1
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Tan J, Zhao Y, Hedrick JL, Yang YY. Effects of Hydrophobicity on Antimicrobial Activity, Selectivity, and Functional Mechanism of Guanidinium-Functionalized Polymers. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2100482. [PMID: 33987953 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a series of guanidinium-functionalized polycarbonate random co-polymers is prepared from organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization to investigate the effect of the hydrophobic side chain (ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, benzyl, and hexyl) on their antimicrobial activity and selectivity. Although the polymers exhibit similar minimum inhibitory concentrations, the more hydrophobic polymers exhibit a faster rate of bacteria elimination. At higher percentage content (20 mol%), polymers with more hydrophobic side chains suffer from poor selectivity due to their high hemolytic activity. The highly hydrophobic co-polymer, containing the hydrophobic hexyl-functionalized cyclic carbonate, kills bacteria via a membrane-disruptive mechanism. Micelle formation leads to a lower extent of membrane disruption. This study unravels the effects of hydrophobic side chains on the activities of the polymers and their killing mechanism, providing insights into the design of new antimicrobial polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Tan
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging 31 Biopolis Way Singapore 138669 Singapore
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Nanyang Technological University 21 Nanyang Link Singapore 637371 Singapore
| | - Yanli Zhao
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Nanyang Technological University 21 Nanyang Link Singapore 637371 Singapore
| | - James L. Hedrick
- IBM Almaden Research Center 650 Harry Road San Jose CA 95120 USA
| | - Yi Yan Yang
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging 31 Biopolis Way Singapore 138669 Singapore
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2
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Kumar R, Santa Chalarca CF, Bockman MR, Bruggen CV, Grimme CJ, Dalal RJ, Hanson MG, Hexum JK, Reineke TM. Polymeric Delivery of Therapeutic Nucleic Acids. Chem Rev 2021; 121:11527-11652. [PMID: 33939409 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The advent of genome editing has transformed the therapeutic landscape for several debilitating diseases, and the clinical outlook for gene therapeutics has never been more promising. The therapeutic potential of nucleic acids has been limited by a reliance on engineered viral vectors for delivery. Chemically defined polymers can remediate technological, regulatory, and clinical challenges associated with viral modes of gene delivery. Because of their scalability, versatility, and exquisite tunability, polymers are ideal biomaterial platforms for delivering nucleic acid payloads efficiently while minimizing immune response and cellular toxicity. While polymeric gene delivery has progressed significantly in the past four decades, clinical translation of polymeric vehicles faces several formidable challenges. The aim of our Account is to illustrate diverse concepts in designing polymeric vectors towards meeting therapeutic goals of in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy. Here, we highlight several classes of polymers employed in gene delivery and summarize the recent work on understanding the contributions of chemical and architectural design parameters. We touch upon characterization methods used to visualize and understand events transpiring at the interfaces between polymer, nucleic acids, and the physiological environment. We conclude that interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies motivated by fundamental questions are key to designing high-performing polymeric vehicles for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | | | - Matthew R Bockman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Craig Van Bruggen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Christian J Grimme
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Rishad J Dalal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mckenna G Hanson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Joseph K Hexum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Theresa M Reineke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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3
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Song J, Wang D, Wang J, Shen Q, Xie C, Lu W, Wang R, Liu M. Low molecular weight polyethyleneimine modified by 2-aminoimidazole achieving excellent gene transfection efficiency. Eur Polym J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2020.110017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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4
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Fowler MJ, Cotter JD, Knight BE, Sevick-Muraca EM, Sandberg DI, Sirianni RW. Intrathecal drug delivery in the era of nanomedicine. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020; 165-166:77-95. [PMID: 32142739 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Administration of substances directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord is one approach that can circumvent the blood-brain barrier to enable drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). However, molecules that have been administered by intrathecal injection, which includes intraventricular, intracisternal, or lumbar locations, encounter new barriers within the subarachnoid space. These barriers include relatively high rates of turnover as CSF clears and potentially inadequate delivery to tissue or cellular targets. Nanomedicine could offer a solution. In contrast to the fate of freely administered drugs, nanomedicine systems can navigate the subarachnoid space to sustain delivery of therapeutic molecules, genes, and imaging agents within the CNS. Some evidence suggests that certain nanomedicine agents can reach the parenchyma following intrathecal administration. Here, we will address the preclinical and clinical use of intrathecal nanomedicine, including nanoparticles, microparticles, dendrimers, micelles, liposomes, polyplexes, and other colloidalal materials that function to alter the distribution of molecules in tissue. Our review forms a foundational understanding of drug delivery to the CSF that can be built upon to better engineer nanomedicine for intrathecal treatment of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Fowler
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School/University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - J D Cotter
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School/University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - B E Knight
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School/University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - E M Sevick-Muraca
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, Center for Molecular Imaging, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - D I Sandberg
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School/University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America; Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGovern Medical School/University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America; Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, United States of America
| | - R W Sirianni
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School/University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America.
