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Relating Mobility of dsRNA in Nanoporous Silica Particles to Loading and Release Behavior
Shanshan Zhou1, Emily A Nadeau2, M Arif Khan1
1Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|January 10, 2022
Summary
Nanoparticle pore size controls double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) mobility and exchange, crucial for effective nanocarrier design. Larger pores enhance dsRNA mobility, enabling controlled release and delivery.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Traditional nanoparticle delivery of polynucleic acids relies on surface interactions for loading and release.
- The role of confinement within nanopores on polynucleic acid mobility and delivery remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of silica nanopore size on the mobility and exchange of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA).
- To elucidate the relationship between dsRNA length, nanopore size, and encapsulation efficiency.
- To demonstrate the utility of controlled dsRNA mobility for effective nanocarrier function.
Main Methods:
- Utilized amine-functionalized nanoporous silica microspheres (NPSMs) with varying pore sizes (nonporous, 3.9, 8.0, 11.3 nm).
- Employed fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to measure dsRNA mobility within NPSMs.
- Conducted exchange experiments to assess the impact of mobility on dsRNA release.
Main Results:
- NPSMs were accessible to dsRNA via passive diffusion, except for longer dsRNA in smaller pores, indicating size-dependent encapsulation.
- dsRNA mobility increased with pore size and decreased with dsRNA length.
- Mobile dsRNA within NPSMs demonstrated exchange with the surrounding solution, unlike immobile dsRNA.
Conclusions:
- Nanopore size significantly influences dsRNA encapsulation and mobility, acting as a critical factor beyond surface interactions.
- Encapsulation is governed by the ratio of dsRNA length to pore size, with threading being a key mechanism.
- Controlling dsRNA mobility through nanopore engineering offers a promising strategy for developing advanced nanocarriers for polynucleic acid delivery.
