Influence of anions on the formation and properties of chitosan-DNA nanoparticles.
Chitosan-DNA nanoparticles were prepared by using different anions (such as chloride, sulfate, citrate, and tripolyphosphate) as mediation agents. The research suggested that the formation and morphological characteristics of chitosan-DNA nanoparticles largely depended on concentration, molecular size, charge number, and chemical structure of anions, as well as chitosan/DNA ratio. The observation by atom force microscopy showed that chitosan-DNA nanoparticles mediated by four anions (in their appropriate range of concentration) had a spherical shape, narrow size distribution, and good monodispersivity. Especially, nanoparticles mediated by sulfate and TPP had a size distribution of 40-50 nm. Additionally, the nanoparticles presented high encapsulation efficiency and good protection of DNA from DNasel digestion. The zeta-potential of nanoparticles could be adjusted moderately by adding different anions and controlling their concentrations, and DNA encapsulation efficiency was not influenced, which would reduce nonspecific interactions with the cell membrane and nanoparticle toxicity. Smaller size and lower zeta-potential will be beneficial for improving gene therapy. In addition, the anion mediation method has potential for the preparation of cationic polymer nanoparticles as drug or gene vectors.
Peng
Jiaofeng
J
State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Engineering Research Center for Bio-Nanotechnology of Hunan Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China.
Xing
Xinli
X
Wang
Kemin
K
Tan
Weihong
W
He
Xiaoxiao
X
Huang
Shasheng
S
D000838:Anions; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004058:Diffusion; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size
D000838:Anions; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004247:DNA; D048271:Chitosan