A study on the preparation and characterization of plasmid DNA and drug-containing magnetic nanoliposomes for the treatment of tumors

PURPOSE: To explore the preparation and characterization of a novel nanosized magnetic liposome containing the PEI-As(2)O(3)/Mn(0.5)Zn(0.5)Fe(2)O(4) complex. METHODS: Mn(0.5)Zn(0.5)Fe(2)O(4) and As(2)O(3)/Mn(0.5)Zn(0.5)Fe(2)O(4) nanoparticles were prepared by chemical coprecipitation and loaded with PEI. The PEI- As(2)O(3)/Mn(0.5)Zn(0.5)Fe(2)O(4) complex was characterized using transmission electron and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Cell transfection experiments were performed to evaluate the transfect efficiency. Magnetic nanoliposomes were prepared by rotatory evaporation and their shape, diameter, and thermodynamic characteristics were observed. RESULTS: Mn(0.5)Zn(0.5)Fe(2)O(4) and PEI-As(2)O(3)/Mn(0.5)Zn(0.5)Fe(2)O(4) nanoparticles were spherical, with an average diameter of 20–40 nm. PEI-As(2)O(3)/Mn(0.5)Zn(0.5)Fe(2)O(4) was an appropriate carrier for the delivery of a foreign gene to HepG2 cells. Energy dispersive spectrometry results confirmed the presence of the elements nitrogen and arsenic. Nanoliposomes of approximately 100 nm were observed under a transmission electron microscope. Upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field, they also had good magnetic responsiveness, even though Mn(0.5)Zn(0.5)Fe(2)O(4)was modified by PEI and encased in liposomes. Temperatures increased to 37°C–54°C depending on different concentrations of PEI-As(2)O(3)/Mn(0.5)Zn(0.5)Fe(2)O(4)and remained stable thereafter. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that PEI-As(2)O(3)/Mn(0.5)Zn(0.5)Fe(2)O(4) magnetic nanoliposomes are an excellent biomaterial, which has multiple benefits in tumor thermotherapy, gene therapy, and chemotherapy.