bims-novged 2024-03-10 papers

bims-novged

Biomed News

on Non-viral vectors for gene delivery

Issue of 2024‒03‒10
fourteen papers selected by
the Merkel lab, Ludwig-Maximilians University

Tailoring lipid nanoparticles for T-cell targeting in allergic Asthma: Insights into efficacy and specificity.
Nontoxic, Biodegradable Hyperbranched Poly(β-amino ester)s for Efficient siRNA Delivery and Gene Silencing.
Electrostatic adsorption of polyanions onto lipid nanoparticles controls uptake, trafficking, and transfection of RNA and DNA therapies.
Novel synthesized ionizable lipid for LNP-mediated P2X7siRNA to inhibit migration and induce apoptosis of breast cancer cells.
Cationic cholesterol-dependent LNP delivery to lung stem cells, the liver, and heart.
Nanoengineered Polymeric RNA Nanoparticles for Controlled Biodistribution and Efficient Targeted Cancer Therapy.
Endosomal escape: A bottleneck for LNP-mediated therapeutics.
Modulating the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 by different nanocarriers delivering an mRNA expressing trimeric RBD of the spike protein: COVARNA Consortium.
Recent advances in nanoparticulate RNA delivery systems.
A magnetic separation method for isolating and characterizing the biomolecular corona of lipid nanoparticles.
Nanoplatform-Based In Vivo Gene Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy.
Dynamic carriers for therapeutic RNA delivery.
GalNAc- or Mannose-PEG-Functionalized Polyplexes Enable Effective Lectin-Mediated DNA Delivery.
Post cross-linked ROS-responsive poly(β-amino ester)-plasmid polyplex NPs for gene therapy of EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2024 Mar 03. pii: S0939-6411(24)00068-7. [Epub ahead of print] 114242

Tailoring lipid nanoparticles for T-cell targeting in allergic Asthma: Insights into efficacy and specificity.

David C Jürgens, Joschka T Müller, Anny Nguyen, Olivia M Merkel.

Asthma impacts over 300 million patients globally, with significant health implications, especially in cases of its allergic subtype. The disease is characterized by a complex interplay of airway inflammation and immune responses, often mediated by TH2 cell-related cytokines. In this study, we engineered lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to specifically deliver therapeutic siRNA via the transferrin receptor to T cells. Strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) was employed for the conjugation of transferrin ligands to PEGylated lipids in the LNPs, with the goal of enhancing cellular uptake and gene knockdown. The obtained LNPs exhibited characteristics that make them suitable for pulmonary delivery. Using methods such as nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we determined the average number of transferrin molecules bound to individual LNPs. Additionally, we found that cellular uptake was ligand-dependent, achieving a GATA3 knockdown of more than 50% in relevant in vitro and ex vivo models. Notably, our findings highlight the limitations inherent to modifying the surface of LNPs, particularly with regard to their targeting capabilities. This work paves the way for future research aimed at optimizing targeted LNPs for the treatment of immunologic diseases such as allergic asthma.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114242
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2024 Mar 06.

Nontoxic, Biodegradable Hyperbranched Poly(β-amino ester)s for Efficient siRNA Delivery and Gene Silencing.

Ying Jie Ooi, Chongquan Huang, Kieran Lau, Sing Yian Chew, Jong Gu Park, Mary B Chan-Park.

  RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene silencing is a promising therapeutic approach to treat various diseases, but safe and efficient delivery remains a major challenge to its clinical application. Non-viral gene vectors, such as poly(β-amino esters) (pBAEs), have emerged as a potential candidate due to their biodegradability, low toxicity profile, ease of synthesis, and high gene transfection efficiency for both DNA and siRNA delivery. However, achieving significant gene silencing using pBAEs often requires a large amount of polymer carrier (with polymer/siRNA weight ratio >100) or high siRNA dose (>100 nM), which might potentially exacerbate toxicity concerns during delivery. To overcome these barriers, we designed and optimized a series of hyperbranched pBAEs capable of efficiently condensing siRNA and achieving excellent silencing efficiency at a lower polymer/siRNA weight ratio (w/w) and siRNA dose. Through modulation of monomer combinations and branching density, we identified the top-performing hyperbranched pBAEs, named as h(A2B3)-1, which possess good siRNA condensation ability, low cytotoxicity, and high cellular uptake efficiency. Compared with Lipofectamine 2000, h(A2B3)-1 achieved lower cytotoxicity and higher siRNA silencing efficiency in HeLa cells at a polymer/siRNA weight ratio of 30 and 30 nM siRNA dose. Notably, h(A2B3)-1 enhanced the gene uptake in primary neural cells and effectively silenced the target gene in hard-to-transfect primary cortical neurons and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, with gene knockdown efficiencies of 34.8 and 53.4% respectively. By incorporating a bioreducible disulfide compartment into the polymer backbone, the cytocompatibility of the h(A2B3)-1 was greatly enhanced while maintaining their good transfection efficiency. Together, the low cytotoxicity and high siRNA transfection efficiency of hyperbranched h(A2B3)-1 in this study demonstrated their great potential as a non-viral gene vector for efficient siRNA delivery and RNAi-mediated gene silencing. This provides valuable insight into the future development of safe and efficient non-viral siRNA delivery systems as well as their translation into clinical applications.

Keywords:  biodegradable; gene silencing; poly(β-amino esters); primary neural cells; siRNA delivery

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.3c10620
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Mar 12. 121(11): e2307809121

Electrostatic adsorption of polyanions onto lipid nanoparticles controls uptake, trafficking, and transfection of RNA and DNA therapies.

Namita Nabar, Tamara G Dacoba, Gil Covarrubias, Denisse Romero-Cruz, Paula T Hammond.

  Rapid advances in nucleic acid therapies highlight the immense therapeutic potential of genetic therapeutics. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are highly potent nonviral transfection agents that can encapsulate and deliver various nucleic acid therapeutics, including but not limited to messenger RNA (mRNA), silencing RNA (siRNA), and plasmid DNA (pDNA). However, a major challenge of targeted LNP-mediated systemic delivery is the nanoparticles' nonspecific uptake by the liver and the mononuclear phagocytic system, due partly to the adsorption of endogenous serum proteins onto LNP surfaces. Tunable LNP surface chemistries may enable efficacious delivery across a range of organs and cell types. Here, we describe a method to electrostatically adsorb bioactive polyelectrolytes onto LNPs to create layered LNPs (LLNPs). LNP cores varying in nucleic acid cargo and component lipids were stably layered with four biologically relevant polyanions: hyaluronate (HA), poly-L-aspartate (PLD), poly-L-glutamate (PLE), and polyacrylate (PAA). We further investigated the impact of the four surface polyanions on the transfection and uptake of mRNA- and pDNA-loaded LNPs in cell cultures. PLD- and PLE-LLNPs increased mRNA transfection twofold over unlayered LNPs in immune cells. HA-LLNPs increased pDNA transfection rates by more than twofold in epithelial and immune cells. In a healthy C57BL/6 murine model, PLE- and HA-LLNPs increased transfection by 1.8-fold to 2.5-fold over unlayered LNPs in the liver and spleen. These results suggest that LbL assembly is a generalizable, highly tunable platform to modify the targeting specificity, stability, and transfection efficacy of LNPs, as well as incorporate other charged targeting and therapeutic molecules into these systems.

Keywords:  gene delivery; layer-by-layer; lipid nanoparticles; messenger RNA

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2307809121
Purinergic Signal. 2024 Mar 04.

Novel synthesized ionizable lipid for LNP-mediated P2X7siRNA to inhibit migration and induce apoptosis of breast cancer cells.

Seyed Hossein Kiaie, Ali Rajabi Zangi, Mohammad Sheibani, Salar Hemmati, Behzad Baradaran, Hadi Valizadeh.

