Synthesis and evaluation of gene delivery vectors based on PEI-modified metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran

3 Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

5 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran

6 Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Objective(s): Zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) nanostructures, due to their capability of easy surface modification, are considered interesting structures for delivery. In the present study, the surfaces of UIO-66 and NH2-UIO-66 MOFs were modified by polyethyleneimine (PEI) 10000 Da, and their efficiency for plasmid delivery was evaluated. 
Materials and Methods: Two different approaches, were employed to prepare surface-modified nanoparticles. The physicochemical characteristics of the resulting nanoparticles, as well as their transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity, were investigated on the A549 cell line. 
Results: The sizes of DNA/nanocarriers for PEI-modified UIO-66 (PEI-UIO-66) were between 212–291 nm and 267–321 nm for PEI 6-bromohexanoic acid linked UIO-66 (PEI-HEX-UIO-66). The zeta potential of all was positive with the ranges of +16 to +20 mV and +23 to +26 mV for PEI-UIO-66 and PEI-HEX-UIO-66, respectively. Cellular assay results showed that the PEI linking method had a higher rate of gene transfection efficiency with minimal cytotoxicity than the wet impregnation method. The difference between transfection of modified nanoparticles compared to the PEI 10 kDa was not significant but the PEI-HEX-UIO-66 showed less cytotoxicity. 
Conclusion: The present study suggested that the post-synthetic modification of MOFs with PEI 10000 Da through EDC/NHS+6-bromohexanoic acid reaction can be considered as an effective approach for modifying MOFs’ structure in order to obtain nanoparticles with better biological function in the gene delivery process.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Volume 27, Issue 2
February 2024
Pages 203-213

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