Investigate the effects of lysozyme on plasmid release from chitosan / plasmid nanoparticles

Chitosan, a biodegradable polymer, has no toxic effects, is also considered as DNA vector. In this study, the effects of lysozyme enzyme on chitosan / plasmid nanoparticles was investigated.

In this study, a gelatinization method was used to construct nanoparticles. After examining the percentage of plasmid loading in chitosan nanoparticles, as well :as char:acterizing nanoparticles, the nanoparticles were exposed to lysozyme enzyme treatment and the effects of enzymatic digestion was investigated.

The results of this study showed that the percentage of plasmid loading in nanoparticles was 100%. The size, dispersion index and zeta potential of nanoparticles were 173 nm, 292.0 and 10.08 mv, respectively. The results of the enzymatic digestion showed that the solution containing lysozyme at a concentration of 10 μg / ml and enzymatic activity of 100 u / ml after 4 hours was capable of Incomplete digestion of chitosan nanoparticles but did not cause complete release of the plasmid but after 24 hours, it completely releases plasmid from nanoparticles.

By reviewing the results of this study and comparing it with the findings of other studies on chitosan, it is shown that in addition to the favorable conditions for lysozyme function, time factor for lysozyme enzyme activity is important for complete release of DNA from chitosan/plasmid nanoparticles.