Lipoic Acid Modified Low Molecular Weight Polyethylenimine Mediates Nontoxic and Highly Potent in Vitro Gene Transfection

Self-assembling Janus dendritic polymer for gene delivery with low cytotoxicity and high gene transfection efficiency

Polycations have high DNA condensing ability, low immunogenicity, and great adaptability, which make them promising for gene delivery.

Delivery of DNAzyme targeting aurora kinase A to inhibit the proliferation and migration of human prostate cancer

Herein, a polyethylenimine derivative N-acetyl-l-leucine-polyethylenimine (N-Ac-l-Leu-PEI) was employed as a carrier to achieve the delivery of DNAzyme targeting aurora kinase A using PC-3 cell as a model. Flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated that the derivative could realize the cellular uptake of nanoparticles in an energy-dependent and clathrin-mediated pathway and obtain a high DNAzyme concentration in the cytoplasm through further endosomal escape. After DNAzyme transfection, expression level of aurora kinase A would be downregulated at the protein level. Meanwhile, the inhibition of cell proliferation was observed through 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and cell colony formation assay, attributing to the activation of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Through flow cytometric analysis, an early apoptotic ratio of 25.93% and G2 phase of 22.58% has been detected after N-Ac-l-Leu-PEI-mediated DNAzyme transfection. Finally, wound healing and Transwell migration assay showed that DNAzyme transfection could efficiently inhibit the cell migration. These results demonstrated that N-Ac-l-Leu-PEI could successfully mediate the DNAzyme delivery and downregulate the expression level of aurora kinase A, triggering a significant inhibitory effect of excessive proliferation and migration of tumor cells.

Reduction-sensitive polymeric nanocarriers in cancer therapy: a comprehensive review

Redox potential is regarded as a significant signal to distinguish between the extra-cellular and intra-cellular environments, as well as between tumor and normal tissues. Taking advantage of this physiological differentiation, various reduction-sensitive polymeric nanocarriers (RSPNs) have been designed and explored to demonstrate excellent stability during blood circulation but rapidly degrade and effectively trigger drug release in tumor cells. Therefore, this smart RSPN delivery system has attracted much attention in recent years, as it represents one of the most promising drug delivery strategies in cancer therapy. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive overview of RSPNs with various reducible linkages and functional groups up to date, including their design and synthetic strategies, preparation methods, drug release behavior, and their in vitro and in vivo efficacy in cancer therapy. In addition, dual- and triple-sensitive nanocarriers based on reducible disulfide bond-containing linkages will also be discussed.

Ovarian cancer immunotherapy using PD-L1 siRNA targeted delivery from folic acid-functionalized polyethylenimine: strategies to enhance T cell killing

Adoptive T cell immunotherapy is a promising treatment strategy for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). However, programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), highly expressed on EOC cells, interacts with programmed death-1 (PD-1), expressed on T cells, causing immunosuppression. This study aims to block PD-1/PD-L1 interactions by delivering PD-L1 siRNA, using various folic acid (FA)-functionalized polyethylenimine (PEI) polymers, to SKOV-3-Luc EOC cells, and investigate the sensitization of the EOC cells to T cell killing. To enhance siRNA uptake into EOC cells, which over express folate receptors, PEI is modified with FA or PEG-FA so that siRNA is complexed into nanoparticles with folate molecules on the surface. PEI modification with a single functional group lowers the polymer cytotoxicity compared to unmodified PEI. FA-conjugated polymers increase siRNA uptake into SKOV-3-luc cells and decrease unspecific uptake into monocytes. All polymers result in 40% to 50% PD-L1 protein knockdown. Importantly, SKOV-3-Luc cells treated with either PEI-FA or PEI- polyethylene glycol (PEG)-FA/PD-L1 siRNA complexes are up to twofold more sensitive to T cell killing compared to scrambled siRNA treated controls. These findings are the first to demonstrate that PD-L1 knockdown in EOC cells, via siRNA/FA-targeted delivery, are able to sensitize cancer cells to T cell killing.

Reversibly cross-linked polyplexes enable cancer-targeted gene delivery via self-promoted DNA release and self-diminished toxicity

Polycations often suffer from the irreconcilable inconsistency between transfection efficiency and toxicity. Polymers with high molecular weight (MW) and cationic charge feature potent gene delivery capabilities, while in the meantime suffer from strong chemotoxicity, restricted intracellular DNA release, and low stability in vivo. To address these critical challenges, we herein developed pH-responsive, reversibly cross-linked, polyetheleneimine (PEI)-based polyplexes coated with hyaluronic acid (HA) for the effective and targeted gene delivery to cancer cells. Low-MW PEI was cross-linked with the ketal-containing linker, and the obtained high-MW analogue afforded potent gene delivery capabilities during transfection, while rapidly degraded into low-MW segments upon acid treatment in the endosomes, which promoted intracellular DNA release and reduced material toxicity. HA coating of the polyplexes shielded the surface positive charges to enhance their stability under physiological condition and simultaneously reduced the toxicity. Additionally, HA coating allowed active targeting to cancer cells to potentiate the transfection efficiencies in cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. This study therefore provides an effective approach to overcome the efficiency-toxicity inconsistence of nonviral vectors, which contributes insights into the design strategy of effective and safe vectors for cancer gene therapy.

