Development of novel poly-l-lysine-modified sericin-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as siRNA carrier

Abstract

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a promising therapeutic modality, however, its successful clinical application is still challenging due to the lack of safe and efficient carrier systems. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs)-based drug or gene carrier systems have displayed tremendous promise in nanomedicine. They possess intrinsic unique superparamagnetism that provides them to be concentrated in the targeted therapeutic site of action where an external magnetic field is applied. SPIONs can be also designed as theranostic agents to achieve simultaneous therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Despite these favorable features, SPIONs are colloidally unstable and can be easily eliminated in the circulation. More importantly, the toxicological concerns associated with SPIONs, which often lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), need to be thoroughly considered. Various types of polymers have been proposed so far to cover the surface of SPION to overcome these disadvantages. Silk protein, sericin can be ideal as a coating material due to its high biocompatibility, good biodegradability, and in vivo stability. In terms of the development of SPIONs as siRNA carriers, to the best of our knowledge, no protein was used as the coating material, and SPIONs coated with sericin have not been reported in the literature as a drug or gene carrier system.