Nanostructured lipid carriers as novel drug delivery system for lung cancer gene therapy

Context: Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) are potentially good colloidal drug carriers for gene delivery. They are advised to be the second lifetime of lipid nanocarriers.Objective: The aim of this study is to develop novel modified NLC as nanomedicine for delivery of plasmid-containing enhanced green fluorescence protein (pEGFP). This system could target the lung cancer cells through receptor-mediated pathways to increase the nuclear uptake of genetic materials. Methods: In the present study, pEGFP-loaded NLC (NLC/pEGFP) were prepared. Transferrin (Tf) containing ligands were used for the surface coating of the vectors. In vitro transfection efficiency of the modified vectors was evaluated in human alveolar adenocarcinoma cell line (A549 cells) and in vivo transfection efficiency of the modified vectors was evaluated on mice bearing A549 cells model. Results: Tf-modified NLC/pEGFP (Tf-NLC/pEGFP) has a particle size of 157nm, and approximate to 82% of gene loading quantity. Tf-NLC/pEGFP displayed remarkably higher transfection efficiency than non-modified NLC/pEGFP both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the novel NLC gene delivery system offers an effective strategy for lung cancer gene therapy.