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5
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Chen Z, Huang W, Zheng N, Bai Y. Design and synthesis of a polyguanidium vector with enhanced DNA binding ability for effective gene delivery at a low N/P ratio. Polym Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/c9py01481k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
A polyguanidium polymer has extra affinity toward DNA and can mediate transfection efficiently at a low polymer to DNA ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Chen
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine
- State Key Laboratory of Chem/Biosensing and Chemometrics
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Hunan University
| | - Wei Huang
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine
- State Key Laboratory of Chem/Biosensing and Chemometrics
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Hunan University
| | - Nan Zheng
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Dalian University of Technology
- Dalian
- China
| | - Yugang Bai
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine
- State Key Laboratory of Chem/Biosensing and Chemometrics
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Hunan University
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6
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Ulkoski D, Bak A, Wilson JT, Krishnamurthy VR. Recent advances in polymeric materials for the delivery of RNA therapeutics. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2019; 16:1149-1167. [PMID: 31498013 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2019.1663822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics through non-viral carriers face multiple biological barriers that reduce their therapeutic efficiency. Despite great progress, there remains a significant technological gap that continues to limit clinical translation of these nanocarriers. A number of polymeric materials are being exploited to efficiently deliver nucleic acids and achieve therapeutic effects. Areas covered: We discuss the recent advances in the polymeric materials for the delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics. We examine the use of common polymer architectures and highlight the challenges that exist for their development from bench side to clinic. We also provide an overview of the most notable improvements made to circumvent such challenges, including structural modification and stimuli-responsive approaches, for safe and effective nucleic acid delivery. Expert opinion: It has become apparent that a universal carrier that follows 'one-size' fits all model cannot be expected for delivery of all nucleic acid therapeutics. Carriers need to be designed to exhibit sensitivity and specificity toward individual targets diseases/indications, and relevant subcellular compartments, each of which possess their own unique challenges. The ability to devise synthetic methods that control the molecular architecture enables the future development that allow for the construction of 'intelligent' designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ulkoski
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca , Boston , USA
| | - Annette Bak
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca , Gothenburg , Sweden
| | - John T Wilson
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University , Nashville , TN , USA
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7
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Liu XY, Zhou CB, Fang C. Nanomaterial-involved neural stem cell research: Disease treatment, cell labeling, and growth regulation. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 107:583-597. [PMID: 30114642 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) have been widely investigated for their potential in the treatment of various diseases and transplantation therapy. However, NSC growth regulation, labeling, and its application to disease diagnosis and treatment are outstanding challenges. Recently, nanomaterials have shown promise for various applications including genetic modification, imaging, and controlled drug release. Here we summarize the recent progress in the use of nanomaterials in combination with NSCs for disease treatment and diagnosis, cell labeling, and NSC growth regulation. The toxicity of nanomaterials to NSCs is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Yu Liu
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Cheng-Bin Zhou
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240 China
| | - Chao Fang
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China.
