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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Enhanced Gene Delivery and Expression using Intraosseous Injection of Chitosan Nanoparticles Encapsulated Adenine Base Editor Plasmids
Published on: May 16, 2025
Chitosan-thioglycolic acid conjugate: an alternative carrier for oral nonviral gene delivery?
Ronny Martien1, Brigitta Loretz, Marlene Thaler
1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Abstract:
Regarding safety concerns, nonviral gene delivery vehicles that have the required efficiency and safety for use in human gene therapy are being widely investigated. The aim of this study was to synthesize and evaluate a thiolated chitosan to improve the efficacy of oral gene delivery systems. Thiolated chitosan was synthesized by introducing thioglycolic acid (TGA) to chitosan via amide bond formation mediated by a carbodiimide. Based on this conjugate, nanoparticles with pDNA were generated at pH 4.0 and 5.0. Cytotoxicity of the thiolated chitosan/pDNA nanoparticles on Caco-2 cells was evaluated. The diameter of thiolated chitosan/pDNA nanoparticles was in the range of 100-200 nm. The zeta potential was determined to be 5-6 mV. Due to stability toward nucleases, the transfection rate of thiolated chitosan/pDNA nanoparticles was fivefold higher than that of unmodified chitosan/pDNA nanoparticles. Lactate dehydrogenase tests for thiolated chitosan/pDNA (pH 4.0 and 5.0) showed that (3.79 +/- 0.23)% and (2.9 +/- 0.13)% cell damage. According to these results, thiolated chitosan represents promising excipients for preparation DNA nanoparticles in nonviral gene delivery system.
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