Study of transfection efficiencies of cationic glyconanoparticles of different sizes in human cell line

The growing attention toward the synthesis and uses of gold nanoparticles for biomedical applications is based on their biocompatibility, ease of functionalization, and unique optical and electronic properties. Recently, the gold nanoparticles are also found to induce the size-dependent interactions with living tissues. It has been found that gold nanoparticles of different sizes are uptaken by the cells in vitro and by the organs of living specimens in vivo at different rates. Herein, we report the use of gold nanoparticles of different sizes as a gene delivery agent. The gold nanoparticles of 10, 40, and 100 nm diameter were surface functionalized with cationic glycopolymer, and their biocompatibility under physiological conditions was investigated. The stable nanoparticles were then complexed with enhanced cyanine fluorescence protein plasmid (pECFP) and their transfection efficiencies in Hela cell line were studied. It was found that gold nanoparticles of 40 nm core diameter exhibit highest transfection efficiencies compared to the other sizes of nanoparticles studied.