title: Chitosan-coated red fluorescent protein nanoparticle as a potential dual-functional siRNA carrier.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Developing safe and efficient nano vectors is critical for the success of siRNA therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  By encapsulating red fluorescent protein (RFP) with chitosan (CS), a dual-functional siRNA delivery nano vector, RFP@CS, has been synthesized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RFP@CS has an optimum size of 7-23 nm for siRNA delivery; and the fluorescence of RFP, protected by CS coating, provides an excellent probe to track the delivery of siRNA. RFP@CS delivers siRNA efficiently into cells and the targeted gene could be completely silenced even after 48 h. No cytotoxicity or acute toxicity in mice was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high transfection efficacy and safety demonstrate RFP@CS is a promising nano vector for the gene therapy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanochemistry & Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanochemistry & Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
authors.forename: Zheng-Mei
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanochemistry & Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanochemistry & Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
authors.forename: Yangdong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanochemistry & Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
authors.forename: Yi-Fan
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanochemistry & Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanochemistry & Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanochemistry & Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
authors.forename: Haifang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanochemistry & Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.|Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
authors.forename: Yuanfang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanochemistry & Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
authors.forename: Aoneng
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D048271:Chitosan / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D005453:Fluorescence; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein
chemical_list: D048271:Chitosan; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein
keywords: chitosan; drug delivery; imaging; red fluorescent protein; siRNA