Polyethyleneimine-Coated Gold Nanoparticles: Straightforward Preparation of Efficient DNA Delivery Nanocarriers.
A novel one-pot method for the synthesis of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-coated gold nanoparticles (AuPEI-NPs) that combines the reductant-stabilizer properties of PEI with microwave irradiation starting from hydrogen tetrachloroaurate acid (HAuCl4) and branched PEI 25 kDa (b25kPEI) was explored. The method was straightforward, green, and low costing, for which the Au/PEI ratio (1:1 to 1:128 w/w) was a key parameter to modulate their capabilities as DNA delivery nanocarriers. Transfection assays in CHO-k1 cells demonstrated that AuPEI-NPs with 1:16 and 1:32 w/w ratios behaved as effective DNA gene vectors with improved transfection efficiencies (twofold) and significantly lower toxicity than unmodified b25kPEI and Lipofectamine 2000. The transfection mediated by these AuPEI-NP-DNA polyplexes preferentially used the caveolae-mediated route for intracellular internalization, as shown by studies performed by using specific internalization inhibitors as well as colocalization with markers of clathrin- and caveolae-dependent pathways. The AuPEI-NP polyplexes preferentially used the more efficient caveolae internalization pathway to promote transfection, a fact that supports their higher transfection efficiency relative to that of Lipofectamine 2000. In addition, intracellular trafficking of the AuPEI-NPs was studied by transmission electron microscopy.
Department of Organic Chemistry, Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.
Mariano
M
Ortega-Muñoz
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.
M Dolores
MD
Giron-Gonzalez
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.
Rafael
R
Salto-Gonzalez
Biocolloid and Fluid Physics Group, Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.
Ana Belen
AB
Jodar-Reyes
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.
Samantha E
SE
De Jesus
Department of Organic Chemistry, Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.
F Javier
FJ
Lopez-Jaramillo
Department of Organic Chemistry, Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.
Fernando
F
Hernandez-Mateo
Department of Organic Chemistry, Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.
Francisco
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2142-3067
F
Santoyo-Gonzalez
D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D021941:Caveolae / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D000067493:Dynamic Light Scattering; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000378:metabolism; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000737:chemistry*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D014162:Transfection
D004337:Drug Carriers; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D006046:Gold; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; D004247:DNA
gene delivery; gold; microwave chemistry; nanocarriers; nanoparticles