Rapid preparation and characterization of chitosan nanoparticles for oligonucleotide

Abstract Chitosan is regarded as one of the potential candidates as a gene carrier. However, the poor solubility of chitosan is the major limiting factor in its utilization as a gene carrier. The purpose of this study was to simplify the method of preparing the nanoparticles of chitosan linked with antisense oligonucleotide (asON). The main step was preparing the derivatives of chitosan phosphate (CSP) in order to easily dissolve in aqueous solution. The nanoparticles were formed using a simple mixed method for CSP and asON, and the nanoparticle’s forming condition was optimized so that the nanoparticle’s characterization could be examined. Results showed that it was simple to make the nanoparticles under the optimal condition of 2:1 M proportion of CSP and asON. The size of the nanoparticles was 102.6 ± 12.0 nm, its zeta potential was 1.45 ± 1.75, and the encapsulated ratio of the chitosan crosslinked the asON was 87.6 ± 3.5%. The infrared spectra and electron microscope displayed that chitosan may combine with the asON to form equirotal nanoparticles. In conclusion, it was simple and feasible to form chitosan nanoparticles for asON using the CSP, and the CSP can efficiently encapsulate asON.