Formulation and Engineering of Biomaterials

Gene delivery using biodegradable polyelectrolyte microcapsules prepared through the layer-by-layer technique

  1. José L. Santos*,
  2. Alireza Nouri,
  3. Tiago Fernandes,
  4. João Rodrigues,
  5. Helena Tomás

Article first published online: 20 JUL 2012

DOI: 10.1002/btpr.1576

Issue

Biotechnology Progress

Biotechnology Progress

Volume 28, Issue 4, pages 1088–1094, July/August 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Santos, J. L., Nouri, A., Fernandes, T., Rodrigues, J. and Tomás, H. (2012), Gene delivery using biodegradable polyelectrolyte microcapsules prepared through the layer-by-layer technique. Biotechnol Progress, 28: 1088–1094. doi: 10.1002/btpr.1576

Author Information

  1. Centro de Química da Madeira (CQM), MMRG, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9000-390 Funchal, Portugal

*Centro de Química da Madeira (CQM), MMRG, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9000-390 Funchal, Portugal

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 AUG 2012
  2. Article first published online: 20 JUL 2012
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 22 JUN 2012 07:41AM EST
  4. Manuscript Revised: 13 JUN 2012
  5. Manuscript Received: 19 MAR 2012

Funded by

  • The Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Grant Number: PEst-OE/QUI/UI0674/2011 (Portuguese Government funds)
  • NMR Portuguese Network. Grant Number: PTNMR-REDE/1517/RMN/2005-POCI2010/FEDER

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Keywords:

  • biodegradable polymers;
  • gene delivery;
  • layer-by-layer technique;
  • microcapsules

Abstract

Biodegradable and non-biodegradable microcapsules were prepared via the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique consisting of the polyelectrolyte pairs of dextran sulphate/poly-L-arginine and poly(styrene sulfonate)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride), respectively, in an attempt to encapsulate plasmid DNA (pDNA) for efficient transfection into NIH 3T3 cells. Results indicated the retention of bioactivity in the encased pDNA, as well as a correlation between the level of in vitro gene expression and biodegradability properties of polyelectrolyte. Furthermore, the incorporation of iron oxide nanoparticles within the polyelectrolyte layers significantly improved the in vitro transfection efficiency of the microcapsules. As a novel pDNA delivery system, the reported biodegradable microcapsules provide useful insight into plasmid-based vaccination and where there is a prerequisite to deliver genes into cells capable of phagocytosis. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 28: 1088–1094, 2012

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