Improved formulation of cationic solid lipid nanoparticles displays cellular uptake and biological activity of nucleic acids.

Non-viral delivery using cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) represents a useful strategy to introduce large DNA and RNA molecules to target cells. A careful selection of components and their amounts is critical to improve transfection efficiency. In this work, a selected and optimized formulation of SLNs was used to efficiently transfect circular DNA and linear RNA molecules into cells. We characterized the main physicochemical characteristics and binding capabilities of these SLNs and show that they deliver DNA and RNA molecules into cells where they display full bioactivity at nontoxic concentrations using fluorescence- and luminescence-based methodologies. Hence, we established a novel and simple SLN formulation as a powerful tool for future therapeutic use.