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Sciscione F, Guillaumé S, Aliev AE, Cook DT, Bronstein H, Hailes HC, Beard PC, Kalber TL, Ogunlade O, Tabor AB. EGFR-targeted semiconducting polymer nanoparticles for photoacoustic imaging. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 91:117412. [PMID: 37473615 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPN), formulated from organic semiconducting polymers and lipids, show promise as exogenous contrast agents for photoacoustic imaging (PAI). To fully realise the potential of this class of nanoparticles for imaging and therapeutic applications, a broad range of active targeting strategies, where ligands specific to receptors on the target cells are displayed on the SPN surface, are urgently needed. In addition, effective strategies for quantifying the level of surface modification are also needed to support development of ligand-targeted SPN. In this paper, we have developed methods to prepare SPN bearing peptides targeted to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (EGFR), which are overexpressed at the surface of a wide variety of cancer cell types. In addition to fully characterising these targeted nanoparticles by standard methods (UV-visible, photoacoustic absorption, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential and SEM), we have developed a powerful new NMR method to determine the degree of conjugation and the number of targeting peptides attached to the SPN. Preliminary in vitro experiments with the colorectal cancer cell line LIM1215 indicated that the EGFR-targeting peptide conjugated SPN were either ineffective in delivering the SPN to the cells, or that the targeting peptide itself destabilised the formulation. This in reinforces the need for effective characterisation techniques to measure the surface accessibility of targeting ligands attached to nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Sciscione
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Simon Guillaumé
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Abil E Aliev
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Declan T Cook
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Hugo Bronstein
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Helen C Hailes
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Paul C Beard
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place Engineering Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Tammy L Kalber
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, University College London, Paul O'Gorman Building, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Olumide Ogunlade
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place Engineering Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Alethea B Tabor
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK.
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2
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Debele TA, Chen CK, Yu LY, Lo CL. Lipopolyplex-Mediated Co-Delivery of Doxorubicin and FAK siRNA to Enhance Therapeutic Efficiency of Treating Colorectal Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020596. [PMID: 36839918 PMCID: PMC9968081 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is a major concern in cancer therapy. In this context, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) gene overexpression, which mediates cancer cell migration and invasion, has been reported in several human tumors and is considered a potential therapeutic target. However, gene-based treatment has certain limitations, including a lack of stability and low transfection ability. In this study, a biocompatible lipopolyplex was synthesized to overcome the aforementioned limitations. First, polyplexes were prepared using poly(2-Hydroxypropyl methacrylamide-co-methylacrylate-hydrazone-pyridoxal) (P(HPMA-co-MA-hyd-VB6)) copolymers, which bore positive charges at low pH value owing to protonation of pyridoxal groups and facilitated electrostatic interactions with negatively charged FAK siRNA. These polyplexes were then encapsulated into methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG)-modified liposomes to form lipopolyplexes. Doxorubicin (DOX) was also loaded into lipopolyplexes for combination therapy with siRNA. Experimental results revealed that lipopolyplexes successfully released DOX at low pH to kill cancer cells and induced siRNA out of endosomes to inhibit the translation of FAK proteins. Furthermore, the efficient accumulation of lipopolyplexes in the tumors led to excellent cancer therapeutic efficacy. Overall, the synthesized lipopolyplex is a suitable nanocarrier for the co-delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and genes to treat cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilahun Ayane Debele
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 452, USA
| | - Chi-Kang Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Lu-Yi Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (L.-Y.Y.); (C.-L.L.); Tel.: +886-2-28267000 (ext. 67914) (C.-L.L.)
| | - Chun-Liang Lo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation and Translation Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (L.-Y.Y.); (C.-L.L.); Tel.: +886-2-28267000 (ext. 67914) (C.-L.L.)
