In the past decade, short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) has shown promise for clinical applications. However, efficient and safe delivery of siRNA remains one challenge for their in vivo use. In this proof of principle study, we investigate the ability of cationically modified, food derived glycosidic nanodendrites (Bioglycogen™) to bind and deliver fluorescently labeled siRNA. Our long term goal is to design a biocompatible, biodegradable, efficient vector for siRNA delivery to the intraperitoneal cavity. To evaluate this novel siRNA delivery method, we have focused on the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase-2 (Sod2), which is overexpressed in clear cell carcinoma of the ovary. Previous work from our lab has shown that decreasing expression of Sod2 resulted in diminished spheroid growth, cell viability and increased chemosensitivity to cisplatin and taxol, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target to slow metastasis and decrease chemoresistance. Here we demonstrate our modified Bioglycogen™-siRNA condensate successfully was able to knock-down Sod2 expression in vitro. Further, this construct exhibited lower toxicity and more sustained knockdown than the commercial delivery reagent, Lipofectamine RNAiMax. These promising results have set the stage for future in vivo studies in an ovarian cancer IP xenongraft model and the utilization of our complex for codelivery of siRNA as adjuvant therapy.​

Chemically modified dendritic starch: A novel nanomaterial for siRNA delivery

249th National Meeting (2015)

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