Controlled pDNA Release in Gemini Cationic Lipoplexes by Femtosecond Laser Irradiation of Gold Nanostars
Autor: | Emilio Aicart, Pablo Díaz-Núñez, Elena Junquera, José Osío Barcina, Andrés Guerrero-Martínez, Natalia Sánchez-Arribas |
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Jazyk: | angličtina |
Rok vydání: | 2021 |
Předmět: |
Materials science
lipoplexes Biocompatibility General Chemical Engineering Cationic polymerization femtosecond pulse laser Nanotechnology gene release-assisted Irradiation time Laser Article law.invention Chemistry Plasmid dna law Femtosecond Agarose gel electrophoresis General Materials Science gold nanostars Irradiation QD1-999 |
Zdroj: | Nanomaterials Nanomaterials, Vol 11, Iss 1498, p 1498 (2021) Volume 11 Issue 6 |
ISSN: | 2079-4991 |
Popis: | The design of nanovectors able to overcome biological barriers is one of the main challenges in biomedicine. Gemini cationic lipids are considered potential candidates for gene therapy due to their high biocompatibility and capacity to condense nucleic acids safely in the form of lipoplexes. However, this approach presents difficulties regarding genetic unpacking and, therefore, control over this process becomes crucial to ensure successful transfection. In this work, gemini cationic lipoplexes were prepared in the presence of plasmonic gold nanostars (AuNSs) to afford a nanovector that efficiently releases plasmid DNA (pDNA) upon irradiation with near-infrared femtosecond laser pulses. A critical AuNSs concentration of 50 pM and optimized laser power density of 400 mW led to successful pDNA release, whose efficiency could be further improved by increasing the irradiation time. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to confirm pDNA release. UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies were performed to monitor changes in the morphology of the AuNSs and lipoplexes after irradiation. From a physicochemical point of view, this study demonstrates that the use of AuNSs combined with gemini cationic lipoplexes allows control over pDNA release under ultrafast laser irradiation. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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