Length-Controlled Nanofiber Micelleplexes as Efficient Nucleic Acid Delivery Vehicles

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Nanotechnology
• Gene Delivery

Background:

• Micelleplexes are promising polymeric delivery systems for nucleic acids.
• Previous studies indicated spherical micelleplexes outperform polyplexes in cellular transfection.
• The impact of micelleplex morphology on transfection efficiency remained unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of micelleplex morphology on cellular transfection.
• To compare the properties and transfection activity of PFTMC-b-PDMAEMA nanofiber micelleplexes with nanosphere micelleplexes and polyplexes.
• To explore the influence of nanofiber length on transfection efficiency and cell viability.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of precision, length-tunable PFTMC-b-PDMAEMA nanofiber micelleplexes.
• Characterization of DNA complexation using cryo-TEM, AFM, DLS, and ζ-potential measurements.
• Evaluation of transfection efficiency and cell viability in U-87 MG cells using a luciferase plasmid.

Main Results:

• Nanofiber micelleplexes were successfully prepared and characterized, showing distinct formation and properties compared to nanosphere micelleplexes and polyplexes.
• Short nanofiber micelleplexes (length < 100 nm) demonstrated superior cellular transfection efficiency.
• Short nanofiber micelleplexes outperformed nanosphere micelleplexes, polyplexes, longer nanofibers, and a commercial control (Lipofectamine 2000).

Conclusions:

• One-dimensional (1D) micelleplex morphology is crucial for optimizing nucleic acid delivery.
• Short nanofiber micelleplexes represent a highly effective platform for gene delivery applications.
• This research provides a foundation for developing advanced polymeric nucleic acid delivery vehicles.