PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have developed a technology that might one day deliver gene therapy by using magnetically directed nanoparticles.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers bonded DNA segments to tiny iron-containing nanoparticle spheres. They then used magnetic fields to direct the nanoparticles into arterial muscle cells where the DNA could have a therapeutic effect.
Although the research, conducted in cell cultures, is in its early stages, the scientists said it might represent a new method for delivering gene therapy to benefit blood vessels damaged by arterial disease.
The nanoparticle size was controlled by varying the amount or composition of solvents they used to form the nanoparticles.
Study leader Dr. Robert Levy said the magnetically driven delivery system also might find broader use as a vehicle for delivering drugs, genes or cells to a target organ.
"This is a novel delivery system, the first to use a biodegradable, magnetically driven polymer to achieve clinically relevant effects," said Levy. "This system has the potential to be a powerful tool."
The proof-of-principle study is reported in the August issue of the FASEB Journal, published by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