  The development of ionizable lipid (IL) was necessary to enable the effective formulation of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit P2X7 receptors (P2X7R), a key player in tumor proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. In this way, the synthesis and utility of IL for enhancing cellular uptake of lipid nanoparticles (LNP) improve the proper delivery of siRNA-LNPs for knockdown overexpression of P2X7R. Therefore, to evaluate the impact of P2X7 knockdown on breast cancer (BC) migration and apoptosis, a branched and synthesized ionizable lipid (SIL) was performed for efficient transfection of LNP with siRNA for targeting P2X7 receptors (siP2X7) in mouse 4T-1 cells. Following synthesis and structural analysis of SIL, excellent characterization of the LNP was achieved (Z-average 126.8 nm, zeta-potential - 12.33, PDI 0.16, and encapsulation efficiency 85.35%). Afterward, the stability of the LNP was evaluated through an analysis of the leftover composition, and toxic concentration values for SIL and siP2X7 were determined. Furthermore, siP2X7-LNP cellular uptake in the formulation was assessed via confocal microscopy. Following determining the optimal dose (45 pmol), wound healing analysis was assessed using scratch assay microscopy, and apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry. The use of the innovative branched SIL in the formulation of siP2X7-LNP resulted in significant inhibition of migration and induction of apoptosis in 4T-1 cells due to improved cellular uptake. Subsequently, the innovative SIL represents a critical role in efficiently delivering siRNA against murine triple-negative breast cancer cells (TNBC) using LNP formulation, resulting in significant efficacy.

Keywords:  Apoptosis; Breast cancer; Ionizable lipid; Lipid nanoparticles; Migration; P2X7 receptor; siRNA

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11302-024-09989-8
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Mar 12. 121(11): e2307801120

Cationic cholesterol-dependent LNP delivery to lung stem cells, the liver, and heart.

Afsane Radmand, Hyejin Kim, Jared Beyersdorf, Curtis N Dobrowolski, Ryan Zenhausern, Kalina Paunovska, Sebastian G Huayamares, Xuanwen Hua, Keyi Han, David Loughrey, Marine Z C Hatit, Ada Del Cid, Huanzhen Ni, Aram Shajii, Andrea Li, Abinaya Muralidharan, Hannah E Peck, Karen E Tiegreen, Shu Jia, Philip J Santangelo, James E Dahlman.

  Adding a cationic helper lipid to a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) can increase lung delivery and decrease liver delivery. However, it remains unclear whether charge-dependent tropism is universal or, alternatively, whether it depends on the component that is charged. Here, we report evidence that cationic cholesterol-dependent tropism can differ from cationic helper lipid-dependent tropism. By testing how 196 LNPs delivered mRNA to 22 cell types, we found that charged cholesterols led to a different lung:liver delivery ratio than charged helper lipids. We also found that combining cationic cholesterol with a cationic helper lipid led to mRNA delivery in the heart as well as several lung cell types, including stem cell-like populations. These data highlight the utility of exploring charge-dependent LNP tropism.

Keywords:  LNP; barcoding; mRNA; nanoparticle; scRNA-seq

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2307801120
ACS Nano. 2024 Mar 06.

Nanoengineered Polymeric RNA Nanoparticles for Controlled Biodistribution and Efficient Targeted Cancer Therapy.

Taehyung Kim, Hwa Seung Han, Kyungjik Yang, Young Min Kim, Keonwook Nam, Kyung Hoon Park, Seung Young Choi, Hyun Woo Park, Ki Young Choi, Young Hoon Roh.

  RNA nanotechnology, including rolling circle transcription (RCT), has gained increasing interest as a fascinating siRNA delivery nanoplatform for biostable and tumor-targetable RNA-based therapies. However, due to the lack of fine-tuning technologies for RNA nanostructures, the relationship between physicochemical properties and siRNA efficacy of polymeric siRNA nanoparticles (PRNs) with different sizes has not yet been fully elucidated. Herein, we scrutinized the effects of size/surface chemistry-tuned PRNs on the biological and physiological interactions with tumors. PRNs with adjusted size and surface properties were prepared using sequential engineering processes: RCT, condensation, and nanolayer deposition of functional biopolymers. Through the RCT process, nanoparticles of three sizes with a diameter of 50-200 nm were fabricated and terminated with three types of biopolymers: poly-l-lysine (PLL), poly-l-glutamate (PLG), and hyaluronic acid (HA) for different surface properties. Among the PRNs, HA-layered nanoparticles with a diameter of ∼200 nm exhibited the most effective systemic delivery, resulting in superior anticancer effects in an orthotopic breast tumor model due to the CD44 receptor targeting and optimized nanosized structure. Depending on the type of PRNs, the in vivo siRNA delivery with protein expression inhibition differed by up to approximately 20-fold. These findings indicate that the types of layered biopolymers and the PRNs size mediate efficient polymeric siRNA delivery to the targeted tumors, resulting in high RNAi-induced therapeutic efficacy. This RNA-nanotechnology-based size/surface editing can overcome the limitations of siRNA therapeutics and represents a potent built-in module method to design RNA therapeutics tailored for targeted cancer therapy.

