Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
Porous Silicon Microparticles for Delivery of siRNA Therapeutics
Published on: January 15, 2015
The PEI-introduced CS shell/PMMA core nanoparticle for silencing the expression of E6/E7 oncogenes in human cervical
Nattika Saengkrit1, Phakorn Sanitrum, Noppawan Woramongkolchai
1National Nanotechnology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathumthani, Thailand. nattika@nanotec.or.th
Abstract:
In this study, we examined the potential of cationic nanoparticle - polyethyleneimine-introduced chitosan shell/poly (methyl methacrylate) core nanoparticles (CS-PEI) for siRNA delivery. Initially, DNA delivery was performed to validate the capability of CS-PEI for gene delivery in the human cervical cancer cell line, SiHa. siRNA delivery were subsequently carried out to evaluate the silencing effect on targeted E6 and E7 oncogenes. Physicochemical properties including size, zeta potential and morphology of CS-PEI/DNA and CS-PEI/siRNA complexes, were analyzed. The surface charges and sizes of the complexes were observed at different N/P ratios. The hydrodynamic sizes of the CS-PEI/DNA and CS-PEI/siRNA were approximately 300-400 and 400-500nm, respectively. Complexes were positively charged depending on the amount of added CS-PEI. AFM images revealed the mono-dispersed and spherical shapes of the complexes. Gel retardation assay confirmed that CS-PEI nanoparticles completely formed complexes with DNA and siRNA at a N/P ratio of 1.6. For DNA transfection, CS-PEI provided the highest transfection result. Localization of siRNA delivered through CS-PEI was confirmed by differential interference contrast (DIC) confocal imaging. The silencing effect of siRNA specific to HPV 16 E6/E7 oncogene was examined at 18 and 24h post-transfection. The results demonstrated the capacity of CS-PEI to suppress the expression of HVP oncogenes.
Insights
This study introduces cationic nanoparticles (CS-PEI) for effective siRNA delivery, successfully silencing HPV oncogenes in cervical cancer cells. These nanoparticles show promise for targeted gene therapy applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Gene Therapy
Background:
- Cervical cancer is often driven by human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogenes.
- Effective delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) is crucial for gene silencing therapies.
- Developing safe and efficient nanoparticle carriers is essential for nucleic acid delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cationic CS-PEI nanoparticles for DNA and siRNA delivery.
- To assess the gene silencing efficacy of CS-PEI/siRNA complexes on HPV E6/E7 oncogenes.
- To characterize the physicochemical properties of CS-PEI/nucleic acid complexes.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of CS-PEI nanoparticles.
- Complexation with DNA and siRNA at various N/P ratios.
- Physicochemical analysis (size, zeta potential, morphology via AFM).
- Gel retardation assay for complex formation.
- In vitro transfection and gene silencing assays in SiHa cells.
- Confocal microscopy for siRNA localization.
Main Results:
- CS-PEI nanoparticles formed stable complexes with DNA and siRNA, confirmed by gel retardation at N/P ratio 1.6.
- Hydrodynamic sizes ranged from 300-500 nm, with positive surface charges.
- AFM confirmed mono-dispersed, spherical nanoparticle morphology.
- CS-PEI demonstrated high transfection efficiency for DNA delivery.
- siRNA delivered via CS-PEI effectively suppressed HPV 16 E6/E7 oncogene expression.
Conclusions:
- CS-PEI nanoparticles are effective carriers for siRNA delivery in cervical cancer cells.
- The developed nanoparticles show potential for targeted gene silencing of HPV oncogenes.
- CS-PEI represents a promising platform for developing novel gene therapy strategies against HPV-related cancers.
More Related Videos
09:36Polyethyleneimine-coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as a Vehicle for the Delivery of Small Interfering RNA to Macrophages In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: February 5, 2019
06:49Lentiviral Mediated Delivery of shRNAs to hESCs and NPCs Using Low-cost Cationic Polymer Polyethylenimine (PEI)
Published on: May 24, 2022
