Chemical and biological conjugation strategies for the development of multivalent protein vaccine nanoparticles

Development of injectable upconversion nanoparticle-conjugated doxorubicin theranostics electrospun nanostructure for targeted photochemotherapy in breast cancer

Nanotheranostic-based photochemotherapies with targeted drug delivery have considerably surfaced in cancer therapy. In the presented work, polyethyleneimine-coated upconversion nanoparticles were engineered to conjugate covalently with doxorubicin. Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP)-Doxorubicin (DOX)/synthesized epidermal growth factor receptor-targeting peptide blended with polymer composite was electrospun and formulated as the injectable dosage form. The size of the UCNP and the nanofiber diameter were assessed as 26.75 ± 1.54 and 162 ± 2.82 nm, respectively. The optimized ratio of dopants resulted in UCNP photoluminescence with maximum emission intensity at around 800 nm upon 980 nm excitation wavelength. The paramagnetic nature of UCNPs and amide conjugation with the drug was confirmed analytically. The loading capacity of UCNP for doxorubicin was determined to be 54.56%, while nanofibers exhibited 98.74% capacity to encapsulate UCNP-DOX. The release profile of UCNP-DOX from nanofiber formulation ranged from sustained to controlled, with relative enhancement in acidic conditions. The nanofiber demonstrated good mechanical strength, robust swelling, and degradation rate. Biocompatibility tests showed more than 90% cell viability on L929 and NIH/3T3 cell lines with UCNP-DOX@NF/pep nanoformulation. The IC50 values of 2.15 ± 0.54, 2.87 ± 0.67, and 3.42 ± 0.45 μg/mL on MDA-MB-231, 4T1, and MCF-7 cancer cell line, respectively, with a significant cellular uptake, has been reported. The UCNP protruded a ≈62.7°C temperature rise within 5 min of 980 nm laser irradiation and a power density of 0.5 W cm-2. The nanoformulation induced reactive oxygen species of 65.67% ± 3.21% and apoptosis by arresting the cell cycle sub-G1 phase. The evaluation conveys the effectiveness of the developed injectable theranostic delivery system in cancer therapy.

Delivery of nucleic acid based genome editing platforms via lipid nanoparticles: Clinical applications

CRISPR/Cas technology presents a promising approach for treating a wide range of diseases, including cancer and genetic disorders. Despite its potential, the translation of CRISPR/Cas into effective in-vivo gene therapy encounters challenges, primarily due to the need for safe and efficient delivery mechanisms. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), FDA-approved for RNA delivery, show potential for delivering also CRISPR/Cas, offering the capability to efficiently encapsulate large mRNA molecules with single guide RNAs. However, achieving precise targeting in-vivo remains a significant obstacle, necessitating further research into optimizing LNP formulations. Strategies to enhance specificity, such as modifying LNP structures and incorporating targeting ligands, are explored to improve organ and cell type targeting. Furthermore, the development of base and prime editing technology presents a potential breakthrough, offering precise modifications without generating double-strand breaks (DSBs). Prime editing, particularly when delivered via targeted LNPs, holds promise for treating diverse diseases safely and precisely. This review assesses both the progress made and the persistent challenges faced in using LNP-encapsulated CRISPR-based technologies for therapeutic purposes, with a particular focus on clinical translation.

Self-Assembling Nanoparticle Hemagglutinin Influenza Vaccines Induce High Antibody Response

As a highly pathogenic avian virus, H5 influenza poses a serious threat to livestock, the poultry industry, and public health security. Hemagglutinin (HA) is both the dominant epitope and the main target of influenza-neutralizing antibodies. Here, we designed a nanoparticle hemagglutinin influenza vaccine to improve the immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine. In this study, HA5 subtype influenza virus was used as the candidate antigen and was combined with the artificially designed double-branch scaffold protein I53_dn5 A and B. A structurally correct and bioactive trimer HA5-I53_dn5B/Y98F was obtained through secretion and purification using an insect baculovirus expression system; I53_dn5A was obtained by purification using a prokaryotic expression system. HA5-I53_dn5B/Y98F and I53_dn5A self-assembled into spherical nanoparticles (HA5-I53_dn5) in vitro with a diameter of about 45 nm. Immunization and serum test results showed that both HA5-I53_dn5B/Y98F and HA5-I53_dn5 could induce HA5-specific antibodies; however, the immunogenicity of HA5-I53_dn5 was better than that of HA5-I53_dn5B/Y98F. Groups treated with HA5-I53_dn5B and HA5-I53_dn5 nanoparticles produced IgG antibody titers that were not statistically different from those of the nanoparticle-containing adjuvant group. This production of trimerized HA5-I53_dn5B and HA5-I53_dn5 nanoparticles using baculovirus expression provides a reference for the development of novel, safe, and efficient influenza vaccines.

