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Carrasco MJ, Alishetty S, Alameh MG, Said H, Wright L, Paige M, Soliman O, Weissman D, Cleveland TE, Grishaev A, Buschmann MD. Ionization and structural properties of mRNA lipid nanoparticles influence expression in intramuscular and intravascular administration. Commun Biol 2021; 4:956. [PMID: 34381159 PMCID: PMC8358000 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02441-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs) are used to deliver siRNA and COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. The main factor known to determine their delivery efficiency is the pKa of the LNP containing an ionizable lipid. Herein, we report a method that can predict the LNP pKa from the structure of the ionizable lipid. We used theoretical, NMR, fluorescent-dye binding, and electrophoretic mobility methods to comprehensively measure protonation of both the ionizable lipid and the formulated LNP. The pKa of the ionizable lipid was 2-3 units higher than the pKa of the LNP primarily due to proton solvation energy differences between the LNP and aqueous medium. We exploited these results to explain a wide range of delivery efficiencies in vitro and in vivo for intramuscular (IM) and intravascular (IV) administration of different ionizable lipids at escalating ionizable lipid-to-mRNA ratios in the LNP. In addition, we determined that more negatively charged LNPs exhibit higher off-target systemic expression of mRNA in the liver following IM administration. This undesirable systemic off-target expression of mRNA-LNP vaccines could be minimized through appropriate design of the ionizable lipid and LNP. Carrasco et al. report a method that can predict the lipid nanoparticles (LNP) pKa from the structure of the ionizable lipid. They investigate the delivery efficiency for intramuscular and intravascular administration and propose design principles to limit off-target systemic distribution and expression for mRNA LNP vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel J Carrasco
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Suman Alishetty
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | | | - Hooda Said
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Lacey Wright
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Mikell Paige
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Ousamah Soliman
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Drew Weissman
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Thomas E Cleveland
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research National Institute of Standards and Technology, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Alexander Grishaev
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research National Institute of Standards and Technology, Rockville, MD, USA
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52
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Kulkarni JA, Chen S, Tam YYC. Scalable Production of Lipid Nanoparticles Containing Amphotericin B. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:7312-7319. [PMID: 34101472 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Lipid-based formulations have been developed to improve stability profiles, tolerability, and toxicity profiles of small molecule drugs. However, manufacture of such formulations involving lipophilic compounds can be labor-intensive and difficult to scale because of solubility and solvent compatibility issues. We have developed a rapid and scalable approach using rapid-mixing techniques to generate homogeneous lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations of siRNA, triglycerides, and hydrophilic weak-base drugs. Here, we used this approach to entrap a hydrophobic small molecule, Amphotericin B (AmpB), a hydrophobic drug not soluble in ethanol. The three prototypes presented in this study were derived from LNP-siRNA systems, triglyceride nanoparticles, and liposomal systems. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) revealed that all three LNP-AmpB formulations retain structural characteristics of the parent (AmpB-free) LNPs, with particles remaining stable for at least 1 month. All formulations showed similar in vitro toxicity profiles in comparison to AmBisome. Importantly, the formulations have a 2.5-fold improved IC50 for fungal growth inhibition as compared to AmBisome in in vitro efficacy studies. These results demonstrate that the rapid-mixing technology combined with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for drugs insoluble in other organic solvents can be a powerful manufacturing method for the generation of stable LNP drug formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayesh A Kulkarni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
- NanoVation Therapeutics, 2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Sam Chen
- Integrated Nanotherapeutics Inc., 205-4475 Wayburne Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 4X4, Canada
| | - Yuen Yi C Tam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Integrated Nanotherapeutics Inc., 205-4475 Wayburne Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 4X4, Canada
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53
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Tam A, Leclair P, Li LV, Yang CX, Li X, Witzigmann D, Kulkarni JA, Hackett TL, Dorscheid DR, Singhera GK, Hogg JC, Cullis PR, Sin DD, Lim CJ. FAM13A as potential therapeutic target in modulating TGF-β-induced airway tissue remodeling in COPD. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2021; 321:L377-L391. [PMID: 34105356 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00477.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have shown that a gene variant in the Family with sequence similarity 13, member A (FAM13A) is strongly associated with reduced lung function and the appearance of respiratory symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A key player in smoking-induced tissue injury and airway remodeling is the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). To determine the role of FAM13A in TGF-β1 signaling, FAM13A-/- airway epithelial cells were generated using CRISPR-Cas9, whereas overexpression of FAM13A was achieved using lipid nanoparticles. Wild-type (WT) and FAM13A-/- cells were treated with TGF-β1, followed by gene and/or protein expression analyses. FAM13A-/- cells augmented TGF-β1-induced increase in collagen type 1 (COL1A1), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), expression compared with WT cells. This effect was mediated by an increase in β-catenin (CTNNB1) expression in FAM13A-/- cells compared with WT cells after TGF-β1 treatment. FAM13A overexpression was partially protective from TGF-β1-induced COL1A1 expression. Finally, we showed that airway epithelial-specific FAM13A protein expression is significantly increased in patients with severe COPD compared with control nonsmokers, and negatively correlated with lung function. In contrast, β-catenin (CTNNB1), which has previously been linked to be regulated by FAM13A, is decreased in the airway epithelium of smokers with COPD compared with non-COPD subjects. Together, our data showed that FAM13A may be protective from TGF-β1-induced fibrotic response in the airway epithelium via sequestering CTNNB1 from its regulation on downstream targets. Therapeutic increase in FAM13A expression in the airway epithelium of smokers at risk for COPD, and those with mild COPD, may reduce the extent of airway tissue remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Tam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Center for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Pascal Leclair
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ling Vicky Li
- Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Chen X Yang
- Center for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Xuan Li
- Center for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Dominik Witzigmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,NanoMedicines Innovation Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jayesh A Kulkarni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,NanoMedicines Innovation Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tillie-Louise Hackett
- Center for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Delbert R Dorscheid
- Center for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Gurpreet K Singhera
- Center for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - James C Hogg
- Center for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Pieter R Cullis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,NanoMedicines Innovation Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Don D Sin
- Center for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Chinten James Lim
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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54
