding the efficacy of negatively charged systems highlights the need for improved gene-delivery vectors. With these premises in mind, we investigated the development of new negatively charged nanoparticles based on Sorbitan esters (Span®) – extremely cheap excipients broadly used in the pharmaceutical industry – on the basis of a simple, one-step and easily scalable procedure. For their specific use in gene therapy, we have incorporated oleylamine (OA) or poly-l-arginine (PA) into these nanosystems. Thus, we used Sorbitan monooleate (Span® 80) to design Span® 80-oleylamine and Span® 80-poly-l-arginine nanosystems (SP–OA and SP–PA, respectively). These systems can associate with the model plasmid pEGFP-C3 and show mean particle sizes of 304nm and 247nm and surface charges of −13mV and −17mV, respectively.The nanoparticles developed were evaluated in terms of in vitro cell viability and transfection ability. Both systems exhibited an appropriate cell-toxicity profile and are able to transfect the plasmid effectively. Specifically, the nanosystems including OA among their components provided higher transfection levels than the SP–PA nanoparticles. In conclusion, anionic nanoparticles based on Span® 80 can be considered low-cost, simple and efficient non-viral anionic gene-transfection systems.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.