title: Chitosan-based DNA delivery vector targeted to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor.
abstract: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the application of modified chitosan as a potential vector for gene delivery to gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR)-expressing cells. Such design of gene carrier could be useful in particular for gene therapy for cancers related to the reproductive system, gene disorders of sexual development, and contraception and fertility control. In this study, a decapeptide GnRH was successfully conjugated to chitosan (CS) as confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) and Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The synthesized GnRH-conjugated chitosan (GnRH-CS) was able to condense DNA to form positively charged nanoparticles and specifically deliver plasmid DNA to targeted cells in both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures systems. Importantly, GnRH-CS exhibited higher transfection activity compared to unmodified CS. In conclusion, GnRH-conjugated chitosan can be a promising carrier for targeted DNA delivery to GnRHR-expressing cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chatwalee
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boonthum
authors.affiliation: National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand.
authors.forename: Katawut
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Namdee
authors.affiliation: National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand.
authors.forename: Suwimon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boonrungsiman
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kaywalee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chatdarong
authors.affiliation: National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nattika
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saengkrit
authors.affiliation: National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand.
authors.forename: Warayuth
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sajomsang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, 10330, Thailand. Electronic address: sponglowhapan@googlemail.com.
authors.forename: Suppawiwat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ponglowhapan
authors.affiliation: National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, 111 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Rd., Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand. Electronic address: teerapong@nanotec.or.th.
authors.forename: Teerapong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yata
mesh_terms: D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D004247:DNA; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Chitosan; Gene delivery; Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)