1
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Germer J, Lessl AL, Pöhmerer J, Grau M, Weidinger E, Höhn M, Yazdi M, Cappelluti MA, Lombardo A, Lächelt U, Wagner E. Lipo-Xenopeptide Polyplexes for CRISPR/Cas9 based Gene editing at ultra-low dose. J Control Release 2024; 370:239-255. [PMID: 38663751 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/30/2024]
Abstract
Double pH-responsive xenopeptide carriers containing succinoyl tetraethylene pentamine (Stp) and lipo amino fatty acids (LAFs) were evaluated for CRISPR/Cas9 based genome editing. Different carrier topologies, variation of LAF/Stp ratios and LAF types as Cas9 mRNA/sgRNA polyplexes were screened in three different reporter cell lines using three different genomic targets (Pcsk9, eGFP, mdx exon 23). One U-shaped and three bundle (B2)-shaped lipo-xenopeptides exhibiting remarkable efficiencies were identified. Genome editing potency of top carriers were observed at sub-nanomolar EC50 concentrations of 0.4 nM sgRNA and 0.1 nM sgRNA for the top U-shape and top B2 carriers, respectively, even after incubation in full (≥ 90%) serum. Polyplexes co-delivering Cas9 mRNA/sgRNA with a single stranded DNA template for homology directed gene editing resulted in up to 38% conversion of eGFP to BFP in reporter cells. Top carriers were formulated as polyplexes or lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for subsequent in vivo administration. Formulations displayed long-term physicochemical and functional stability upon storage at 4 °C. Importantly, intravenous administration of polyplexes or LNPs mediated in vivo editing of the dystrophin gene, triggering mRNA exon 23 splicing modulation in dystrophin-expressing cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle and brain tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janin Germer
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Anna-Lina Lessl
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Jana Pöhmerer
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Melina Grau
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Eric Weidinger
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Miriam Höhn
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Mina Yazdi
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Martino Alfredo Cappelluti
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Angelo Lombardo
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Ulrich Lächelt
- Center for Nanoscience (CeNS), LMU Munich, Munich 80799, Germany; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany; Center for Nanoscience (CeNS), LMU Munich, Munich 80799, Germany; CNATM - Cluster for Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Munich, Germany.
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2
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Berger S, Lächelt U, Wagner E. Dynamic carriers for therapeutic RNA delivery. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2307799120. [PMID: 38437544 PMCID: PMC10945752 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307799120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Berger
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, 81377Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, 80799Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Lächelt
- Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, 80799Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna1090, Austria
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, 81377Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, 80799Munich, Germany
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3
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Haase F, Pöhmerer J, Yazdi M, Grau M, Zeyn Y, Wilk U, Burghardt T, Höhn M, Hieber C, Bros M, Wagner E, Berger S. Lipoamino bundle LNPs for efficient mRNA transfection of dendritic cells and macrophages show high spleen selectivity. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 194:95-109. [PMID: 38065313 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/31/2023]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a powerful tool for nucleic acid-based therapies and vaccination, but efficient and specific delivery to target tissues remains a significant challenge. In this study, we demonstrate lipoamino xenopeptide carriers as components of highly efficient mRNA LNPs. These lipo-xenopeptides are defined as 2D sequences in different 3D topologies (bundles or different U-shapes). The polar artificial amino acid tetraethylene pentamino succinic acid (Stp) and various lipophilic tertiary lipoamino fatty acids (LAFs) act as ionizable amphiphilic units, connected in different ratios via bisamidated lysines as branching units. A series of more lipophilic LAF4-Stp1 carriers with bundle topology is especially well suited for efficient encapsulation of mRNA into LNPs, facilitated cellular uptake and strongly enhanced endosomal escape. These LNPs display improved, faster transfection kinetics compared to standard LNP formulations, with high potency in a variety of tumor cell lines (including N2a neuroblastoma, HepG2 and Huh7 hepatocellular, and HeLa cervical carcinoma cells), J774A.1 macrophages, and DC2.4 dendritic cells. High transfection levels were obtained even in the presence of serum at very low sub-microgram mRNA doses. Upon intravenous application of only 3 µg mRNA per mouse, in vivo mRNA expression is found with a high selectivity for dendritic cells and macrophages, resulting in a particularly high overall preferred expression in the spleen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Haase
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - Jana Pöhmerer
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - Mina Yazdi
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - Melina Grau
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - Yanira Zeyn
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Wilk
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - Tobias Burghardt
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - Miriam Höhn
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - Christoph Hieber
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Matthias Bros
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany; Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany; CNATM - Cluster for Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Munich, Germany.
