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Kumar R, Santa Chalarca CF, Bockman MR, Bruggen CV, Grimme CJ, Dalal RJ, Hanson MG, Hexum JK, Reineke TM. Polymeric Delivery of Therapeutic Nucleic Acids. Chem Rev 2021; 121:11527-11652. [PMID: 33939409 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The advent of genome editing has transformed the therapeutic landscape for several debilitating diseases, and the clinical outlook for gene therapeutics has never been more promising. The therapeutic potential of nucleic acids has been limited by a reliance on engineered viral vectors for delivery. Chemically defined polymers can remediate technological, regulatory, and clinical challenges associated with viral modes of gene delivery. Because of their scalability, versatility, and exquisite tunability, polymers are ideal biomaterial platforms for delivering nucleic acid payloads efficiently while minimizing immune response and cellular toxicity. While polymeric gene delivery has progressed significantly in the past four decades, clinical translation of polymeric vehicles faces several formidable challenges. The aim of our Account is to illustrate diverse concepts in designing polymeric vectors towards meeting therapeutic goals of in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy. Here, we highlight several classes of polymers employed in gene delivery and summarize the recent work on understanding the contributions of chemical and architectural design parameters. We touch upon characterization methods used to visualize and understand events transpiring at the interfaces between polymer, nucleic acids, and the physiological environment. We conclude that interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies motivated by fundamental questions are key to designing high-performing polymeric vehicles for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | | | - Matthew R Bockman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Craig Van Bruggen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Christian J Grimme
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Rishad J Dalal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mckenna G Hanson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Joseph K Hexum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Theresa M Reineke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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2
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Dréan M, Debuigne A, Jérôme C, Goncalves C, Midoux P, Rieger J, Guégan P. Poly(N-methylvinylamine)-Based Copolymers for Improved Gene Transfection. Macromol Biosci 2018; 18:e1700353. [DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201700353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Dréan
- Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire (IPCM); Sorbonne Université, CNRS; 4 Place Jussieu 75005 Paris France
- Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM); CESAM Research Unit; University of Liege (ULg); Sart-Tilman, Allée de la Chimie 3, Bat. B6a 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - Antoine Debuigne
- Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM); CESAM Research Unit; University of Liege (ULg); Sart-Tilman, Allée de la Chimie 3, Bat. B6a 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - Christine Jérôme
- Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM); CESAM Research Unit; University of Liege (ULg); Sart-Tilman, Allée de la Chimie 3, Bat. B6a 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - Cristine Goncalves
- Centre Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301 CNRS; Rue Charles Sadron; 45071 Orléans Cedex 2 France
| | - Patrick Midoux
- Centre Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301 CNRS; Rue Charles Sadron; 45071 Orléans Cedex 2 France
| | - Jutta Rieger
- Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire (IPCM); Sorbonne Université, CNRS; 4 Place Jussieu 75005 Paris France
| | - Philippe Guégan
- Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire (IPCM); Sorbonne Université, CNRS; 4 Place Jussieu 75005 Paris France
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3
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O’Keeffe Ahern J, A S, Zhou D, Gao Y, Lyu J, Meng Z, Cutlar L, Pierucci L, Wang W. Brushlike Cationic Polymers with Low Charge Density for Gene Delivery. Biomacromolecules 2017; 19:1410-1415. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b01267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sigen A
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Dezhong Zhou
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Yongsheng Gao
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jing Lyu
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Zhao Meng
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Lara Cutlar
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Luca Pierucci
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Wenxin Wang
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Ong ZY, Yang C, Cheng W, Voo ZX, Chin W, Hedrick JL, Yang YY. Biodegradable cationic poly(carbonates): Effect of varying side chain hydrophobicity on key aspects of gene transfection. Acta Biomater 2017; 54:201-211. [PMID: 28323177 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The degree of hydrophobicity in cationic polymers plays an important but often underappreciated role in the safety and efficacy of gene delivery processes. In order to further elucidate structure-activity relationships of biodegradable cationic poly(carbonate) gene carriers, we synthesized a series of narrowly dispersed homo-polymers via metal-free organocatalytic living ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic carbonate monomers bearing either alkyl (propyl, hexyl or nonyl) or 4-methyl benzyl halide side chains. The polymers were then quaternized using bis-tertiary amines to install both quaternary ammoniums and tertiary amines for DNA binding and endosomal escape, respectively. Among the polymers with similar molecular lengths and charge densities, it was found that an increase in side chain alkyl spacer length from 3 to 6 carbons significantly enhanced cellular uptake