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8
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Christiaens O, Tardajos MG, Martinez Reyna ZL, Dash M, Dubruel P, Smagghe G. Increased RNAi Efficacy in Spodoptera exigua via the Formulation of dsRNA With Guanylated Polymers. Front Physiol 2018; 9:316. [PMID: 29670535 PMCID: PMC5894468 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Lepidoptera comprise some of the most devastating herbivorous pest insects worldwide. One of the most promising novel pest control strategies is exploiting the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism to target essential genes for knockdown and incite toxic effects in the target species without harming other organisms in the ecosystem. However, many insects are refractory to oral RNAi, often due to rapid degradation of ingested dsRNA in their digestive system. This is the case for many lepidopteran insects, including the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua, which is characterized by a very alkaline gut environment (pH > 9.0) and a strong intestinal nucleolytic activity. In this research, guanidine-containing polymers were developed to protect dsRNA against nucleolytic degradation, specifically in high pH environments. First, their ability to protect dsRNA against nucleolytic degradation in gut juice of the beet armyworm S. exigua was investigated ex vivo. Polymers with high guanidine content provided a strong protection against nucleolytic degradation at pH 11, protecting the dsRNA for up to 30 h. Next, cellular uptake of the dsRNA and the polyplexes in lepidopteran CF203 midgut cells was investigated by confocal microscopy, showing that the polymer also enhanced cellular uptake of the dsRNA. Finally, in vivo feeding RNAi bioassays demonstrated that using these guanidine-containing polymer nanoparticles led to an increased RNAi efficiency in S. exigua. Targeting the essential gene chitin synthase B, we observed that the mortality increased to 53% in the polymer-protected dsRNA treatment compared to only 16% with the naked dsRNA and found that polymer-protected dsRNA completely halted the development of the caterpillars. These results show that using guanylated polymers as a formulation strategy can prevent degradation of dsRNA in the alkaline and strongly nucleolytic gut of lepidopteran insects. Furthermore, the polymer also enhances cellular uptake in lepidopteran midgut cells. This new delivery strategy could be of great use in further fundamental research in lepidopterans, using RNAi as a research tool, and could lead to future applications for RNAi-based pest control of lepidopteran insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Christiaens
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Crop Protection, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Myriam G. Tardajos
- Polymer Biochemistry and Biomaterials Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | | | - Mamoni Dash
- Polymer Biochemistry and Biomaterials Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Peter Dubruel
- Polymer Biochemistry and Biomaterials Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Crop Protection, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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9
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Wang J, Hu X, Wang D, Xie C, Lu W, Song J, Wang R, Gao C, Liu M. 2-Aminoimidazole facilitates efficient gene delivery in a low molecular weight poly(amidoamine) dendrimer. Org Biomol Chem 2018; 16:4464-4470. [DOI: 10.1039/c8ob00953h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
2-Aminoimidazole greatly improved the transfection efficiency of G2. It contributes to condensing DNA into small, monodisperse nanostructures, enhancing cellular penetration and endosome/lysosome escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- School of Pharmacy
- Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University)
- Ministry of Education
- Shanghai
| | - Xuefeng Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- School of Pharmacy
- Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University)
- Ministry of Education
- Shanghai
| | - Dongli Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- School of Pharmacy
- Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University)
- Ministry of Education
- Shanghai
| | - Cao Xie
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- School of Pharmacy
- Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University)
- Ministry of Education
- Shanghai
| | - Weiyue Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- School of Pharmacy
- Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University)
- Ministry of Education
- Shanghai
| | - Jie Song
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- School of Pharmacy
- Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University)
- Ministry of Education
- Shanghai
| | - Ruifeng Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- School of Pharmacy
- Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University)
- Ministry of Education
- Shanghai
| | - Chunli Gao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
- Eye and ENT Hospital
- Fudan University
- P.R. China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- School of Pharmacy
- Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University)
- Ministry of Education
- Shanghai
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10
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Influence of Defined Hydrophilic Blocks within Oligoaminoamide Copolymers: Compaction versus Shielding of pDNA Nanoparticles. Polymers (Basel) 2017; 9:polym9040142. [PMID: 30970822 PMCID: PMC6432433 DOI: 10.3390/polym9040142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cationic polymers are promising components of the versatile platform of non-viral nucleic acid (NA) delivery agents. For a successful gene delivery system, these NA vehicles need to comprise several functionalities. This work focuses on the modification of oligoaminoamide carriers with hydrophilic oligomer blocks mediating nanoparticle shielding potential, which is necessary to prevent aggregation or dissociation of NA polyplexes in vitro, and hinder opsonization with blood components in vivo. Herein, the shielding agent polyethylene glycol (PEG) in three defined lengths (12, 24, or 48 oxyethylene repeats) is compared with two peptidic shielding blocks composed of four or eight repeats of sequential proline-alanine-serine (PAS). With both types of shielding agents, we found opposing effects of the length of hydrophilic segments on shielding and compaction of formed plasmid DNA (pDNA) nanoparticles. Two-arm oligoaminoamides with 37 cationizable nitrogens linked to 12 oxyethylene units or four PAS repeats resulted in very compact 40⁻50 nm pDNA nanoparticles, whereas longer shielding molecules destabilize the investigated polyplexes. Thus, the balance between sufficiently shielded but still compact and stable particles can be considered a critical optimization parameter for non-viral nucleic acid vehicles based on hydrophilic-cationic block oligomers.
