1
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Lin Y, Wilk U, Pöhmerer J, Hörterer E, Höhn M, Luo X, Mai H, Wagner E, Lächelt U. Folate Receptor-Mediated Delivery of Cas9 RNP for Enhanced Immune Checkpoint Disruption in Cancer Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2205318. [PMID: 36399647 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202205318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system offers great opportunities for the treatment of numerous diseases by precise modification of the genome. The functional unit of the system is represented by Cas9/sgRNA ribonucleoproteins (RNP), which mediate sequence-specific cleavage of DNA. For therapeutic applications, efficient and cell-specific transport into target cells is essential. Here, Cas9 RNP nanocarriers are described, which are based on lipid-modified oligoamino amides and folic acid (FolA)-PEG to realize receptor-mediated uptake and gene editing in cancer cells. In vitro studies confirm strongly enhanced potency of receptor-mediated delivery, and the nanocarriers enable efficient knockout of GFP and two immune checkpoint genes, PD-L1 and PVR, at low nanomolar concentrations. Compared with non-targeted nanoparticles, FolA-modified nanocarriers achieve substantially higher gene editing including dual PD-L1/PVR gene disruption after injection into CT26 tumors in vivo. In the syngeneic mouse model, dual disruption of PD-L1 and PVR leads to CD8+ T cell recruitment and distinct CT26 tumor growth inhibition, clearly superior to the individual knockouts alone. The reported Cas9 RNP nanocarriers represent a versatile platform for potent and receptor-specific gene editing. In addition, the study demonstrates a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy by permanent and combined immune checkpoint disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Lin
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Wilk
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Jana Pöhmerer
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Elisa Hörterer
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Miriam Höhn
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Xianjin Luo
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Hongcheng Mai
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (iTERM), Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Lächelt
- Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
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2
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Krhač Levačić A, Berger S, Müller J, Wegner A, Lächelt U, Dohmen C, Rudolph C, Wagner E. Dynamic mRNA polyplexes benefit from bioreducible cleavage sites for in vitro and in vivo transfer. J Control Release 2021; 339:27-40. [PMID: 34547258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Currently, messenger RNA (mRNA)-based lipid nanoparticle formulations revolutionize the clinical field. Cationic polymer-based complexes (polyplexes) represent an alternative compound class for mRNA delivery. After establishing branched polyethylenimine with a succinylation degree of 10% (succPEI) as highly effective positive mRNA transfection standard, a diverse library of PEI-like peptides termed sequence-defined oligoaminoamides (OAAs) was screened for mRNA delivery. Notably, sequences, which had previously been identified as potent plasmid DNA (pDNA) or small-interfering RNA (siRNA) carriers, displayed only moderate mRNA transfection activity. A second round of screening combined the cationizable building block succinoyl tetraethylene pentamine and histidines for endosomal buffering, tyrosine tripeptides and various fatty acids for mRNA polyplex stabilization, as well as redox-sensitive units for programmed intracellular release. For the tested OAA carriers, balancing of extracellular stability, endosomal lytic activity, and intracellular release capability was found to be of utmost importance for optimum mRNA transfection efficiency. OAAs with T-shape topology containing two oleic acids as well-stabilizing fatty acids, attached via a dynamic bioreducible building block, displayed superior activity with up to 1000-fold increased transfection efficiency compared to their non-reducible analogs. In the absence of the dynamic linkage, incorporation of shorter less stabilizing fatty acids could only partly compensate for mRNA delivery. Highest GFP expression and the largest fraction of transfected cells (96%) could be detected for the bioreducible OAA with incorporated histidines and a dioleoyl motif, outperforming all other tested carriers as well as the positive control succPEI. The good in vitro performance of the dynamic lead structure was verified in vivo upon intratracheal administration of mRNA complexes in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Krhač Levačić
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Butenandtstr. 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Simone Berger
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Butenandtstr. 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Judith Müller
- Ethris GmbH, Semmelweisstr. 3, Planegg D-82152, Germany
| | - Andrea Wegner
- Ethris GmbH, Semmelweisstr. 3, Planegg D-82152, Germany
| | - Ulrich Lächelt
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Butenandtstr. 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Butenandtstr. 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
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3
