Receptor-mediated targeted delivery of DNA using Lactoferrin nanoparticles

Efficient gene delivery facilitated by non-viral vectors, is comparatively safer alternative than viral carriers. Current approaches to gene delivery largely depends on methods that overcome cellular and tissue barriers impeding efficient DNA delivery. While the conventional delivery systems have the drawback of low cellular uptake and off target effects, the receptor-mediated gene delivery system has shown remarkable breakthrough. In that context exploiting the specific receptor targeting properties of lactoferrin protein, we have developed pDNA loaded lactoferrin protein nanoparticles (pDNA-LfNPs). pDNA-LfNPs were spherical in shape within the size range of 140 ± 20 nm. They were found to be resistant against nuclease digestion and stable under long storage. Additionally, LfNPs were biocompatible and have targeting ability to facilitate gene uptake by receptor mediated internalization in lactoferrin receptor expressing cell lines. It is also evident from our studies that Lf nanoparticles did not exhibit any cytotoxicity even at the highest concentration. Here we first time report the use of lactoferrin nanoparticles as a gene delivery carrier with targeting abilities.