Fluorescent dye incorporation causes weakened gene association and intracellular aggregate formation in nonviral carriers

BACKGROUND

The successful application of nonviral gene transfer technologies requires both improved understanding and control with respect to intracellular trafficking and release. However, the intracellular space is highly complex and hence well-defined, stable structures are necessary to probe the stages of the delivery pathway. Fluorescent labeling is a regularly used approach to monitor nonviral delivery and release, yet few studies investigate the effects of label incorporation on the structure and activity of gene-containing vehicles.

METHODS

In the present study, the impacts of label incorporation on the assembly and gene transfer capacity of DNA polyplexes were determined through the utilization of a model DNA-polyethylenimine (PEI) delivery system. PEI was fluorescently labeled with the Oregon Green® dye prior to polyplex formation and delivery to CHO-K1 cells.

RESULTS

The present study provides evidence showing that routine labeling strategies for polyplexes weakened DNA binding affinity, produced large quantities of extracellular structures and significantly increased intracellular polyplex aggregation. Additionally, cellular internalization studies showed that increased labeling fractions led to reductions in polyplex uptake as a result of weakened complexation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results not only provide insight into the assembly of these structures, but also help to identify labeling strategies sufficient to preserve activity at the same time as enabling detailed studies of trafficking and disassembly.

Micelle-like nanoparticles as carriers for DNA and siRNA

Gene therapy represents a potential efficient approach of disease prevention and therapy. However, due to their poor in vivo stability, gene molecules need to be associated with delivery systems to overcome extracellular and intracellular barriers and allow access to the site of action. Cationic polymeric nanoparticles are popular carriers for small interfering RNA (siRNA) and DNA-based therapeutics for which efficient and safe delivery are important factors that need to be optimized. Micelle-like nanoparticles (MNP) (half micelles, half polymeric nanoparticles) can overcome some of the disadvantages of such cationic carriers by unifying in one single carrier the best of both delivery systems. In this review, we will discuss how the unique properties of MNP including self-assembly, condensation and protection of nucleic acids, improved cell association and gene transfection, and low toxicity may contribute to the successful application of siRNA- and DNA-based therapeutics into the clinic. Recent developments of MNP involving the addition of stimulus-sensitive functions to respond specifically to pathological or externally applied "triggers" (e.g., temperature, pH or enzymatic catalysis, light, or magnetic fields) will be discussed. Finally, we will overview the use of MNP as two-in-one carriers for the simultaneous delivery of different agents (small molecules, imaging agents) and nucleic acid combinations.

Co-liposomes of redox-active alkyl-ferrocene modified low MW branched PEI and DOPE for efficacious gene delivery in serum

Ferrocenylated lipopolymers based on low molecular weight, branched polyethylenimine (BPEI 800 Da) for redox controlled gene delivery.

Disulfide cross-linked cholic-acid modified PEG–poly(amino acid) block copolymer micelles for controlled drug delivery of doxorubicin

Reduction responsive biodegradable core-cross-linked micelles are developed form lipoic acid and cholic acid decorated poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(l-glutamic acid) block copolymers and investigated for intracellular doxorubicin release.

Bioapplications of hyperbranched polymers

The recent research progress in biological and biomedical applications of hyperbranched polymers has been summarized in this review.

Construction of nanoparticles based on amphiphilic PEI–PA polymers for bortezomib and paclitaxel co-delivery

Polymer nanoparticles based on branched polyethyleneimine and palmitic acid conjugates were fabricated for bortezomib and paclitaxel co-delivery.

Fluorination on polyethylenimine allows efficient 2D and 3D cell culture gene delivery

Polyethylenimine (PEI) is one of the most promising polymeric gene vectors, however its applications are limited by serious cytotoxicity and moderate transfection efficacy. Fluorination is an efficient strategy to improve the transfection efficacy of cationic polymers while reducing their cytotoxicity. Here we grafted different fluoroalkyl chains to PEI via oxirane and anhydride reactions. The fluorinated PEIs show superior transfection efficacy on both 2D and 3D cell cultures to unmodified PEI. These fluorinated polymers allow efficient gene transfection at relatively low nitrogen to phosphorus ratios and thereby ensure low cytotoxicity on the transfected cells. Fluorinated PEIs prepared via the oxirane reaction are much more stable in aqueous solutions than the ones prepared by the anhydride reaction and show reproducible gene transfection during a period of 6 months. This study extends the applicable scope of fluorination on improving the transfection efficacy of polymers and generates a list of gene vectors for efficient 2D and 3D cell culture gene transfection.

