Gene Silencing by siRNA Microhydrogels via Polymeric Nanoscale Condensation

The first attempt to prepare biologically active siRNA-based microhydrogels is reported. The self-assembled microhydrogels were fabricated using sense/antisense complementary hybridization between single-stranded linear and Y-shaped trimeric siRNAs. The siRNA microhydrogels were condensed using a popular cationic polymer such as LPEI to form compact, stable siRNA/polymeric nanopartides that exhibited superb cellular uptake efficiency and gene silencing activity.