Bio-LDH nanohybrid for gene therapy

Nano-sized inorganic clay, such as layered double hydroxide (LDH), has been demonstrated as delivery carrier for genes and drugs by hybridizing with DNA and c-antisense oligonucleotide (As-myc). Upon intercalating biomolecules into hydroxide layers, the basal spacing of LDH increases from 8.7 Angstrom (for NO3-) to 23.9 Angstrom (DNA) and 17.1 Angstrom (As-myc), respectively. A strong suppression of cell growth (65%) is observed when the HL-60 cells are incubated with 20 muM As-myc-LDH hybrid. However, LDH itself is found to be noncytotoxic on HL-60 cells (leukemia cells). Based on these findings, it is proved that LDHs can act as a new inorganic carrier which is completely different from ever existing nonviral vectors in terms of its chemical bonding and structure. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.