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3
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Ebrahimian M, Hashemi M, Farzadnia M, Zarei-Ghanavati S, Malaekeh-Nikouei B. Development of targeted gene delivery system based on liposome and PAMAM dendrimer functionalized with hyaluronic acid and TAT peptide: in vitro and in vivo studies. Biotechnol Prog 2022; 38:e3278. [PMID: 35652279 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The development of gene delivery systems is essential to improve their transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity. Combination of lipid and polymeric nanoparticles with the characteristics of both systems have been considered as a next-generation gene delivery platform. In the current study, we designed a novel and efficient targeted gene delivery system based on liposome and PAMAM dendrimer in cancer cells. Two polymeric formulations containing polyamidoamine-TAT (PAMAM-TAT) and PAMAM-TAT-Hyaluronic acid (HA) and two lipopolymeric carriers including PAMAM-TAT-Liposome and PAMAM-TAT-HA-Liposome were complexed with the Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) plasmid and then evaluated in terms of physicochemical characteristics. The cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency of these synthetized carriers were accomplished against murine colon carcinoma cell line (C26). The biodistribution of polyplexes and lipoployplexes was also evaluated in the C26 tumor bearing mice. The results showed no significant toxicity for all designed nanoparticles (NPs) in C/P4. The highest gene expression was observed using lipopolyplex PAMAM-TAT-HA-Liposome in C/P4 (ratio polymer/DNA; w/w). Biodistribution study demonstrated more aggregation of targeted lipopolyplex in tumor cells than other nanoparticles (NPs). It could be concluded that the developed targeted lipopolymeric complex could serve as promising nanotherapeutic system for gene therapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh Ebrahimian
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam Hashemi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahdi Farzadnia
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Cancer Molecular Pathology Research center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Siamak Zarei-Ghanavati
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Eye Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Bizhan Malaekeh-Nikouei
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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4
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Jerzykiewicz J, Czogalla A. Polyethyleneimine-Based Lipopolyplexes as Carriers in Anticancer Gene Therapies. MATERIALS 2021; 15:ma15010179. [PMID: 35009324 PMCID: PMC8746209 DOI: 10.3390/ma15010179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed rapidly growing interest in application of gene therapies for cancer treatment. However, this strategy requires nucleic acid carriers that are both effective and safe. In this context, non-viral vectors have advantages over their viral counterparts. In particular, lipopolyplexes—nanocomplexes consisting of nucleic acids condensed with polyvalent molecules and enclosed in lipid vesicles—currently offer great promise. In this article, we briefly review the major aspects of developing such non-viral vectors based on polyethyleneimine and outline their properties in light of anticancer therapeutic strategies. Finally, examples of current in vivo studies involving such lipopolyplexes and possibilities for their future development are presented.
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5
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Mimicking Native Display of CD0873 on Liposomes Augments Its Potency as an Oral Vaccine against Clostridioides difficile. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9121453. [PMID: 34960199 PMCID: PMC8708880 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9121453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucosal vaccination aims to prevent infection mainly by inducing secretory IgA (sIgA) antibody, which neutralises pathogens and enterotoxins by blocking their attachment to epithelial cells. We previously demonstrated that encapsulated protein antigen CD0873 given orally to hamsters induces neutralising antibodies locally as well as systemically, affording partial protection against Clostridioides difficile infection. The aim of this study was to determine whether displaying CD0873 on liposomes, mimicking native presentation, would drive a stronger antibody response. The recombinant form we previously tested resembles the naturally cleaved lipoprotein commencing with a cysteine but lacking lipid modification. A synthetic lipid (DHPPA-Mal) was designed for conjugation of this protein via its N-terminal cysteine to the maleimide headgroup. DHPPA-Mal was first formulated with liposomes to produce MalLipo; then, CD0873 was conjugated to headgroups protruding from the outer envelope to generate CD0873-MalLipo. The immunogenicity of CD0873-MalLipo was compared to CD0873 in hamsters. Intestinal sIgA and CD0873-specific serum IgG were induced in all vaccinated animals; however, neutralising activity was greatest for the CD0873-MalLipo group. Our data hold great promise for development of a novel oral vaccine platform driving intestinal and systemic immune responses.
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6
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Bofinger R, Weitsman G, Evans R, Glaser M, Sander K, Allan H, Hochhauser D, Kalber TL, Årstad E, Hailes HC, Ng T, Tabor AB. Drug delivery, biodistribution and anti-EGFR activity: theragnostic nanoparticles for simultaneous in vivo delivery of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and kinase activity biosensors. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:18520-18535. [PMID: 34730152 PMCID: PMC8601123 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr02770k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In vivo delivery of small molecule therapeutics to cancer cells, assessment of the selectivity of administration, and measuring the efficacity of the drug in question at the molecule level, are important ongoing challenges in developing new classes of cancer chemotherapeutics. One approach that has the potential to provide targeted delivery, tracking of biodistribution and readout of efficacy, is to use multimodal theragnostic nanoparticles to deliver the small molecule therapeutic. In this paper, we report the development of targeted theragnostic lipid/peptide/DNA lipopolyplexes. These simultaneously deliver an inhibitor of the EGFR tyrosine kinase, and plasmid DNA coding for a Crk-based biosensor, Picchu-X, which when expressed in the target cells can be used to quantify the inhibition of EGFR in vivo in a mouse colorectal cancer xenograft model. Reversible bioconjugation of a known analogue of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor Mo-IPQA to a cationic peptide, and co-formulation with peptides containing both EGFR-binding and cationic sequences, allowed for good levels of inhibitor encapsulation with targeted delivery to LIM1215 colon cancer cells. Furthermore, high levels of expression of the Picchu-X biosensor in the LIM1215 cells in vivo allowed us to demonstrate, using fluorescence lifetime microscopy (FLIM)-based biosensing, that EGFR activity can be successfully suppressed by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, released from the lipopolyplexes. Finally, we measured the biodistribution of lipopolyplexes containing 125I-labelled inhibitors and were able to demonstrate that the lipopolyplexes gave significantly higher drug delivery to the tumors compared with free drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Bofinger
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK.