| | - Simone Berger
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany; Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany; CNATM - Cluster for Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Munich, Germany.
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4
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Cristelo C, Nunes R, Pinto S, Marques JM, Gama FM, Sarmento B. Targeting β Cells with Cathelicidin Nanomedicines Improves Insulin Function and Pancreas Regeneration in Type 1 Diabetic Rats. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:1544-1560. [PMID: 37854630 PMCID: PMC10580391 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an incurable condition with an increasing incidence worldwide, in which the hallmark is the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic insulin-producing β cells. Cathelicidin-based peptides have been shown to improve β cell function and neogenesis and may thus be relevant while developing T1D therapeutics. In this work, a cathelicidin-derived peptide, LLKKK18, was loaded in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs), surface-functionalized with exenatide toward a GLP-1 receptor, aiming the β cell-targeted delivery of the peptide. The NPs present a mean size of around 100 nm and showed long-term stability, narrow size distribution, and negative ζ-potential (-10 mV). The LLKKK18 association efficiency and loading were 62 and 2.9%, respectively, presenting slow and sustained in vitro release under simulated physiologic fluids. Glucose-stimulated insulin release in the INS-1E cell line was observed in the presence of the peptide. In addition, NPs showed a strong association with β cells from isolated rat islets. After administration to diabetic rats, NPs induced a significant reduction of the hyperglycemic state, an improvement in the pancreatic insulin content, and glucose tolerance. Also remarkable, a considerable increase in the β cell mass in the pancreas was observed. Overall, this novel and versatile nanomedicine showed glucoregulatory ability and can pave the way for the development of a new generation of therapeutic approaches for T1D treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecília Cristelo
- i3S
− Instituto de Investigação e Inovação
em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Centro
de Engenharia Biológica, Universidade
do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICBAS
− Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4050-313, Portugal
| | - Rute Nunes
- i3S
− Instituto de Investigação e Inovação
em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- IUCS-CESPU, Instituto
Universitário de Ciências
da Saúde, Gandra 4585-116, Portugal
| | - Soraia Pinto
- i3S
− Instituto de Investigação e Inovação
em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- ICBAS
− Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4050-313, Portugal
| | - Joana Moreira Marques
- i3S
− Instituto de Investigação e Inovação
em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- Faculdade
de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4099-002, Portugal
| | - Francisco Miguel Gama
- Centro
de Engenharia Biológica, Universidade
do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
| | - Bruno Sarmento
- i3S
− Instituto de Investigação e Inovação
em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- IUCS-CESPU, Instituto
Universitário de Ciências
da Saúde, Gandra 4585-116, Portugal
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5
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Escalona-Rayo O, Zeng Y, Knol RA, Kock TJF, Aschmann D, Slütter B, Kros A. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of clinically-approved ionizable cationic lipids shows divergent results between mRNA transfection and vaccine efficacy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115065. [PMID: 37406506 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ionizable cationic lipids (ICLs) play an essential role in the effectiveness of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for delivery of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines; therefore, critical evaluations of their biological performance would extend the existing knowledge in the field. In the present study, we examined the effects of the three clinically-approved ICLs, Dlin-MC3-DMA, ALC-0315 and SM-102, as well as DODAP, on the in vitro and in vivo performance of LNPs for mRNA delivery and vaccine efficacy. mRNA-LNPs containing these lipids were successfully prepared, which were all found to be very similar in their physicochemical properties and mRNA encapsulation efficiencies. Furthermore, the results of the in vitro studies indicated that these mRNA-LNPs were efficiently taken up by immortalized and primary immune cells with comparable efficiency; however, SM-102-based LNPs were superior in inducing protein expression and antigen-specific T cell proliferation. In contrast, in vivo studies revealed that LNPs containing ALC-0315 and SM-102 yielded almost identical protein expression levels in zebrafish embryos, which were significantly higher than Dlin-MC3-DMA-based LNPs. Additionally, a mouse immunization study demonstrated that a single-dose subcutaneous administration of the mRNA-LNPs resulted in a high production of intracellular cytokines by antigen-specific T cells, but no significant differences among the three clinically-approved ICLs were observed, suggesting a weak correlation between in vitro and in vivo outcomes. This study provides strong evidence that ICLs modulate the performance of mRNA-LNPs and that in vitro data does not adequately predict their behavior in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Escalona-Rayo
