FeCo-Chitosan / DNA nanoparticles for gene transfer to MCF-7 breast cancer cells: preparation and characterization

In the last few years, researchers have regarded gene therapy as one of the most essential approaches to treating diseases such as cancer and a variety of genetic disorders. In this research, the capability of FeCo-Chitosan nanoparticles for gene delivery into the MCF-7 cells was investigated.

To this purpose, FeCo-Chitosan/DNA nanoparticles was prepared. Then, the physicochemical properties such as the morphology, size, zeta potential and their magnetic properties of nanoparticles were evaluated. In addition, the biological properties of the nanoparticles, such as biocompatibility, DNA protection, DNA release, and gene transfer capability to MCF-7 cells were investigated.

The results showed that the FeCo-Chitosan / DNA nanoparticles had a spherical structure with an average size of about 200 nm. The zeta potential of the FeCo-Chitosan/DNA complex increased with increasing the concentration of FeCo-Chitosan nanoparticles in FeCo-Chitosan/DNA complex. Electrophoretic analysis confirmed that the FeCo-Chitosan/DNA nanoparticles could protect DNA from nuclease degradation and ultrasound damages. The results of MTT test also showed that FeCo-Chitosan nanoparticles have high biocompatibility. The ability of the FeCo-Chitosan/DNA nanoparticles to deliver genes to MCF-7 cells were examined using fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry.

The fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analysis showed that FeCo-Chitosan nanoparticles have the ability to transfer and release DNA safely to MCF-7 cells. These results also showed that efficiency of gene transfer was increased with increasing the concentration of the FeCo-Chitosan in FeCo-Chitosan/DNA complex.