| | - Gregory Weitsman
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
| | - Rachel Evans
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Matthias Glaser
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK.
- Centre for Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kathleen Lonsdale Building, 5 Gower Place, London WC1E 6BS, UK
| | - Kerstin Sander
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK.
- Centre for Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kathleen Lonsdale Building, 5 Gower Place, London WC1E 6BS, UK
| | - Helen Allan
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK.
| | - Daniel Hochhauser
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Tammy L Kalber
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Paul O'Gorman Building, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Erik Årstad
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK.
- Centre for Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kathleen Lonsdale Building, 5 Gower Place, London WC1E 6BS, UK
| | - Helen C Hailes
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK.
| | - Tony Ng
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Alethea B Tabor
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20, Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK.
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7
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Wang CS, Chang CH, Tzeng TY, Lin AMY, Lo YL. Gene-editing by CRISPR-Cas9 in combination with anthracycline therapy via tumor microenvironment-switchable, EGFR-targeted, and nucleus-directed nanoparticles for head and neck cancer suppression. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2021; 6:729-743. [PMID: 34323910 DOI: 10.1039/d1nh00254f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) has a high incidence and a poor prognosis. Epirubicin, a topoisomerase inhibitor, is a potential anthracycline chemotherapeutic for HNC treatment. HuR (ELAVL1), an RNA-binding protein, plays a critical role in promoting tumor survival, invasion, and resistance. HuR knockout via CRISPR/Cas9 (HuR CRISPR) is a possible strategy for the simultaneous modulation of the various pathways of tumor progression. Multifunctional nanoparticles modified with pH-sensitive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting and nucleus-directed peptides were designed for the efficient delivery of HuR CRISPR and epirubicin to human tongue squamous carcinoma SAS cells and SAS tumor-bearing mice. The pH-sensitive nanoparticles responded to the acidic pH value as a switch to expose the targeting peptides. The cellular uptake and transfection efficiency of these nanoparticles in SAS cells increased via EGFR targeting, ligand-mediated endocytosis, and endosomal escape. These nanoparticles showed low cytotoxicity towards normal oral keratinocyte NOK cells. CRISPR/Cas9 was transported into the nucleus via the nuclear directing peptide and successfully knocked out HuR to suppress proliferation, metastasis, and resistance in SAS cells. The multiple inhibition of EGFR/β-catenin/epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathways was mediated through modulating the EGFR/PI3K/mTOR/AKT axis. The co-treatment of epirubicin and HuR CRISPR in SAS cells further facilitated apoptosis/necroptosis/autophagy and caused cancer cell death. In combination with HuR CRISPR nanoparticles, the efficacy and safety of epirubicin nanoparticles against cancer in SAS tumor-bearing mice improved significantly. Collectively, these nanoparticles showed a tumor pH response, active EGFR targeting, and nuclear localization and thus offered a combinatorial spatiotemporal platform for chemotherapy and the CRISPR/Cas gene-editing system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Shen Wang
- Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
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8
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Puchkov PA, Maslov MA. Lipophilic Polyamines as Promising Components of Liposomal Gene Delivery Systems. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:920. [PMID: 34205825 PMCID: PMC8234823 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13060920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy requires an effective and safe delivery vehicle for nucleic acids. In the case of non-viral vehicles, including cationic liposomes, the structure of compounds composing them determines the efficiency a lot. Currently, cationic amphiphiles are the most frequently used compounds in liposomal formulations. In their structure, which is a combination of hydrophobic and cationic domains and includes spacer groups, each component contributes to the resulting delivery efficiency. This review focuses on polycationic and disulfide amphiphiles as prospective cationic amphiphiles for gene therapy and includes a discussion of the mutual influence of structural components.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael A. Maslov
- Lomonosov Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies, MIREA—Russian Technological University, Vernadsky Ave. 86, 119571 Moscow, Russia;
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9
