Self-assembled triangular DNA nanoparticles are an efficient system for gene delivery

Abstract Developing an advanced nucleic acid drug delivery system is of great significance in order to achieve optimal gene delivery. Self-assembled nucleic acid nanoparticles are an excellent platform for the delivery of nucleic acids and other small molecular drugs. In this study, we developed the efficient, three-stranded, RNA/DNA hybrid triangular self-assembled nanoparticles, namely, mTOR single-stranded siRNA-loaded triangular DNA nanoparticles (ssRNA-TNP). The ssRNA-TNP is formed by the complementary association of the above mentioned three components and is more stable in complete medium than standard duplex siRNA. It could be efficiently transfected into NCI-H292 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, resulting in high transfection efficiency. Furthermore, ssRNA-TNP uptake is dependent on macropinocytosis and clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathways. Interestingly, ssRNA-TNP is more efficient to inhibit the expression of mTOR. This ssRNA-TNP has a simpler structure, better stability, and higher transfection efficiency; therefore it may become a novel nonviral nanosystem for gene delivery.