Intracellular microenvironment-responsive label-free autofluorescent nanogels for traceable gene delivery

Gene therapy presents a unique opportunity for the treatment of genetic diseases, but the lack of multifunctional delivery systems has hindered its clinical applications. Here, a new delivery vector, autofluorescent polyethyleneimine (PEI) nanogels, for highly efficient and traceable gene delivery is developed. Different from commercial high-molecular-weight PEI, the cationic nanogels are noncytotoxic and able to be fragmented due to their unique intracellular microenvironment-responsive structures. The biodegradable nanogels can effectively load plasmid DNA (pDNA), and the self-assembled polyplexes can be cleaved after cellular uptake to improve gene transfection efficiency. Most importantly, the nanogels and the nanogel/pDNA polyplexes are autofluorescent. The fluorescence is stable in blood plasma and responsive to the intracellular microenvironment. The breakup of the nanogels or polyplexes leads to the loss of fluorescence, and thus the gene delivery and carrier biodegradation processes can be monitored. The reported multifunctional system demonstrates excellent biocompatibility, high transfection efficiency, responsive biodegradability, controlled gene release, label-free and simultaneous fluorescence tracking, which will provide a new platform for future scientific investigation and practical implications in gene therapy.

cRGD-directed, NIR-responsive and robust AuNR/PEG-PCL hybrid nanoparticles for targeted chemotherapy of glioblastoma in vivo

cRGD-directed, NIR-responsive and robust AuNR/PEG-PCL hybrid nanoparticles (cRGD-HNs) were designed and developed for targeted chemotherapy of human glioma xenografts in mice. As expected, cRGD-HNs had excellent colloidal stability. The in vitro release studies showed that drug release from DOX-loaded cRGD-HNs (cRGD-HN-DOX) was minimal under physiological conditions but markedly accelerated upon NIR irradiation at a low power density of 0.2 W/cm2, due to photothermally induced phase transition of PCL regime. MTT assays showed that the antitumor activity of cRGD-HN-DOX in αvβ3 integrin over-expressed human glioblastoma U87MG cells was greatly boosted by mild NIR irradiation, which was significantly more potent than non-targeting HN-DOX counterpart under otherwise the same conditions and was comparable or superior to free DOX, supporting receptor-mediated endocytosis mechanism. The in vivo pharmacokinetics studies showed that cRGD-HN-DOX had much longer circulation time than free DOX. The in vivo imaging and biodistribution studies revealed that cRGD-HN-DOX could actively target human U87MG glioma xenograft in nude mice. The therapeutic studies in human U87MG glioma xenografts exhibited that cRGD-HN-DOX in combination with NIR irradiation completely inhibited tumor growth and possessed much lower side effects than free DOX. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that all mice treated with cRGD-HN-DOX plus NIR irradiation survived over an experimental period of 48 days while control groups treated with PBS, cRGD-HN-DOX, cRGD-HNs with NIR irradiation, free DOX, or HN-DOX with NIR irradiation (non-targeting control) had short life spans of 15-40 days. Ligand-directed AuNR/PEG-PCL hybrid nanoparticles with evident tumor-targetability as well as superior spatiotemporal and rate control over drug release have emerged as an appealing platform for cancer chemotherapy in vivo.

Label-free dendrimer-like silica nanohybrids for traceable and controlled gene delivery

To create advanced functional nanocarriers for achieving excellent gene delivery performance, fluorescence label-free hybridized dendrimer-like silica nanocarriers (HPSNs-AC-PEI) were developed by using the endosomal pH and cytoplasmic glutathione (GSH) responsive autofluorescent acetaldehyde-modified-cystine (AC) to link non-toxic low molecular weight branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) onto amino-functionalized dendrimer-like silica nanoparticles with hierarchical pores (HPSNs-NH2). The specific microstructure of this hybridized nanocarrier makes it not only show low cytotoxicity and high gene loading capability, but also display high gene transfection efficiency. The cleavage of disulfide bonds caused by GSH facilitates plasmid DNA (pDNA) release. Moreover, the pH and GSH controlled gene delivery profile can be real-time tracked using the autofluorescence of HPSNs-AC-PEI.

