Synthesis and characterization of aminotetrazole-functionalized magnetic chitosan nanocomposite as a novel nanocarrier for targeted gene delivery

Abstract

In the present study, Fe₃O₄/chitosan biopolymer grafted to a novel organosilane modified 5-amino-1H-tetrazole, a kind of drug intermediate, was successfully synthesized by chemical modification technique and evaluated as a high potential carrier of gene delivery. The loading capacity was evaluated, and in vitro release of nanocarrier was assessed using the dialysis method. The transfection efficiency of plasmid was optimal at an N/P ratio of 3. The chemically modified chitosan showed no inherent toxicity toward the cells. The synthesized nanocarrier had enhanced release of the plasmid at physiological pH 7.4. The N-functionalized magnetic chitosan nanocarrier demonstrated its efficacy in the enhancement of gene expression in the HECK-293T cell line. Therefore, the novel magnetic N-functionalized chitosan showed promise as a highly efficient gene carrier with potential applications in cancer therapy.

Keywords: (3-Chloropropyl)trimethoxysilane; 5-Amino-tetrazole; Chitosan; Gene delivery; Nanocarrier; Transfection.