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Kulkarni JA, Witzigmann D, Thomson SB, Chen S, Leavitt BR, Cullis PR, van der Meel R. The current landscape of nucleic acid therapeutics. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 16:630-643. [PMID: 34059811 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-021-00898-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 538] [Impact Index Per Article: 179.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The increasing number of approved nucleic acid therapeutics demonstrates the potential to treat diseases by targeting their genetic blueprints in vivo. Conventional treatments generally induce therapeutic effects that are transient because they target proteins rather than underlying causes. In contrast, nucleic acid therapeutics can achieve long-lasting or even curative effects via gene inhibition, addition, replacement or editing. Their clinical translation, however, depends on delivery technologies that improve stability, facilitate internalization and increase target affinity. Here, we review four platform technologies that have enabled the clinical translation of nucleic acid therapeutics: antisense oligonucleotides, ligand-modified small interfering RNA conjugates, lipid nanoparticles and adeno-associated virus vectors. For each platform, we discuss the current state-of-the-art clinical approaches, explain the rationale behind its development, highlight technological aspects that facilitated clinical translation and provide an example of a clinically relevant genetic drug. In addition, we discuss how these technologies enable the development of cutting-edge genetic drugs, such as tissue-specific nucleic acid bioconjugates, messenger RNA and gene-editing therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayesh A Kulkarni
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- NanoMedicines Innovation Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- NanoVation Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Dominik Witzigmann
- NanoMedicines Innovation Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- NanoVation Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah B Thomson
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sam Chen
- Integrated Nanotherapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Pieter R Cullis
- NanoMedicines Innovation Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Roy van der Meel
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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55
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Chander N, Morstein J, Bolten JS, Shemet A, Cullis PR, Trauner D, Witzigmann D. Optimized Photoactivatable Lipid Nanoparticles Enable Red Light Triggered Drug Release. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2008198. [PMID: 33880882 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202008198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Encapsulation of small molecule drugs in long-circulating lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) can reduce toxic side effects and enhance accumulation at tumor sites. A fundamental problem, however, is the slow release of encapsulated drugs from these liposomal systems at the disease site resulting in limited therapeutic benefit. Methods to trigger release at specific sites are highly warranted. Here, it is demonstrated that incorporation of ultraviolet (UV-A) or red-light photoswitchable-phosphatidylcholine analogs (AzoPC and redAzoPC) in conventional LNPs generates photoactivatable LNPs (paLNPs) having comparable structural integrity, drug loading capacity, and size distribution to the parent DSPC-cholesterol liposomes. It is shown that 65-70% drug release (doxorubicin) can be induced from these systems by irradiation with pulsed light based on trans-to-cis azobenzene isomerization. In vitro it is confirmed that paLNPs are non-toxic in the dark but convey cytotoxicity upon irradiation in a human cancer cell line. In vivo studies in zebrafish embryos demonstrate prolonged blood circulation and extravasation of paLNPs comparable to clinically approved formulations, with enhanced drug release following irradiation with pulsed light. Conclusively, paLNPs closely mimic the properties of clinically approved LNPs with the added benefit of light-induced drug release making them promising candidates for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Chander
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Johannes Morstein
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, Room 712, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Jan S Bolten
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, Basel, 4056, Switzerland
| | - Andrej Shemet
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, Room 712, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Pieter R Cullis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- NanoMedicines Innovation Network (NMIN), University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Room 5451, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Dirk Trauner
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, Room 712, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Dominik Witzigmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- NanoMedicines Innovation Network (NMIN), University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Room 5451, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
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56
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Hammond SM, Aartsma‐Rus A, Alves S, Borgos SE, Buijsen RAM, Collin RWJ, Covello G, Denti MA, Desviat LR, Echevarría L, Foged C, Gaina G, Garanto A, Goyenvalle AT, Guzowska M, Holodnuka I, Jones DR, Krause S, Lehto T, Montolio M, Van Roon‐Mom W, Arechavala‐Gomeza V. Delivery of oligonucleotide-based therapeutics: challenges and opportunities. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13243. [PMID: 33821570 PMCID: PMC8033518 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid-based therapeutics that regulate gene expression have been developed towards clinical use at a steady pace for several decades, but in recent years the field has been accelerating. To date, there are 11 marketed products based on antisense oligonucleotides, aptamers and small interfering RNAs, and many others are in the pipeline for both academia and industry. A major technology trigger for this development has been progress in oligonucleotide chemistry to improve the drug properties and reduce cost of goods, but the main hurdle for the application to a wider range of disorders is delivery to target tissues. The adoption of delivery technologies, such as conjugates or nanoparticles, has been a game changer for many therapeutic indications, but many others are still awaiting their eureka moment. Here, we cover the variety of methods developed to deliver nucleic acid-based therapeutics across biological barriers and the model systems used to test them. We discuss important safety considerations and regulatory requirements for synthetic oligonucleotide chemistries and the hurdles for translating laboratory breakthroughs to the clinic. Recent advances in the delivery of nucleic acid-based therapeutics and in the development of model systems, as well as safety considerations and regulatory requirements for synthetic oligonucleotide chemistries are discussed in this review on oligonucleotide-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sandra Alves
- Department of Human Genetics, Research and Development UnitNational Health Institute Doutor Ricardo JorgePortoPortugal
| | - Sven E Borgos
- Department of Biotechnology and NanomedicineSINTEF ASTrondheimNorway
| | - Ronald A M Buijsen
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Rob W J Collin
- Department of Human Genetics and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Giuseppina Covello
- Department of BiologyUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology ‐ CIBIOUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Michela A Denti
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology ‐ CIBIOUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Lourdes R Desviat
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa UAM‐CSICCIBERER, IdiPazUniversidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
| | | | - Camilla Foged
- Department of PharmacyFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagen ØDenmark
| | - Gisela Gaina
- Victor Babes National Institute of PathologyBucharestRomania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of BucharestBucharestRomania
| | - Alejandro Garanto
- Department of Human Genetics and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Department of PediatricsRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | | | - Magdalena Guzowska
- Department of Physiological SciencesFaculty of Veterinary MedicineWarsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGWWarsawPoland
| | - Irina Holodnuka
- Institute of Microbiology and VirologyRiga Stradins UniversityRigaLatvia
| | | | - Sabine Krause
- Department of NeurologyFriedrich‐Baur‐InstituteLudwig‐Maximilians‐University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Taavi Lehto