From rationally designed polymeric and peptidic systems to sophisticated gene delivery nano-vectors

Lack of safe, efficient and controllable methods for delivering therapeutic genes appears to be the most important factor preventing human gene therapy. Safety issues encountered with viral vectors have prompted substantial attention to in vivo investigations with non-viral vectors throughout the past decade. However, developing non-viral vectors with effectiveness comparable to viral ones has been a challenge. The strategy of designing multifunctional synthetic carriers targeting several extracellular and intracellular barriers in the gene transfer pathway has emerged as a promising approach to improving the efficacy of gene delivery systems. This review will explain how sophisticated synthetic vectors can be created by combining conventional polycationic vectors such as polyethylenimine and basic amino acid peptides with additional polymers and peptides that are designed to overcome potential barriers to the gene delivery process.

Self-assembled magnetic theranostic nanoparticles for highly sensitive MRI of minicircle DNA delivery

As a versatile gene vector, minicircle DNA (mcDNA) has a great potential for gene therapy. However, some serious challenges remain, such as to effectively deliver mcDNA into targeted cells/tissues and to non-invasively monitor the delivery of the mcDNA. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles have been extensively used for both drug/gene delivery and diagnosis. In this study, an MRI visible gene delivery system was developed with a core of SPIO nanocrystals and a shell of biodegradable stearic acid-modified low molecular weight polyethyleneimine (Stearic-LWPEI) via self-assembly. The Stearic-LWPEI-SPIO nanoparticles possess a controlled clustering structure, narrow size distribution and ultrasensitive imaging capacity. Furthermore, the nanoparticle can effectively bind with mcDNA and protect it from enzymatic degradation. In conclusion, the nanoparticle shows synergistic advantages in the effective transfection of mcDNA and non-invasive MRI of gene delivery.

Cationic polymers and their therapeutic potential

The last decade has witnessed enormous research focused on cationic polymers. Cationic polymers are the subject of intense research as non-viral gene delivery systems, due to their flexible properties, facile synthesis, robustness and proven gene delivery efficiency. Here, we review the most recent scientific advances in cationic polymers and their derivatives not only for gene delivery purposes but also for various alternative therapeutic applications. An overview of the synthesis and preparation of cationic polymers is provided along with their inherent bioactive and intrinsic therapeutic potential. In addition, cationic polymer based biomedical materials are covered. Major progress in the fields of drug and gene delivery as well as tissue engineering applications is summarized in the present review.

Poly(ethylene oxide) grafted with short polyethylenimine gives DNA polyplexes with superior colloidal stability, low cytotoxicity, and potent in vitro gene transfection under serum conditions

Poly(ethylene oxide) grafted with 1.8 kDa branched polyethylenimine (PEO-g-PEI) copolymers with varying compositions, that is, PEO(13k)-g-10PEI, PEO(24k)-g-10PEI, and PEO(13k)-g-22PEI, were prepared and investigated for in vitro nonviral gene transfer. Gel electrophoresis assays showed that PEO(13k)-g-10PEI, PEO(24k)-g-10PEI, and PEO(13k)-g-22PEI could completely inhibit DNA migration at an N/P ratio of 4/1, 4/1, and 3/1, respectively. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements revealed that all three graft copolymers were able to effectively condense DNA into small-sized (80-245 nm) particles with moderate positive surface charges (+7.2 ∼ +24.1 mV) at N/P ratios ranging from 5/1 to 40/1. The polyplex sizes and zeta-potentials intimately depended on PEO molecular weights and PEI graft densities. Notably, unlike 25 kDa PEI control, PEO-g-PEI polyplexes were stable against aggregation under physiological salt as well as 20% serum conditions due to the shielding effect of PEO. MTT assays in 293T cells demonstrated that PEO-g-PEI polyplexes had decreased cytotoxicity with increasing PEO molecular weights and decreasing PEI graft densities, wherein low cytotoxicities (cell viability >80%) were observed for polyplexes of PEO(13k)-g-22PEI, PEO(13k)-g-10PEI, and PEO(24k)-g-10PEI up to an N/P ratio of 20/1, 30/1, and 40/1, respectively. Interestingly, in vitro transfection results showed that PEO(13k)-g-10PEI polyplexes have the best transfection activity. For example, PEO(13k)-g-10PEI polyplexes formed at an N/P ratio of 20/1, which were essentially nontoxic (100% cell viability), displayed over 3- and 4-fold higher transfection efficiencies in 293T cells than 25 kDa PEI standard under serum-free and 10% serum conditions, respectively. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) studies using Cy5-labeled DNA confirmed that these PEO-g-PEI copolymers could efficiently deliver DNA into the perinuclei region as well as into nuclei of 293T cells at an N/P ratio of 20/1 following 4 h transfection under 10% serum conditions. PEO-g-PEI polyplexes with superior colloidal stability, low cytotoxicity, and efficient transfection under serum conditions are highly promising for safe and efficient in vitro as well as in vivo gene transfection applications.