Thin-Film Hydration Followed by Extrusion Method for Liposome Preparation

Liposomal delivery of organoselenium-cisplatin complex as a novel therapeutic approach for colon cancer therapy

Cisplatin is a widely-used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of various solid neoplasms including colon cancer. Cisplatin-induced DNA damage is restricted due to dose-related adverse reactions as well as primary resistance mechanisms. Therefore, it is imperative to utilize novel therapeutic approaches to circumvent cisplatin limitations and attenuate its normal tissues toxicity. In this study, we exploited a novel PEGylated liposomes with greater efficiency to treat colon cancer. For this, an organoselenium compound (diselanediylbis decanoic acid (DDA)) was synthesized, and liposomes composed of Egg PC or HSPC, as well as DOPE, mPEG2000-DSPE, cholesterol and DDA at varying molar ratios were prepared by using thin-film method. Cisplatin loading was performed through incubation with liposomes. Characterization of nanoliposomes indicated a favarable size range of 91-122 nm and negative zeta potential of -9 to -22 mv. The organoselenium compound significantly improved cisplatin loading efficiency within the liposomes (83.4 %). Results also revealed an efficient bioactivity of cisplatin liposome on C26 cells compared to the normal cells. Further, DDA bearing liposomes significantly improved drug residence time in circulation, reduced toxicity associated with the normal tissues, and enhanced drug accumulation within the oxidative tumor microenvironment. Collectively, results indicated that cisplatin encasement within liposomes by using this method could significantly improve the therapeutic efficacy in vivo, and merits further investigations.

Modulating a model membrane of sphingomyelin by a tricyclic antidepressant drug

Tricyclic medicine such as amitriptyline (AMT) hydrochloride, initially developed to treat depression, is also used to treat neuropathic pain, anxiety disorder, and migraines. The mechanism of functioning of this type of drugs is ambiguous. Understanding the mechanism is important for designing new drug molecules with higher pharmacological efficiency. Hence, in the present study, biophysical approaches have been taken to shed light on their interactions with a model cellular membrane of brain sphingomyelin in the form of monolayer and multi-lamellar vesicles. The surface pressure-area isotherm infers the partitioning of a drug molecule into the lipid monolayer at the air water interface, providing a higher surface area per molecule and reducing the in-plane elasticity. Further, the surface electrostatic potential of the lipid monolayer is found to increase due to the insertion of drug molecule. The interfacial rheology revealed a reduction of the in-plane viscoelasticity of the lipid film, which, depends on the adsorption of the drug molecule onto the film. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements on multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) have revealed that the AMT molecules partition into the hydrophobic core of the lipid membrane, modifying the organization of lipids in the membrane. The modified physical state of less rigid membrane and the transformed electrostatics of the membrane could influence its interaction with synaptic vesicles and neurotransmitters making higher availability of the neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft.

Precision-engineered PEGylated liposome for dual payload delivery: enhancing efficacy of Doxorubicin hydrochloride and miR-145 mimics in breast cancer cells

Micro-145 down-regulation is frequently found in breast cancers, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target. The introduction of exogenous miR-145 directly to the tumor sites has been a hurdle due to limited delivery, low bioavailability, and hence lower therapeutic efficacy. Thus, this study aims to synthesize and characterize PEGylated liposome co-loaded with Dox-HCl and miR-145 mimics to investigate its in-vitro anti-proliferative activity against MDA-MB-231 cells. The formulations were developed using a composite central design to optimize nanoparticle size and encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of Dox-HCl and miR-145 mimics. The optimized formulation exhibited the highest desirability function (D = 0.814) and displayed excellent stability over 60 days at 4 °C, maintaining a stable nanoparticle size and zeta potential, with relative EE% of Dox-HCl and miR-145 mimics on the final incubation day 94.97 ± 0.53% and 51.96 ± 2.67%, respectively. The system displayed a higher rate of drug release within 4 h of incubation at an acidic condition. Additionally, the optimized formulation demonstrated a higher toxicity (IC50 = 0.58 μM) against MDA-MB-231 cells than the free Dox- HCl and miR-145 regimen (IC50 = 1.00 μM). Our findings suggest that PEGylated liposome is tunable for effective concurrent delivery of anticancer drugs and therapeutic miRNAs into tumor cells, necessitating further investigation.

A novel liposomal formulation for ocular delivery of caspofungin: an experimental study by quality by design-based approach

Aim: This study focuses on the development of a Caspofungin liposome for efficient ocular delivery by enhancing corneal penetration. Method: Quality by design (QbD) approach was adopted to identify critical factors that influence final liposomal formulation. The liposome developed using thin film hydration after optimization was subjected to characterization for physicochemical properties, irritation potential and corneal uptake. Results: The numerical optimization suggests an optimal formulation with a desirability value of 0.706, using CQAs as optimization goals with 95% prediction intervals. The optimized formulation showed no signs of irritation potential along with observation of significant corneal permeation. Conclusion: The liposomal formulation increased the permeability of Caspofungin, which could enhance the efficacy for the treatment of conditions, like fungal keratitis.

Evaluation of Anticancer Efficacy of D-α-Tocopheryl Polyethylene-Glycol Succinate and Soluplus® Mixed Micelles Loaded with Olaparib and Rapamycin Against Ovarian Cancer

Purpose

Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate and lowest survival rate among female reproductive system malignancies. There are treatment options of surgery and chemotherapy, but both are limited. In this study, we developed and evaluated micelles composed of D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene-glycol (PEG) 1000 succinate (TPGS) and Soluplus® (SOL) loaded with olaparib (OLA), a poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, and rapamycin (RAPA), a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor in ovarian cancer.

Methods

We prepared micelles containing different molar ratios of OLA and RAPA embedded in different weight ratios of TPGS and SOL (OLA/RAPA-TPGS/SOL) were prepared and physicochemical characterized. Furthermore, we performed in vitro cytotoxicity experiments of OLA, RAPA, and OLA/RAPA-TPGS/SOL. In vivo toxicity and antitumor efficacy assays were also performed to assess the efficacy of the mixed micellar system.

Results

OLA/RAPA-TPGS/SOL containing a 4:1 TPGS:SOL weight ratio and a 2:3 OLA:RAPA molar ratio showed synergistic effects and were optimized. The drug encapsulation efficiency of this formulation was >65%, and the physicochemical properties were sustained for 180 days. Moreover, the formulation had a high cell uptake rate and significantly inhibited cell migration (**p < 0.01). In the in vivo toxicity test, no toxicity was observed, with the exception of the high dose group. Furthermore, OLA/RAPA-TPGS/SOL markedly inhibited tumor spheroid and tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusion

Compared to the control, OLA/RAPA-TPGS/SOL showed significant tumor inhibition. These findings lay a foundation for the use of TPGS/SOL mixed micelles loaded with OLA and RAPA in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

The impact of biomolecule interactions on the cytotoxic effects of rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes

Rhenium complexes show great promise as anticancer drug candidates. Specifically, compounds with a Re(CO)3(NN)(py)+ core in their architecture have shown cytotoxicity equal to or greater than that of well-established anticancer drugs based on platinum or organic molecules. This study aimed to evaluate how the strength of the interaction between rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes fac-[Re(CO)3(NN)(py)]+, NN = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), dipyrido[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline (dpq) or dipyrido[3,2-a:2'3'-c]phenazine (dppz) and biomolecules (protein, lipid and DNA) impacted the corresponding cytotoxic effect in cells. Results showed that fac-[Re(CO)3(dppz)(py)]+ has higher Log Po/w and binding constant (Kb) with biomolecules (protein, lipid and DNA) compared to complexes of fac-[Re(CO)3(phen)(py)]+ and fac-[Re(CO)3(dpq)(py)]+. As consequence, fac-[Re(CO)3(dppz)(py)]+ exhibited the highest cytotoxicity (IC50 = 8.5 μM for HeLa cells) for fac-[Re(CO)3(dppz)(py)]+ among the studied compounds (IC50 > 15 μM). This highest cytotoxicity of fac-[Re(CO)3(dppz)(py)]+ are probably related to its lipophilicity, higher permeation of the lipid bilayers of cells, and a more potent interaction of the dppz ligand with biomolecules (protein and DNA). Our findings open novel avenues for rational drug design and highlight the importance of considering the chemical structures of rhenium complexes that strongly interact with biomolecules (proteins, lipids, and DNA).

Development of an extended action fostemsavir lipid nanoparticle

An extended action fostemsavir (FTR) lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation prevents human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV-1) infection. This FTR formulation establishes a drug depot in monocyte-derived macrophages that extend the drug's plasma residence time. The LNP's physicochemical properties improve FTR's antiretroviral activities, which are linked to the drug's ability to withstand fluid flow forces and levels of drug cellular internalization. Each is, in measure, dependent on PEGylated lipid composition and flow rate ratios affecting the size, polydispersity, shape, zeta potential, stability, biodistribution, and antiretroviral efficacy. The FTR LNP physicochemical properties enable the drug-particle's extended actions.

