Hollow spherical nucleic acid structures based on polymer-coated phospholipid vesicles. Issue 29 (12th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haladjova, Emi; Petrova, Maria; Ugrinova, Iva; Forys, Aleksander; Trzebicka, Barbara; Rangelov, Stanislav
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 18:Issue 29(2022)
• Page Start: 5426
• Page End: 5434
• Publication Date: 2022-07-12
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00355d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : Oligonucleotide strands are grafted on the surface of polymer-coated phospholipid liposomes to produce hollow spherical nucleic acids. The constructs are able to bind complementary sequences and to enter cells without the need of transfection agents. Abstract : A feasible one pot synthesis of hollow spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) using phospholipid liposomes is reported. These constructs are synthesized in a chemically straightforward process involving formation of unilamellar liposomes, coating the liposomes with a thin cross-linked polymeric layer, and grafting the latter with short (about 20 bases) DNA oligonucleotide strands. They consist of vesicular cores, composed of readily available phospholipid (1, 2-dipalmitoyl- sn-glycero -phosphocholine), whereas the strands are deliberately arranged on the surface of the vesicular entities. The initial vesicular structure and morphology are preserved during the coating and grafting reactions. The novel hollow/vesicular SNAs are characterized with a hydrodynamic radius and radius of gyration of 78.3 and 88.5 nm, respectively, and moderately negative (−14.2 mV) ζ potential. They carry thousands (5868) of oligonucleotide strands per vesicle, which are not strongly radially oriented and adopt an unextended conformation as anticipated from the smaller value of the grafting density compared to the critical grafting density at the transition to brush conformation. The constructs are practically devoid of toxicity and exhibit high binding affinity to complementary nucleic acids. Unlike any other nucleic acid structural motif, they cross the cell membrane and enter cells without the need of transfection agents.