Hyaluronic acid/poly(ethylenimine) polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings for siRNA-mediated local gene silencing

PLoS One. 2019 Mar 19;14(3):e0212584. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212584. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Local gene delivery systems utilizing RNA interference technology are a promising approach for therapeutic applications where site-specific release of agents is desired. Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) can be constructed using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique and serve as a depot for bioactive substances, which can then be released in a controlled manner. Multilayers of hyaluronic acid/poly(ethylenimine) HA/PEI were built up with different numbers of bilayers and PEI-siRNA particles were embedded in bioactive layers for gene silencing. The increase of the bilayers and the release of siRNA particles were demonstrated by fluorescence intensity measurement with a fluorescence reader. Two different LbL techniques were tested for the reduction of ICAM-1 expression in EA.hy926: PEM build-up by dipping or drying steps, respectively. Herein, the drying technique of the bioactive layers with ICAM siRNA mediated a significant reduction of the ICAM-1 expression from 3 to 24 bilayers. The fluorescent siRNA release study and the re-culturing of the HA/PEI films demonstrated a release of the transfection particles within the first hour. The advantage of dried built-up PEMs compared to a dried monolayer of PEI-siRNA particles with the same siRNA concentration was a significant higher amount of viable cells.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible* / chemistry
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible* / pharmacology
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronic Acid* / chemistry
  • Hyaluronic Acid* / pharmacology
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Polyelectrolytes* / chemistry
  • Polyelectrolytes* / pharmacology
  • Polyethyleneimine* / chemistry
  • Polyethyleneimine* / pharmacology
  • RNA, Small Interfering* / chemistry
  • RNA, Small Interfering* / pharmacology
  • Transfection*

Substances

  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Polyelectrolytes
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Polyethyleneimine
  • Hyaluronic Acid

Grants and funding

The author received no specific funding for this work.