Assessment of Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of Liposomes Loaded with Curcumin and Lippia origanoides Essential Oil

(1) Introduction: Curcumin and Lippia origanoides essential oils have a broad spectrum of biological activities; however, their physicochemical instability, low solubility, and high volatility limit their therapeutic use. Encapsulation in liposomes has been reported as a feasible approach to increase the physicochemical stability of active substances, protect them from interactions with the environment, modulate their release, reduce their volatility, improve their bioactivity, and reduce their toxicity. To date, there are no reports on the co-encapsulation of curcumin and Lippia origanoides essential oils in liposomes. Therefore, the objective of this work is to prepare and physiochemical characterize liposomes loaded with the mixture of these compounds and to evaluate different in vitro biological activities. (2) Methods: Liposomes were produced using the thin-layer method and physiochemical characteristics were calculated. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of both encapsulated and non-encapsulated compounds were evaluated. (3) Results: Empty and loaded nanometric-sized liposomes were obtained that are monodisperse and have a negative zeta potential. They inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and did not exhibit cytotoxic activity against mammalian cells. (4) Conclusions: Encapsulation in liposomes was demonstrated to be a promising strategy for natural compounds possessing antimicrobial activity.

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell membrane-coated vesicles for bone marrow-targeted leukaemia drug delivery

Leukemia is a kind of hematological malignancy originating from bone marrow, which provides essential signals for initiation, progression, and recurrence of leukemia. However, how to specifically deliver drugs to the bone marrow remains elusive. Here, we develop biomimetic vesicles by infusing hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) membrane with liposomes (HSPC liposomes), which migrate to the bone marrow of leukemic mice via hyaluronic acid-CD44 axis. Moreover, the biomimetic vesicles exhibit superior binding affinity to leukemia cells through intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)/integrin β2 (ITGB2) interaction. Further experiments validate that the vesicles carrying chemotherapy drug cytarabine (Ara-C@HSPC-Lipo) markedly inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and differentiation of leukemia cells, and decrease number of leukemia stem cells. Mechanically, RNA-seq reveals that Ara-C@HSPC-Lipo treatment induces apoptosis and differentiation and inhibits the oncogenic pathways. Finally, we verify that HSPC liposomes are safe in mice. This study provides a method for targeting bone marrow and treating leukemia.

Formulation, development and evaluation of hyaluronic acid-conjugated liposomal nanoparticles loaded with regorafenib and curcumin and their in vitro evaluation on colorectal cancer cell lines

Colorectal cancer is one of the major causes of global cancer, with chemotherapy and radiation therapy being effective but limited due to low specificity. Regorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, provides hope to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and was approved by the FDA in 2012. However, due to resistance issues and adverse events, its efficacy is compromised, necessitating further refinement. Meanwhile, curcumin, a compound of turmeric, exhibits anticancer effects through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, induction of the apoptosis, arrest of cell cycle, inhibition of angiogenesis, and modulation of signaling pathways. Unfortunately, its clinical utility is limited by its poor bioavailability, pointing towards innovative drug delivery strategies for enhanced efficacy in colorectal cancer treatment. Hyaluronic acid (HA)-decorated liposomes (LIPO) have been developed to target colorectal cells through an overexpressed CD44 receptor, increasing antitumor and antimetastasis efficacy. This study investigates the possibility of loading curcumin (CUR) or regorafenib (REGO) into a liposomal formulation for passive and HA-actively targeted treatment, evaluating its critical quality attributes (CQA) (size, zeta potential, polydispersity index) and cytotoxic activity in the HT29 colorectal cancer cell line. The average particle size of the plain liposomes and those decorated with HA was 144.00 ± 0.78 nm and 140.77 ± 1.64 nm, respectively. In contrast, curcumin-loaded plain liposomes and HA-decorated liposomes had 140 ± 2.46 nm and 164.53 ± 15.13 nm, respectively. The prepared liposomes had a spherical shape with a narrow size distribution and an acceptable zeta potential of less than -30 mV. The encapsulation efficiency was 99.2 % ± 0.3 and 99.9 ± 0.2 % for HA-decorated and bare regorafenib loaded. The % EE was 98.9 ± 0.2 % and 97.5 ± 0.2 % for bare liposomal nanoparticles loaded with curcumin and coated with curcumin. The IC50 of free REGO, CUR, REGO-LIPO, CUR-LIPO, REGO-LIPO-HA and CUR-LIPO-HA were 20.17 ± 0.78, 64.4 ± 0.33, 224.8 ± 0.06, 49.66 ± 0.22, 73.66 ± 0.6, and 27.86 ± 0.49 µM, respectively. The MTT assay in HT29 cells showed significant cytotoxic activity of the HA-decorated liposomal formulation compared to the base uncoated formulation, indicating that hyaluronic acid-targeted liposomes loaded with regorafenib or curcumin could be a promising targeted formulation against colorectal cancer cells.

The impact of phospholipids with high transition temperature to enhance redox-sensitive liposomal doxorubicin efficacy in colon carcinoma model

In this study, we have developed a redox-sensitive (RS) liposomal doxorubicin formulation by incorporating 10,10'-diselanediylbis decanoic acid (DDA) organoselenium compound as the RS moiety. Hence, several RS liposomal formulations were prepared by using DOPE, HSPC, DDA, mPEG2000-DSPE, and cholesterol. In situ drug loading using a pH gradient and citrate complex yielded high drug to lipid ratio and encapsulation efficiency (100%) for RS liposomes. Liposomal formulations were characterized in terms of size, surface charge and morphology, drug loading, release properties, cell uptake and cytotoxicity, as well as therapeutic efficacy in BALB/c mice bearing C26 tumor cells. The formulations showed an average particle size of 200 nm with narrow size distributions (PDI < 0.3), and negative surface charges varying from -6 mV to -18.6 mV. Our study confirms that the presence of the DDA compound in liposomes is highly sensitive to hydrogen peroxide at 0.1% w/v, resulting in a significant burst release of up to 40%. The in vivo therapeutic efficacy study in BALB/c mice bearing C26 colon carcinoma confirmed the promising function of RS liposomes in the tumor microenvironment which led to a prolonged median survival time (MST). The addition of hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine (HSPC) with a high transition temperature (Tm: 52-53.5°C) extended the MST of our 3-component formulation of F14 (DOPE/HSPC/DDA) to 60 days in comparison to Caelyx (PEGylated liposomal Dox), which is not RS-sensitive (39 days). Overall, HSPC liposomes bearing RS-sensitive moiety enhanced therapeutic efficacy against colon cancer in vitro and in vivo. This achievement unequivocally underscores the criticality of high-TM phospholipids, particularly HSPC, in significantly enhancing liposome stability within the bloodstream. In addition, RS liposomes enable the on-demand release of drugs, leveraging the redox environment of tumor cells, thereby augmenting the efficacy of the formulation.

Targeted therapy of kidney disease with nanoparticle drug delivery materials

With the development of nanomedicine, nanomaterials have been widely used, offering specific drug delivery to target sites, minimal side effects, and significant therapeutic effects. The kidneys have filtration and reabsorption functions, with various potential target cell types and a complex structural environment, making the strategies for kidney function protection and recovery after injury complex. This also lays the foundation for the application of nanomedicine in kidney diseases. Currently, evidence in preclinical and clinical settings supports the feasibility of targeted therapy for kidney diseases using drug delivery based on nanomaterials. The prerequisite for nanomedicine in treating kidney diseases is the use of carriers with good biocompatibility, including nanoparticles, hydrogels, liposomes, micelles, dendrimer polymers, adenoviruses, lysozymes, and elastin-like polypeptides. These carriers have precise renal uptake, longer half-life, and targeted organ distribution, protecting and improving the efficacy of the drugs they carry. Additionally, attention should also be paid to the toxicity and solubility of the carriers. While the carriers mentioned above have been used in preclinical studies for targeted therapy of kidney diseases both in vivo and in vitro, extensive clinical trials are still needed to ensure the short-term and long-term effects of nano drugs in the human body. This review will discuss the advantages and limitations of nanoscale drug carrier materials in treating kidney diseases, provide a more comprehensive catalog of nanocarrier materials, and offer prospects for their drug-loading efficacy and clinical applications.