and luciferase gene expression in HepG2 and HeLa cell lines without causing overt hemolysis and cytotoxicity. A further increase of side chain alkyl length to 9 carbons, however, led to a drastic decline in gene expression due to increased cellular toxicity, which was correlated with an increased disruption and lysis of red blood cell membranes. Interestingly, the incorporation of an aromatic 4-methyl benzyl spacer increased DNA binding strength, reduced particle sizes of resultant DNA complexes, and enhanced cellular uptake, leading to improved luciferase gene expression, albeit with higher levels of hemolysis and cytotoxicity. Taken together, the findings of this study demonstrate that a delicate balance between cationic charge density and hydrophobicity could be achieved by utilizing a hexyl spacer in the side chains of cationic poly(carbonates), hence providing insights on the future development of non-viral cationic polymeric gene delivery systems. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Owing to their ease of synthesis and well-controlled polymerization, biodegradable cationic poly(carbonates) have emerged as a highly promising class of biomaterials for gene delivery. The hydrophobicity of side chains in cationic polymers plays an important but often underappreciated role in influencing key aspects of gene transfection. In our efforts to improve gene transfection and understand structure-activity relationships, we synthesized a series of cationic polymers bearing a common poly(carbonate) backbone, and with side chains containing various hydrophobic spacers (propyl, hexyl, 4-methyl benzyl or nonyl) before the cationic moiety. A moderate degree of hydrophobicity was optimal as the cationic poly(carbonate) with hexyl side chains mediated high gene transfection efficiencies while causing low cytotoxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan Yuin Ong
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Chuan Yang
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Wei Cheng
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Zhi Xiang Voo
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Willy Chin
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - James L Hedrick
- IBM Almaden Research Center, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, CA 95120, USA.
| | - Yi Yan Yang
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, Singapore 138669, Singapore.
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Song L, Ding AX, Zhang KX, Gong B, Lu ZL, He L. Degradable polyesters via ring-opening polymerization of functional valerolactones for efficient gene delivery. Org Biomol Chem 2017; 15:6567-6574. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ob00822h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Degradable polymers as gene and drug carriers are emerging as one of the most promising types of materials in the biomedical and pharmaceutical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Song
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals
- Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry
- Beijing Normal University
- Beijing 100875
| | - Ai-Xiang Ding
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals
- Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry
- Beijing Normal University
- Beijing 100875
| | - Ke-Xin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals
- Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry
- Beijing Normal University
- Beijing 100875
| | - Bing Gong
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals
- Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry
- Beijing Normal University
- Beijing 100875
| | - Zhong-Lin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals
- Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry
- Beijing Normal University
- Beijing 100875
| | - Lan He
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control
- Institute of Chemical Drug Control
- Beijing
- China
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Fukushima K. Poly(trimethylene carbonate)-based polymers engineered for biodegradable functional biomaterials. Biomater Sci 2016; 4:9-24. [DOI: 10.1039/c5bm00123d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review presents recent examples of applications and functionalization strategies of poly(trimethylene carbonate), its copolymers, and its derivatives to exploit the unique physicochemical properties of the aliphatic polycarbonate backbone.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Fukushima
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering
- Yamagata University
- Yamagata 992-8510
- Japan
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Toita R, Kang JH, Kim CW, Shiosaki S, Mori T, Niidome T, Katayama Y. Effect of peptide content on the regulation of transgene expression by protein kinase Cα-responsive linear polyethylenimine-peptide conjugates. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2014; 123:123-9. [PMID: 25270730 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
We examined a series of linear polyethylenimine (LPEI)-based nanocarriers that activate transgene expression in response to cancer-specific protein kinase Cα (PKCα). Eight types of LPEI-peptide conjugate differing in peptide content and number were synthesized using click chemistry. The conjugates could form polyplexes with pDNA through electrostatic interaction, but the degree of pDNA condensation, sizes, and surface charges of the resulting polyplexes depended on the pendant-peptide content and number. None of the polyplexes showed significant cytotoxicity toward human hepatoma cells (HepG2). Furthermore, pendant peptide content and number markedly affected transgene activation in response to PKCα. To achieve an all-or-none response to PKCα, we determined the optimum peptide content and number in LPEI-peptide conjugates as ≈6 mol% and ≈40 peptides/conjugate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riki Toita
- Graduate School of Systems Life Sciences, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Jeong-Hun Kang
- Division of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 5-7-1 Fujishirodai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan
| | - Chan Woo Kim