- Department of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ye Zeng
- Department of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Renzo A Knol
- Department of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas J F Kock
- Department of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis Aschmann
- Department of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Bram Slütter
- Division of Biopharmaceutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Alexander Kros
- Department of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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6
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Padmaswari MH, Agrawal S, Jia MS, Ivy A, Maxenberger DA, Burcham LA, Nelson CE. Delivery challenges for CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:011307. [PMID: 36864908 PMCID: PMC9969352 DOI: 10.1063/5.0131452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Duchene muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked neuromuscular disorder that affects about one in every 5000 live male births. DMD is caused by mutations in the gene that codes for dystrophin, which is required for muscle membrane stabilization. The loss of functional dystrophin causes muscle degradation that leads to weakness, loss of ambulation, cardiac and respiratory complications, and eventually, premature death. Therapies to treat DMD have advanced in the past decade, with treatments in clinical trials and four exon-skipping drugs receiving conditional Food and Drug Administration approval. However, to date, no treatment has provided long-term correction. Gene editing has emerged as a promising approach to treating DMD. There is a wide range of tools, including meganucleases, zinc finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and, most notably, RNA-guided enzymes from the bacterial adaptive immune system clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR). Although challenges in using CRISPR for gene therapy in humans still abound, including safety and efficiency of delivery, the future for CRISPR gene editing for DMD is promising. This review will summarize the progress in CRISPR gene editing for DMD including key summaries of current approaches, delivery methodologies, and the challenges that gene editing still faces as well as prospective solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shilpi Agrawal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
| | - Mary S. Jia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
| | - Allie Ivy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
| | - Daniel A. Maxenberger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
| | - Landon A. Burcham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
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7
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Dupard SJ, Garcia AG, Bourgine PE. Customizable 3D printed perfusion bioreactor for the engineering of stem cell microenvironments. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 10:1081145. [PMID: 36698631 PMCID: PMC9870251 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1081145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Faithful modeling of tissues and organs requires the development of systems reflecting their dynamic 3D cellular architecture and organization. Current technologies suffer from a lack of design flexibility and complex prototyping, preventing their broad adoption by the scientific community. To make 3D cell culture more available and adaptable we here describe the use of the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology to rapid-prototype 3D printed perfusion bioreactors. Our 3D printed bioreactors are made of polylactic acid resulting in reusable systems customizable in size and shape. Following design confirmation, our bioreactors were biologically validated for the culture of human mesenchymal stromal cells under perfusion for up to 2 weeks on collagen scaffolds. Microenvironments of various size/volume (6-12 mm in diameter) could be engineered, by modulating the 3D printed bioreactor design. Metabolic assay and confocal microscopy confirmed the homogenous mesenchymal cell distribution throughout the material pores. The resulting human microenvironments were further exploited for the maintenance of human hematopoietic stem cells. Following 1 week of stromal coculture, we report the recapitulation of 3D interactions between the mesenchymal and hematopoietic fractions, associated with a phenotypic expansion of the blood stem cell populations.Our data confirm that perfusion bioreactors fit for cell culture can be generated using a 3D printing technology and exploited for the 3D modeling of complex stem cell systems. Our approach opens the gates for a more faithful investigation of cellular processes in relation to a dynamic 3D microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J. Dupard
- Cell, Tissue and Organ engineering laboratory, Biomedical Centre (BMC), Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Stem Cell Centre, Lund University, Lund, Sweden,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Alejandro Garcia Garcia