Targeted Delivery of Macrophage Membrane Biomimetic Liposomes Through Intranasal Administration for Treatment of Ischemic Stroke

Purpose

Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) and Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) can be used for ischemic stroke treatment, however, the lack of targeting to the ischemic region limits the therapeutic effect. To address this, we leveraged the affinity of macrophage membrane proteins for inflamed brain microvascular endothelial cells to develop a macrophage membrane-cloaked liposome loaded with Rg3 and PNS (MM-Lip-Rg3/PNS), which can precisely target brain lesion region through intranasal administration.

Methods

MM-Lip-Rg3/PNS was prepared by co-extrusion method and was performed by characterization, stability, surface protein, and morphology. The cellular uptake, immune escape ability, and blood-brain barrier crossing ability of MM-Lip-Rg3/PNS were studied in vitro. The in vivo brain targeting, biodistribution and anti-ischemic efficacy of MM-Lip-Rg3/PNS were evaluated in MACO rats, and we determined the diversity of the nasal brain pathway through the olfactory nerve blockade model in rats. Finally, the pharmacokinetics and brain targeting index of MM-Lip-Rg3/PNS were investigated.

Results

Our results indicated that MM-Lip-Rg3/PNS was spherical with a shell-core structure. MM-Lip-Rg3/PNS can avoid mononuclear phagocytosis, actively bind to inflammatory endothelial cells, and have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Moreover, MM-Lip-Rg3/PNS could specifically target ischemic sites, even microglia, increase the cumulative number of drugs in the brain, improve the inflammatory environment of the brain, and reduce the infarct size. By comparing olfactory nerve-blocking rats with normal rats, it was found that there are direct and indirect pathways for nasal entry into the brain. Pharmacokinetics demonstrated that MM-Lip-Rg3/PNS exhibited stronger brain targeting and prolonged drug half-life.

Conclusion

MM-Lip-Rg3/PNS might contribute to the accumulation of Rg3 and PNS in the ischemic brain area to improve treatment efficacy. This biomimetic nano-drug delivery system provides a new and promising strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Lipid loss and compositional change during preparation of liposomes by common biophysical methods

Liposomes are widely used as model lipid membrane platforms in many fields, ranging from basic biophysical studies to drug delivery and biotechnology applications. Various methods exist to prepare liposomes, but common procedures include thin-film hydration followed by extrusion, freeze-thaw, and/or sonication. These procedures have the potential to produce liposomes at specific concentrations and membrane compositions, and researchers often assume that the concentration and composition of their liposomes are similar to, if not identical, to what would be expected if no lipid loss occurred during preparation. However, lipid loss and concomitant biasing of lipid composition can in principle occur at any preparation step due to nonideal mixing, lipid-surface interactions, etc. Here, we report a straightforward method using HPLC-ELSD to quantify the lipid concentration and membrane composition of liposomes, and apply that method to study the preparation of simple POPC/cholesterol liposomes. We examine many common steps in liposome formation, including vortexing during re-suspension, hydration of the lipid film, extrusion, freeze-thaw, sonication, and the percentage of cholesterol in the starting mixture. We found that the resuspension step can play an outsized role in determining the overall lipid loss (up to ~50% under seemingly rigorous procedures). The extrusion step yielded smaller lipid losses (~10-20%). Freeze-thaw and sonication could both be employed to improve lipid yields. Hydration times up to 60 minutes and increasing cholesterol concentrations up to 50 mole% had little influence on lipid recovery. Fortunately, even conditions with large lipid loss did not substantially influence the target membrane composition more than ~5% under the conditions we tested. From our results, we identify best practices for producing maximum levels of lipid recovery and minimal changes to lipid composition during liposome preparation protocols. We expect our results can be leveraged for improved preparation of model membranes by researchers in many fields.

Eliminating senescent cells by white adipose tissue-targeted senotherapy alleviates age-related hepatic steatosis through decreasing lipolysis

Cellular senescence is an important risk factor in the development of hepatic steatosis. Senolytics present therapeutic effects on age-related hepatic steatosis without eliminating senescent hepatocytes directly. Therefore, it highlights the need to find senolytics' therapeutic targets. Dysfunction of adipose tissue underlies the critical pathogenesis of lipotoxicity in the liver. However, the correlation between adipose tissue and hepatic steatosis during aging and its underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. We explored the correlation between white adipose tissue (WAT) and the liver during aging and evaluated the effect of lipolysis of aged WAT on hepatic steatosis and hepatocyte senescence. We screened out the ideal senolytics for WAT and developed a WAT-targeted delivery system for senotherapy. We assessed senescence and lipolysis of WAT and hepatic lipid accumulation after treatment. The results displayed that aging accelerated cellular senescence and facilitated lipolysis of WAT. Free fatty acids (FFAs) generated by WAT during aging enhanced hepatic steatosis and induced hepatocyte senescence. The combined usage of dasatinib and quercetin was screened out as the ideal senolytics to eliminate senescent cells in WAT. To minimize non-specific distribution and enhance the effectiveness of senolytics, liposomes decorated with WAT affinity peptide P3 were constructed for senotherapy in vivo. In vivo study, WAT-targeted treatment eliminated senescent cells in WAT and reduced lipolysis, resulting in the alleviation of hepatic lipid accumulation and hepatocyte senescence when compared to non-targeted treatment, providing a novel tissue-targeted, effective and safe senotherapy for age-related hepatic steatosis.

High throughput microfluidics-based synthesis of PEGylated liposomes for precise size control and efficient drug encapsulation

The low scalability and reproducibility of existing synthesis methods have hindered the translation of liposome nanoparticles as carriers for targeted drug delivery from conventional laboratory techniques to mass production. To this end, in this study, we present a high-throughput microfluidics-based approach for the synthesis of PEGylated liposomes with a primary focus on achieving precise size control and efficient encapsulation of hydrophobic drug molecules. In this platform, liposomes were self-assembled through a controllable mixing of lipids (EYPC, cholesterol, and DSPE-PEG 2000) dissolved in ethanol and an aqueous solution. The key parameters, including the chip design, total flow rate, flow rate ratio, lipid concentrations, as well as variations in buffer (HEPES and NaCl) and solvent composition (commercial and reagent-grade ethanol) were explored in detail. Through comprehensive parametric studies, we gained valuable insights into the influence of these variables on the size distribution of liposomes and succeeded in producing highly reproducible liposomes ranging from approximately 60 nm (corresponding to small unilamellar vesicles) to 150 nm (representing large unilamellar vesicles), all while maintaining a polydispersity index (PDI) of less than 0.2. To assess the encapsulation efficiency of hydrophobic drug molecules, Nile red (NR) was employed as a surrogate. We meticulously examined the impact of NR concentration on the drug encapsulation process, resulting in up to 74% drug encapsulation efficiency within the PEGylated liposomes. This research offers crucial advances in liposome synthesis and drug delivery, providing a high-throughput, controllable method for PEGylated liposomes with potential in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.

Inhalable FN-binding liposomes or liposome-exosome hybrid bionic vesicles encapsulated microparticles for enhanced pulmonary fibrosis therapy

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic, progressive and irreversible interstitial lung disease that seriously threatens human life and health. Our previous study demonstrated the unique superiority of traditional Chinese medicine cryptotanshinone (CTS) combined with sustained pulmonary drug delivery for treating PF. In this study, we aimed to enhance the selectivity, targeting efficiency and sustained-release capability based on this delivery system. To this end, we developed and evaluated CTS-loaded modified liposomes-chitosan (CS) microspheres SM(CT-lipo) and liposome-exosome hybrid bionic vesicles-CS microspheres SM(LE). The prepared nano-in-micro particles system integrates the advantages of the carriers and complements each other. SM(CT-lipo) and SM(LE) achieved lung myofibroblast-specific targeting through CREKA peptide binding specifically to fibronectin (FN) and the homing effect of exosomes on parent cells, respectively, facilitating efficient delivery of anti-fibrosis drugs to lung lesions. Furthermore, compared with daily administration of conventional microspheres SM(NC) and positive control drug pirfenidone (PFD), inhaled administration of SM(CT-lipo) and SM(LE) every two days still attained similar efficacy, exhibiting excellent sustained drug release ability. In summary, our findings suggest that the developed SM(CT-lipo) and SM(LE) delivery strategies could achieve more accurate, efficient and safe therapy, providing novel insights into the treatment of chronic PF.

