PRELIMINARY STUDY OF CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES USED AS GENE DELIVERY CARRIERS

AIMTo study characteristics and transfection activity of pDNA-chitosan nanoparticles. METHODSThe pDNA-chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by complex coacervation, and its morphology was observed by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). Particle size, polydispersity and zeta potential were determined by nanoparticle size analyser. Encapsulating efficiency of pDNA was determined by fluorescence spectrometer. The molecular localization of pDNA in the chitosan nanoparticles was determined by fluorescence scanning and gel retardation assay. Transfection activity of pDNA-chitosan nanoparticles was determined by gene transfection experiment in vitro. RESULTSThe morphology of the nanoparticles are mostly spherical. The average particle size is 218.9 nm, and the polydispersity of particle size is 0.276. The zeta potential of the nanoprticles is +21.2 mV. Encapsulating efficiency of pDNA is 99.6%. Fluorescence scanning and gel retardation assay showed that pDNA was mostly encapsulated within the nanoparticles and adsorbed pDNA on the surface are very little. The gene transfection experiment in vitro suggested that the pDNA-chitosan nanoparticles can transfect HEK293 and HepG2 celles, and the gene can express in these celles. CONCLUSIONThe chitosan nanoparticles can delivery the gene into celles and the gene can express, so these chitosan nanoparticles may be used as gene medicine carriers.