Oligonucleotide-carrying microspheres. Production, characterization and release characteristics

The present paper reports the preparation and characterization of gelatin microspheres containing (a) a single-stranded synthetic oligonucleotide and (b) a double stranded fragment prepared by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Spherical gelatin microspheres were obtained by a coacervation method, showing high percentage of encapsulation yields (over 85%) and an average diameter of 22 μm. In vitro studies were carried out by using a flow through cell method.The reported results indicate that gelatin based microspheres offer excellent potential as carrier system for the in vivo administration of both single- and double-stranded DNA molecules.