Pegylated liposome encapsulating docetaxel using microfluidic mixing technique: Process optimization and results in breast cancer models

The development of nanoparticles could help to improve the efficacy/toxicity balance of drugs. This project aimed to develop liposomes and immunoliposomes using microfluidic mixing technology.Various formulation tests were carried out to obtain liposomes that met the established specifications. The liposomes were then characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index (PDI), docetaxel encapsulation rate and lamellarity. Antiproliferative activity was tested in human breast cancer models ranging from near-negative (MDA-MB-231), positive (MDA-MB-453) to HER2 positive. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed in C57BL/6 mice.Numerous batches of liposomes were synthesised using identical molar ratios and by varying the microfluidic parameters TFR, FRR and buffer. All synthesized liposomes have a size < 200 nm, but only Lipo-1, Lipo-6, Lipo-7, Lipo-8 have a PDI < 0.2, which meets our initial requirements. The size of the liposomes was correlated with the total FRR, for a 1:1 FRR the size is 122.2 ± 12.3 nm, whereas for a 1:3 FRR the size obtained is 163.4 ± 34.0 nm (p = 0.019. Three batches of liposomes were obtained with high docetaxel encapsulation rates > 80 %. Furthermore, in vitro studies on breast cancer cell lines demonstrated the efficacy of liposomes obtained by microfluidic mixing technique. These liposomes also showed improved pharmacokinetics compared to free docetaxel, with a longer half-life and higher AUC (3-fold and 3.5-fold increase for the immunoliposome, respectively).This suggests that switching to the microfluidic process will produce batches of liposomes with the same characteristics in terms of in vitro properties and efficacy, as well as the ability to release the encapsulated drug over time in vivo. This time-efficiency of the microfluidic technique is critical, especially in the early stages of development.

A Dual Functional Bioinspired Lubricant for Osteoarthritis Treatment and Potential Prevention

Osteoarthritis (OA), primarily characterized by the deterioration of articular cartilage, is a highly prevalent joint-disabling disease. The pathological onset and progression of OA are closely related to cartilage lubrication dysfunction and synovial inflammation. Synergistic options targeted at restorative lubrication and anti-inflammation are expected to be the most attractive candidates to treat OA and perhaps help prevent it. Herein, a bioinspired lubricant (HA/PA@Lipo) was fabricated by combining anionic hyaluronan-graft-poly(2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid sodium salt) (HA/PA) with cationic liposomes (Lipo) via electrostatic interaction. HA/PA@Lipo mimicked the lubrication complex located on the outer cartilage surface and was endowed cartilage with excellent cartilage-lubricating performances. After the antioxidant gallic acid (GA) was loaded for dual functionality, HA/PA@Lipo-GA was prepared with added anti-inflammatory properties. HA/PA@Lipo-GA showed favorable biocompatibility with C28/I2 cells, inhibited the production of reactive oxygen, and regulated the expression levels of anabolic genes and proteins. The therapeutic effects of HA/PA@Lipo-GA were evaluated using a sodium iodoacetate-induced OA rat model, and the preventive effects of HA/PA@Lipo-GA were estimated in vivo. The results suggested the robust potential of HA/PA@Lipo-GA with dual functions as a candidate option for OA treatment and prevention.

JNK2 silencing lipid nanoparticles for elastic matrix repair

The over-expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK2), a stress activated mitogen kinase, in the aortic wall plays a critical role in the formation and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This triggers chronic downstream upregulation of elastolytic matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMPs2 and 9 to cause progressive proteolytic breakdown of the wall elastic matrix. We have previously shown that siNRA knockdown of JNK2 gene expression in an AAA culture model stimulates downstream elastin gene expression, elastic fiber formation, crosslinking and reduces elastolytic MMPs2 and 9. Since naked siRNA poorly routes to intracellular targets, has poor stability in blood, and could be potentially toxic and immunogenic, this project is aimed to develop PEGylated lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for delivery of JNK siRNA and to generate evidence of successful JNK2 knockdown and downstream attenuation of MMP2 gene and protein expressions. LNPs were formulated using thin-film hydration technique and had the size of 100-200 nm with zeta-potential ranging between 30 and 40 mV. JNK siRNA loaded PEGylated LNPs successfully knocked down JNK2 in cytokine-activated rat aneurysmal smooth muscle (EaRASMC) cultures. This resulted in a downstream decrease in MMP2 gene and protein expression and an upward trend in expression of genes for proteins critical for elastic fiber assembly such as elastin (ELN) and lysyl oxidase (LOX). Our result indicates cationic LNPs to be potential carriers for JNK siRNA delivery improving potency for elastin homeostasis required for AAA repair which could possibly provide benefits in preventing the progression of small AAAs.

Strategies to address key challenges of metallacycle/metallacage-based supramolecular coordination complexes in biomedical applications

Owing to their capacity for dynamically linking two or more functional molecules, supramolecular coordination complexes (SCCs), exemplified by two-dimensional (2D) metallacycles and three-dimensional (3D) metallacages, have gained increasing significance in biomedical applications. However, their inherent hydrophobicity and self-assembly driven by heavy metal ions present common challenges in their applications. These challenges can be overcome by enhancing the aqueous solubility and in vivo circulation stability of SCCs, alongside minimizing their side effects during treatment. Addressing these challenges is crucial for advancing the fundamental research of SCCs and their subsequent clinical translation. In this review, drawing on extensive contemporary research, we offer a thorough and systematic analysis of the strategies employed by SCCs to surmount these prevalent yet pivotal obstacles. Additionally, we explore further potential challenges and prospects for the broader application of SCCs in the biomedical field.

Development of rice bran-derived nanoparticles with excellent anti-cancer activity and their application for peritoneal dissemination

BACKGROUND

Rice bran a by-product of the rice milling process is currently underutilized. Recent studies have shown that plant-derived nanoparticles (pdNPs) can be mass-produced at a low cost and exhibit biological and therapeutic activities. Rice bran contains various anti-cancer compounds, including γ-oryzanol and γ-tocotrienol, and rice bran-derived nanoparticles (rbNPs) can be employed as novel therapeutic agents for cancer treatment.

RESULTS

Koshihikari rice bran was suspended in water, and the suspension was centrifuged and filtered through a 0.45-µm-pore size syringe filter. The filtrate was ultracentrifuged, and the precipitates were suspended to obtain rbNPs. The rbNPs were negatively charged exosome-like nanoparticles with an average diameter of approximately 130 nm. The rbNPs exhibited cytotoxic activities against cancer cells but not against normal cells. The cytotoxic activity of rbNPs to murine colon adenocarcinoma colon26 cells was significantly greater than DOXIL® or other pdNPs. The rbNPs induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and reduced the expression of proliferative proteins, including β-catenin and cyclin D1. Intraperitoneal injections of rbNPs into mice bearing peritoneal dissemination of colon26 cells significantly suppressed tumor growth with no significant adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that rbNPs are promising nanoparticles, hold significant potential for anti-cancer applications, and are expected to play a vital role in cancer treatment.

Engineering cGAS-agonistic oligonucleotides as therapeutics for cancer immunotherapy

Activating cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) holds great potential for cancer immunotherapy by eliciting type-I interferon (IFN-I) responses. Yet, current approaches to cGAS-STING activation rely on STING agonists, which suffer from difficult formulation, poor pharmacokinetics, and marginal clinical therapeutic efficacy. Here, we report nature-inspired oligonucleotide, Svg3, as a cGAS agonist for cGAS-STING activation in tumor combination immunotherapy. The hairpin-shaped Svg3 strongly binds to cGAS and enhances phase separation to form Svg3-cGAS liquid-like droplets. This results in cGAS-specific immunoactivation and robust IFN-I responses. Remarkably, Svg3 outperforms several state-of-the-art STING agonists in murine and human cells/tissues. Nanoparticle-delivered Svg3 reduces tumor immunosuppression and potentiates immune checkpoint blockade therapeutic efficacy of multiple syngeneic tumor models in wild-type mice, but in neither cGas-/- nor Sting-/- mice. Overall, these results demonstrate the great potential of Svg3 as a cGAS agonistic oligonucleotide for cancer combination immunotherapy.

BCG-booster vaccination with HSP90-ESAT-6-HspX-RipA multivalent subunit vaccine confers durable protection against hypervirulent Mtb in mice

The quest for effective and enhanced multiantigenic tuberculosis (TB) subunit vaccine necessitates the induction of a protective pathogen-specific immune response while circumventing detrimental inflammation within the lung milieu. In line with this goal, we engineered a modified iteration of the quadrivalent vaccine, namely HSP90-ESAT-6-HspX-RipA (HEHR), which was coupled with the TLR4 adjuvant, CIA09A. The ensuing formulation was subjected to comprehensive assessment to gauge its protective efficacy against the hypervirulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) Haarlem clinical strain M2, following a BCG-prime boost regimen. Regardless of vaccination route, both intramuscular and subcutaneous administration with the HEHR vaccine exhibited remarkable protective efficacy in significantly reducing the Mtb bacterial burden and pulmonary inflammation. This underscores its notably superior protective potential compared to the BCG vaccine alone or a former prototype, the HSP90-E6 subunit vaccine. In addition, this superior protective efficacy was confirmed when testing a tag-free version of the HEHR vaccine. Furthermore, the protective immune determinant, represented by durable antigen-specific CD4+IFN-γ+IL-17A+ T-cells expressing a CXCR3+KLRG1- cell surface phenotype in the lung, was robustly induced in HEHR-boosted mice at 12 weeks post-challenge. Collectively, our data suggest that the BCG-prime HEHR boost vaccine regimen conferred improved and long-term protection against hypervirulent Mtb strain with robust antigen-specific Th1/Th17 responses.

