Solid lipid nanoparticles: Formulation factors affecting cell transfection capacity

Since solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were introduced as non-viral transfection systems, very few reports of their use for gene delivery have been published. In this work different formulations based on SLN–DNA complexes were formulated in order to evaluate the influence of the formulation components on the “in vitro” transfection capacity. SLNs composed by the solid lipid Precirol® ATO 5, the cationic lipid DOTAP and the surfactant Tween 80, and SLN–DNA complexes prepared at different DOTAP/DNA ratios were characterized by studying their size, surface charge, DNA protection capacity, transfection and cell viability in HEK293 cultured cells. The incorporation of Tween 80 allowed for the reduction of the cationic lipid concentration. The formulations prepared at DOTAP/DNA ratios 7/1, 5/1 and 4/1 provided almost the same transfection levels (around 15% transfected cells), without significant differences between them (p > 0.05). Other assayed formulations presented lower transfection. Transfection activity was dependent on the DOTAP/DNA ratio since it influences the DNA condensation into the SLNs. DNA condensation is a crucial factor which conditions the transfection capacity of SLNs, because it influences DNA delivery from nanoparticles, gene protection from external agents and DNA topology.