Chemically Modified Dendritic Starch: A Novel Nanomaterial
for siRNA Delivery
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Abstract
Nanostructured
starches are naturally derived nanomaterials that
can be chemically modified to allow for the introduction of functional
groups, enhancing their potential for drug delivery and other biotechnology
applications. In this proof of concept study, we investigate chemically
modified, enzymatically synthesized glycogen (ESG) nanodendrites as
a biodegradable, biocompatible, siRNA delivery system. Commercially
available ESG was modified using glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride
(GTMA), introducing quaternary ammonium groups via an epoxide ring
opening reaction. This cationic ESG (cESG) electrostatically bound
siRNA and successfully knocked down protein expression in an in vitro
ovarian clear cell carcinoma model. The construct exhibited sustained
siRNA delivery for up to 6 days while exhibiting less toxicity than
a common liposome-based siRNA delivery reagent, Lipofectamine RNAiMAX.
These promising results set the stage for the use of dendritic starch
as a cost-effective, easily modifiable nanoscale delivery system for
a diverse range of cargo including nucleic acids and therapeutic compounds