Morphological and biological properties of silica nanoparticles for CRTC3-siRNA delivery and downregulation of the RGS2 expression in preadipocytes

The aim of this study was to characterize the morphological properties of amorphous silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs), their cytotoxicity and intracellular location within Human Osteoblasts (HOB). Additionally, SiO2 NPs were explored for their effectivity as carriers of CRTC3-siRNA on Human Preadipocytes (HPAd), and thus downregulate RGS2 gene expression. SiO2 NPs were synthesized using the method of Stober at 45 degrees C, 56 degrees C, and 62 degrees C. These were characterized via TEM with EDS, Zeta Potential and FT-IR. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by XTT at three concentrations 50, 100 and 500 mu g/mL; SiO2 NPs intracellular localization was observed through Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope. Delivering siRNA effectivity was measured by RT-qPCR. Morphology of SiO2 NPs was spherical with a range size from 64 to 119 nm; their surface charge was negative. Confocal images demonstrated that SiO2 NPs were located within cellular cytoplasm. At a SiO2 NPs concentration of 500 mu g/mL HOB viability decreased, while at 50 mu g/mL and 100 mu g/mL cell viability was not affected regardless SiO2 NPs size. SiO2 NPs-CRTC3-siRNA are effective to down-regulate RGS2 gene expression in HPAd without cytotoxic effects. The developed SiO2 NPs-CRTC3-siRNA are a promising tool as a delivery vehicle to control obesity.

Automated summary

This study characterized the morphological properties, cytotoxicity, and intracellular location of SiO2 NPs, as well as investigated their effectiveness as carriers of siRNA. Results showed that SiO2 NPs were effective in downregulating RGS2 gene expression without cytotoxic effects, indicating their potential as a delivery vehicle for controlling obesity.