- Institute of TechnologyUniversity of TartuTartuEstonia
- Division of Biomolecular and Cellular MedicineDepartment of Laboratory MedicineKarolinska InstitutetHuddingeSweden
| | - Marisol Montolio
- Duchenne Parent Project EspañaMadridSpain
- Department of Cell Biology, Fisiology and ImmunologyFaculty of BiologyUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Willeke Van Roon‐Mom
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Virginia Arechavala‐Gomeza
- Neuromuscular Disorders GroupBiocruces Bizkaia Health Research InstituteBarakaldoSpain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for ScienceBilbaoSpain
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57
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Verbeke R, Lentacker I, De Smedt SC, Dewitte H. The dawn of mRNA vaccines: The COVID-19 case. J Control Release 2021; 333:511-520. [PMID: 33798667 PMCID: PMC8008785 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In less than one year since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, two mRNA-based vaccines, BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, were granted the first historic authorization for emergency use, while another mRNA vaccine, CVnCoV, progressed to phase 3 clinical testing. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines represent a new class of vaccine products, which consist of synthetic mRNA strands encoding the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein, packaged in lipid nanoparticles to deliver mRNA to cells. This review digs deeper into the scientific breakthroughs of the last decades that laid the foundations for the rapid rise of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. As well as providing momentum for mRNA vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 represents an ideal case study allowing to compare design-activity differences between the different mRNA vaccine candidates. Therefore, a detailed overview of the composition and (pre)clinical performance of the three most advanced mRNA vaccines is provided and the influence of choices in their structural design on to their immunogenicity and reactogenicity profile is discussed in depth. In addition to the new fundamental insights in the mRNA vaccines' mode of action highlighted here, we also point out which unknowns remain that require further investigation and possibly, optimization in future mRNA vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rein Verbeke
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ine Lentacker
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Heleen Dewitte
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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58
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Chen KTJ, Militao GGC, Anantha M, Witzigmann D, Leung AWY, Bally MB. Development and characterization of a novel flavopiridol formulation for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. J Control Release 2021; 333:246-257. [PMID: 33798663 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
For more than 30 years, treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has remained largely unchanged and reliant on chemotherapeutic drug combinations, specifically cytarabine and daunorubicin (the 7 + 3 regimen). One broad spectrum drug, flavopiridol (also known as Alvocidib) has shown significant activity against AML through the inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases. Flavopiridol is a semisynthetic flavonoid and our research team recently described methods to formulate another flavonoid, quercetin, through the ability of flavonoids to bind divalent metals. This method relies on use of copper-containing liposomes to enhance the apparent solubility of flavopiridol and to create formulations suitable for intravenous (i.v.) use. Similar to quercetin, flavopiridol is defined as an aqueous-insoluble compound (< 1 mg/mL in water) and this research sought to evaluate whether the copper-binding capabilities of flavopiridol could be used to prepare an injectable formulation that would exhibit enhanced exposure and improved efficacy. Flavopiridol powder was added directly to preformed copper-containing liposomes (DSPC:Chol or DSPC:DSPE-PEG2000) and the resulting formulations were characterized. Pharmacokinetic and efficacy studies were then conducted. The liposomal flavopiridol formulations were well-tolerated in mice following i.v. administration at a dose of 5 mg/kg with no apparent acute or chronic toxicities. In vivo pharmacokinetics of the optimized DSPC/DSPE-PEG2000 liposomal flavopiridol formulation demonstrated a 30-fold increase in AUC (0.804 μg-hr/mL versus 26.92 μg-hr/mL) compared to the free flavopiridol formulation. The resultant liposomal formulation also demonstrated significant therapeutic activity in MV4-11 and MOLM-13 subcutaneous AML models. Additional studies will be required to define whether formulation changes can be made to enhance flavopiridol retention in the selected composition. The results suggest that further increases in flavopiridol retention will result in improved therapeutic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kent T J Chen
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada.
| | - Gardenia G C Militao
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; Federal University of Pernambuco, PE CEP:50.670-901, Brazil
| | - Malathi Anantha
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Dominik Witzigmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada; NanoMedicines Innovation Network (NMIN), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Ada W Y Leung
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; Cuprous Pharmaceuticals, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Marcel B Bally
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada; Cuprous Pharmaceuticals, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; NanoMedicines Innovation Network (NMIN), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
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59
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Brader ML, Williams SJ, Banks JM, Hui WH, Zhou ZH, Jin L. Encapsulation state of messenger RNA inside lipid nanoparticles. Biophys J 2021; 120:2766-2770. [PMID: 33773963 PMCID: PMC8390897 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the structure of messenger RNA (mRNA) lipid nanoparticles, and specifically the microenvironment of the mRNA molecules within these entities, is fundamental to advancing their biomedical potential. Here, we show that a permeating cationic dye, thionine, can serve as a cryogenic electron microscopy contrasting agent by binding selectively to encapsulated mRNA without disturbing lipid nanoparticle morphology. Cryo-electron microscopy images identify the mRNA location, revealing that mRNA may exist within solvent-filled cavities or may be substantially lipid associated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Wong H Hui
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Z Hong Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lin Jin
- Moderna, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
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60
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Hassanzadeh P. The significance of bioengineered nanoplatforms against SARS-CoV-2: From detection to genome editing. Life Sci 2021; 274:119289. [PMID: 33676931 PMCID: PMC7930743 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 outbreak can impose serious negative impacts on the infrastructures of societies including the healthcare systems. Despite the increasing research efforts, false positive or negative results that may be associated with serologic or even RT-PCR tests, inappropriate or variable immune response, and high rates of mutations in coronavirus may negatively affect virus detection process and effectiveness of the vaccines or drugs in development. Nanotechnology-based research attempts via developing state-of-the-art techniques such as nanomechatronics ones and advanced materials including the sensors for detecting the pathogen loads at very low concentrations or site-specific delivery of therapeutics, and real-time protections against the pandemic outbreaks by nanorobots can provide outstanding biomedical breakthroughs. Considering the unique characteristics of pathogens particularly the newly-emerged ones and avoiding the exaggerated optimism or simplistic views on the prophylactic and therapeutic approaches including the one-size-fits-all ones or presenting multiple medications that may be associated with synergistic toxicities rather than enhanced efficiencies might pave the way towards the development of more appropriate treatment strategies with reduced safety concerns. This paper highlights the significance of nanoplatforms against the viral disorders and their capabilities of genome editing that may facilitate taking more appropriate measures against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parichehr Hassanzadeh
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 13169-43551, Iran.