Engineered triphenylphosphonium-based, mitochondrial-targeted liposomal drug delivery system facilitates cancer cell killing actions of chemotherapeutics

In addition to their classical role in ATP generation, mitochondria also contribute to Ca2+ buffering, free radical production, and initiation of programmed cell death. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to several leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide including neurodegenerative, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases as well as several cancer subtypes. Thus, there is growing interest in developing drug-delivery vehicles capable of shuttling therapeutics directly to the mitochondria. Here, we functionalized the conventional 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid/1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PCDA/DMPC)-based liposome with a mitochondria-targeting triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cationic group. A fluorescent dansyl dye (DAN) group was also included for tracking mitochondrial drug uptake. The resultant PCDA-TPP and PCDA-DAN conjugates were incorporated into a 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC)-based lipid bilayer, and these modified liposomes (Lip-DT) were studied for their cellular toxicity, mitochondrial targeting ability, and efficacy in delivering the drug Doxorubicin (Dox) to human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) and human breast (MCF7) cancer cells in vitro. This Lip-DT-Dox exhibited the ability to shuttle the encapsulated drug to the mitochondria of cancer cells and triggered oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. The ability of Lip-DT-Dox to trigger cellular toxicity in both HCT116 and MCF7 cancer cells was comparable to the known cell-killing actions of the unencapsulated drug (Dox). The findings in this study reveal a promising approach where conventional liposome-based drug delivery systems can be rendered mitochondria-specific by incorporating well-known mitochondriotropic moieties onto the surface of the liposome.

A comprehensive review on lipid nanocarrier systems for cancer treatment: fabrication, future prospects and clinical trials

Over the last few decades, cancer has been considered a clinical challenge, being among the leading causes of mortality all over the world. Although many treatment approaches have been developed for cancer, chemotherapy is still the most utilized in the clinical setting. However, the available chemotherapeutics-based treatments have several caveats including their lack of specificity, adverse effects as well as cancer relapse and metastasis which mainly explains the low survival rate of patients. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been utilized as promising nanocarrier systems for chemotherapeutics to overcome the challenges of the currently applied therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. Loading chemotherapeutic agent(s) into LNPs improves drug delivery at different aspects including specific targeting of tumours, and enhancing the bioavailability of drugs at the tumour site through selective release of their payload, thus reducing their undesired side effects on healthy cells. This review article delineates an overview of the clinical challenges in many cancer treatments as well as depicts the role of LNPs in achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes. Moreover, the review contains a comprehensive description of the many LNPs categories used as nanocarriers in cancer treatment to date, as well as the potential of LNPs for future applications in other areas of medicine and research.

Nanoparticle-mediated co-delivery of inflammasome inhibitors provides protection against sepsis

The NLRP3 inflammasome, a multiprotein complex responsible for triggering the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, plays a crucial role in inducing the inflammatory response associated with sepsis. While small molecule inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome have been investigated for sepsis management, delivering NLRP3 inhibitors has been accompanied by several challenges, primarily related to the drug formulation, delivery route, stability, and toxicity. Many existing inflammasome inhibitors either show higher liver toxicity or require a high dosage to efficiently impede the inflammasome complex assembly. Moreover, the potential synergistic effects of combining multiple inflammasome inhibitors in sepsis therapy remain largely unexplored. Therefore, a rational approach is essential for presenting the potential administration of NLRP3 small molecule inhibitors to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation effectively. In this context, we present a lipid nanoparticle-based dual-drug delivery system loaded with MCC 950 and disulfiram, demonstrating markedly higher efficiency compared to an equivalent amount of free-drug combinations and individual drug nanoparticles in vitro. This combination therapy substantially improved the in vivo survival rate of mice for LPS-induced septic peritonitis. Additionally, the synergistic approach illustrated a significant reduction in the expression of active caspase-1 as well as IL-1β inhibition integral components in the NLRP3 pathway. This study underscores the importance of integrating combination therapies facilitated by nanoparticle delivery to address the limitations of small molecule inflammasome inhibitors.

Package delivered: folate receptor-mediated transporters in cancer therapy and diagnosis

Neoplasias pose a significant threat to aging society, underscoring the urgent need to overcome the limitations of traditional chemotherapy through pioneering strategies. Targeted drug delivery is an evolving frontier in cancer therapy, aiming to enhance treatment efficacy while mitigating undesirable side effects. One promising avenue utilizes cell membrane receptors like the folate receptor to guide drug transporters precisely to malignant cells. Based on the cellular folate receptor as a cancer cell hallmark, targeted nanocarriers and small molecule-drug conjugates have been developed that comprise different (bio) chemistries and/or mechanical properties with individual advantages and challenges. Such modern folic acid-conjugated stimuli-responsive drug transporters provide systemic drug delivery and controlled release, enabling reduced dosages, circumvention of drug resistance, and diminished adverse effects. Since the drug transporters' structure-based de novo design is increasingly relevant for precision cancer remediation and diagnosis, this review seeks to collect and debate the recent approaches to deliver therapeutics or diagnostics based on folic acid conjugated Trojan Horses and to facilitate the understanding of the relevant chemistry and biochemical pathways. Focusing exemplarily on brain and breast cancer, recent advances spanning 2017 to 2023 in conjugated nanocarriers and small molecule drug conjugates were considered, evaluating the chemical and biological aspects in order to improve accessibility to the field and to bridge chemical and biomedical points of view ultimately guiding future research in FR-targeted cancer therapy and diagnosis.

Nanotechnology-based delivery systems to overcome drug resistance in cancer

Cancer nanomedicine is defined as the application of nanotechnology and nanomaterials for the formulation of cancer therapeutics that can overcome the impediments and restrictions of traditional chemotherapeutics. Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells can be defined as a decrease or abrogation in the efficacy of anticancer drugs that have different molecular structures and mechanisms of action and is one of the primary causes of therapeutic failure. There have been successes in the development of cancer nanomedicine to overcome MDR; however, relatively few of these formulations have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of cancer. This is primarily due to the paucity of knowledge about nanotechnology and the fundamental biology of cancer cells. Here, we discuss the advances, types of nanomedicines, and the challenges regarding the translation of in vitro to in vivo results and their relevance to effective therapies.

Development of immunoliposomes containing cytotoxic gold payloads against HER2-positive breast cancers

Overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is found in 20-30% of breast cancer tumors (HER2-positive breast cancers) and is associated with more aggressive onset of disease, higher recurrence rate and increased mortality. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) like trastuzumab and pertuzumab in combination with chemotherapeutics, and trastuzumab-based antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are used in the clinic to treat these cancers. An alternative targeted strategy (not yet in clinical use) is the encapsulation of chemotherapeutic drugs in immunoliposomes. Such systems may not only facilitate targeted delivery to the tumor and improve intracellular penetration, but also override some of the resistance developed by tumors in response to cytotoxic loads. As a supplement to classical chemotherapeutics (based on organic compounds and conventional platinum-based derivatives), gold compounds are emerging as potential anticancer agents due to their high cytotoxicity and capacity for immunogenic cell death. Here, we describe the development of immunoliposomes functionalized with trastuzumab and pertuzumab; containing simple gold(i) neutral compounds ([AuCl(PR3)] (PR3 = PPh3 (1), PEt3 (2))) generated by the thin-film method to afford Lipo-1-Lipo-2. Trastuzumab and pertuzumab were engrafted onto these liposomes to generate gold-based immunoliposomes (Immunolipo-Tras-1, Immunolipo-Tras-2, Immunolipo-Per-1, Immunolipo-Per-2). We have characterized all liposomal formulations and demonstrated that the immunoliposomes (190 nm) are stable, have high binding affinity for HER2, and display selective cytotoxicity towards HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines. Trastuzumab-based immunoliposomes of a smaller size (100 nm) - encapsulating [AuCl(PEt3)] (2) - have been generated by an extrusion homogenization method. These optimized immunoliposomes (Opt-Immunolipo-Tras-2) have a trastuzumab engraftment efficiency, encapsulation efficiency for 2, and affinity for HER-2 similar to the immunoliposomes obtained by sonication (Immunolipo-Tras-2). While the amount of Au encapsulated is slightly lower, they display almost identical cytotoxicity and selectivity profiles. Moreover, the fluorescently-labeled phosphane drug [AuCl(PPh2-BODIPY)] (3) was encapsulated in both larger (Immunolipo-Tras-3) and smaller (Opt-Immunolipo-Tras-3) immunoliposomes and used to visualize the intracellular localization of the payload. Fluorescent imaging studies found that Opt-Immunolipo-Tras-3 accumulates in the cells more than 3 and that the unencapsulated payload accumulates primarily in lysosomes, while targeted liposomal 3 localizes in mitochondria and ER, hinting at different possibilities for modes of action.

