Adsorption of oligonucleotides onto polyisohexylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles protects them against nucleases and increases their cellular uptake.

Oligonucleotides can be adsorbed on polyisohexylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles in the presence of hydrophobic quarternary ammonium salts. Oligonucleotides bound to nanoparticles are protected from nuclease attack both in buffer and in cell culture media. Cellular uptake of oligonucleotides is increased when they are adsorbed onto nanoparticles as a result of the capture of nanoparticles by an endocytic phagocytic pathway. Intracellular stability towards nucleolytic degradation is increased in the presence of nanoparticles. These results show that nanoparticles can be considered as convenient carriers for the protection and delivery of oligonucleotides to cells.