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Benli-Hoppe T, Göl Öztürk Ş, Öztürk Ö, Berger S, Wagner E, Yazdi M. Transferrin Receptor Targeted Polyplexes Completely Comprised of Sequence-Defined Components. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 43:e2100602. [PMID: 34713524 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Human transferrin protein (Tf) modified polyplexes have already displayed encouraging potential for receptor-mediated nucleic acid delivery into tumors. The use of a blood-derived targeting protein and polydisperse macromolecular cationic subunits however presents a practical challenge for pharmaceutical grade production. Here, Tf receptor (TfR) targeted small interfering RNA (siRNA) polyplexes are designed that are completely composed of synthetic, monodisperse, and sequence-defined subunits generated by solid-phase supported synthesis. An optimized cationizable lipo-oligoaminoamide (lipo-OAA) is used for siRNA core polyplex formation, and a retro-enantio peptide (reTfR) attached via a monodisperse polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacer via click chemistry is applied for targeting. Improved gene silencing is demonstrated in TfR-expressing KB and DU145 cells. Analogous plasmid DNA (pDNA) polyplexes are successfully used for receptor-mediated gene delivery in TfR-rich K562 cells and Neuro2a cells. Six lipo-OAAs differing in their lipidic domain and redox-sensitive attachment of lipid residues are tested in order to evaluate the impact of core polyplex stability on receptor-dependent gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teoman Benli-Hoppe
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich, 81377, Germany
| | - Şurhan Göl Öztürk
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich, 81377, Germany
| | - Özgür Öztürk
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich, 81377, Germany
| | - Simone Berger
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich, 81377, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich, 81377, Germany
| | - Mina Yazdi
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich, 81377, Germany
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4
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Tomé I, Francisco V, Fernandes H, Ferreira L. High-throughput screening of nanoparticles in drug delivery. APL Bioeng 2021; 5:031511. [PMID: 34476328 PMCID: PMC8397474 DOI: 10.1063/5.0057204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of pharmacologically active compounds to manage and treat diseases is of utmost relevance in clinical practice. It is well recognized that spatial-temporal control over the delivery of these biomolecules will greatly impact their pharmacokinetic profile and ultimately their therapeutic effect. Nanoparticles (NPs) prepared from different materials have been tested successfully in the clinic for the delivery of several biomolecules including non-coding RNAs (siRNA and miRNA) and mRNAs. Indeed, the recent success of mRNA vaccines is in part due to progress in the delivery systems (NP based) that have been developed for many years. In most cases, the identification of the best formulation was done by testing a small number of novel formulations or by modification of pre-existing ones. Unfortunately, this is a low throughput and time-consuming process that hinders the identification of formulations with the highest potential. Alternatively, high-throughput combinatorial design of NP libraries may allow the rapid identification of formulations with the required release and cell/tissue targeting profile for a given application. Combinatorial approaches offer several advantages over conventional methods since they allow the incorporation of multiple components with varied chemical properties into materials, such as polymers or lipid-like materials, that will subsequently form NPs by self-assembly or chemical conjugation processes. The current review highlights the impact of high-throughput in the development of more efficient drug delivery systems with enhanced targeting and release kinetics. It also describes the current challenges in this research area as well as future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vitor Francisco
- Biomaterials and Stem-Cell Based Therapeutics Group, Centre of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal
| | | | - Lino Ferreira
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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5
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Berger S, Krhač Levačić A, Hörterer E, Wilk U, Benli-Hoppe T, Wang Y, Öztürk Ö, Luo J, Wagner E. Optimizing pDNA Lipo-polyplexes: A Balancing Act between Stability and Cargo Release. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:1282-1296. [PMID: 33616407 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