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61
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Kim J, Eygeris Y, Gupta M, Sahay G. Self-assembled mRNA vaccines. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 170:83-112. [PMID: 33400957 PMCID: PMC7837307 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
mRNA vaccines have evolved from being a mere curiosity to emerging as COVID-19 vaccine front-runners. Recent advancements in the field of RNA technology, vaccinology, and nanotechnology have generated interest in delivering safe and effective mRNA therapeutics. In this review, we discuss design and self-assembly of mRNA vaccines. Self-assembly, a spontaneous organization of individual molecules, allows for design of nanoparticles with customizable properties. We highlight the materials commonly utilized to deliver mRNA, their physicochemical characteristics, and other relevant considerations, such as mRNA optimization, routes of administration, cellular fate, and immune activation, that are important for successful mRNA vaccination. We also examine the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines currently in clinical trials. mRNA vaccines are ready for the clinic, showing tremendous promise in the COVID-19 vaccine race, and have pushed the boundaries of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeonghwan Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Robertson Life Science Building, 2730 South Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
| | - Yulia Eygeris
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Robertson Life Science Building, 2730 South Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
| | - Mohit Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Robertson Life Science Building, 2730 South Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
| | - Gaurav Sahay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Robertson Life Science Building, 2730 South Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Robertson Life Science Building, 2730 South Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA.
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62
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Terada T, Kulkarni JA, Huynh A, Chen S, van der Meel R, Tam YYC, Cullis PR. Characterization of Lipid Nanoparticles Containing Ionizable Cationic Lipids Using Design-of-Experiments Approach. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:1120-1128. [PMID: 33439022 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c03039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) containing short-interfering RNA (LNP-siRNA systems) are a promising approach for silencing disease-causing genes in hepatocytes following intravenous administration. LNP-siRNA systems are generated by rapid mixing of lipids in ethanol with siRNA in aqueous buffer (pH 4.0) where the ionizable lipid is positively charged, followed by dialysis to remove ethanol and to raise the pH to 7.4. Ionizable cationic lipids are the critical excipient in LNP systems as they drive entrapment and intracellular delivery. A recent study on the formation of LNP-siRNA systems suggested that ionizable cationic lipids segregate from other lipid components upon charge neutralization to form an amorphous oil droplet in the core of LNPs. This leads to a decrease in intervesicle electrostatic repulsion, thereby engendering fusion of small vesicles to form final LNPs of increased size. In this study, we prepared LNP-siRNA systems containing four lipid components (hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, PEG-lipid, and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-dimethylammonium propane) by microfluidic mixing. The effects of preparation parameters [lipid concentration, flow rate ratio (FRR), and total flow rate], dialysis process, and complex formation between siRNA and ionizable cationic lipids on the physicochemical properties [siRNA entrapment on the particle size and polydispersity index (PDI)] were investigated using a design of experiments approach. The results for the preparation parameters showed no impact on siRNA encapsulation, but lipid concentration and FRR significantly affected the particle size and PDI. In addition, the effect of FRR on the particle size was suppressed in the presence of anionic polymers such as siRNA as compared to the case of LNPs alone. More intriguingly, unlike empty LNPs, a decrease in the PDI and an increase in the particle size occurred after dialysis in the LNP-siRNA systems. Such changes by dialysis were suppressed at FRR = 1. These findings provide useful information to guide the development and manufacturing conditions for LNP-siRNA systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Terada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jayesh A Kulkarni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Ariel Huynh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Sam Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Roy van der Meel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Yuen Yi C Tam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Pieter R Cullis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
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63
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Buschmann MD, Carrasco MJ, Alishetty S, Paige M, Alameh MG, Weissman D. Nanomaterial Delivery Systems for mRNA Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:65. [PMID: 33478109 PMCID: PMC7836001 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 83.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent success of mRNA vaccines in SARS-CoV-2 clinical trials is in part due to the development of lipid nanoparticle delivery systems that not only efficiently express the mRNA-encoded immunogen after intramuscular injection, but also play roles as adjuvants and in vaccine reactogenicity. We present an overview of mRNA delivery systems and then focus on the lipid nanoparticles used in the current SARS-CoV-2 vaccine clinical trials. The review concludes with an analysis of the determinants of the performance of lipid nanoparticles in mRNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Buschmann
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS 1J7, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA; (M.J.C.); (S.A.)
| | - Manuel J. Carrasco
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS 1J7, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA; (M.J.C.); (S.A.)
| | - Suman Alishetty
- Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS 1J7, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA; (M.J.C.); (S.A.)
