The Study Of Combining Ultrasound And Hexanoyl Chitosan Nanodroplets In Gene Delivery

ObjectPrepare echogenic hexanoyl chitosan nanodroplets(CND)and study its ability to deliver gene when exposed to ultrasound irradiation.MethodSynthesize and characterize the hydrophobically modified chitosan,CND was formulated by oil/water emulsification and determined by a transmission electron microscope.The particle size and Zeta potential were analyzed with a Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS90.The pDNA binding capability of CND was investigated by gel retardation assay.Particle size measurement,observation on microscope and ultrasound imaging were performed to evaluate the thermodynamical and echogenic property.An in vitro and in vivo experiment were carried out to explore the ability in ultrasound-mediated gene delivery.ResultsThe chemical composition of hexanoyl chitosan was confirmed by ~1H-NMR.CND was prepared via sonication-assisted emulsification.Agarose gel retardation assay confirmed the pDNA binding and protection ability of CND.The bubble formation of CND were examined by optical microscopy and dynamic light scattering(DLS).Besides,the relevant echogenicity of CND was evaluated by ultrasound imaging.The enhancement in gene delivery was further confirmed by in vitro and in vivo study.ConclusionA newly vector for ultrasound-assisted gene delivery has been successfully constructed and the study confirm the enhanced gene transfer ability of CND with the aid of ultrasound.