Physical interactions between DNA and sepiolite nanofibers, and potential application for DNA transfer into mammalian cells.
Nanofibers of sepiolite, a natural silicate belonging to the clay minerals family, might constitute a potential promising nanocarrier for the non-viral transfer of bio-molecules. We show here that sepiolite nanofibers efficiently bind different types of DNA molecules through electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, cation bridges, and van der Waals forces. Moreover, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy identified the external silanol groups as the main sites of interaction with the DNA. Furthermore, as a proof of concept, we show that sepiolite is able to stably transfer plasmid DNA into mammalian cells and that the efficiency can be optimized. Indeed, sonication of sepiolite 100-fold stimulated DNA transfection efficiency. These results open the way to the use of sepiolite-based biohybrids as a novel class of nanoplatform for gene transfer with potential clinical applications.
CNRS UMR 8200, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, team labeled "Ligue 2014", 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France.|Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas, Carretera a San Antonio de los Baños, km 2 1⁄2, La Habana 19370, Cuba.
Fidel Antonio
FA
Castro-Smirnov
CNRS UMR 8126, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, F-94805 Villejuif, France.
Olivier
O
Piétrement
Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC), c/Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
Pilar
P
Aranda
Vectorology and Anticancer therapies, UMR 8203, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France.
Jean-Rémi
JR
Bertrand
CNRS UMR 8126, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, F-94805 Villejuif, France.
Jeanne
J
Ayache
CNRS UMR 8126, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, F-94805 Villejuif, France.
Eric
E
Le Cam
Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC), c/Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
Eduardo
E
Ruiz-Hitzky
CNRS UMR 8200, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, team labeled "Ligue 2014", 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France.
Bernard S
BS
Lopez
D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003412:Cricetulus; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D017633:Magnesium Silicates / Q000378:metabolism*; D057139:Nanofibers; D013010:Sonication; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D055672:Static Electricity
D017633:Magnesium Silicates; D004247:DNA; C001671:magnesium trisilicate