- Graduate School of Systems Life Sciences, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Shujiro Shiosaki
- Graduate School of Systems Life Sciences, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Takeshi Mori
- Graduate School of Systems Life Sciences, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan; Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Takuro Niidome
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Katayama
- Graduate School of Systems Life Sciences, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan; Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan; International Research Center for Molecular Systems, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan; Center for Advanced Medical Innovation, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
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9
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Ong ZY, Yang C, Gao SJ, Ke XY, Hedrick JL, Yan Yang Y. Galactose-Functionalized Cationic Polycarbonate Diblock Copolymer for Targeted Gene Delivery to Hepatocytes. Macromol Rapid Commun 2013; 34:1714-20. [DOI: 10.1002/marc.201300538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Revised: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhan Yuin Ong
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology; 31 Biopolis Way Singapore 138669 Singapore
| | - Chuan Yang
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology; 31 Biopolis Way Singapore 138669 Singapore
| | - Shu Jun Gao
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology; 31 Biopolis Way Singapore 138669 Singapore
| | - Xi-Yu Ke
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology; 31 Biopolis Way Singapore 138669 Singapore
| | - James L. Hedrick
- IBM Almaden Research Center; 650 Harry Road San Jose CA 95120 USA
| | - Yi Yan Yang
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology; 31 Biopolis Way Singapore 138669 Singapore
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Sheng R, Luo T, Li H, Sun J, Wang Z, Cao A. 'Click' synthesized sterol-based cationic lipids as gene carriers, and the effect of skeletons and headgroups on gene delivery. Bioorg Med Chem 2013; 21:6366-77. [PMID: 24063908 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.08.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 08/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we have successfully prepared a series of new sterol-based cationic lipids (1-4) via an efficient 'Click' chemistry approach. The pDNA binding affinity of these lipids was examined by EB displacement and agarose-gel retardant assay. The average particle sizes and surface charges of the sterol-based cationic lipids/pDNA lipoplexes were analyzed by dynamic laser light scattering instrument (DLS), and the morphologies of the lipoplexes were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The cytotoxicity of the lipids were examined by MTT and LDH assay, and the gene transfection efficiencies of these lipid carriers were investigated by luciferase gene transfection assay in various cell lines. In addition, the intracellular uptake and trafficking/localization behavior of the Cy3-DNA loaded lipoplexes were preliminarily studied by fluorescence microscopy. The results demonstrated that the pDNA loading capacity, lipoplex particle size, zeta potential and morphology of the sterol lipids/pDNA lipoplexes depended largely on the molecular structure factors including sterol-skeletons and headgroups. Furthermore, the sterol-based lipids showed quite different cytotoxicity and gene transfection efficacy in A549 and HeLa cells. Interestingly, it was found that the cholesterol-bearing lipids 1 and 2 showed 7-10(4) times higher transfection capability than their lithocholate-bearing counterparts 3 and 4 in A549 and HeLa cell lines, suggested that the gene transfection capacity strongly relied on the structure of sterol skeletons. Moreover, the study on the structure-activity relationships of these sterol-based cationic lipid gene carriers provided a possible approach for developing low cytotoxic and high efficient lipid gene carriers by selecting suitable sterol hydrophobes and cationic headgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruilong Sheng
- Laboratory for Polymer Materials, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China
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Gene delivery into human cancer cells by cationic lipid-mediated magnetofection. Int J Pharm 2013; 446:87-99. [PMID: 23415875 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2013.01.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2012] [Revised: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a combination of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) together with cationic lipid N,N-di-n-hexadecyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylammonium chloride formulated with colipid cholesterol, upon magnetofection, enhanced DNA uptake into human glioblastoma-astrocytoma, epithelial-like cell line U-87 MG, hepatocellular carcinoma Hep G2, cervical cancer HeLa and breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Having confirmed this, we monitored uptake of plasmid DNA mediated by ternary magnetoplexes by fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and reporter gene expression assays in the presence and absence of a magnetic field. Our observations clearly indicate enhanced transfection efficiency in vitro, upon magnetofection, in the presence of serum as seen from β-Gal reporter gene expression. The observed activity in serum suggests the suitability of MNPs for in vivo applications. Further, we measured the transverse relaxation time (T2) and obtained T2-weighted MRI images of treated U-87 MG cells. T2 determined for MNP-VP-Me22 and MNP-VP-Et22 corresponds to 22.6±0.8 ms and 36.0±2.1 ms, respectively, as compared to 47±1.7 ms for control, suggesting their applicability in molecular imaging. Our results collectively highlight the potential of lipid-based approach to augment magnetic-field guided-gene delivery using MNPs and additionally towards developing intracellular molecular probes for magnetic resonance imaging.
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