N-Alkyl-PEI-functionalized iron oxide nanoclusters for efficient siRNA delivery.

ABSTRACT: Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) is an emerging class of therapeutics, which works by regulating the expression of a specific gene involved in disease progression. Despite the promises, effective transport of siRNA with minimal side effects remains a challenge. In this study, a nonviral nanoparticle gene carrier is developed and its efficiency for siRNA delivery and transfection is validated at both in vitro and in vivo levels. Such a nanocarrier, abbreviated as Alkyl-PEI2k-IO, was constructed with a core of iron oxide nanoparticles (IOs) and a shell of alkylated polyethyleneimine of 2000 Da [corrected] molecualr weight (Alkyl-PEI2k). It is found to be able to bind with siRNA, resulting in well-dispersed nanoparticles with a controlled clustering structure and narrow size distribution. Electr

SUBMITTER: Liu G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3759164 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature