Evaluating Cationic Nanoparticles as Carriers of Antiviral Nucleic Acids

Nicholas Jadaa; Natalie Aldor; Kristof Jenik; Shayne Oberhoffner; Carly Butkowsky; Andy Tran; Aaron Lewis; Stephanie J DeWitte-Orr; Sarah Poynter

doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-3890-3_20

Evaluating Cationic Nanoparticles as Carriers of Antiviral Nucleic Acids

Methods Mol Biol. 2024:2813:309-320. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3890-3_20.

Authors

Nicholas Jadaa¹, Natalie Aldor¹, Kristof Jenik¹, Shayne Oberhoffner¹, Carly Butkowsky¹, Andy Tran¹, Aaron Lewis¹, Stephanie J DeWitte-Orr¹, Sarah Poynter²

Affiliations

¹ Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
² Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada. [email protected].

PMID: 38888786
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3890-3_20

Abstract

Nanoparticle carriers enable the multivalent delivery of nucleic acids to cells and protect them from degradation. In this chapter, we present a comprehensive overview of four methodologies: electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), alamarBlue/CFDA-AM cell viability dyes, fluorescence microscopy, and antiviral assays, which collectively are tools to explore interactions between nucleic acids and nanoparticles, and their biological efficacy. These assays provide insights into binding potential, cytotoxicity, and antiviral efficacy of nucleic acid-based nanoparticle treatments furthering the development of effective antiviral therapeutics.

Keywords: Antiviral; Antiviral immunity; Cell viability; Electrophoretic mobility shift assay; Immunocytochemistry; Innate immunity; Nanoparticles; Nucleic acid delivery; Pathogen-associated molecular pattern; dsRNA.

MeSH terms

Animals
Cations / chemistry
Cell Survival / drug effects
Drug Carriers / chemistry
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay / methods
Humans
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Nanoparticles* / chemistry
Nucleic Acids* / chemistry

Substances

Nucleic Acids
Cations
Drug Carriers