Amorphous magnesium phosphate nanoparticles as nonviral DNA carriers

Maryam Nabiyouni, Sarit B Bhaduri. University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606 Statement of Purpose: Nonviral gene delivery has gained much attention due to its potential in addressing the viral gene delivery limitations like unintentional mutagenesis. Different natural and synthetic materials such as polymers, lipids, and calcium phosphate particles have been developed as DNA carriers. However, there is still a need for development of highly efficient gene vehicles. Amorphous magnesium phosphate nanoparticles are potential candidates for biomedical applications as they are biocompatible, highly biodegradable, and lack cytotoxicity. Present study investigates the application of amorphous magnesium phosphate nanoparticles as nonviral DNA vehicles. Positively charged Mg+2 ions are hypothesized to significantly enhance the uptake of amorphous magnesium phosphate attached plasmid DNA by the osteoblasts. Here, different plasmid DNA to amorphous magnesium phosphate nanoparticle (1:1, 1:100, and 1:200) ratios was examined. pCMV6-AC-GFP vectors were attached to the amorphous magnesium phosphate and were used as the cargo. The optimal concentration of cargo to carrier was found to be 1:200.