- Cell, Tissue and Organ engineering laboratory, Biomedical Centre (BMC), Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Stem Cell Centre, Lund University, Lund, Sweden,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Paul E. Bourgine
- Cell, Tissue and Organ engineering laboratory, Biomedical Centre (BMC), Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Stem Cell Centre, Lund University, Lund, Sweden,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden,*Correspondence: Paul E. Bourgine,
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8
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Directing the Way-Receptor and Chemical Targeting Strategies for Nucleic Acid Delivery. Pharm Res 2023; 40:47-76. [PMID: 36109461 PMCID: PMC9483255 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03385-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid therapeutics have shown great potential for the treatment of numerous diseases, such as genetic disorders, cancer and infections. Moreover, they have been successfully used as vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to unfold full therapeutical potential, these nano agents have to overcome several barriers. Therefore, directed transport to specific tissues and cell types remains a central challenge to receive carrier systems with enhanced efficiency and desired biodistribution profiles. Active targeting strategies include receptor-targeting, mediating cellular uptake based on ligand-receptor interactions, and chemical targeting, enabling cell-specific delivery as a consequence of chemically and structurally modified carriers. With a focus on synthetic delivery systems including polyplexes, lipid-based systems such as lipoplexes and lipid nanoparticles, and direct conjugates optimized for various types of nucleic acids (DNA, mRNA, siRNA, miRNA, oligonucleotides), we highlight recent achievements, exemplified by several nucleic acid drugs on the market, and discuss challenges for targeted delivery to different organs such as brain, eye, liver, lung, spleen and muscle in vivo.
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9
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Giulimondi F, Digiacomo L, Vulpis E, Loconte L, Ferri G, Cardarelli F, Pozzi D, Zingoni A, Caracciolo G. In vitro and ex vivo nano-enabled immunomodulation by the protein corona. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:10531-10539. [PMID: 35833584 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr01878k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
New technologies with the capacity to tune immune system activity are highly desired in clinical practice and disease management. Here we demonstrate that nanoparticles with a protein corona enriched with gelsolin (GSN), an abundant plasma protein that acts as a modulator of immune responses, are avidly captured by human monocytic THP-1 cells in vitro and by leukocyte subpopulations derived from healthy donors ex vivo. In human monocytes, GSN modulates the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in an inverse dose-dependent manner. Overall, our results suggest that artificial coronas can be exploited to finely tune the immune response, opening new approaches for the prevention and treatment of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Giulimondi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Luca Digiacomo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Vulpis
- Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Luisa Loconte
- Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Gianmarco Ferri
- Laboratorio NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Francesco Cardarelli
- Laboratorio NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Daniela Pozzi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Zingoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giulio Caracciolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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10
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Vetter VC, Wagner E. Targeting nucleic acid-based therapeutics to tumors: Challenges and strategies for polyplexes. J Control Release 2022; 346:110-135. [PMID: 35436520 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The current medical reality of cancer gene therapy is reflected by more than ten approved products on the global market, including oncolytic and other viral vectors and CAR T-cells as ex vivo gene-modified cell therapeutics. The development of synthetic antitumoral nucleic acid therapeutics has been proceeding at a lower but steady pace, fueled by a plethora of alternative nucleic acid platforms (from various antisense oligonucleotides, siRNA, microRNA, lncRNA, sgRNA, to larger mRNA and DNA) and several classes of physical and chemical delivery technologies. This review summarizes the challenges and strategies for tumor-targeted nucleic acid delivery. Focusing primarily on polyplexes (polycation complexes) as nanocarriers, delivery options across multiple barriers into tumor cells are illustrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria C Vetter
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 81377, Germany; Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 81377, Germany.
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