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11
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Brain-Targeted Polymers for Gene Delivery in the Treatment of Brain Diseases. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2017; 375:48. [PMID: 28397188 DOI: 10.1007/s41061-017-0138-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapies have become a promising strategy for treating neurological disorders, such as brain cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, with the help of molecular biology interpreting the underlying pathological mechanisms. Successful cellular manipulation against these diseases requires efficient delivery of nucleic acids into brain and further into specific neurons or cancer cells. Compared with viral vectors, non-viral polymeric carriers provide a safer and more flexible way of gene delivery, although suffering from significantly lower transfection efficiency. Researchers have been devoted to solving this defect, which is attributed to the multiple barriers existing for gene therapeutics in vivo, such as systemic degradation, blood-brain barrier, and endosome trapping. This review will be mainly focused on systemically administrated brain-targeted polymers developed so far, including PEI, dendrimers, and synthetic polymers with various functions. We will discuss in detail how they are designed to overcome these barriers and how they efficiently deliver therapeutic nucleic acids into targeted cells.
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12
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Yu J, Zhang J, Xing H, Sun Y, Yang Z, Yang T, Cai C, Zhao X, Yang L, Ding P. Novel guanidinylated bioresponsive poly(amidoamine)s designed for short hairpin RNA delivery. Int J Nanomedicine 2016; 11:6651-6666. [PMID: 27994462 PMCID: PMC5154728 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s115773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Two different disulfide (SS)-containing poly(amidoamine) (PAA) polymers were constructed using guanidino (Gua)-containing monomers (ie, arginine [Arg] and agmatine [Agm]) and N,N′-cystamine bisacrylamide (CBA) by Michael-addition polymerization. In order to characterize these two Gua-SS-PAA polymers and investigate their potentials as short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-delivery carriers, pSilencer 4.1-CMV FANCF shRNA was chosen as a model plasmid DNA to form complexes with these two polymers. The Gua-SS-PAAs and plasmid DNA complexes were determined with particle sizes less than 90 nm and positive ζ-potentials under 20 mV at nucleic acid:polymer weight ratios lower than 1:24. Bioresponsive release of plasmid DNA was observed from both newly constructed complexes. Significantly lower cytotoxicity was observed for both polymer complexes compared with polyethylenimine and Lipofectamine 2000, two widely used transfection reagents as reference carriers. Arg-CBA showed higher transfection efficiency and gene-silencing efficiency in MCF7 cells than Agm-CBA and the reference carriers. In addition, the cellular uptake of Arg-CBA in MCF7 cells was found to be higher and faster than Agm-CBA and the reference carriers. Similarly, plasmid DNA transport into the nucleus mediated by Arg-CBA was more than that by Agm-CBA and the reference carriers. The study suggested that guanidine and carboxyl introduced into Gua-SS-PAAs polymers resulted in a better nuclear localization effect, which played a key role in the observed enhancement of transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity. Overall, two newly synthesized Gua-SS-PAAs polymers demonstrated great potential to be used as shRNA carriers for gene-therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiankun Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jinmin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haonan Xing
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanping Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhen Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tianzhi Yang
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Husson University, Bangor, ME, USA
| | - Cuifang Cai
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Li Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Pingtian Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
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13
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Tan JKY, Sellers DL, Pham B, Pun SH, Horner PJ. Non-Viral Nucleic Acid Delivery Strategies to the Central Nervous System. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:108. [PMID: 27847462 PMCID: PMC5088201 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
With an increased prevalence and understanding of central nervous system (CNS) injuries and neurological disorders, nucleic acid therapies are gaining promise as a way to regenerate lost neurons or halt disease progression. While more viral vectors have been used clinically as tools for gene delivery, non-viral vectors are gaining interest due to lower safety concerns and the ability to deliver all types of nucleic acids. Nevertheless, there are still a number of barriers to nucleic acid delivery. In this focused review, we explore the in vivo challenges hindering non-viral nucleic acid delivery to the CNS and the strategies and vehicles used to overcome them. Advantages and disadvantages of different routes of administration including: systemic injection, cerebrospinal fluid injection, intraparenchymal injection and peripheral administration are discussed. Non-viral vehicles and treatment strategies that have overcome delivery barriers and demonstrated in vivo gene transfer to the CNS are presented. These approaches can be used as guidelines in developing synthetic gene delivery vectors for CNS applications and will ultimately bring non-viral vectors closer to clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- James-Kevin Y Tan
