Anionic nanoparticles based on Span 80 as low-cost, simple and efficient non-viral gene-transfection systems

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Gene Therapy
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Current non-viral gene therapy vectors predominantly use cationic systems.
• Safety concerns and variable efficacy of cationic vectors necessitate alternative approaches.
• Negatively charged systems offer a potential alternative for nucleic acid delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel, low-cost, anionic nanoparticles for gene therapy applications.
• To utilize Sorbitan esters (Span®), common pharmaceutical excipients, in nanoparticle formulation.
• To evaluate the safety and transfection efficiency of these new nanocarriers.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of Sorbitan monooleate (Span® 80) based nanoparticles incorporating oleylamine (OA) or poly-L-arginine (PA), creating SP-OA and SP-PA systems.
• Characterization of nanoparticle size, surface charge, and plasmid association (pEGFP-C3).
• In vitro assessment of cell viability and gene transfection efficacy.

Main Results:

• SP-OA and SP-PA nanoparticles were successfully synthesized with mean particle sizes of 304 nm and 247 nm, respectively.
• Nanoparticles exhibited negative surface charges (-13 mV and -17 mV) and effectively associated with plasmid DNA.
• Both systems demonstrated favorable cell viability and efficient in vitro gene transfection, with SP-OA showing higher transfection levels.

Conclusions:

• Anionic nanoparticles based on Span® 80 represent a simple, scalable, and cost-effective non-viral gene delivery system.
• These Span® 80-based nanocarriers offer a promising alternative to traditional cationic vectors for gene therapy.
• The developed anionic nanoparticles exhibit good safety and transfection profiles, particularly the SP-OA formulation.