3D-Morphology and properties of carriers based on calcium phosphate and chitosan

Dynamic light scattering, atomic force and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize three different types of potential carriers of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA): calcium phosphate particles, chitosan particles, and hybrid particles consisting of an inorganic core coated with chitosan. The hydrodynamic diameter and electrokinetic potential were measured, and the surface morphology of the three types of particles was studied. The interaction of dsRNA with the carriers was studied using electrophoresis and atomic force microscopy. The possibility of the dsRNA complexes formation with chitosan-based carriers, resulting from the interaction of dsRNA with the positively charged amino groups of chitosan, was demonstrated.