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Precision-Guided Nanospears for Targeted and High-Throughput Intracellular Gene Delivery
Xiaobin Xu1,2, Shuang Hou1,3, Natcha Wattanatorn1,2
1California NanoSystems Institute , University of California, Los Angeles , Los Angeles , California 90095 , United States.
ACS Nano
|March 15, 2018
Summary
Magnetic nanospears offer precise, nonviral intracellular delivery of nucleic acids for cell transfection. This efficient platform achieves high cell viability and transfection rates, advancing cellular therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Nonviral methods for nucleic acid delivery often face challenges with efficiency and precision.
- Targeted intracellular delivery is crucial for advancing cellular therapies and genetic engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report an efficient nonviral platform for high-throughput, subcellular-precision targeted intracellular delivery of nucleic acids.
- To demonstrate the efficacy of magnetic nanospears for gene transfection in cell culture.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of magnetic nanospears (Au/Ni/Si, ~5 μm length, <50 nm tip diameter) using nanosphere lithography and metal deposition.
- Functionalization of nanospears with enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-expression plasmids.
- Magnetic guidance of nanospears for precise cell membrane penetration and intracellular plasmid delivery to U87 glioblastoma cells.
Main Results:
- Successful intracellular delivery of plasmid DNA, confirmed by eGFP expression in transfected cells after 24 hours.
- Achieved high transfection rates (>80%) and cell viability (>90%).
- Demonstrated scalability for simultaneous manipulation of multiple cells using a rotating magnet.
Conclusions:
- Magnetic nanospears provide an efficient, scalable, and precise nonviral platform for intracellular nucleic acid delivery.
- This technology circumvents barriers to the clinical deployment of cellular therapies.
- The approach is compatible with good manufacturing practices, paving the way for therapeutic applications.
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