Keywords:  cancer targeting; nanomedicine; particle size; rolling circle transcription; small interfering RNA; surface chemistry

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.3c10732
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Mar 12. 121(11): e2307800120

Endosomal escape: A bottleneck for LNP-mediated therapeutics.

Sushmita Chatterjee, Edo Kon, Preeti Sharma, Dan Peer.

  Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have recently emerged as a powerful and versatile clinically approved platform for nucleic acid delivery, specifically for mRNA vaccines. A major bottleneck in the field is the release of mRNA-LNPs from the endosomal pathways into the cytosol of cells where they can execute their encoded functions. The data regarding the mechanism of these endosomal escape processes are limited and contradicting. Despite extensive research, there is no consensus regarding the compartment of escape, the cause of the inefficient escape and are currently lacking a robust method to detect the escape. Here, we review the currently known mechanisms of endosomal escape and the available methods to study this process. We critically discuss the limitations and challenges of these methods and the possibilities to overcome these challenges. We propose that the development of currently lacking robust, quantitative high-throughput techniques to study endosomal escape is timely and essential. A better understanding of this process will enable better RNA-LNP designs with improved efficiency to unlock new therapeutic modalities.

Keywords:  LNPs; RNA vaccines and therapeutics; endo-lysosomes; endosomal escape; mRNA

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2307800120
NPJ Vaccines. 2024 Mar 06. 9(1): 53

Modulating the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 by different nanocarriers delivering an mRNA expressing trimeric RBD of the spike protein: COVARNA Consortium.

Laura Marcos-Villar, Beatriz Perdiguero, Shubaash Anthiya, Mireya L Borrajo, Gustavo Lou, Lorenzo Franceschini, Ignasi Esteban, Pedro J Sánchez-Cordón, Carmen Zamora, Carlos Óscar S Sorzano, Luis Jordá, Laia Codó, Josep L Gelpí, Marta Sisteré-Oró, Andreas Meyerhans, Kris Thielemans, Francisco Martínez-Jiménez, Nuria López-Vigas, Felipe García, María J Alonso, Montserrat Plana, Mariano Esteban, Carmen Elena Gómez.

Vaccines based on mRNA technology have revolutionized the field. In fact, lipid nanoparticles (LNP) formulated with mRNA are the preferential vaccine platform used in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 infection, with wider application against other diseases. The high demand and property right protection of the most potent cationic/ionizable lipids used for LNP formulation of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have promoted the design of alternative nanocarriers for nucleic acid delivery. In this study we have evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of different rationally designed lipid and polymeric-based nanoparticle prototypes against SARS-CoV-2 infection. An mRNA coding for a trimeric soluble form of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein from SARS-CoV-2 was encapsulated using different components to form nanoemulsions (NE), nanocapsules (NC) and lipid nanoparticles (LNP). The toxicity and biological activity of these prototypes were evaluated in cultured cells after transfection and in mice following homologous prime/boost immunization. Our findings reveal good levels of RBD protein expression with most of the formulations. In C57BL/6 mice immunized intramuscularly with two doses of formulated RBD-mRNA, the modified lipid nanoparticle (mLNP) and the classical lipid nanoparticle (LNP-1) were the most effective delivery nanocarriers at inducing binding and neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Both prototypes fully protected susceptible K18-hACE2 transgenic mice from morbidity and mortality following a SARS-CoV-2 challenge. These results highlight that modulation of mRNAs immunogenicity can be achieved by using alternative nanocarriers and support further assessment of mLNP and LNP-1 prototypes as delivery vehicles for mRNA vaccines.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-024-00838-8
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Mar 12. 121(11): e2307798120

Recent advances in nanoparticulate RNA delivery systems.

Jacob Witten, Yizong Hu, Robert Langer, Daniel G Anderson.

