Chimeric capsid protein as a nanocarrier for siRNA delivery: Stability and cellular uptake of encapsulated siRNA

Kyung Mi Choi, Seung Hye Choi, Hyesung Jeon, In San Kim, Hyung Jun Ahn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

87 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

For the efficient cytoplasmic delivery of siRNA, we designed a chimeric capsid protein composed of a capsid shell, integrin targeting peptide, and p19 RNA binding protein. This recombinant protein assembled into a macromolecular container-like structure with capsid shell and provided a nanocarrier for siRNA delivery. Our capsid nanocarriers had dual affinity both for siRNA within the interior and integin receptors on the exterior, and the capsid shell structure allowed the encapsulated siRNAs to be protected from the external nucleases, leading to the enhanced stability of siRNA in serum conditions. The capsid nanocarriers could complex with siRNA in a size-dependent and sequence-independent manner and showed the pH-dependent complexing/dissocation behaviors with siRNA. Moreover, RGD peptides on the exterior surface of the capsid shell enabled the capsid nanocarriers to deliver siRNA into the cytosol of the target cells. Here, we demonstrated the superior efficiency of our siRNA/capsid nanocarrier complexes in RFP gene silencing, compared to untreated cells. These results provide an alternative approach to enhancing the stability of siRNA as well as to achieving targeted siRNA delivery.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8690-8699
Number of pages10
JournalACS nano
Volume5
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011 Nov 22
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • capsid protein
  • gene silencing
  • nanocarrier
  • recombinant proteins
  • siRNA delivery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • General Engineering
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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