Effective cytocompatible nanovectors based on serine-derived gemini surfactants and monoolein for small interfering RNA delivery

Non-viral gene therapy based on silencing with small interfering RNA (siRNA) has attracted great interest over recent years. Among various types of cationic complexation agents, amino acid-based surfactants have been recently explored for nucleic acid delivery due to their low toxicity and high biocompatibility. Monoolein (MO), in turn, used as helper lipid liposomal systems its ability form inverted nonbilayer structures that enhance fusogenicity, thus contributing higher transfection efficiency. In this work, we focused the development nanovectors siRNA three gemini derived from serine — (12Ser)2N12, amine derivative; (12Ser)2COO12, ester (12Ser)2CON12, amide derivative individually combined MO lipid. The inclusion surfactant system influences morphology size mixed aggregates. Furthermore, surfactant:MO showed efficiently complex siRNA, forming stable lipoplexes, some cases clearly depending content, without inducing significant levels cytotoxicity. High were achieved comparison a commercially available standard indicating these gemini:MO are promising candidates lipofection vectors interference (RNAi)-based therapies.