Nanoparticle-based RNA delivery has shown great progress in recent years with the approval of two mRNA vaccines for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and a liver-targeted siRNA therapy. Here, we discuss the preclinical and clinical advancement of new generations of RNA delivery therapies along multiple axes. Improvements in cargo design such as RNA circularization and data-driven untranslated region optimization can drive better mRNA expression. New materials discovery research has driven improved delivery to extrahepatic targets such as the lung and splenic immune cells, which could lead to pulmonary gene therapy and better cancer vaccines, respectively. Other organs and even specific cell types can be targeted for delivery via conjugation of small molecule ligands, antibodies, or peptides to RNA delivery nanoparticles. Moreover, the immune response to any RNA delivery nanoparticle plays a crucial role in determining efficacy. Targeting increased immunogenicity without induction of reactogenic side effects is crucial for vaccines, while minimization of immune response is important for gene therapies. New developments have addressed each of these priorities. Last, we discuss the range of RNA delivery clinical trials targeting diverse organs, cell types, and diseases and suggest some key advances that may play a role in the next wave of therapies.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2307798120
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Mar 12. 121(11): e2307803120

A magnetic separation method for isolating and characterizing the biomolecular corona of lipid nanoparticles.

Valentina Francia, Yao Zhang, Miffy Hok Yan Cheng, Raymond M Schiffelers, Dominik Witzigmann, Pieter R Cullis.

  Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations are a proven method for the delivery of nucleic acids for gene therapy as exemplified by the worldwide rollout of LNP-based RNAi therapeutics and mRNA vaccines. However, targeting specific tissues or cells is still a major challenge. After LNP administration, LNPs interact with biological fluids (i.e., blood), components of which adsorb onto the LNP surface forming a layer of biomolecules termed the "biomolecular corona (BMC)" which affects LNP stability, biodistribution, and tissue tropism. The mechanisms by which the BMC influences tissue- and cell-specific targeting remains largely unknown, due to the technical challenges in isolating LNPs and their corona from complex biological media. In this study, we present a new technique that utilizes magnetic LNPs to isolate LNP-corona complexes from unbound proteins present in human serum. First, we developed a magnetic LNP formulation, containing >40 superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs)/LNP, the resulting LNPs containing iron oxide nanoparticles (IOLNPs) displayed a similar particle size and morphology as LNPs loaded with nucleic acids. We further demonstrated the isolation of the IOLNPs and their corresponding BMC from unbound proteins using a magnetic separation (MS) system. The BMC profile of LNP from the MS system was compared to size exclusion column chromatography and further analyzed via mass spectrometry, revealing differences in protein abundances. This new approach enabled a mild and versatile isolation of LNPs and its corona, while maintaining its structural integrity. The identification of the BMC associated with an intact LNP provides further insight into LNP interactions with biological fluids.

Keywords:  biomolecular corona; iron oxide nanoparticles; lipid nanoparticles; magnetic separation

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2307803120
Small. 2024 Mar 05. e2312153

Nanoplatform-Based In Vivo Gene Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy.

Rui Luo, Hao Le, Qinjie Wu, Changyang Gong.

  Gene therapy uses modern molecular biology methods to repair disease-causing genes. As a burgeoning therapeutic, it has been widely applied for cancer therapy. Since 1989, there have been numerous clinical gene therapy cases worldwide. However, a few are successful. The main challenge of clinical gene therapy is the lack of efficient and safe vectors. Although viral vectors show high transfection efficiency, their application is still limited by immune rejection and packaging capacity. Therefore, the development of non-viral vectors is overwhelming. Nanoplatform-based non-viral vectors become a hotspot in gene therapy. The reasons are mainly as follows. 1) Non-viral vectors can be engineered to be uptaken by specific types of cells or tissues, providing effective targeting capability. 2) Non-viral vectors can protect goods that need to be delivered from degradation. 3) Nanoparticles can transport large-sized cargo such as CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids and nucleoprotein complexes. 4) Nanoparticles are highly biosafe, and they are not mutagenic in themselves compared to viral vectors. 5) Nanoparticles are easy to scale preparation, which is conducive to clinical conversion and application. Here, an overview of the categories of nanoplatform-based non-viral gene vectors, the limitations on their development, and their applications in cancer therapy.

Keywords:  cancer therapy; gene delivery system; in vivo delivery; nanoplatforms; non-viral vector

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202312153
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Mar 12. 121(11): e2307799120

Dynamic carriers for therapeutic RNA delivery.

