Evaluation of the physicochemical properties and the biocompatibility of polyethylene glycol-conjugated gold nanoparticles: A formulation strategy for siRNA delivery.

Evaluation of the physicochemical properties and the biocompatibility of polyethylene glycol-conjugated gold nanoparticles: A formulation strategy for siRNA delivery. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2015 Aug 24;135:604-612 Authors: Rahme K, Guo J, Holmes JD, O'Driscoll CM Abstract The potential of RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapeutics for cancer has received much attention; however, delivery of RNAi effectors, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), remains an obstacle to clinical translation. Non-viral delivery vectors have been used extensively to enhance siRNA delivery. Recently, the potential of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for transporting drugs, proteins and genetic materials has been demonstrated. Previously, our laboratory synthesised positively charged, surfactant-free AuNPs in water by the reduction of gold (III) chloride (AuCl3) using hydroxylamine hydrochloride (NH2OH·HCl) in the presence of l-cysteine methyl ester hydrochloride (HSCH2CH(NH2)COOCH3·HCl) as a capping agent. These AuNPs, which achieve higher cell viability in comparison to cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB, a surfactant)-capped counterparts, have demonstrated potential for siRNA delivery. However, it is well known that systemic administration of cationic delivery systems without biological stablising moieties causes non-specific binding with negatively charged serum proteins, resulting in particle aggregation and opsonisation. Consequently, highly s...
Source: Colloids and Surfaces - Category: Biotechnology Authors: Tags: Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces Source Type: research