Nanoscale polyelectrolyte complexes encapsulating mRNA and long-chained siRNA for combinatorial cancer gene therapy

Abstract

To precisely regulate target genes that are abnormally expressed in cancers, we suggest an RNA-mediated multigene targeting system that co-encapsulates siRNA against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and mRNA encoding phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Polymerized long-chain siRNAs (L-siRNAs) formed stable and condensed nanocomplexes with mRNAs using thiolated glycol chitosans (tGCs) as gene carriers. The mRNA/L-siRNA/tGC nanocomplexes (MSNs) exhibited efficient intracellular delivery and superior anti-tumor efficiency with simultaneous up and down-regulation of PTEN and VEGF, respectively. The MSN system can be considered as a new platform for cancer gene therapy requiring accurate control of multiple gene expressions. (C) 2018 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.