Simone Berger, Ulrich Lächelt, Ernst Wagner.

  Carriers for RNA delivery must be dynamic, first stabilizing and protecting therapeutic RNA during delivery to the target tissue and across cellular membrane barriers and then releasing the cargo in bioactive form. The chemical space of carriers ranges from small cationic lipids applied in lipoplexes and lipid nanoparticles, over medium-sized sequence-defined xenopeptides, to macromolecular polycations applied in polyplexes and polymer micelles. This perspective highlights the discovery of distinct virus-inspired dynamic processes that capitalize on mutual nanoparticle-host interactions to achieve potent RNA delivery. From the host side, subtle alterations of pH, ion concentration, redox potential, presence of specific proteins, receptors, or enzymes are cues, which must be recognized by the RNA nanocarrier via dynamic chemical designs including cleavable bonds, alterable physicochemical properties, and supramolecular assembly-disassembly processes to respond to changing biological microenvironment during delivery.

Keywords:  LNP; RNA; lipoplex; polyplex; synthetic virus

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2307799120
Bioconjug Chem. 2024 Mar 05.

GalNAc- or Mannose-PEG-Functionalized Polyplexes Enable Effective Lectin-Mediated DNA Delivery.

Ricarda C Steffens, Paul Folda, Nikole L Fendler, Miriam Höhn, Katharina Bücher-Schossau, Susanne Kempter, Nicole L Snyder, Laura Hartmann, Ernst Wagner, Simone Berger.

A cationic, dendrimer-like oligo(aminoamide) carrier with four-arm topology based on succinoyl tetraethylene pentamine and histidines, cysteines, and N-terminal azido-lysines was screened for plasmid DNA delivery on various cell lines. The incorporated azides allow modification with various shielding agents of different polyethylene glycol (PEG) lengths and/or different ligands by copper-free click reaction, either before or after polyplex formation. Prefunctionalization was found to be advantageous over postfunctionalization in terms of nanoparticle formation, stability, and efficacy. A length of 24 ethylene oxide repetition units and prefunctionalization of ≥50% of azides per carrier promoted optimal polyplex shielding. PEG shielding resulted in drastically reduced DNA transfer, which could be successfully restored by active lectin targeting via novel GalNAc or mannose ligands, enabling enhanced receptor-mediated endocytosis of the carrier system. The involvement of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) in the uptake of GalNAc-functionalized polyplexes was confirmed in the ASGPR-positive hepatocarcinoma cell lines HepG2 and Huh7. Mannose-modified polyplexes showed superior cellular uptake and transfection efficacy compared to unmodified and shielded polyplexes in mannose-receptor-expressing dendritic cell-like DC2.4 cells.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00546
J Mater Chem B. 2024 Mar 07.

Post cross-linked ROS-responsive poly(β-amino ester)-plasmid polyplex NPs for gene therapy of EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Caiyan Yuan, Shuangyan Chang, Chong Zhang, Dirong Dong, Jiahui Ding, Ali Reza Mahdavian, Zheng Hu, Lili Sun, Songwei Tan.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common tumors in South China and Southeast Asia and is thought to be associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Downregulation of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) encoded by EBV can reduce the expression of NF-κB and PI3K, induce apoptosis, and inhibit the growth of EBV-related NPC. For targeted cleavage of the Lmp1 oncogene via the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system, a post cross-linked ROS-responsive poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE) polymeric vector was developed for the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids both in vitro and in vivo. After composition optimization, the resultant polymer-plasmid polyplex nanoparticles (NPs) showed a diameter of ∼230 nm and a zeta potential of 22.3 mV with good stability. Compared with the non-cross-linked system, the cross-linked NPs exhibited efficient and quick cell uptake, higher transfection efficiency in EBV-positive C666-1 cells (53.5% vs. 40.6%), more efficient gene editing ability against the Mucin2 model gene (Muc2) (17.9% vs. 15.4%) and Lmp1 (8.5% vs. 5.6%), and lower intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The NPs achieved good tumor penetration and tumor growth inhibition in the C666-1 xenograft tumor model via Lmp1 cleavage, indicating their potential for gene therapy of EBV-related NPC.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d3tb02926c