Delaminated Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets as an Efficient Vector for DNA Delivery

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are versatile nanomaterials with potential applications in drug and gene delivery.
• Delamination of LDHs into nanosheets can enhance their surface area and reactivity.
• Efficient and non-toxic vectors are crucial for successful gene delivery into cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of delaminated Mg-Al-lactate and Mg-Al-acetate layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets as vectors for DNA adsorption and delivery.
• To compare the DNA adsorption capacity, cytotoxicity, and transfection efficiency of Mg-Al-lactate-NS and Mg-Al-acetate-NS.
• To evaluate the potential of these nanosheets as DNA delivery systems for 293T cells.

Main Methods:

• Delamination of Mg-Al-lactate and Mg-Al-acetate LDHs into single-layer nanosheets in water.
• Characterization of nanosheets using XRD, SEM, TEM, and Zeta potential measurements.
• Evaluation of DNA adsorption capacity, cytotoxicity assays with 293T cells, cellular uptake, and confocal imaging studies.

Main Results:

• Mg-Al-lactate-NS exhibited significantly higher DNA adsorption capacity (649.6 μg mg-1) than Mg-Al-acetate-NS (340.0 μg mg-1).
• Mg-Al-lactate-NS demonstrated lower cytotoxicity and required a smaller dose for effective DNA delivery to 293T cells compared to Mg-Al-acetate-NS.
• Successful transfection of ssDNA-FITC into 293T cells using Mg-Al-lactate-NS was confirmed, although FITC-coupled ssDNA internalization was not observed.

Conclusions:

• Delaminated Mg-Al-lactate LDHs nanosheets are superior DNA vectors compared to bulk LDH and Mg-Al-acetate LDH.
• The enhanced DNA adsorption and delivery performance, coupled with lower toxicity, highlight the potential of Mg-Al-lactate-NS in gene therapy applications.
• Further research is warranted to optimize the delivery of specific DNA payloads using these advanced nanomaterials.