| | - Mikell Paige
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA;
| | - Mohamad Gabriel Alameh
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 130 Stemmler Hall, 3450 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Drew Weissman
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 410B Hill Pavilion, 380 S. University Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
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64
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Andresen JL, Fenton OS. Nucleic acid delivery and nanoparticle design for COVID vaccines. MRS BULLETIN 2021; 46:832-839. [PMID: 34539057 PMCID: PMC8439373 DOI: 10.1557/s43577-021-00169-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Nucleic acid therapeutics offer a new paradigm to rapidly respond to global health problems. The versatility of nucleic acids, especially in RNA therapies, provides the ability to tune levels of specific protein expression, achieving downregulation through short interfering RNA (siRNA) or upregulation by messenger RNA (mRNA) administration. Recent advances in the development of delivery vehicles, including nonviral nanoparticles are crucial to overcome the innate barriers to nucleic acid delivery. Toward this end, current clinical approaches have utilized mRNA and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to address the COVID-19 pandemic through novel vaccine strategies, producing efficacious vaccines within one year of sequencing the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Here, we review fundamental concepts required to achieve successful nucleic acid delivery, including the design of LNP systems optimized for mRNA vaccine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason L. Andresen
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - Owen S. Fenton
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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65
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Kulkarni JA, Thomson SB, Zaifman J, Leung J, Wagner PK, Hill A, Tam YYC, Cullis PR, Petkau TL, Leavitt BR. Spontaneous, solvent-free entrapment of siRNA within lipid nanoparticles. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:23959-23966. [PMID: 33241838 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr06816k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations of nucleic acid are leading vaccine candidates for COVID-19, and enabled the first approved RNAi therapeutic, Onpattro. LNPs are composed of ionizable cationic lipids, phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-lipids, and are produced using rapid-mixing techniques. These procedures involve dissolution of the lipid components in an organic phase and the nucleic acid in an acidic aqueous buffer (pH 4). These solutions are then combined using a continuous mixing device such as a T-mixer or microfluidic device. In this mixing step, particle formation and nucleic acid entrapment occur. Previous work from our group has shown that, in the absence of nucleic acid, the particles formed at pH 4 are vesicular in structure, a portion of these particles are converted to electron-dense structures in the presence of nucleic acid, and the proportion of electron-dense structures increases with nucleic acid content. What remained unclear from previous work was the mechanism by which vesicles form electron-dense structures. In this study, we use cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering to show that efficient siRNA entrapment occurs in the absence of ethanol (contrary to the established paradigm), and suggest that nucleic acid entrapment occurs through inversion of preformed vesicles. We also leverage this phenomenon to show that specialized mixers are not required for siRNA entrapment, and that preformed particles at pH 4 can be used for in vitro transfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayesh A Kulkarni
- NanoMedicines Innovation Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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66
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Urits I, Swanson D, Swett MC, Patel A, Berardino K, Amgalan A, Berger AA, Kassem H, Kaye AD, Viswanath O. A Review of Patisiran (ONPATTRO®) for the Treatment of Polyneuropathy in People with Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis. Neurol Ther 2020; 9:301-315. [PMID: 32785879 PMCID: PMC7606409 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-020-00208-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hereditary variant transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) is a rare genetic defect that affects about 5000-10,000 people worldwide, causing amyloidosis secondary to misfolding of mutant transthyretin (TTR) protein fibrils. TTR mutations can cause protein deposits in many extracellular regions of organs, but those deposits in cardiac and axonal cells are the primary cause of this clinical syndrome. Treatment options are limited, but new drugs are being developed. Patisiran, a novel drug, is a liposomal siRNA against TTR that specifically targets this protein, reducing the accumulation of TTR in tissues, with subsequent improvement in both neuropathy and cardiac function. Patisiran is likely to serve as a prototype for the development of further intelligent drug solutions for use in targeted therapy. In this review we summarize the evidence currently available on the treatment of polyneuropathy in people with ATTRv with patisiran. We review the evidence on its efficacy, safety, and indications of use, citing novel and seminal papers on these subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Urits
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center-Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Daniel Swanson
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Michael C Swett
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Anjana Patel
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kevin Berardino
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Amnon A Berger
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center-Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hisham Kassem
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, USA
| | - Alan D Kaye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Omar Viswanath
- Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA
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67
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Salim L, Desaulniers JP. To Conjugate or to Package? A Look at Targeted siRNA Delivery Through Folate Receptors. Nucleic Acid Ther 2020; 31:21-38. [PMID: 33121373 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2020.0893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) applications have evolved from experimental tools to study gene function to the development of a novel class of gene-silencing therapeutics. Despite decades of research, it was not until August 2018 that the US FDA approved the first-ever RNAi drug, marking a new era for RNAi therapeutics. Although there are many limitations associated with the inherent structure of RNA, delivery to target cells and tissues remains the most challenging. RNAs are unable to diffuse across cellular membranes due to their large size and polyanionic backbone and, therefore, require a delivery vector. RNAi molecules can be conjugated to a targeting ligand or packaged into a delivery vehicle. Alnylam has used both strategies in their FDA-approved formulations to achieve efficient delivery to the liver. To harness the full potential of RNAi therapeutics, however, we must be able to target additional cells and tissues. One promising target is the folate receptor α, which is overexpressed in a variety of tumors despite having limited expression and distribution in normal tissues. Folate can be conjugated directly to the RNAi molecule or used to functionalize delivery vehicles. In this review, we compare both delivery strategies and discuss the current state of research in the area of folate-mediated delivery of RNAi molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidya Salim
- Faculty of Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Canada
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68
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Lipid-Nucleic Acid Complexes: Physicochemical Aspects and Prospects for Cancer Treatment. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25215006. [PMID: 33126767 PMCID: PMC7662579 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is an extremely complex disease, typically caused by mutations in cancer-critical genes. By delivering therapeutic nucleic acids (NAs) to patients, gene therapy offers the possibility to supplement, repair or silence such faulty genes or to stimulate their immune system to fight the disease. While the challenges of gene therapy for cancer are significant, the latter approach (a type of immunotherapy) starts showing promising results in early-stage clinical trials. One important advantage of NA-based cancer therapies over synthetic drugs and protein treatments is the prospect of a more universal approach to designing therapies. Designing NAs with different sequences, for different targets, can be achieved by using the same technologies. This versatility and scalability of NA drug design and production on demand open the way for more efficient, affordable and personalized cancer treatments in the future. However, the delivery of exogenous therapeutic NAs into the patients’ targeted cells is also challenging. Membrane-type lipids exhibiting permanent or transient cationic character have been shown to associate with NAs (anionic), forming nanosized lipid-NA complexes. These complexes form a wide variety of nanostructures, depending on the global formulation composition and properties of the lipids and NAs. Importantly, these different lipid-NA nanostructures interact with cells via different mechanisms and their therapeutic potential can be optimized to promising levels in vitro. The complexes are also highly customizable in terms of surface charge and functionalization to allow a wide range of targeting and smart-release properties. Most importantly, these synthetic particles offer possibilities for scaling-up and affordability for the population at large. Hence, the versatility and scalability of these particles seem ideal to accommodate the versatility that NA therapies offer. While in vivo efficiency of lipid-NA complexes is still poor in most cases, the advances achieved in the last three decades are significant and very recently a lipid-based gene therapy medicine was approved for the first time (for treatment of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis). Although the path to achieve efficient NA-delivery in cancer therapy is still long and tenuous, these advances set a new hope for more treatments in the future. In this review, we attempt to cover the most important biophysical and physicochemical aspects of non-viral lipid-based gene therapy formulations, with a perspective on future cancer treatments in mind.
