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Mapfumo PP, Solomun JI, Becker F, Moek E, Leiske MN, Rudolph LK, Brendel JC, Traeger A. Vitamin B3 Containing Polymers for Nanodelivery. Macromol Biosci 2024:e2400002. [PMID: 38484731 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202400002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) with an integrated dual delivery system enable the controlled release of bioactive molecules and drugs, providing therapeutic advantages. Key design targets include high biocompatibility, cellular uptake, and encapsulating efficiency. In this study, a polymer library derived from niacin, also known as vitamin B3 is synthesized. The library comprises poly(2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl nicotinate) (PAEN), poly(2-acrylamidoethyl nicotinate) (PAAEN), and poly(N-(2-acrylamidoethyl)nicotinamide) (PAAENA), with varying hydrophilicity in the backbone and pendant group linker. All polymers are formulated, and those with increased hydrophobicity yield NPs with homogeneous spherical distribution and diameters below 150 nm, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Encapsulation studies utilizing a model drug, neutral lipid orange (NLO), reveal the influence of polymer backbone on encapsulation efficiency. Specifically, efficiencies of 46% and 96% are observed with acrylate and acrylamide backbones, respectively. Biological investigations showed that P(AEN) and P(AAEN) NPs are non-toxic up to 300 µg mL-1, exhibit superior cellular uptake, and boost cell metabolic activity. The latter is attributed to the cellular release of niacin, a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a central coenzyme in metabolism. The results underline the potential of nutrient-derived polymers as pro-nutrient and drug-delivery materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prosper P Mapfumo
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Jana I Solomun
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Friedrich Becker
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Moek
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Meike N Leiske
- Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
- Bavarian Polymer Institute, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Lenhard K Rudolph
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Johannes C Brendel
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Bavarian Polymer Institute, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Anja Traeger
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
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Solomun JI, Martin L, Mapfumo P, Moek E, Amro E, Becker F, Tuempel S, Hoeppener S, Rudolph KL, Traeger A. pH-sensitive packaging of cationic particles by an anionic block copolymer shell. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:336. [PMID: 35842657 PMCID: PMC9287721 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01528-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cationic non-viral vectors show great potential to introduce genetic material into cells, due to their ability to transport large amounts of genetic material and their high synthetic versatility. However, designing materials that are effective without showing toxic effects or undergoing non-specific interactions when applied systemically remains a challenge. The introduction of shielding polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) can enhance biocompatibility and circulation time, however, often impairs transfection efficiency. Herein, a multicomponent polymer system is introduced, based on cationic and hydrophobic particles (P(nBMA46-co-MMA47-co-DMAEMA90), (PBMD)) with high delivery performance and a pH-responsive block copolymer (poly((N-acryloylmorpholine)-b-(2-(carboxy)ethyl acrylamide)) (P(NAM72-b-CEAm74), PNC)) as shielding system, with PNAM as alternative to PEG. The pH-sensitive polymer design promotes biocompatibility and excellent stability at extracellular conditions (pH 7.4) and also allows endosomal escape and thus high transfection efficiency under acidic conditions. PNC shielded particles are below 200 nm in diameter and showed stable pDNA complexation. Further, interaction with human erythrocytes at extracellular conditions (pH 7.4) was prevented, while acidic conditions (pH 6) enabled membrane leakage. The particles demonstrate transfection in adherent (HEK293T) as well as difficult-to-transfect suspension cells (K-562), with comparable or superior efficiency compared to commercial linear poly(ethylenimine) (LPEI). Besides, the toxicity of PNC-shielded particles was significantly minimized, in particular in K-562 cells and erythrocytes. In addition, a pilot in vivo experiment on bone marrow blood cells of mice that were injected with PNC-shielded particles, revealed slightly enhanced cell transfection in comparison to naked pDNA. This study demonstrates the applicability of cationic hydrophobic polymers for transfection of adherent and suspension cells in culture as well as in vivo by co-formulation with pH-responsive shielding polymers, without substantially compromising transfection performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana I Solomun
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Liam Martin
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Prosper Mapfumo
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Moek
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Elias Amro
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstraße 11, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Friedrich Becker
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstraße 11, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Tuempel
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstraße 11, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Stephanie Hoeppener
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - K Lenhard Rudolph
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstraße 11, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Anja Traeger
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany. .,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany.
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Solomun JI, Cinar G, Mapfumo P, Richter F, Moek E, Hausig F, Martin L, Hoeppener S, Nischang I, Traeger A. Solely aqueous formulation of hydrophobic cationic polymers for efficient gene delivery. Int J Pharm 2021; 593:120080. [PMID: 33246046 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.120080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cationic polymers are promising gene delivery vectors due to their ability to bind and protect genetic material. The introduction of hydrophobic moieties into cationic polymers can further improve the vector efficiency, but common formulations of hydrophobic polymers involve harsh conditions such as organic solvents, impairing intactness and loading efficiency of the genetic material. In this study, a mild, aqueous formulation method for the encapsulation of high amounts of genetic material is presented. A well-defined pH-responsive hydrophobic copolymer, i.e. poly((n-butylmethacrylate)-co-(methylmethacrylate)-co-(2-(dimethylamino) ethylmethacrylate)), (PBMD) was synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Exploiting the pH-dependent solubility behavior of the polymer, stable pDNA loaded nanoparticles were prepared and characterized using analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). This novel formulation approach showed high transfection efficiencies in HEK293T cells, while requiring 5- to 10-fold less pDNA compared to linear polyethylenimine (LPEI), in particular at short incubation times and in serum-containing media. Furthermore, the formulation was successfully adopted for siRNA and mRNA encapsulation and the commercially approved polymer Eudragit® E(PO/100). Overall, the aqueous formulation approach, accompanied by a tailor-made hydrophobic polymer and detailed physicochemical and application studies, led to improved gene delivery vectors with high potential for further applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana I Solomun
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Gizem Cinar
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Prosper Mapfumo
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Friederike Richter
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Moek
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Franziska Hausig
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Liam Martin
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Stephanie Hoeppener
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany; Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Ivo Nischang
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany; Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Anja Traeger
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany; Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany.
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Richter F, Martin L, Leer K, Moek E, Hausig F, Brendel JC, Traeger A. Tuning of endosomal escape and gene expression by functional groups, molecular weight and transfection medium: a structure-activity relationship study. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:5026-5041. [PMID: 32319993 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb00340a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The use of genetic material by non-viral transfer systems is still in its initial stages, but there are high expectations for the development of targeted therapies. However, nucleic acids cannot enter cells without help, they must be well protected to prevent degradation and overcome a variety of biological barriers, the endosomal barrier being one of the greatest cellular challenges. Herein, the structure-property-relationship was investigated in detail, using well-defined polymers. Polyacrylamides were synthesized via RAFT polymerization resulting in a polymer library of (i) different cationic groups as aminoethyl acrylamide (AEAm), dimethylaminoethyl acrylamide (DMAEAm), dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide (DMAPAm) and guanidinopropyl acrylamide (GPAm); (ii) different degree of polymerization; and investigated (iii) in different cell culture settings. The influence of molar mass and cationic moiety on complex formation with pDNA, cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency of the polymers were investigated. The systematic approach identified a pH-independent guanidinium-containing homopolymer (PGPAm89) as the polymer with the highest transfection efficiency and superior endosomal release under optimal conditions. Since PGPAm89 is not further protonated inside endosomes, common escape theories appear unsuitable. Therefore, the interaction with bis(monoacryloylglycerol)phosphate, a lipid specific for endosomal vesicles, was investigated. Our research suggests that the interactions between amines and lipids may be more relevant than anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Richter
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany.
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