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Drew L Sellers
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Binhan Pham
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Suzie H Pun
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Philip J Horner
- Center for Neuroregenerative Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute Houston, TX, USA
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14
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Ye Z, Li Y, An Z, Wu P. Exploration of Doubly Thermal Phase Transition Process of PDEGA-b-PDMA-b-PVCL in Water. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2016; 32:6691-6700. [PMID: 27299984 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b01785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding of phase transition mechanism of thermoresponsive polymers is the basis for the rational design of smart materials with predictable properties. Linear ABC triblock terpolymer poly(di(ethylene glycol)ethyl ether acrylate)-b-poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)-b-poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PDEGA-b-PDMA-b-PVCL) was synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The doubly thermal phase transition of PDEGA-b-PDMA-b-PVCL in aqueous solution was investigated by a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), turbidimetry, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The terpolymer self-assembles into micelles with PDEGA being the core-forming block during the first lower critical solution temperature (LCST) transition corresponding to PDEGA, which is followed by a second LCST transition corresponding to PVCL, resulting in the formation of micellar aggregates. The PDMA middle segment plays an important role as an isolation zone to prevent cooperative dehydration of the PDEGA and PVCL segments, and therefore, two independent LCST transitions corresponding to PDEGA and PVCL were observed. Furthermore, FT-IR with perturbation correlation moving window (PCMW) and two-dimensional spectroscopy (2DCOS) was applied to elucidate the two-step phase transition mechanism of this terpolymer. It was observed that the CH, ester carbonyl, and ether groups of PDEGA change prior to the CH and amide carbonyl groups of PVCL, further supporting that the two phase transitions corresponding to PDEGA and PVCL indeed occur without mutual interferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangxin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Polymers and Polymer Composite Materials, Department of Macromolecular Science and Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Fudan University , Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Youcheng Li
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, College of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University , Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Zesheng An
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, College of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University , Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Peiyi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Polymers and Polymer Composite Materials, Department of Macromolecular Science and Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Fudan University , Shanghai 200433, China
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15
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Cheng Y, Wei H, Tan JKY, Peeler DJ, Maris DO, Sellers DL, Horner PJ, Pun SH. Nano-Sized Sunflower Polycations As Effective Gene Transfer Vehicles. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2016; 12:2750-8. [PMID: 27061622 PMCID: PMC5052141 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201502930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The architecture of polycations plays an important role in both gene transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity. In this work, a new polymer, sunflower poly(2-dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate) (pDMAEMA), is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and employed as nucleic acid carriers compared to linear pDMAEMA homopolymer and comb pDMAEMA. The sunflower pDMAEMAs show higher IC50 , greater buffering capacity, and stronger binding capacity toward plasmid DNA than their linear and comb counterparts. In vitro transfection studies demonstrate that sunflower pDMAEMAs exhibit high transfection efficiency as well as relatively low cytotoxicity in complete growth medium. In vivo gene delivery by intraventricular injection to the brain shows that sunflower polymer delivers plasmid DNA more effectively than comb polymer. This study provides a new insight into the relationship between polymeric architecture and gene delivery capability, and as well as a useful means to design potent vectors for successful gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States (USA)