When optimizing nanocarriers, structural motifs that are beneficial for the respective type of cargo need to be identified. Here, succinoyl tetraethylene pentamine (Stp)-based lipo-oligoaminoamides (OAAs) were optimized for the delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA). Structural variations comprised saturated fatty acids with chain lengths between C2 and C18 and terminal cysteines as units promoting nanoparticle stabilization, histidines for endosomal buffering, and disulfide building blocks for redox-sensitive release. Biophysical and tumor cell culture screening established clear-cut relationships between lipo-OAAs and characteristics of the formed pDNA complexes. Based on the optimized alternating Stp-histidine backbones, lipo-OAAs containing fatty acids with chain lengths around C6 to C10 displayed maximum gene transfer with around 500-fold higher gene expression than that of C18 lipo-OAA analogues. Promising lipo-OAAs, however, showed only moderate in vivo efficiency. In vitro testing in 90% full serum, revealing considerable inhibition of lytic and gene-transfer activity, was found as a new screening model predictive for intravenous applications in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Berger
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Ana Krhač Levačić
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Elisa Hörterer
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Ulrich Wilk
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Teoman Benli-Hoppe
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Yanfang Wang
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Özgür Öztürk
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Jie Luo
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
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6
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Bornerie M, Brion A, Guichard G, Kichler A, Douat C. Delivery of siRNA by tailored cell-penetrating urea-based foldamers. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:1458-1461. [PMID: 33438700 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc06285e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating foldamers (CPFs) have recently shown promise as efficient and safe nucleic acid delivery systems. However, the application of CPFs to siRNA transport remains scarce. Here, we report helical CPFs tailored with specific end-groups (pyridylthio- or n-octyl-ureas) as effective molecular systems in combination with helper lipids to intracellularly deliver biologically-relevant siRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mégane Bornerie
- Univ. of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, Pessac F-33607, France.
| | - Anaïs Brion
- Equipe 3Bio, CAMB 7199 CNRS-Univ., Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 route du Rhin, Illkirch cedex F-67401, France.
| | - Gilles Guichard
- Univ. of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, Pessac F-33607, France.
| | - Antoine Kichler
- Equipe 3Bio, CAMB 7199 CNRS-Univ., Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 route du Rhin, Illkirch cedex F-67401, France.
| | - Céline Douat
- Univ. of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, Pessac F-33607, France. and Department Pharmazie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Butenandtstraße 5-13, München D-81377, Germany.
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7
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Luo J, Schmaus J, Cui M, Hörterer E, Wilk U, Höhn M, Däther M, Berger S, Benli-Hoppe T, Peng L, Wagner E. Hyaluronate siRNA nanoparticles with positive charge display rapid attachment to tumor endothelium and penetration into tumors. J Control Release 2020; 329:919-933. [PMID: 33069742 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A cationizable sequence-defined lipo-oligoaminoamide (lipo-OAA) conferring stable assembly of siRNA into ~200 nm sized complexes contains an N-terminal azidolysine for covalent coating of formed nanoparticles with dibenzocyclooctyne-amine (DBCO)-modified hyaluronic acid (HA). Depending on the applied equivalents of DBCO-HA, stable nanoparticles with either cationic or anionic surface charge can be formed. The unmodified and two types of covalent HA-modified siRNA nanoparticles differ in their biological characteristics. Both types of HA coated siRNA complexes show an enhanced cellular uptake over uncoated complexes and facilitate efficient gene silencing, but differ in intracellular uptake pathways and distribution. Upon intravenous administration in mice, beyond our expectation and in contrast to the in vitro findings, only the cationic HA nanoparticles but neither the non-coated cationic nor the anionic HA complexes were able to target subcutaneous Huh 7 tumors and exert potent (78%) gene silencing. The favorable and very fast accumulation of cationic HA nanoparticles was confirmed in another subcutaneous tumor model. As evidenced by 3D nanoparticle distribution within Huh 7 tumors evaluated at early time points of 5 min and 45 min, only the cationic HA-based nanoparticles rapidly attach to the tumor endothelium and subsequently penetrate into tumor, in contrast to the analogous anionic HA coated or the cationic non-coated formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Luo
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Johannes Schmaus
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Mochen Cui
- Faculty of Medicine, Munich Medical Research School (MMRS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 80336, Germany
| | - Elisa Hörterer
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Ulrich Wilk
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Miriam Höhn
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Maike Däther
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Simone Berger
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Teoman Benli-Hoppe
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Lun Peng
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich 81377, Germany.
