Design of double-walled carbon nanotubes for biomedical applications.
Double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) prepared by catalytic chemical vapour deposition were functionalized in such a way that they were optimally designed as a nano-vector for the delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA), which is of great interest for biomedical research and drug development. DWNTs were initially oxidized and coated with a polypeptide (Poly(Lys:Phe)), which was then conjugated to thiol-modified siRNA using a heterobifunctional cross-linker. The obtained oxDWNT-siRNA was characterized by Raman spectroscopy inside and outside a biological environment (mammalian cells). Uptake of the custom-designed nanotubes was not associated with detectable biochemical perturbations in cultured cells, but transfection of cells with DWNTs loaded with siRNA targeting the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, serving as a model system, as well as with therapeutic siRNA targeting the survivin gene, led to a significant gene silencing effect, and in the latter case a resulting apoptotic effect in cancer cells.
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK.
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Neves
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Heister
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Costa
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Tîlmaciu
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Flahaut
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Soula
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Coley
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McFadden
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Silva
D017209:Apoptosis; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D020868:Gene Silencing; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013997:Time Factors
D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins