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Characterization of pDNA-TMC Nanoparticle Interaction and Stability
Johanna Poecheim, Viorica Patrulea, Christian Reichert
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. gerrit.borchard@unige.ch.
Current Drug Delivery
|December 8, 2015
Summary
N-trimethyl chitosan and chondroitin sulfate (TMC) nanoparticles effectively stabilize plasmid DNA (pDNA) for vaccine formulation. These cationic nanoparticles can be freeze-dried with sucrose for long-term storage, preserving DNA integrity.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Vaccine Development
Background:
- Formulating nanoparticulate DNA vaccines necessitates evaluating the stability and integrity of constituent components.
- Cationic nanoparticles, specifically those composed of N-trimethyl chitosan and chondroitin sulfate (TMC), are promising carriers for DNA vaccine delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the stability of TMC nanoparticles in aqueous solution and after freeze-drying.
- To investigate the structural integrity of plasmid DNA (pDNA) upon adsorption to and release from TMC nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of nanoparticle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential.
- Agarose gel electrophoresis and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy to evaluate pDNA integrity.
- Stability assessment after freeze-drying with sucrose.
Main Results:
- TMC nanoparticles demonstrated stability in aqueous solution and after freeze-drying with sucrose, maintaining size and charge.
- Agarose gel electrophoresis confirmed pDNA adsorption to TMC nanoparticles.
- CD spectra indicated minimal structural changes to pDNA upon adsorption, with full structural retention after release.
- Freeze-drying with sucrose enabled storage for 30 days with minimal impact on nanoparticle characteristics.
Conclusions:
- TMC nanoparticles are stable and suitable for freeze-drying with sucrose for extended storage.
- Plasmid DNA successfully adsorbs to TMC nanoparticles and retains its structural integrity upon release, supporting their potential in DNA vaccine formulations.
