the cellular uptake of antisense oligonucleotid of e6 mrna into cervical cancer cells by dope-modified hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

objective(s):  although several chemical and physical methods for gene delivery have been introduced, their cytotoxicity, non-specific immune responses and the lack of biodegradability remain the main issues. in this study, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nps) and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol​amine (dope)-modified hydroxyapatite nps was coated with antisense oligonucleotide of e6 mrna, and their uptakes into the cervical cancer cell line were evaluated.   materials and methods:  calcium nitrate and diammonium phosphate were used for the synthesis of the hydroxyapatite nanoparticle. thus, they were coated with polyethylene glycol (peg), dope and antisense oligonucleotide of e6 mrna using a cross-linker. then, hydroxyapatite nps and dope-modified hydroxyapatite nps were incubated 48 hours with cervical cancer cells and their uptakes were evaluated by fluorescent microscopy.   results:  the hydroxyapatite nps had different shapes and some agglomeration with average size of 100 nm. the results showed dope-modified hydroxyapatite nps had higher uptake than hydroxyapatite nps (p< 0.05).   conclusions:  hydroxyapatite nps conjugated with dope are a good choice for gene delivery and silencing of viral genes in cervical cancer cells, but their efficacy should be addressed more in future studies.