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Sanmartín I, Sendra L, Moret I, Herrero MJ, Aliño SF. Multicompartmental Lipopolyplex as Vehicle for Antigens and Genes Delivery in Vaccine Formulations. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13020281. [PMID: 33669785 PMCID: PMC7922173 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector design and its characterization is an area of great interest in current vaccine research. In this article, we have formulated and characterized a multicompartmental lipopolyplex, which associates multiple liposomes and polyplexes in the same complex. These particles allow the simultaneous delivery of lipid or water-soluble antigens associated with genes to the same cell, in much higher amounts than conventional lipopolyplexes. The vector characterization and optimization were carried out using liposomes with entrapped carboxyfluorescein and adapted electrophoretic assays. Two types of lipopolyplexes (containing hydrophilic or lipophilic antigens) were employed to evaluate their interest in vaccination. The lipopolyplex loaded with an extract of water-soluble melanoma proteins proved to efficiently induce humoral response in murine melanoma model, increasing the levels of IgM and IgG. The specificity of the immune response induced by the lipopolyplex was demonstrated in mice with the lipopolyplex containing the GD3 ganglioside lipid antigen, abundant in melanoma cells. The levels of anti-GD3 IgG increased markedly without modifying the expression of humoral antibodies against other gangliosides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaías Sanmartín
- Faculty of Veterinary and Experimental Sciences, Universidad Católica de Valencia, 46001 Valencia, Spain;
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.S.); (I.M.); (M.J.H.)
| | - Luis Sendra
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.S.); (I.M.); (M.J.H.)
- Pharmacogenetics Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Inés Moret
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.S.); (I.M.); (M.J.H.)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - María José Herrero
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.S.); (I.M.); (M.J.H.)
- Pharmacogenetics Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Salvador F. Aliño
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.S.); (I.M.); (M.J.H.)
- Pharmacogenetics Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-963-864-972
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10
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Bofinger R, Zaw‐Thin M, Mitchell NJ, Patrick PS, Stowe C, Gomez‐Ramirez A, Hailes HC, Kalber TL, Tabor AB. Development of lipopolyplexes for gene delivery: A comparison of the effects of differing modes of targeting peptide display on the structure and transfection activities of lipopolyplexes. J Pept Sci 2018; 24:e3131. [PMID: 30325562 PMCID: PMC6282963 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The design, synthesis and formulation of non-viral gene delivery vectors is an area of renewed research interest. Amongst the most efficient non-viral gene delivery systems are lipopolyplexes, in which cationic peptides are co-formulated with plasmid DNA and lipids. One advantage of lipopolyplex vectors is that they have the potential to be targeted to specific cell types by attaching peptide targeting ligands on the surface, thus increasing both the transfection efficiency and selectivity for disease targets such as cancer cells. In this paper, we have investigated two different modes of displaying cell-specific peptide targeting ligands at the surface of lipopolyplexes. Lipopolyplexes formulated with bimodal peptides, with both receptor binding and DNA condensing sequences, were compared with lipopolyplexes with the peptide targeting ligand directly conjugated to one of the lipids. Three EGFR targeting peptide sequences were studied, together with a range of lipid formulations and maleimide lipid structures. The biophysical properties of the lipopolyplexes and their transfection efficiencies in a basal-like breast cancer cell line were investigated using plasmid DNA bearing genes for the expression of firefly luciferase and green fluorescent protein. Fluorescence quenching experiments were also used to probe the macromolecular organisation of the peptide and pDNA components of the lipopolyplexes. We demonstrated that both approaches to lipopolyplex targeting give reasonable transfection efficiencies, and the transfection efficiency of each lipopolyplex formulation is highly dependent on the sequence of the targeting peptide. To achieve maximum therapeutic efficiency, different peptide targeting sequences and lipopolyplex architectures should be investigated for each target cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Bofinger
- Department of ChemistryUniversity College London20, Gordon StreetLondonWC1H 0AJUK
| | - May Zaw‐Thin
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonWC1E 6DDUK
| | - Nicholas J. Mitchell
- Department of ChemistryUniversity College London20, Gordon StreetLondonWC1H 0AJUK
| | - P. Stephen Patrick
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonWC1E 6DDUK
| | - Cassandra Stowe
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonWC1E 6DDUK
| | - Ana Gomez‐Ramirez
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonWC1E 6DDUK
| | - Helen C. Hailes
- Department of ChemistryUniversity College London20, Gordon StreetLondonWC1H 0AJUK
| | - Tammy L. Kalber
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonWC1E 6DDUK
| | - Alethea B. Tabor
- Department of ChemistryUniversity College London20, Gordon StreetLondonWC1H 0AJUK
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