Ballarín-González B, Boe A, McAllister K, Loretz B, Lehr CM, Wilson CG, Gumbleton M. Protection and systemic translocation of siRNA following oral administration of chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids. 2013;2:e76.
This study evaluated chitosan-based nanoparticles for the oral delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA). In murine models, siRNA encapsulated within chitosan nanoparticles remained structurally intact within the gastrointestinal tract and was detected in peripheral tissues, including the liver, spleen, and kidneys, one hour post-administration. These findings suggest that chitosan nanoparticles can protect siRNA from degradation in the digestive system and facilitate its systemic distribution, offering a potential non-invasive approach for siRNA-based therapies.
Keywords: Chitosan nanoparticles, siRNA delivery, oral administration, systemic distribution, gene therapy