| | - Hua Wei
- Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - James-Kevin Y. Tan
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States (USA)
| | - David J. Peeler
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States (USA)
| | - Don O. Maris
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195, (USA)
| | - Drew L. Sellers
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States (USA)
| | - Philip J. Horner
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195, (USA)
| | - Suzie H. Pun
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States (USA)
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16
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Tan JKY, Pham B, Zong Y, Perez C, Maris DO, Hemphill A, Miao CH, Matula TJ, Mourad PD, Wei H, Sellers DL, Horner PJ, Pun SH. Microbubbles and ultrasound increase intraventricular polyplex gene transfer to the brain. J Control Release 2016; 231:86-93. [PMID: 26860281 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neurons in the brain can be damaged or lost from neurodegenerative disease, stroke, or traumatic injury. Although neurogenesis occurs in mammalian adult brains, the levels of natural neurogenesis are insufficient to restore function in these cases. Gene therapy has been pursued as a promising strategy to induce differentiation of neural progenitor cells into functional neurons. Non-viral vectors are a preferred method of gene transfer due to potential safety and manufacturing benefits but suffer from lower delivery efficiencies compared to viral vectors. Since the neural stem and progenitor cells reside in the subventricular zone of the brain, intraventricular injection has been used as an administration route for gene transfer to these cells. However, the choroid plexus epithelium remains an obstacle to delivery. Recently, transient disruption of the blood-brain barrier by microbubble-enhanced ultrasound has been used to successfully improve drug delivery to the brain after intravenous injection. In this work, we demonstrate that microbubble-enhanced ultrasound can similarly improve gene transfer to the subventricular zone after intraventricular injection. Microbubbles of different surface charges (neutral, slightly cationic, and cationic) were prepared, characterized by acoustic flow cytometry, and evaluated for their ability to increase the permeability of immortalized choroid plexus epithelium monolayers in vitro. Based on these results, slightly cationic microbubbles were evaluated for microbubble and ultrasound-mediated enhancement of non-viral gene transfer in vivo. When coupled with our previously reported gene delivery vehicles, the slightly cationic microbubbles significantly increased ultrasound-mediated transfection of the murine brain when compared to commercially available Definity® microbubbles. Temporary disruption of the choroid plexus by microbubble-enhanced ultrasound is therefore a viable way of enhancing gene delivery to the brain and merits further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- James-Kevin Y Tan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Binhan Pham
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Yujin Zong
- Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Camilo Perez
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Don O Maris
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Ashton Hemphill
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Carol H Miao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Thomas J Matula
- Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Pierre D Mourad
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Hua Wei
- Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Drew L Sellers
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Philip J Horner
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
| | - Suzie H Pun
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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17
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Oba M, Kato T, Furukawa K, Tanaka M. A Cell-Penetrating Peptide with a Guanidinylethyl Amine Structure Directed to Gene Delivery. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19913. [PMID: 26814673 PMCID: PMC4728608 DOI: 10.1038/srep19913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A peptide composed of lysine with a guanidinylethyl (GEt) amine structure in the side chain [Lys(GEt)] was developed as a cell-penetrating peptide directed to plasmid DNA (pDNA) delivery. The GEt amine adopted a diprotonated form at neutral pH, which may have led to the more efficient cellular uptake of a Lys(GEt)-peptide than an arginine-peptide at a low concentration. Lys(GEt)-peptide/pDNA complexes showed the highest transfection efficiency due to efficient endosomal escape without any cytotoxicity. Lys(GEt)-peptide may be a promising candidate as a gene delivery carrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Oba
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Takuma Kato
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Kaori Furukawa
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Masakazu Tanaka
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
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