Impact of Protein Nanoparticle Shape on the Immunogenicity of Antimicrobial Glycoconjugate Vaccines

Protein self-assembling nanoparticles (NPs) can be used as carriers for antigen delivery to increase vaccine immunogenicity. NPs mimic the majority of invading pathogens, inducing a robust adaptive immune response and long-lasting protective immunity. In this context, we investigated the potential of NPs of different sizes and shapes-ring-, rod-like, and spherical particles-as carriers for bacterial oligosaccharides by evaluating in murine models the role of these parameters on the immune response. Oligosaccharides from Neisseria meningitidis type W capsular polysaccharide were conjugated to ring-shape or nanotubes of engineered Pseudomonas aeruginosa Hemolysin-corregulated protein 1 (Hcp1cc) and to spherical Helicobacter pylori ferritin. Glycoconjugated NPs were characterized using advanced technologies such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Asymmetric Flow-Field Flow fractionation (AF4), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to verify their correct assembly, dimensions, and glycosylation degrees. Our results showed that spherical ferritin was able to induce the highest immune response in mice against the saccharide antigen compared to the other glycoconjugate NPs, with increased bactericidal activity compared to benchmark MenW-CRM197. We conclude that shape is a key attribute over size to be considered for glycoconjugate vaccine development.

Drug-Loaded Biomimetic Carriers for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Therapy: Advances and Perspective

Chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment for the lymphoma patient population, despite its relatively poor therapeutic results, high toxicity, and low specificity. With the advancement of biotechnology, the significance of drug-loading biomimetic materials in the medical field has become increasingly evident, attracting extensive attention from the scientific community and the pharmaceutical industry. Given that they can cater to the particular requirements of lymphoma patients, drug-loading biomimetic materials have recently become a potent and promising delivery approach for various applications. This review mainly reviews the recent advancements in the treatment of tumors with biological drug carrier-loaded drugs, outlines the mechanisms of lymphoma development and the diverse treatment modalities currently available, and discusses the merits and limitations of biological drug carriers. What is more, the practical application of biocarriers in tumors is explored by providing examples, and the possibility of loading such organisms with antilymphoma drugs for the treatment of lymphoma is conceived.

Dual-Antigen Subunit Vaccine Nanoparticles for Scrub Typhus

Orientia tsutsugamushi is the causative pathogen of scrub typhus, an acute febrile disease prevalent in the Asia-Pacific region that is spread to people through chigger bites. Despite the emerging threat, there is no currently available vaccine against O. tsutsugamushi. Here, we developed dual-antigen subunit vaccine nanoparticles using recombinant 47 kD and 56 kD proteins, which are immunogenic outer membrane antigens of O. tsutsugamushi. The biocompatible protein vaccine nanoparticles were formed via desolvation of r56 or r47E antigens with acetone, coating with an additional layer of the 56 kD protein, and stabilization with reducible homobifunctional DTSSP and heterobifunctional SDAD crosslinkers. The dual-antigen subunit vaccine nanoparticles significantly improved antigen-specific antibody responses in vaccinated mice. Most importantly, the dual-antigen nanoparticles coated with an additional layer of the 56 kD protein were markedly more immunogenic than soluble antigens or single-antigen nanoparticles in the context of cellular immune responses. Given the significance of cellular immune responses for protection against O. tsutsugamushi, these results demonstrate the potent immunogenicity of dual-layered antigen nanoparticles and their potential as a promising strategy for developing vaccines against scrub typhus.