Regulation of angiogenesis through the efficient delivery of microRNAs into endothelial cells using polyamine-coated carbon nanotubes

CNTs were functionalized with polyethyleneimine (PEI) or polyamidoamine (PAMAM) polymers to develop delivery systems for effectively transferring miRNA oligonucleotides into endothelial cells (ECs). We have shown a lower cell toxicity of polymer-functionalized CNTs compared to pure polymers. Most importantly, we have demonstrated that CNTs can mediate a stable intracellular delivery of miRNA oligonucleotides to ECs, thus regulating target gene expression and EC functions in vitro and in vivo.187