Silencing of the Scavenger Receptor (Class B - Type 1) Gene Using siRNA-Loaded Chitosan Nanaoparticles in a HepG2 Cell Model

In this study, we investigated the use of chitosan nanoparticles as non-viral delivery carriers of siRNA. As a model target, we selected the scavenger receptor (SR-B1), due to its proposed involvement in hepatitis C virus (HCV) internalization. Low molecular weight (LMW) chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by simple ionic gelation using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as a cross-linking agent; a fixed chitosan and TPP concentration of 0.1% was used, and a chitosan to TPP weight ratios of 3:1, 5:1, and 9:1 were investigated. Nanoparticle uptake efficiency was measured using FITC-labeled chitosan nanoparticles and silencing of scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) in HepG2 cell line was tested using Western Blot analysis. Nanoparticles produced were spherical in shape with an optimum particle size and distribution. The uptake of FITC-labeled nanoparticles by HepG2 cells was found to be both concentration and time dependent. Furthermore, Western Blot analysis showed that SR-B1 siRNA was able to silence the scavenger receptor for up to 96hrs of incubation with HepG2 cells. Graphical abstract
Source: Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research