Issue 11, 2023

A catch-and-release nano-based gene delivery system

Abstract

The design of nanomaterial-based nucleic acid formulations is one of the biggest endeavours in the search for clinically applicable gene delivery systems. Biopolymers represent a promising subclass of gene carriers due to their physicochemical properties, biodegradability and biocompatibility. By modifying melanin-like polydopamine nanoparticles with poly-L-arginine and poly-L-histidine blends, we obtained a novel catch-and-release gene delivery system for efficient trafficking of pDNA to human cells. A synergistic interplay of nanoparticle-bound poly-L-arginine and poly-L-histidine was observed and evaluated for pDNA binding affinity, cell viability, gene release and transfection. Although the functionalisation with poly-L-arginine was crucial for pDNA binding, the resulting nanocarriers failed to release pDNA intracellularly, resulting in limited protein expression. However, optimal pDNA release was achieved through the co-formulation with poly-L-histidine, essential for pDNA release. This effect enabled the design of gene delivery systems, which were comparable to Lipofectamine in terms of transfection efficacy and the catch-and-release surface modification strategy can be translated to other nanocarriers and surfaces.

Graphical abstract: A catch-and-release nano-based gene delivery system

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
02 Jul 2023
Accepted
05 Sep 2023
First published
06 Sep 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale Horiz., 2023,8, 1588-1594

A catch-and-release nano-based gene delivery system

C. O. Franck, A. Bistrovic Popov, I. Ahmed, R. E. Hewitt, L. Franslau, P. Tyagi and L. Fruk, Nanoscale Horiz., 2023, 8, 1588 DOI: 10.1039/D3NH00269A

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