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8
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Kuhn J, Lin Y, Krhac Levacic A, Al Danaf N, Peng L, Höhn M, Lamb DC, Wagner E, Lächelt U. Delivery of Cas9/sgRNA Ribonucleoprotein Complexes via Hydroxystearyl Oligoamino Amides. Bioconjug Chem 2020; 31:729-742. [PMID: 31967454 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The programmable endonuclease activity and simple usage of CRISPR/Cas9 have revolutionized the field of genome editing. The binding of single guide RNA (sgRNA) by the Cas9 protein results in the formation of negatively charged ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. The presence of this functional complex inside cells is imperative for the intended specific genome modifications. The direct intracellular delivery of Cas9/sgRNA RNP complexes is of great advantage. In this work, a compound library of sequence-defined oligo(ethylenamino) amides containing structural motifs for stable nanoparticle formation, cellular uptake, and endosomal release was used for the screening and development of suitable Cas9 RNP delivery vehicles. Lipid-containing oligoaminoamides (lipo-OAAs) were identified as the most efficient carriers for intracellular Cas9/sgRNA delivery and gene disruption. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy measurements indicated that the lipo-OAAs only interact with sgRNA-loaded Cas9 protein, which suggests exclusive ionic interaction with the negatively charged RNPs. The type of contained fatty acid turned out to have a critical impact on the knock out efficiency: the presence of one hydroxy group in the fatty acid dramatically changes the properties and performance of the resulting Cas9/sgRNA lipo-OAA complexes. The lipo-OAA-containing hydroxy-stearic acid (OHSteA) was superior to the analogues with saturated or unsaturated fatty acids without hydroxylation; it formed smaller and more defined nanoparticles with Cas9/sgRNA and improved the cellular uptake and endosomal release, which altogether resulted in an increased nuclear association and the highest gene knock out levels. The efficient and adaptable delivery platform has high potential for the future development of therapeutics based on precise genome modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Kuhn
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Yi Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Ana Krhac Levacic
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Nader Al Danaf
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Lun Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Miriam Höhn
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Don C Lamb
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 80539, Germany
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM), Munich 80799, Germany
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 80539, Germany
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM), Munich 80799, Germany
| | - Ulrich Lächelt
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 81377, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 80539, Germany
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9
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Wang Y, Luo J, Truebenbach I, Reinhard S, Klein PM, Höhn M, Kern S, Morys S, Loy DM, Wagner E, Zhang W. Double Click-Functionalized siRNA Polyplexes for Gene Silencing in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Positive Tumor Cells. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:1074-1089. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yanfang Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Ines Truebenbach
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Sören Reinhard
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Michael Klein
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Miriam Höhn
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Sarah Kern
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan Morys
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Dominik M. Loy
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM), Schellingstrasse 4, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
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10
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Truebenbach I, Zhang W, Wang Y, Kern S, Höhn M, Reinhard S, Gorges J, Kazmaier U, Wagner E. Co-delivery of pretubulysin and siEG5 to EGFR overexpressing carcinoma cells. Int J Pharm 2019; 569:118570. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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11
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Truebenbach I, Kern S, Loy DM, Höhn M, Gorges J, Kazmaier U, Wagner E. Combination Chemotherapy of L1210 Tumors in Mice with Pretubulysin and Methotrexate Lipo-Oligomer Nanoparticles. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:2405-2417. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ines Truebenbach
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Sarah Kern
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Dominik M. Loy
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Miriam Höhn
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Gorges
- Institute for Organic Chemistry, Saarland University, P.O. Box 151150, 66041 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Uli Kazmaier
- Institute for Organic Chemistry, Saarland University, P.O. Box 151150, 66041 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany
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12
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Abstract
As synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) against antitumoral gene targets show promise for cancer treatment, different siRNA delivery systems have sparkled intense investigations. To develop tumor-specific carriers for cytosolic and systemic siRNA delivery, our laboratory has recently generated folate-conjugated targeted combinatorial siRNA polyplexes based on sequence-defined oligomer platform compatible with solid-phase-supported synthesis. These polyplexes presented efficient siRNA-mediated gene silencing in folate receptor-expressing tumors in vitro and in vivo. In this chapter, we provide a brief background on the formulation design and detailed protocols to evaluate polyplex formation, gene silencing efficiency, and receptor-directed cell killing in cancer cells using targeted combinatorial siRNA polyplexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian-Jang Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM), Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM), Munich, Germany.
