DNA-loaded chitosan oligosaccharide nanoparticles with enhanced permeability across Calu-3 cells

AbstractChitosan oligosaccharide (oligoCS) is a low molecular weight chitosan and its potential for DNA delivery is described here. DNA-loaded oligoCS nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation using thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) as cross-linker. The nanoparticles with oligoCS:DNA: TPP weight ratio of 50:1:25 were approximately 170 nm in diameter with a zeta potential of +40 mV, and were used in the permeability study. The cytotoxicity of oligoCS solutions and nanoparticles was evaluated by MTT assay. The concentrations that exhibited minimal cytotoxicity were employed to investigate their effect on trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and cellular uptake across the Calu-3 cell layer which was used as a nasal epithelial model. OligoCS nanoparticles were able to cause a significant and reversible decrease in TEER and promote efficient cellular uptake. In addition, the oligoCS nanoparticles were able to enhance paracellular permeability to a greater extent than oligoCS solutions at an equivalent ...