Self-Assembling beta-Glucan Nanomedicine for the Delivery of siRNA

Abstract

We aimed to design and manufacture a transporter capable of delivering small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into the skin without causing any damage. beta-glucans are unique chiral polysaccharides with well-defined immunological properties and supramolecular wrapping ability. However, the chiral properties of these polymers have hardly been applied in drug delivery systems. In this study, beta-glucan nanoparticles were designed and manufactured to deliver genetic material to the target cells. The beta-glucan molecules were self-assembled with an siRNA into nanoparticles of 300-400 nm in diameter via a conformational transition process, in order to construct a gene delivery system. The assembled gene nanocarriers were associated with high gene-loading ability. The expression and efficiency of siRNA were verified after its delivery via beta-glucan. Our results provide evidence that beta-glucan nanoparticles can be effectively used to deliver siRNA into the cells.