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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Chitosan/Interfering RNA Nanoparticle Mediated Gene Silencing in Disease Vector Mosquito Larvae
Published on: March 25, 2015
Comparative evaluation of chitosan-based and star polycation nanocarriers for enhanced RNAi efficacy targeting CmFibL
Qiyao Mo1, Jing Xie1, Qi Yang1
1Institute of Entomology, Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural, Biosecurity, Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Regions, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.
Background:
The rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, causes substantial rice yield losses through larval leaf-rolling behavior. RNA interference (RNAi) offers a sustainable alternative, but its application in Lepidoptera is hindered by dsRNA degradation and poor cellular uptake. This study developed nanocarrier-mediated dsRNA delivery to overcome these limitations.
Results:
Three nanocarriers - chitosan (CS), chitosan-tripolyphosphate (CS-TPP), and star polycation (SPc) - were compared for enhancing RNAi efficiency targeting the C. medinalis fibroin light chain gene (CmFibL). CS-TPP and SPc achieved 61% and 55% silencing efficiency, respectively, representing 2.7-fold improvement over naked dsRNA (23%). All nanocarriers protected dsRNA from RNase A (30 min) and midgut fluid (6 h) degradation. CmFibL knockdown caused severe silk defects, prolonged pupal duration by 23%, reduced pupal weight by 33%, and decreased leaf-rolling damage by 31% in glasshouse cage trials. Transcriptomics revealed down-regulation of amino acid metabolism and activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and immune responses. No off-target effects were detected in human genome, nor in any predators or parasitoids sharing the same ecological niche.
Conclusion:
CS-TPP and SPc nanocarriers effectively enhance RNAi efficiency in a Lepidopteran pest. Targeting CmFibL disrupts silk-mediated feeding shelters with minimal ecological risk, providing a practical framework for field application of RNAi-based biopesticides against leaf-rolling rice pests. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
