Fig. 2

Characterization of cSLNs and their complexes with siEphA2. a Physicochemical properties of cSLNs and cSLN/siRNA complexes. b Representative image of gel retardation assay showing complexation of cSLNs with siRNAs at different N/P ratios. Naked siRNA and empty nanoparticles (N/P = 0) were used as controls. Densitometric analysis of siRNA bands relative to naked siRNA was performed to calculate the siRNA binding efficiency of cSLNs. Data are given as the mean ± SEM (***p < 0.001, two-way ANOVA followed by Sidak’s test, n = 3). c Representative image of heparin-induced release assay showing the release of siRNAs from cSLNs in different physiological solutions at 37 °C. Densitometric analysis of siRNA bands relative to naked siRNA + Heparin was performed to calculate the siRNA-release amount of cSLNs. Data are given as the mean ± SEM (ns: not significant, **p < 0.01, two-way ANOVA followed by Sidak’s test, n = 3). Time-dependent physicochemical properties of cSLNs (d) and cSLN/siRNA complexes (e). Bars represent particle size and zeta potential; dots represent PDI. Data are given as mean ± SD of three measurements (ns: not significant, two-way ANOVA followed by Sidak’s test). Representative TEM (f) and SEM (g) images of cSLNs and cSLN/siRNA complexes. Scale bars, 200 nm