A Novel Graphene Quantum Dot‐Based mRNA Delivery Platform
Ya Liu,
Prof. Changhong Zhao,
Dr. Alan Sabirsh,
Dr. Lilei Ye,
Dr. Xiaoqiu Wu,
Prof. Hongbin Lu,
Prof. Johan Liu
Affiliations
Ya Liu
Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience Chalmers University of Technology 9 Kemivägen Gothenborg 412 96 Sweden
Prof. Changhong Zhao
Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience Chalmers University of Technology 9 Kemivägen Gothenborg 412 96 Sweden
Dr. Alan Sabirsh
Advanced Drug Delivery Pharmaceutical Sciences R&D AstraZeneca 1 Pepparedsleden Mölndal 431 50 Sweden
Dr. Lilei Ye
SHT Smart High Tech AB 6 Kemivägen Gothenburg 412 58 Sweden
Dr. Xiaoqiu Wu
Advanced Drug Delivery Pharmaceutical Sciences R&D AstraZeneca 1 Pepparedsleden Mölndal 431 50 Sweden
Prof. Hongbin Lu
Department of Macromolecular Science Collaborative Innovation Center of Polymers and Polymer Composites Fudan University 2005 Songhu Road Shanghai 200433 China
Prof. Johan Liu
Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience Chalmers University of Technology 9 Kemivägen Gothenborg 412 96 Sweden
Abstract Abstract: During the last decades, there has been growing interest in using therapeutic messager RNA (mRNA) together with drug delivery systems. Naked, unformulated mRNA is, however, unable to cross the cell membrane and is susceptible to degradation. Here we use graphene quantum dots (GQDs) functionalized with polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a novel mRNA delivery system. Our results show that these modified GQDs can be used to deliver intact and functional mRNA to Huh‐7 hepatocarcinoma cells at low doses and, that the GQDs are not toxic, although cellular toxicity is a problem for these first‐generation modified particles. Functionalized GQDs represent a potentially interesting delivery system that is easy to manufacture, stable and effective.
