Polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid loading onto different generations of PAMAM dendrimer-coated magnetic nanoparticles

Poly (I:C), which is a synthetic double-stranded RNA, have significant toxicity on tumor cells. The immobilization of Poly (I:C) onto nanoparticles is important for the fabrication of targeted delivery systems. In this study, different generations of newly synthesized PAMAM dendron-coated magnetic nanoparticles (DcMNP) which can be targeted to the tumor site under magnetic field were efficiently loaded for the first time with Poly (I:C). Different generations of DcMNPs (G(2), G(3), G(4), G(5), G(6), and G(7)) were synthesized. Poly (I:C) activation was achieved in the presence of EDC and 1-methylimidazole. Loading of Poly (I:C) onto DcMNPs was followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Acidic reaction conditions were found as superior to basic and neutral for binding of Poly (I:C). In addition, having more functional groups at the surface, higher generations (G(7), G(6), and G(5)) of PAMAM DcMNPs were found more suitable as a delivery system for Poly (I:C). Further in vitro and in vivo analyses of Poly (I:C)/PAMAM magnetic nanoparticles may provide new opportunities for the selective targeting and killing of tumor cells.