Light-Triggered Cellular Delivery of Oligonucleotides

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Nanomedicine

Background:

• Oligonucleotide therapeutics require efficient and safe delivery systems.
• Current carriers face challenges in non-toxicity, in vivo stability, cellular interaction, and intracellular release.
• Developing light-triggered systems offers precise control over drug release.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a light-triggered liposomal delivery system for oligonucleotides using indocyanine green (ICG).
• To evaluate the efficiency, release properties, and cytotoxicity of the ICG-based liposomal system.
• To assess the potential of this system as a platform for oligonucleotide drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of non-cationic, thermosensitive liposomes encapsulating oligonucleotides with ICG as a photosensitizer.
• Assessment of oligonucleotide release kinetics upon light exposure.
• In vitro transfection studies using an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) splicing assay in HeLa cells.
• Evaluation of cytotoxicity and cell viability post-transfection.

Main Results:

• Liposomes demonstrated efficient oligonucleotide release (90% in 1 minute) upon light exposure.
• Light-activated transfection achieved high efficacy (70%-80%) in HeLa cells.
• Free ICG and oligonucleotides also showed light-induced transfection efficacy.
• Moderate, transient cytotoxicity was observed, with cell viability returning to baseline levels within 4 days.

Conclusions:

• The ICG-based light-triggered liposomal system is a promising and efficient method for oligonucleotide delivery.
• The system exhibits controllable release and effective cellular transfection.
• This platform holds potential for further optimization in oligonucleotide-based therapeutics.