Simple Magnetic Nanoparticle-Based System for Gene Delivery

Due to their unique properties such as superparamagnetism, biocompatibility and bio-friendly, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been successfully applied in biomedical applications. However, gene delivery by using MNPs (magnetofection) has not been effectively carried out. This study aims to initially establish a novel and simple procedure for gene delivery by using MNPs. Particularly, we aim to evaluate whether a common and inexpensive salt compound, sodium chloride (NaCl), could induce magnetofection with plasmid DNA. We investigated different doses and time of NaCl treatment based on previous studies. The delivery efficiency of magnetofection and the viability of the HEK293T (Human Embryonic Kidney) cell under various treatments were evaluated. Delivery efficiency was calculated through number of cells expressing fluorescence. Our initial data showed that the optimal condition is 150 mM NaCl in a 40-min-duration of transfection. Moreover, NaCl facilitated the magnetofection in a dose and duration co-dependent manner. The data from this study will eventually provide suggestions for further follow-up research and effective method for drug delivery in the future. However, further research needs to be carried out to give out the definite optimal conditions.