Cell-penetrating magnetic nanoparticles for highly efficient delivery and intracellular imaging of siRNA

Biomacromolecules. 2012 Sep 10;13(9):2723-30. doi: 10.1021/bm3006903. Epub 2012 Aug 31.

Abstract

RNA interference is one of the most promising technologies for cancer therapeutics, while the development of a safe and effective small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery system is still challenging. Here, amphipol polymer and protamine peptide were employed to modify magnetic nanoparticles to form cell-penetrating magnetic nanoparticles (CPMNs). The unique CPMN could efficiently deliver the eGFP siRNA intracellularly and silence the eGFP expression in cancer cells, which was verified by fluorescent imaging of cancer cells. Compared with lipofectamine and polyethyleneimine (PEI), CPMNs showed superior silencing efficiency and biocompatibility with minimum siRNA concentration as 5 nm in serum-containing medium. CPMN was proved to be an efficient siRNA delivery system, which will have great potential in applications as a universal transmembrane carrier for intracellular gene delivery and simultaneous MRI imaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Culture Media
  • Ferrosoferric Oxide / chemistry
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lipids / chemistry
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Polyethyleneimine / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Polymers / metabolism
  • Propylamines / chemistry
  • Propylamines / metabolism
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Lipids
  • Lipofectamine
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • Polymers
  • Propylamines
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Polyethyleneimine
  • Ferrosoferric Oxide