Promising plasmid DNA vector based on APTESmodified silica nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanoparticles have an enormous potential for development in biomedical applications, such as gene or drug delivery. We developed and characterized aminopropyltriethoxysilanefunctionalized silicon dioxide nanoparticles (APTES-SiNPs) for gene therapy. Lipofectamine® 2000, a commonly used agent, served as a contrast. We showed that APTES-SiNPs had a gene transfection efficiency almost equal to that of Lipofectamine 2000, but with lower cytotoxicity. Thus, these novel APTES-SiNPs can achieve highly efficient transfection of plasmid DNA, and to some extent reduce cytotoxicity, which might overcome the critical drawbacks in vivo of conventional carriers, such as viral vectors, organic polymers, and liposomes, and seem to be a promising nonviral gene therapy vector. © 2012 Cheang et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.