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Abstract
Lipopolyplexes present well-established nucleic acid carriers assembled from sequence-defined cationic lipo-oligomers and DNA or RNA. They can be equipped with additional surface functionality, like shielding and targeting, in a stepwise assembly method using click chemistry. Here, we describe the synthesis of the required compounds, an azide-bearing lipo-oligomer structure and dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO) click agents as well as the assembly of the compounds with siRNA into a surface-functionalized formulation. Both the lipo-oligomer and the DBCO-equipped shielding and targeting agents are produced by solid-phase synthesis (SPS). This enables for precise variation of all functional units, like variation in the amount of DBCO attachment sites or polyethylene glycol (PEG) length. Special cleavage conditions with only 5% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) must be applied for the synthesis of the shielding and targeting agents due to acid lability of the DBCO unit. The two-step lipopolyplex assembly technique allows for separate optimization of the core and the shell of the formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Michael Klein
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich, Munich, Germany
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14
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Reinhard S, Wagner E. Sequence-Defined Cationic Lipo-Oligomers Containing Unsaturated Fatty Acids for Transfection. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1943:1-25. [PMID: 30838606 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9092-4_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sequence-defined cationic lipo-oligomers containing unsaturated fatty acids are potent nucleic acid carriers that are produced by solid-phase supported synthesis. However, the trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)-mediated removal of acid-labile protecting groups and cleavage from the resin can be accompanied by side products caused by an addition of TFA to the double bonds of unsaturated fatty acids. These TFA adducts are converted into hydroxylated derivatives under aqueous conditions. Here we describe an optimized cleavage protocol (precooling cleavage solution to 4 °C, 20 min cleavage at 22 °C), which minimizes TFA adduct formation, retains the unsaturated hydrocarbon chain character, and ensures high yields of the synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sören Reinhard
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center of Nanoscience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Butenandtstr, München, Germany.
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center of Nanoscience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Butenandtstr, München, Germany
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM), Schellingstr, München, Germany
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15
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Steinborn B, Truebenbach I, Morys S, Lächelt U, Wagner E, Zhang W. Epidermal growth factor receptor targeted methotrexate and small interfering RNA co-delivery. J Gene Med 2018; 20:e3041. [PMID: 29949222 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developing new drug delivery carriers addressing chemoresistance is still full of challenges and opportunities. As the rapid development of small interfering RNA (siRNA) provides promising therapeutic perspectives, nanocarriers for drug and siRNA co-delivery present new alternatives for cancer therapy. METHODS A co-delivery nanosystem for methotrexate (MTX) or gamma-glutamylated derivatives (gE2 -MTX and gE5 -MTX) and antitumoral EG5 siRNA has been developed utilizing the sequence defined cationic lipo-oligomers 454, 1021 and 1027. Based on a lipo-oligomer-MTX-siRNA core, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeted delivery system was established via post modification with the GE11 targeting peptide. RESULTS Almost 100% MTX derivative incorporation was achieved in gE2 -MTX or gE5 -MTX siRNA/454 polyplexes, whereas the particle sizes (100-150 nm) and siRNA binding abilities were well maintained. Our co-delivery system greatly increased the MTX sensitivity of MTX resistant KB cells. Enhanced cellular internalization of GE11 siRNA/454 polyplexes incorporating either gE2 -MTX or gE5 -MTX was observed and attributed to GE11-mediated targeting of EGFR overexpressing KB cells. GE11 modified gE2 -MTX or gE5 -MTX EG5 siRNA polyplexes illustrated the highest anti-tumoral activities compared to free MTX or nontargeted polyplexes. The His-containing gE2 -MTX or gE5 -MTX siRNA/1027 polyplexes showed increased tumor cell killing compared to the His-free analogous 1021 polyplexes. CONCLUSIONS A new strategy for co-delivering negatively charged MTX and cytotoxic siRNA has been developed by utilizing sequence defined cationic lipo-oligomers. Mediated by the combined effect of antifolate MTX, antimitotic EG5 siRNA and EGFR targeting by GE11, superior tumor cell killing was obtained with GE11 gE2 -MTX or gE5 -MTX EG5 siRNA/454 polyplexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Steinborn
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ines Truebenbach
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan Morys
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Lächelt
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Wei Zhang
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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