Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Development Service
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), a subtype of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), are renowned as versatile non-viral vectors for gene therapy. Novel's business focuses on the design, development, and characterization of SLNs for gene-therapy applications for rare diseases and cancer. Our experts work with you to support your SLN requirements from development to large scale commercialization.
Background
Mammalian cell SLN transfection experiments in vitro demonstrate that SLNs can efficiently concentrate DNA onto colloidal nanorods. SLN offers several technical advantages over standard carriers of nucleotides, such as cationic lipids or cationic polymers: substantial economies of scale from production using GRAS substances, high storage stability, ability for steam sterilization and lyophilization, and so on. Yet another distinctive feature of these systems is the ability to include oppositely charged molecules by electrostatic interaction through modulation of the chemical composition of the SLNs.
Not only do SLNs provide aide for treating various elusive illnesses, it contains great promise for therapeutics as well. SLNs have already shown successful application as gene transfer vectors in, for example, chromosome X linked juvenile retinoschisis, which is caused by the absence of a retinoschisin protein, along with Fabry disease, a severe inherited multisystem metabolic disorder. Ultimately, SLN-based non-viral gene therapy is emerging as a very effective and useful therapeutic strategies for rare genetic diseases.
Fig. 1 Schematic diagrams for the preparation of cationic SLNs. (Bondì M L, et al., 2010)
Our Services
In order to obtain systems that possess a positive surface charge, cationic lipids need to be utilized. This makes cationic SLNs more effective as gene therapy carriers because SLN-based systems can interact with the negatively charged DNA or RNA, resulting in the formation of SLN-DNA or RNA complexes. Our scientists focus on creating tailor-made ZSLNs with high gene delivery efficiency that penetrate cells while allowing controlled release of silencing messages at determined times and locations. In furtherance of these capabilities, we provide the following in support of your investigation.
- Preparation of cationic SLNs
To aid our clientele in the preparation of cationic SLN's that serve as potential delivery systems for genetic materials, cationic SLN in oil-in-water microemulsion, emulsification followed by evaporation, and high sheer cold and hot homogenization have been well established in house. - Formation of cationic SLN–DNA complexes
SLN-DNA complexes are formed by the electrostatic interactions of the cationic surface charge of SLN with the negatively charged DNA. The size and charge are modulated by the ratio of particles to DNA. In cases of systemic administration, nanoparticles are typically modified via targeting conjugates or PEG to avoid detection by macrophages and opsonins. In the case of surface pegylated SLNs, the lipids used for the SLN formation are pegylated. - Characterization of SLNs and SLN–DNA complexes
We enable customers to be able to determine if the preparation SLN have high loading capabilities as well as whether the SLN-DNA complex synthesized will provide optimal cell penetration. To characterize the different parameters of the SLN and SLN-DNA complex, we provide the following technologies, scanning electron microscopy SEM, atomic force microscope AFM, and agarose gel electrophoresis.- 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
Our firm is strategically positioned as a prominent participant in this market to offer customized development and characterization services of SLNs. With profound knowledge in lipidic nanoparticles, our specialists will assist you and provide the most economical and time conserving approaches throughout the execution of your SLN-based therapeutics for orphan diseases. 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.