Polyethyleneimine-Coated Fe3O4 Nanoparticles for Efficient siRNA Delivery to Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Different Tissues

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are emerging as a promising therapeutic approach and genetic modification by non-viral vectors could span their applications. Herein, the capacity of PEI-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) for siRNA delivery to human MSCs derived from different tissues was evaluated. The prepared spherical NPs with charge of around +44.0 mV and an average diameter of 12 nm exhibited proper siRNA encapsulation and enhanced serum stability. High-purity human MSCs were isolated from bone marrow, adipose tissue and amnion membrane, and GAPDH siRNA and siRNA NC (negative control) was transfected into MSCs using NPs prepared. When 4 ng/ml NPs were used at NPs/siRNA weight ratio of 4, high transfection efficiency and low toxicity were observed and silencing efficiencies were higher than 60%. Additionally, the in vitro tests indicated that the NPs entered into MSCs by endocytosis. According to those results, PEI-coated Fe3O4 NPs possessed potential as a safe and effective siRNA delivery reagent for MSCs and may be fit for stem cell therapy.