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69
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Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) has immense potential for developing a wide range of therapies, including immunotherapy and protein replacement. As mRNA presents no risk of integration into the host genome and does not require nuclear entry for transfection, which allows protein production even in nondividing cells, mRNA-based approaches can be envisioned as safe and practical therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, mRNA presents unfavorable characteristics, such as large size, immunogenicity, limited cellular uptake, and sensitivity to enzymatic degradation, which hinder its use as a therapeutic agent. While mRNA stability and immunogenicity have been ameliorated by direct modifications on the mRNA structure, further improvements in mRNA delivery are still needed for promoting its activity in biological settings. In this regard, nanomedicine has shown the ability for spatiotemporally controlling the function of a myriad of bioactive agents in vivo. Direct engineering of nanomedicine structures for loading, protecting, and releasing mRNA and navigating in biological environments can then be applied for promoting mRNA translation toward the development of effective treatments. Here, we review recent approaches aimed at enhancing mRNA function and its delivery through nanomedicines, with particular emphasis on their applications and eventual clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Uchida
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.,Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Federico Perche
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, UPR4301 CNRS Rue Charles Sadron Orléans, Orléans 45071 Cedex 02, France
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, UPR4301 CNRS Rue Charles Sadron Orléans, Orléans 45071 Cedex 02, France.,Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Orléans, Orléans 45071 Cedex 02, France
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.,Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
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70
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Francia V, Schiffelers RM, Cullis PR, Witzigmann D. The Biomolecular Corona of Lipid Nanoparticles for Gene Therapy. Bioconjug Chem 2020; 31:2046-2059. [PMID: 32786370 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.0c00366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy holds great potential for treating almost any disease by gene silencing, protein expression, or gene correction. To efficiently deliver the nucleic acid payload to its target tissue, the genetic material needs to be combined with a delivery platform. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have proven to be excellent delivery vectors for gene therapy and are increasingly entering into routine clinical practice. Over the past two decades, the optimization of LNP formulations for nucleic acid delivery has led to a well-established body of knowledge culminating in the first-ever RNA interference therapeutic using LNP technology, i.e., Onpattro, and many more in clinical development to deliver various nucleic acid payloads. Screening a lipid library in vivo for optimal gene silencing potency in hepatocytes resulted in the identification of the Onpattro formulation. Subsequent studies discovered that the key to Onpattro's liver tropism is its ability to form a specific "biomolecular corona". In fact, apolipoprotein E (ApoE), among other proteins, adsorbed to the LNP surface enables specific hepatocyte targeting. This proof-of-principle example demonstrates the use of the biomolecular corona for targeting specific receptors and cells, thereby opening up the road to rationally designing LNPs. To date, however, only a few studies have explored in detail the corona of LNPs, and how to efficiently modulate the corona remains poorly understood. In this review, we summarize recent discoveries about the biomolecular corona, expanding the knowledge gained with other nanoparticles to LNPs for nucleic acid delivery. In particular, we address how particle stability, biodistribution, and targeting of LNPs can be influenced by the biological environment. Onpattro is used as a case study to describe both the successful development of an LNP formulation for gene therapy and the key influence of the biological environment. Moreover, we outline the techniques available to isolate and analyze the corona of LNPs, and we highlight their advantages and drawbacks. Finally, we discuss possible implications of the biomolecular corona for LNP delivery and we examine the potential of exploiting the corona as a targeting strategy beyond the liver to develop next-generation gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Francia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Raymond M Schiffelers
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Pieter R Cullis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,NanoMedicines Innovation Network (NMIN), University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Dominik Witzigmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,NanoMedicines Innovation Network (NMIN), University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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71
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Kimura N, Maeki M, Sato Y, Ishida A, Tani H, Harashima H, Tokeshi M. Development of a Microfluidic-Based Post-Treatment Process for Size-Controlled Lipid Nanoparticles and Application to siRNA Delivery. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:34011-34020. [PMID: 32667806 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c05489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic methodologies for preparation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) based on an organic solvent injection method enable precise size control of the LNPs. After preparation of LNPs, the organic solvent injection method needs some post-treatments, such as overnight dialysis or direct dilution with a buffer solution. LNP production using the microfluidic-based organic solvent injection method is dominated by kinetics rather than thermodynamics. Kinetics of ethanol removal from the inner and outer membranes of LNPs could induce a structural change in the membrane that could lead to fusion of LNPs. However, the effects of microfluidic post-treatment on the final size of LNPs have not been sufficiently understood. Herein, we investigated the effect of the post-treatment processes on the final product size of LNPs in detail. A simple baffle device and a model lipid system composed of a neutral phospholipid (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, POPC) and cholesterol were used to produce the LNPs. We demonstrated that flow conditions of the post-treatment diluting the remaining ethanol in the LNP suspension affected the final product size of LNPs. Based on the findings, we developed an integrated baffle device composed of an LNP production region and a post-treatment region for a microfluidic-based LNP production system; this integrated baffle device prevented the undesirable aggregation or fusion of POPC LNPs even for the high-lipid-concentration condition. Finally, we applied our concept to small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery and confirmed that no significant effects due to the continuous process occurred on the siRNA encapsulation efficiency, biological distribution, and knockdown activity. The microfluidic post-treatment method is expected to contribute to the production of LNPs for practical applications and the development of novel LNP-based nanomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niko Kimura