A Biotinylated Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) as the Universal Platform To Access GPI-Anchored Protein Analogues

A glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) derivative with biotin linked to its mannose III 6-O-position was prepared by a convergent strategy. This biotinylated GPI was demonstrated to bind avidinated proteins readily through biotin-avidin interaction and, therefore, can serve as a universal platform to access various biologically significant GPI-anchored protein analogues.

CCL2 chemokine inhibition primes the tumor vasculature for improved nanomedicine delivery and efficacy

Blood vessel functionality is crucial for efficient tumor-targeted drug delivery. Heterogeneous distribution and perfusion of angiogenic blood vessels contribute to suboptimal accumulation of (nano-) therapeutics in tumors and metastases. To attenuate pathological angiogenesis, an L-RNA aptamer inhibiting the CC motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) was administered to mice bearing orthotopic 4T1 triple-negative breast cancer tumors. The effect of CCL2 inhibition on tumor blood vessel functionality and tumor-targeted drug delivery was evaluated via multimodal and multiscale optical imaging, employing fluorophore-labeled polymeric (10 nm) and liposomal (100 nm) nanocarriers. Anti-CCL2 treatment induced a dose-dependent anti-angiogenic effect, reflected by a decreased relative blood volume, increased blood vessel maturity and functionality, and reduced macrophage infiltration, accompanied by a shift in the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) towards a less M2-like and more M1-like phenotype. In line with this, CCL2 inhibitor treatment improved the delivery of polymers and liposomes to tumors, and enhanced the antitumor efficacy of free and liposomal doxorubicin. Together, these findings demonstrate that blocking the CCL2-CCR2 axis modulates TAM infiltration and polarization, resulting in vascular normalization and improved tumor-targeted drug delivery.

Molecular Mechanisms of Cationic Fusogenic Liposome Interactions with Bacterial Envelopes

Although fusogenic liposomes offer a promising approach for the delivery of antibiotic payloads across the cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria, there is still a limited understanding of the individual nanocarrier interactions with the bacterial target. Using super-resolution microscopy, we characterize the interaction dynamics of positively charged fusogenic liposomes with Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) bacteria. The liposomes merge with the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria, while attachment or lipid internalization is observed in Gram-positive cells. Employing total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we demonstrated liposome fusion with model supported lipid bilayers. For whole E. coli cells, however, we observed heterogeneous membrane integrations, primarily involving liposome attachment and hemifusion events. With increasing lipopolysaccharide length, the likelihood of full-fusion events was reduced. The integration of artificial lipids into the OM of Gram-negative cells led to membrane destabilization, resulting in decreased bacterial vitality, membrane detachment, and improved codelivery of vancomycin─an effective antibiotic against Gram-positive cells. These findings provide significant insights into the interactions of individual nanocarriers with bacterial envelopes at the single-cell level, uncovering effects that would be missed in bulk measurements. This highlights the importance of conducting single-particle and single-cell investigations to assess the performance of next-generation drug delivery platforms.

Functional nano drug delivery system with dual lubrication and immune escape for treating osteoarthritis

Local drug delivery via inter-articular injection offers a promising scenario to treat the most common joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA), which is closely associated with the increased friction or cartilage degeneration and the inflammatory syndrome of synovium. Therefore, it is quite necessary to improve the retention of drug delivery system within synovial joint, simultaneously restore the lubrication of degraded cartilage and meanwhile alleviate the inflammation. In this study, we propose a hydrophilic coating modified nano-liposome drug carrier (PMPC-Lipo) to achieve these functions. A modified chain transfer agent was utilized to polymerize 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), the obtained polymer, combined with lecithin and cholesterol, formed a liposome (PMPC-Lipo) where poly (MPC) acted as hydrophilic coating. PMPC-Lipo was found to restore the lubrication of mechanically damage cartilage (mimicking OA conditions) to the level like healthy cartilage due to the hydration lubrication. Additionally, due to the presence of poly (MPC), we also found PMPC-Lipo avoid the recognition of macrophage and thus escape from the phagocytosis to prolong its retention in synovial joint. Furthermore, after encapsulating gallic acid (GA) into PMPC-Lipo, the obtained GA-PMPC-Lipo can effectively scavenge reactive oxygen species and restore the imbalance of matrix secretion in inflammatory chondrocytes. Collectively, the proposed GA-PMPC-Lipo may provide a new idea for osteoarthritis treatment by providing both long-term effective drug action and excellent lubrication properties.

Novel liposomal glatiramer acetate: Preparation and immunomodulatory evaluation in murine model of multiple sclerosis

The frequent administration rate required for Glatiramer acetate (GA), a first-line therapy for Multiple sclerosis (MS), poses patient compliance issues. Only a small portion of the subcutaneously administered GA is available for phagocytosis by macrophages, as most of it is hydrolyzed at its administration site or excreted renally. To unravel these hurdles, we have prepared liposomal formulations of GA through thin film-hydration method plus extrusion. The clinical and histopathological efficacy of GA-loaded liposomes were assessed in prophylactic and therapeutic manners on murine model of MS (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)). The selected GA liposomal formulation showed favorable size (275 nm on average), high loading efficiency, and high macrophage localization. Moreover, administration of GA-liposomes in mice robustly suppressed the inflammatory responses and decreased the inflammatory and demyelinated lesion regions in CNS compared to the free GA with subsequent reduction of the EAE clinical score. Our study indicated that liposomal GA could be served as a reliable nanomedicine-based platform to hopefully curb MS-related aberrant autoreactive immune responses with higher efficacy, longer duration of action, fewer administration frequencies, and higher delivery rate to macrophages. This platform has the potential to be introduced as a vaccine for MS after clinical translation and merits further investigations.

Fluorescent liposomal nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery in ischemic stroke therapy

Ischemic stroke causes acute CNS injury and long-term disability, with limited treatment options such as surgical clot removal or clot-busting drugs. Neuroprotective therapies are needed to protect vulnerable brain regions. The purinergic receptor P2X4 is activated during stroke and exacerbates post-stroke damage. The chemical compound 5-(3-Bromophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-Benzofuro[3,2-e]-1,4-diazepin-2-one (5BDBD) inhibits P2X4 and has shown neuroprotective effects in rodents. However, it is difficult to formulate for systemic delivery to the CNS. The current manuscript reports for the first time, the synthesis and characterization of 5BDBD PEGylated liposomal formulations and evaluates their feasibility to treat stroke in a preclinical mice model. A PEGylated liposomal formulation of 5BDBD was synthesized and characterized, with encapsulation efficacy of >80%, and release over 48 hours. In vitro and in vivo experiments with Nile red encapsulation showed cytocompatibility and CNS infiltration of nanocarriers. Administered 4 or 28 hours after stroke onset, the nanoformulation provided significant neuroprotection, reducing infarct volume by ∼50% compared to controls. It outperformed orally-administered 5BDBD with a lower dose and shorter treatment duration, suggesting precise delivery by nanoformulation improves outcomes. The fluorescent nanoformulations may serve as a platform for delivering and tracking therapeutic agents for stroke treatment.

Liposomes for drug delivery: review of vesicular composition, factors affecting drug release and drug loading in liposomes

Liposomes are considered among the most versatile and advanced nanoparticle delivery systems used to target drugs to specific cells and tissues. Structurally, liposomes are sphere-like vesicles of phospholipid molecules that are surrounded by equal number of aqueous compartments. The spherical shell encapsulates an aqueous interior which contains substances such as peptides and proteins, hormones, enzymes, antibiotics, antifungal and anticancer agents. This structural property of liposomes makes it an important nano-carrier for drug delivery. Extrusion is one of the most frequently used technique for preparing monodisperse uni-lamellar liposomes as the technique is used to control vesicle size. The process involves passage of lipid suspension through polycarbonate membrane with a fixed pore size to produce vesicles with a diameter near the pore size of the membrane used in preparing them. An advantage of this technique is that there is no need to remove the organic solvent or detergent from the final preparation. This review focuses on composition of liposome formulation with special emphasis on factors affecting drug release and drug-loading.

