Efficient DNA and Peptide Delivery by Functionalized Chitosan-Coated Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Functionalized carbon nanotubes (f-CNTs) are being intensively explored in advanced biotechnological applications ranging from molecular biosensors to cellular growth substrates. A major limitation of CNTs for biological application such as drug delivery is their cellular toxicity. Surface area, charge density and coating of polymer over the surface of carbon nanotube are critical parameters that determine the interaction and electrostatic complex formation between f-CNTs with DNA and/or peptide. It was reasoned that CNTs functionalized with biodegradable and biocompatible chitosan may improve their drug delivery characteristics and decrease their toxicity. Functionalized single wall carbon nanotubes (f-SWCNT) complexed with nanochitosan (NG042) and used for delivery of DNA encoding EGFP reporter protein or FITC-labeled peptide. A transmission electron microscope was used to characterize the cluster of non functionalized SWCNT and functionalized SWCNT with nanochitosan (NG042) and DNA. Bronchoalveolar lavage cells of mice administered with f-SWCNT show enhanced uptake of chitosan by lung cells. Also, f-SWCNT-chitosan is more effective in intracellular delivery of peptide compared to chitosan. Taken together, these results show that f-SWCNT-chitosan significantly increases DNA and peptide delivery to the cells.