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Maeki
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
- JST PRESTO, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Yusuke Sato
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita, 12 Nishi 6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Akihiko Ishida
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Tani
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
| | - Hideyoshi Harashima
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita, 12 Nishi 6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Manabu Tokeshi
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
- Innovative Research Center for Preventive Medical Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
- Institute of Nano-Life Systems, Institutes of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
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72
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Osinski V, Bauknight DK, Dasa SSK, Harms MJ, Kroon T, Marshall MA, Garmey JC, Nguyen AT, Hartman J, Upadhye A, Srikakulapu P, Zhou A, O'Mahony G, Klibanov AL, Kelly KA, Boucher J, McNamara CA. In vivo liposomal delivery of PPARα/γ dual agonist tesaglitazar in a model of obesity enriches macrophage targeting and limits liver and kidney drug effects. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:585-601. [PMID: 31903139 PMCID: PMC6929996 DOI: 10.7150/thno.36572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are important regulators of obesity-associated inflammation and PPARα and -γ agonism in macrophages has anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we tested the efficacy with which liposomal delivery could target the PPARα/γ dual agonist tesaglitazar to macrophages while reducing drug action in common sites of drug toxicity: the liver and kidney, and whether tesaglitazar had anti-inflammatory effects in an in vivo model of obesity-associated dysmetabolism. Methods: Male leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mice were administered tesaglitazar or vehicle for one week in a standard oral formulation or encapsulated in liposomes. Following the end of treatment, circulating metabolic parameters were measured and pro-inflammatory adipose tissue macrophage populations were quantified by flow cytometry. Cellular uptake of liposomes in tissues was assessed using immunofluorescence and a broad panel of cell subset markers by flow cytometry. Finally, PPARα/γ gene target expression levels in the liver, kidney, and sorted macrophages were quantified to determine levels of drug targeting to and drug action in these tissues and cells. Results: Administration of a standard oral formulation of tesaglitazar effectively treated symptoms of obesity-associated dysmetabolism and reduced the number of pro-inflammatory adipose tissue macrophages. Macrophages are the major cell type that took up liposomes with many other immune and stromal cell types taking up liposomes to a lesser extent. Liposome delivery of tesaglitazar did not have effects on inflammatory macrophages nor did it improve metabolic parameters to the extent of a standard oral formulation. Liposomal delivery did, however, attenuate effects on liver weight and liver and kidney expression of PPARα and -γ gene targets compared to oral delivery. Conclusions: These findings reveal for the first time that tesaglitazar has anti-inflammatory effects on adipose tissue macrophage populations in vivo. These data also suggest that while nanoparticle delivery reduced off-target effects, yet the lack of tesaglitazar actions in non-targeted cells such (as hepatocytes and adipocytes) and the uptake of drug-loaded liposomes in many other cell types, albeit to a lesser extent, may have impacted overall therapeutic efficacy. This fulsome analysis of cellular uptake of tesaglitazar-loaded liposomes provides important lessons for future studies of liposome drug delivery.
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Akinc A, Maier MA, Manoharan M, Fitzgerald K, Jayaraman M, Barros S, Ansell S, Du X, Hope MJ, Madden TD, Mui BL, Semple SC, Tam YK, Ciufolini M, Witzigmann D, Kulkarni JA, van der Meel R, Cullis PR. The Onpattro story and the clinical translation of nanomedicines containing nucleic acid-based drugs. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 14:1084-1087. [PMID: 31802031 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-019-0591-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 741] [Impact Index Per Article: 148.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Akin Akinc
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Xinyao Du
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Ying K Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Pieter R Cullis
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- NanoMedicines Innovation Network, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Kulkarni JA, Witzigmann D, Leung J, Tam YYC, Cullis PR. On the role of helper lipids in lipid nanoparticle formulations of siRNA. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:21733-21739. [PMID: 31713568 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr09347h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Onpattro, the first RNAi-based therapeutic to receive FDA approval, is enabled by a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) system that facilitates siRNA delivery into the cytoplasm of target cells (hepatocytes) following intravenous (i.v.) administration. These LNP-siRNA systems consist of four lipid components (ionizable cationic lipid, distearolyphosphatidycholine or DSPC, cholesterol, and PEG-lipid) and siRNA. The ionizable cationic lipid has been optimised for RNA encapsulation and intracellular delivery, and the PEG-lipids have been engineered to regulate LNP size and transfection potency. The roles of the other "helper" lipids, DSPC and cholesterol, remain less clear. Here we show that in empty LNP systems that do not contain siRNA, DSPC-cholesterol resides in outer layers, whereas in loaded systems a portion of the DSPC-cholesterol is internalised together with siRNA. It is concluded that the presence of internalised helper lipid is vital to the stable encapsulation of siRNA in the LNP and thus to LNP-siRNA function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayesh A Kulkarni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaV6T 1Z3.