The explicit role of interfacial hydration during polyethylene glycol induced lipid fusion: a THz spectroscopic investigation

While the phenomenon of excipient mediated membrane fusion has been studied widely, the inherent role of interfacial hydration involved in the process has mostly remained unaddressed. Here we report the experimental validation of the fact that PEG-induced membrane fusion is associated with the dehydration of the membrane(s). We explore the explicit hydration behavior at three different lipids (DOPC, POPC and DPPC) membranes with different aliphatic tails as they undergo fusogenic transition in the presence of PEG of average molecular weight of 4000 using THz-FTIR spectroscopy in the frequency window of 1.5-13.5 THz. Dynamic light scattering and electron microscopic measurements confirm the formation of different intermediate steps of the liposomes during the fusion process: bilayer aggregation, destabilization and finally lipid fusion. We observe that membrane hydration follows a systematic trend with the lipid specificity as the fusion process sets in.

Innovative Phospholipid Carriers: A Viable Strategy to Counteract Antimicrobial Resistance

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and pan-drug-resistant (PDR) bacteria strains, usually associated with poorer patient outcomes and higher costs. In order to preserve the usefulness of these life-saving drugs, it is crucial to use them appropriately, as also recommended by the WHO. Moreover, innovative, safe, and more effective approaches are being investigated, aiming to revise drug treatments to improve their pharmacokinetics and distribution and to reduce the onset of drug resistance. Globally, to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), guidelines and indications have been developed over time, aimed at narrowing the use and diminishing the environmental spread of these life-saving molecules by optimizing prescriptions, dosage, and times of use, as well as investing resources into obtaining innovative formulations with better pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic results. This has led to the development of new nano-formulations as drug delivery vehicles, characterized by unique structural properties, biocompatible natures, and targeted activities such as state-of-the-art phospholipid particles generally grouped as liposomes, virosomes, and functionalized exosomes, which represent an attractive and innovative delivery approach. Liposomes and virosomes are chemically synthesized carriers that utilize phospholipids whose nature is predetermined based on their use, with a long track record as drug delivery systems. Exosomes are vesicles naturally released by cells, which utilize the lipids present in their cellular membranes only, and therefore, are highly biocompatible, with investigations as a delivery system having a more recent origin. This review will summarize the state of the art on microvesicle research, liposomes, virosomes, and exosomes, as useful and effective tools to tackle the threat of antibiotic resistance.

A Biomimetic Nanoplatform with Improved Inflammatory Targeting Behavior for ROS Scavenging-Based Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a refractory disease, has become a global problem. Herein, a biomimetic nanoplatform (AU-LIP-CM) comprising Au cluster enzymes (AU)-loaded liposomes (AU-LIP) camouflaged with the fusion membrane (CM) consisting of neutrophil (NC) and red blood cell (RBC) membrane is designed for the treatment of UC. Briefly, revealed by second near-infrared (NIR-II) imaging through collection of fluorescence emitting >1200 nm from AU, the improved inflammatory targeting behavior contributed by CM cloaking, which inherits abilities of inflammatory targeting and immune escape from NC and RBC, respectively, promotes specific accumulation of AU within inflammatory intestines with up to ≈11.5 times higher than that of bare AU. Afterward, AU possessing superoxide dismutase- and catalase-like activities realizes high-efficiency scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to repair of intestinal barriers, regulation of the immune system, and modulation of gut microbiota, which surpass first-line UC drug. In addition, study of underlying therapeutic mechanism demonstrated that the treatment with AU-LIP-CM can alter the gene signature associated with response to ROS for UC mice to a profile similar to that of healthy mice, deciphering related signal pathways. The strategy developed here provides insights of learning from properties of natural bio-substances to empower biomimetic nanoplatform to confront diseases.

Selective Endocytic Uptake of Targeted Liposomes Occurs within a Narrow Range of Liposome Diameters

Cell surface receptors facilitate signaling and nutrient uptake. These processes are dynamic, requiring receptors to be actively recycled by endocytosis. Due to their differential expression in disease states, receptors are often the target of drug-carrier particles, which are adorned with ligands that bind specifically to receptors. These targeted particles are taken into the cell by multiple routes of internalization, where the best-characterized pathway is clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Most studies of particle uptake have utilized bulk assays rather than observing individual endocytic events. As a result, the detailed mechanisms of particle uptake remain obscure. To address this gap, we employed a live-cell imaging approach to study the uptake of individual liposomes as they interact with clathrin-coated structures. By tracking individual internalization events, we find that the size of liposomes rather than the density of the ligands on their surfaces primarily determines their probability of uptake. Interestingly, targeting has the greatest impact on endocytosis of liposomes of intermediate diameters, with the smallest and largest liposomes being internalized or excluded, respectively, regardless of whether they are targeted. These findings, which highlight a previously unexplored limitation of targeted delivery, can be used to design more effective drug carriers.

Lipid-Coated Polymeric Nanoparticles for the Photodynamic Therapy of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Next to alcohol and tobacco abuse, infection with human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is a major risk factor for developing head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), leading to 350,000 casualties worldwide each year. Limited therapy options and drug resistance raise the urge for alternative methods such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), a minimally invasive procedure used to treat HNSCC and other cancers. We prepared lipid-coated polymeric nanoparticles encapsulating curcumin as the photosensitizer (CUR-LCNPs). The prepared CUR-LCNPs were in the nanometer range (153.37 ± 1.58 nm) and showed an encapsulation efficiency of 92.69 ± 0.03%. Proper lipid coating was visualized using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The CUR-LCNPs were tested in three HPVpos and three HPVneg HNSCC lines regarding their uptake capabilities and in vitro cell killing capacity, revealing a variable but highly significant tumor cell inhibiting effect in all tested HNSCC cell lines. No significant differences were detected between the HPVpos and HPVneg HNSCC groups (mean IC50: (9.34 ± 4.73 µmol/L vs. 6.88 ± 1.03 µmol/L), suggesting CUR-LCNPs/PDT to be a promising therapeutic option for HNSCC patients independent of their HPV status.

Variations in metabolite profiles of serum coronas produced around PEGylated liposomal drugs by surface property

Understanding biomolecular coronas that spontaneously occur around nanocarriers (NCs) in biological fluids is critical to nanomedicine as the coronas influence the behaviors of NCs in biological systems. In contrast to extensive investigations of protein coronas over the past decades, understanding of the coronas of biomolecules beyond proteins, e.g., metabolites, has been rather limited despite such biochemicals being ubiquitously involved in the coronas, which may influence the bio-nano interactions and thus exert certain biological impacts. In this study, serum biomolecular coronas, in particular the coronas of metabolites including lipids, around PEGylated doxorubicin-loaded liposomes with different surface property were investigated. The surface properties of liposomal drugs varied in terms of surface charge and PEGylation density by employing different ionic lipids such as DOTAP and DOPS and different concentrations of PEGylation lipids in liposome formulation. Using the liposomal drugs, the influence of the surface property on the serum metabolite profiles in the coronas was traced for target molecules of 220 lipids and 88 hydrophilic metabolites. From the results, it was found that metabolites rather than proteins mainly constitute the serum coronas on the liposomal drugs. Most of the serum metabolites were found to be retained in the coronas but with altered abundances. Depending on their class, lipids exhibited a different dependence on the surface property. However, overall, lipids appeared to favor corona formation on more negatively charged and PEGylated surfaces. Hydrophilic metabolites also exhibited a similar propensity for corona formation. This study on the surface dependence of metabolite corona formation provides a fundamental contribution toward attaining a comprehensive understanding of biomolecular coronas, which will be critical to the development of efficient nanomedicine.

ApoE-modified liposomes encapsulating resveratrol and salidroside alleviate manifestations of Alzheimer's disease in APP/PS-1 mice

OBJECTIVE

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is associated with aging and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Several studies and clinical trials have demonstrated that resveratrol (Res) and salidroside (Sal) are not only biologically safe but also influence AD biomarker trajectories. However, their clinical applications have been quite limited due to poor specificity, low solubility, and insufficient blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. Therefore, we developed a nano-drug delivery system in which Res and Sal were encapsulated in liposomes, which were surface-modified with ApoE (ApoE-Res/Sal-Lips) to compensate for these deficiencies.

METHOD

In this study, ApoE-Res/Sal-Lips were prepared using a standard thin-film hydration method for liposomes. Then, cellular uptake of the loaded liposomes was assessed in vitro using fluorescent staining assays. A BBB model was constructed to investigate the capacity of the liposomes to cross the BBB in vitro, and the ability of liposomes to target the brain was observed by in vivo imaging. In addition, the neuroprotective effects of the different liposome formulations in APP/PS-1 mice were evaluated by measuring the changes in levels of oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic factors in the mice brains.

