Functional gene silencing mediated by chitosan/siRNA nanocomplexes

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Chitosan is a biocompatible polymer with potential for drug and gene delivery.
• Small interfering RNA (siRNA) offers a promising strategy for gene silencing in cancer therapy.
• Targeting FHL2 gene expression is a potential therapeutic approach for colorectal cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles for FHL2 gene knockdown.
• To evaluate the efficacy of these nanoparticles in inhibiting colorectal cancer cell growth and proliferation.

Main Methods:

• Chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles were formulated and their physicochemical properties (size, charge, morphology, stability) were analyzed.
• The gene knockdown efficiency of the nanoparticles was assessed in FHL2-overexpressed human colorectal cancer Lovo cells.
• Cell growth and proliferation inhibition were measured following nanoparticle treatment.

Main Results:

• Chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles exhibited irregular, lamellar, and dendritic structures with a size of ~148 nm and a zeta potential of 58.5 mV.
• These nanoparticles achieved a significant knockdown of FHL2 gene expression (~69.6%), comparable to liposome-based transfection (~68.8%).
• Reduced FHL2 gene and protein expression led to inhibited growth and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells.

Conclusions:

• Chitosan-based siRNA nanoparticles are an effective delivery system for gene silencing.
• This approach demonstrates potential for inhibiting colorectal cancer progression by targeting FHL2.
• Chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles show promise as a therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer treatment.