Controlling fibrous capsule formation through long-term down-regulation of collagen type i (COL1A1) expression by nanofiber-mediated siRNA gene silencing

The foreign body reaction often interferes with the long-term functionality and performance of implanted biomedical devices through fibrous capsule formation. While many implant modification techniques have been adopted in attempts to control fibrous encapsulation, the outcomes remained sub-optimal. Nanofiber scaffold-mediated RNA interference may serve as an alternative approach through the localized and sustained delivery of siRNA at implant sites. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of siRNA-poly(caprolactone-co- ethylethylene phosphate) nanofibers in controlling fibrous capsule formation through the down-regulation of collagen type I (COL1A1) in vitro and in vivo. By encapsulating complexes of COL1A1 siRNA with a transfection reagent (Transit TKO) or the cell penetrating peptides CADY or MPG within the nanofibers (550-650 nm in diameter), a sustained release of siRNA was obtained for at least 28 days (loading efficiency ∼60-67%). Scaffold-mediated transfection significantly enhanced cellular uptake of oligonucleotides and prolonged in vitro gene silencing duration by at least 2-3 times as compared to conventional bolus delivery of siRNA (14 days vs. 5-7 days by bolus delivery). In vivo subcutaneous implantation of siRNA scaffolds revealed a significant decrease in fibrous capsule thickness at weeks 2 and 4 as compared to plain nanofibers (p < 0.05). Taken together, the results demonstrated the efficacy of scaffold-mediated siRNA gene-silencing in providing effective long-term control of fibrous capsule formation.