Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Development Service
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that are widely considered to be versatile and effective non-viral vectors for gene therapy. Our company is dedicated to the design, development, and characterization of SLNs for the use of gene therapy in the therapeutics of rare diseases and many types of cancer. Our experts work with you to support your SLN requirements from development to large-scale commercialization.
Background
Studies have shown that SLNs can concentrate DNA onto nanometer colloidal particles and can effectively transfect mammalian cells in vitro. SLN offers several technical advantages over standard DNA or RNA carriers such as cationic lipids or cationic polymers, including large-scale production from substances generally recognized as safe, high storage stability, and suitability for steam sterilization and lyophilization. Another key feature of these systems is the possibility of combining oppositely charged molecules through electrostatic interaction by means of modulating the SLNs' chemical composition.
SLNs hold promise for the therapeutics of many rare diseases. Several studies have already reported the use of SLNs as effective gene transfer vectors in rare diseases, such as chromosome X-linked juvenile retinoschisis, a disease caused by a deficiency in the protein retinoschisin, and Fabry disease, a severe inherited multisystem metabolic disorder. In conclusion, SLN-based non-viral gene therapy is proving to be a viable and promising therapeutic tool for the therapeutics of rare genetic diseases.
Fig. 1 Schematic diagrams for the preparation of cationic SLNs. (Bondì M L, et al., 2010)
Our Services
The use of cationic lipids is critical to obtain systems with positive surface charges and to make cationic SLNs effective as gene therapy agents, allowing further interaction between SLN-based systems and negatively charged DNA or RNA to form SLN-DNA or RNA complexes. Our researchers are committed to providing specialist solutions to help customers develop cationic SLNs as effective gene delivery systems that have significant capabilities. These capabilities include penetrating cells and achieving spatially and temporally controlled release for targeted gene silencing. We offer the following services to support your research.
- Preparation of cationic SLNs
We have established several protocols, such as warm oil-in-water (o/w) microemulsion, solvent emulsification/evaporation technique, and cold and hot high-pressure homogenization to help our customers prepare cationic SLNs that are useful as delivery systems for genetic material. - Formation of cationic SLN–DNA complexes
When mixed with DNA, electrostatic interactions occur between the cationic surface charge of SLN and the negative charge of DNA, leading to the formation of SLN-DNA complexes. We regulate the size and charge of the complex by controlling the weight ratio between the particles and DNA. In systemic administration, we typically modify the nanoparticle surface by targeting ligands or PEG to evade recognition by opsonins and macrophages. To obtain surface pegylated SLNs, pegylated lipids are often used as components. - Characterization of SLNs and SLN–DNA complexes
In order to determine whether the prepared SLN has a high loading capacity and whether the SLN-DNA complex produced can achieve the best cell internalization, we provide customers with a variety of technologies such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and agarose gel electrophoresis to characterize multiple parameters of SLN and SLN-DNA complex in detail.- Detection of the size and shape of SLNs and SLN–DNA complexes
- Detection of Zeta potential
- Analysis of crystallinity and lipid polymorph
- Determination of DNA loading efficiency
- Assessment of the physical integrity of the encapsulated payload
As a leading service provider in the field of gene therapy, our company is well-positioned to provide custom development and characterization services for SLNs. Based on our deep understanding of lipid-based nanoparticles, our experts will support you throughout the process and develop the most cost-effective and time-saving solutions for your SLN-based rare disease therapeutic projects. Please contact us for more details and to get a formal quote.
Reference
- Bondì, M. L.; Craparo E. F. Solid lipid nanoparticles for applications in gene therapy: a review of the state of the art. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 2010, 7(1): 7-18.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.