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Bauknight DK, Osinski V, Dasa SSK, Nguyen AT, Marshall MA, Hartman J, Harms M, O’Mahony G, Boucher J, Klibanov AL, McNamara CA, Kelly KA. Importance of thorough tissue and cellular level characterization of targeted drugs in the evaluation of pharmacodynamic effects. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224917. [PMID: 31725756 PMCID: PMC6855449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted nanoparticle delivery is a promising strategy for increasing efficacy and limiting side effects of therapeutics. When designing a targeted liposomal formulation, the in vivo biodistribution of the particles must be characterized to determine the value of the targeting approach. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists effectively treat metabolic syndrome by decreasing dyslipidemia and insulin resistance but side effects have limited their use, making them a class of compounds that could benefit from targeted liposomal delivery. The adipose targeting sequence peptide (ATS) could fit this role, as it has been shown to bind to adipose tissue endothelium and induce weight loss when delivered conjugated to a pro-apoptotic peptide. To date, however, a full assessment of ATS in vivo biodistribution has not been reported, leaving important unanswered questions regarding the exact mechanisms whereby ATS targeting enhances therapeutic efficacy. We designed this study to evaluate the biodistribution of ATS-conjugated liposomes loaded with the PPARα/γ dual agonist tesaglitazar in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice. The ATS-liposome biodistribution in adipose tissue and other organs was examined at the cellular and tissue level using microscopy, flow cytometry, and fluorescent molecular tomography. Changes in metabolic parameters and gene expression were measured by target and off-target tissue responses to the treatment. Unexpectedly, ATS targeting did not increase liposomal uptake in adipose relative to other tissues, but did increase uptake in the kidneys. Targeting also did not significantly alter metabolic parameters. Analysis of the liposome cellular distribution in the stromal vascular fraction with flow cytometry revealed high uptake by multiple cell types. Our findings highlight the need for thorough study of in vivo biodistribution when evaluating a targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin K. Bauknight
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
- Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Victoria Osinski
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Siva Sai Krishna Dasa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
- Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Anh T. Nguyen
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Melissa A. Marshall
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Julia Hartman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Matthew Harms
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gavin O’Mahony
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jeremie Boucher
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
- The Lundberg Laboratory for Diabetes Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alexander L. Klibanov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Coleen A. McNamara
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Kimberly A. Kelly
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
- Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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76
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Kulkarni JA, Witzigmann D, Chen S, Cullis PR, van der Meel R. Lipid Nanoparticle Technology for Clinical Translation of siRNA Therapeutics. Acc Chem Res 2019; 52:2435-2444. [PMID: 31397996 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Delivering nucleic acid-based therapeutics to cells is an attractive approach to target the genetic cause of various diseases. In contrast to conventional small molecule drugs that target gene products (i.e., proteins), genetic drugs induce therapeutic effects by modulating gene expression. Gene silencing, the process whereby protein production is prevented by neutralizing its mRNA template, is a potent strategy to induce therapeutic effects in a highly precise manner. Importantly, gene silencing has broad potential as theoretically any disease-causing gene can be targeted. It was demonstrated two decades ago that introducing synthetic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into the cytoplasm results in specific degradation of complementary mRNA via a process called RNA interference (RNAi). Since then, significant efforts and investments have been made to exploit RNAi therapeutically and advance siRNA drugs to the clinic. Utilizing (unmodified) siRNA as a therapeutic, however, is challenging due to its limited bioavailability following systemic administration. Nuclease activity and renal filtration result in siRNA's rapid clearance from the circulation and its administration induces (innate) immune responses. Furthermore, siRNA's unfavorable physicochemical characteristics largely prevent its diffusion across cellular membranes, impeding its ability to reach the cytoplasm where it can engage the RNAi machinery. The clinical translation of siRNA therapeutics has therefore been dependent on chemical modifications and developing sophisticated delivery platforms to improve their stability, limit immune activation, facilitate internalization, and increase target affinity. These developments have resulted in last year's approval of the first siRNA therapeutic, called Onpattro (patisiran), for treatment of hereditary amyloidogenic transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis. This disease is characterized by a mutation in the gene encoding TTR, a serum protein that transports retinol in circulation following secretion by the liver. The mutation leads to production of misfolded proteins that deposit as amyloid fibrils in multiple organs, resulting in progressive neurodegeneration. Patisiran's therapeutic effect relies on siRNA-mediated TTR gene silencing, preventing mutant protein production and halting or even reversing disease progression. For efficient therapeutic siRNA delivery to hepatocytes, patisiran is critically dependent on lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology. In this Account, we provide an overview of key advances that have been crucial for developing LNP delivery technology, and we explain how these developments have contributed to the clinical translation of siRNA therapeutics for parenteral administration. We discuss optimization of the LNP formulation, particularly focusing on the rational design of ionizable cationic lipids and poly(ethylene glycol) lipids. These components have proven to be instrumental for highly efficient siRNA encapsulation, favorable LNP pharmacokinetic parameters, and hepatocyte internalization. Additionally, we pay attention to the development of rapid mixing-based methods that provide robust and scalable LNP production procedures. Finally, we highlight patisiran's clinical translation and LNP delivery technology's potential to enable the development of genetic drugs beyond the current state-of-the-art, such as mRNA and gene editing therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayesh A. Kulkarni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Dominik Witzigmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Sam Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Integrated Nanotherapeutics, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Pieter R. Cullis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Roy van der Meel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5612 AE, The Netherlands
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Witzigmann D, Uhl P, Sieber S, Kaufman C, Einfalt T, Schöneweis K, Grossen P, Buck J, Ni Y, Schenk SH, Hussner J, Meyer Zu Schwabedissen HE, Québatte G, Mier W, Urban S, Huwyler J. Optimization-by-design of hepatotropic lipid nanoparticles targeting the sodium-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide. eLife 2019; 8:42276. [PMID: 31333191 PMCID: PMC6682401 DOI: 10.7554/elife.42276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Active targeting and specific drug delivery to parenchymal liver cells is a promising strategy to treat various liver disorders. Here, we modified synthetic lipid-based nanoparticles with targeting peptides derived from the hepatitis B virus large envelope protein (HBVpreS) to specifically target the sodium-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP; SLC10A1) on the sinusoidal membrane of hepatocytes. Physicochemical properties of targeted nanoparticles were optimized and NTCP-specific, ligand-dependent binding and internalization was confirmed in vitro. The pharmacokinetics and targeting capacity of selected lead formulations was investigated in vivo using the emerging zebrafish screening model. Liposomal nanoparticles modified with 0.25 mol% of a short myristoylated HBV derived peptide, that is Myr-HBVpreS2-31, showed an optimal balance between systemic circulation, avoidance of blood clearance, and targeting capacity. Pronounced liver enrichment, active NTCP-mediated targeting of hepatocytes and efficient cellular internalization were confirmed in mice by 111In gamma scintigraphy and fluorescence microscopy demonstrating the potential use of our hepatotropic, ligand-modified nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Witzigmann
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Philipp Uhl
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sandro Sieber
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christina Kaufman
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, INF, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tomaz Einfalt
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Schöneweis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, INF, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philip Grossen
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jonas Buck
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yi Ni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, INF, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Susanne H Schenk
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Janine Hussner
- Division of Biopharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Gabriela Québatte
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Walter Mier
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, INF, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jörg Huwyler
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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