RESULTS

In vitro, ApoE-Res/Sal-Lips increased the uptake of Res and Sal by bEnd.3 and N2a cells, enhanced BBB penetration, and improved transport efficiency. In vivo, the ApoE-Res/Sal-Lips were found to alleviate AD pathological symptoms, reduce learning and memory impairments, and improve brain function.

CONCLUSION

ApoE-Res/Sal-Lips provide a new method for the treatment of AD.

Treatment of Obesity Through Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery in Mice

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The overexpression of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the liver and adipose tissues offers strong protection against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice. We hypothesize that sustainably enhancing GDNF expression in the liver may provide a therapeutic effect that can prevent the progression of HFD-induced obesity in mice.

METHODS

Expression lentivector encoding mouse GDNF (GDNF(pDNA) or empty vector (pDNA, control) were encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) using the thin-film hydration method. Mice were fed with regular diet (RD) or HFD for 20 weeks prior to injection and the GDNF and control vector-loaded LNPs were administered by intravenous (IV) injection to mice once weekly for 5 weeks. Changes in body weight were monitored and mice tissues were collected and imaged for fluorescence using an IVIS in vivo imaging system. Post-treatment abdominal fat weight, colon length, and spleen weight were obtained. GDNF protein levels in the liver and serum were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while liver AKT serine/threonine kinase and AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation levels were evaluated by Western blotting.

RESULTS

IV-injected GDNF(pDNA)-loaded LNPs targeted the liver and remained in there for up to 15 days postinjection. A single injection of GDNF(pDNA)-loaded LNPs significantly increased GDNF expression for 7 days and consequently increased the levels of phosphorylated AKT serine/threonine kinase and AMP-activated protein kinase. Once weekly injections of GDNF(pDNA)-loaded LNPs for 5 weeks slowed increase in body weight, reduced abdominal fat, and modulated the gut microbiota toward a healthier composition in HFD-fed mice.

CONCLUSION

GDNF(pDNA)-loaded LNPs could potentially be developed as a therapeutic strategy to reverse weight gain in obese patients.

Synthesis and Characterization of a New Cationic Lipid: Efficient siRNA Delivery and Anticancer Activity of Survivin-siRNA Lipoplexes for the Treatment of Lung and Breast Cancers

Survivin has been shown to be widely expressed in most tumor cells, including lung and breast cancers. Due to limited siRNA delivery, it is more challenging to target survivin using knockdown-based techniques. Designing and developing new, bifunctional chemical molecules with both selective anti-proliferative activity and effective siRNA transfection capabilities by targeting a particular gene is important to treat aggressive tumors like triple-negative breast tumors (TNBC). The cationic lipids deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) and also display inherent anti-cancer activities; therefore, cationic lipid therapies have become very popular for treating malignant cancers. In the current study, we attempted to synthesize a series of acid-containing cationic lipids, anthranilic acid-containing mef lipids, and indoleacetic acid-containing etodo lipids etc. Further, we elucidated their bi-functional activity for their anticancer activity and survivin siRNA-mediated anti-cancer activity. Our results showed that lipoplexes with siRNA-Etodo: Dotap (ED) and siRNA-Mef: Dotap (MD) exhibited homogeneous particle size and positive zeta potential. Further, biological investigations resulted in enhanced survivin siRNA delivery with high stability, improved transfection efficiency, and anti-cancer activity. Additionally, our findings showed that survivin siRNA lipoplexes (ED and MD) in A549 cells and 4T1 cells exhibited stronger survivin knockdown, enhanced apoptosis, and G1 or G2/M phase arrest in both cell types. In vivo results revealed that treatment with survivin complexed lipoplexes significantly reduced tumor growth and tumor weight compared to control. Thus, our novel quaternary amine-based liposome formulations are predicted to open up new possibilities in the development of a simple and widely utilized platform for siRNA delivery and anti-cancer activities.

Liposomes for the Treatment of Brain Cancer-A Review

Due to their biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and surface-conjugation capabilities, liposomes are effective nanocarriers that can encapsulate chemotherapeutic drugs and facilitate targeted delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Additionally, strategies have been explored to synthesize liposomes that respond to internal and/or external stimuli to release their payload controllably. Although research into liposomes for brain cancer treatment is still in its infancy, these systems have great potential to fundamentally change the drug delivery landscape. This review paper attempts to consolidate relevant literature regarding the delivery to the brain using nanocarriers, particularly liposomes. The paper first briefly explains conventional treatment modalities for cancer, followed by describing the blood-brain barrier and ways, challenges, and techniques involved in transporting drugs across the BBB. Various nanocarrier systems are introduced, with attention to liposomes, due to their ability to circumvent the challenges imposed by the BBB. Relevant studies involving liposomal systems researched to treat brain tumors are reviewed in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Finally, the challenges associated with the use of liposomes to treat brain tumors and how they can be addressed are presented.

Engineering cGAS-agonistic oligonucleotides as therapeutics and vaccine adjuvants for cancer immunotherapy

Current cancer immunotherapy (e.g., immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)) has only benefited a small subset of patients. Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) activation holds the potential to improve cancer immunotherapy by eliciting type-I interferon (IFN-I) responses in cancer cells and myeloid cells. Yet, current approaches to this end, mostly by targeting STING, have marginal clinical therapeutic efficacy. Here, we report a cGAS-specific agonistic oligonucleotide, Svg3, as a novel approach to cGAS-STING activation for versatile cancer immunotherapy. Featured with a hairpin structure with consecutive guanosines flanking the stem, Svg3 binds to cGAS and enhances cGAS-Svg3 phase separation to form liquid-like droplets. This results in cGAS activation by Svg3 for robust and dose-dependent IFN-I responses, which outperforms several state-of-the-art STING agonists in murine and human immune cells, and human tumor tissues. Nanocarriers efficiently delivers Svg3 to tissues, cells, and cytosol where cGAS is located. Svg3 reduces tumor immunosuppression and potentiates ICB therapeutic efficacy of multiple syngeneic tumors, in wildtype but neither cGas-/- nor goldenticket Sting-/- mice. Further, as an immunostimulant adjuvant, Svg3 enhances the immunogenicity of peptide antigens to elicit potent T cell responses for robust ICB combination immunotherapy of tumors. Overall, cGAS-agonistic Svg3 is promising for versatile cancer combination immunotherapy.

Selective endocytic uptake of targeted liposomes occurs within a narrow range of liposome diameter

Cell surface receptors facilitate signaling and nutrient uptake. These processes are dynamic, requiring receptors to be actively recycled by endocytosis. Due to their differential expression in disease states, receptors are often the target of drug-carrier particles, which are adorned with ligands that bind specifically to receptors. These targeted particles are taken into the cell by multiple routes of internalization, where the best-characterized pathway is clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Most studies of particle uptake have utilized bulk assays, rather than observing individual endocytic events. As a result, the detailed mechanisms of particle uptake remain obscure. To address this gap, we have employed a live-cell imaging approach to study the uptake of individual liposomes as they interact with clathrin-coated structures. By tracking individual internalization events, we find that the size of liposomes, rather than the density of the ligands on their surfaces, primarily determines their probability of uptake. Interestingly, targeting has the greatest impact on endocytosis of liposomes of intermediate diameters, with the smallest and largest liposomes being internalized or excluded, respectively, regardless of whether they are targeted. These findings, which highlight a previously unexplored limitation of targeted delivery, can be used to design more effective drug carriers.

The Effect of Cryoprotectants and Storage Conditions on the Transfection Efficiency, Stability, and Safety of Lipid-Based Nanoparticles for mRNA and DNA Delivery

Lipid-based nanoparticles have recently shown great promise, establishing themselves as the gold standard in delivering novel RNA therapeutics. However, research on the effects of storage on their efficacy, safety, and stability is still lacking. Herein, the impact of storage temperature on two types of lipid-based nanocarriers, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and receptor-targeted nanoparticles (RTNs), loaded with either DNA or messenger RNA (mRNA), is explored and the effects of different cryoprotectants on the stability and efficacy of the formulations are investigated. The medium-term stability of the nanoparticles was evaluated by monitoring their physicochemical characteristics, entrapment and transfection efficiency, every two weeks over one month. It is demonstrated, that the use of cryoprotectants protects nanoparticles against loss of function and degradation in all storage conditions. Moreover, it is shown that the addition of sucrose enables all nanoparticles to remain stable and maintain their efficacy for up to a month when stored at -80 °C, regardless of cargo or type of nanoparticle. DNA-loaded nanoparticles also remain stable in a wider variety of storage conditions than mRNA-loaded ones. Importantly, these novel LNPs show increased GFP expression that can signify their future use in gene therapies, beyond the established role of LNPs in RNA therapeutics.