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Sinani G, Durgun ME, Cevher E, Özsoy Y. Polymeric-Micelle-Based Delivery Systems for Nucleic Acids. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2021. [PMID: 37631235 PMCID: PMC10457940 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acids can modulate gene expression specifically. They are increasingly being utilized and show huge potential for the prevention or treatment of various diseases. However, the clinical translation of nucleic acids faces many challenges due to their rapid clearance after administration, low stability in physiological fluids and limited cellular uptake, which is associated with an inability to reach the intracellular target site and poor efficacy. For many years, tremendous efforts have been made to design appropriate delivery systems that enable the safe and effective delivery of nucleic acids at the target site to achieve high therapeutic outcomes. Among the different delivery platforms investigated, polymeric micelles have emerged as suitable delivery vehicles due to the versatility of their structures and the possibility to tailor their composition for overcoming extracellular and intracellular barriers, thus enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Many strategies, such as the addition of stimuli-sensitive groups or specific ligands, can be used to facilitate the delivery of various nucleic acids and improve targeting and accumulation at the site of action while protecting nucleic acids from degradation and promoting their cellular uptake. Furthermore, polymeric micelles can be used to deliver both chemotherapeutic drugs and nucleic acid therapeutics simultaneously to achieve synergistic combination treatment. This review focuses on the design approaches and current developments in polymeric micelles for the delivery of nucleic acids. The different preparation methods and characteristic features of polymeric micelles are covered. The current state of the art of polymeric micelles as carriers for nucleic acids is discussed while highlighting the delivery challenges of nucleic acids and how to overcome them and how to improve the safety and efficacy of nucleic acids after local or systemic administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genada Sinani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Altinbas University, 34147 Istanbul, Türkiye;
| | - Meltem Ezgi Durgun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul University, 34126 Istanbul, Türkiye; (M.E.D.); (E.C.)
| | - Erdal Cevher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul University, 34126 Istanbul, Türkiye; (M.E.D.); (E.C.)
| | - Yıldız Özsoy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul University, 34126 Istanbul, Türkiye; (M.E.D.); (E.C.)
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2
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Soto A, Nieto-Díaz M, Martínez-Campos E, Noalles-Dols A, Barreda-Manso MA, Reviriego F, Reinecke H, Reigada D, Muñoz-Galdeano T, Novillo I, Gallardo A, Rodríguez-Hernández J, Eritja R, Aviñó A, Elvira C, M Maza R. Evaluation of Poly( N-Ethyl Pyrrolidine Methacrylamide) (EPA) and Derivatives as Polymeric Vehicles for miRNA Delivery to Neural Cells. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051451. [PMID: 37242702 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, short RNA oligonucleotides that regulate the expression of hundreds of proteins to control cells' function in physiological and pathological conditions. miRNA therapeutics are highly specific, reducing the toxicity associated with off-target effects, and require low doses to achieve therapeutic effects. Despite their potential, applying miRNA-based therapies is limited by difficulties in delivery due to their poor stability, fast clearance, poor efficiency, and off-target effects. To overcome these challenges, polymeric vehicles have attracted a lot of attention due to their ease of production with low costs, large payload, safety profiles, and minimal induction of the immune response. Poly(N-ethyl pyrrolidine methacrylamide) (EPA) copolymers have shown optimal DNA transfection efficiencies in fibroblasts. The present study aims to evaluate the potential of EPA polymers as miRNA carriers for neural cell lines and primary neuron cultures when they are copolymerized with different compounds. To achieve this aim, we synthesized and characterized different copolymers and evaluated their miRNA condensation ability, size, charge, cytotoxicity, cell binding and internalization ability, and endosomal escape capacity. Finally, we evaluated their miRNA transfection capability and efficacy in Neuro-2a cells and rat primary hippocampal neurons. The results indicate that EPA and its copolymers, incorporating β-cyclodextrins with or without polyethylene glycol acrylate derivatives, can be promising vehicles for miRNA administration to neural cells when all experiments on Neuro-2a cells and primary hippocampal neurons are considered together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Altea Soto
- Molecular Neuroprotection Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos (SESCAM), 45071 Toledo, Spain
| | - Manuel Nieto-Díaz
- Molecular Neuroprotection Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos (SESCAM), 45071 Toledo, Spain
| | - Enrique Martínez-Campos
- Polymer Functionalization Group, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICTP-CSIC), Departamento de Química Macromolecular Aplicada, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Group of Organic Synthesis and Bioevaluation, Associated Unit to the ICTP-IQM-CSIC, Instituto Pluridisciplinar, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Paseo Juan XXIII, n◦ 1, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Noalles-Dols
- Molecular Neuroprotection Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos (SESCAM), 45071 Toledo, Spain
| | - María Asunción Barreda-Manso
- Functional Exploration and Neuromodulation of the Central Nervous System Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos (SESCAM), 45071 Toledo, Spain
| | - Felipe Reviriego
- Polymer Functionalization Group, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICTP-CSIC), Departamento de Química Macromolecular Aplicada, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Helmut Reinecke
- Polymer Functionalization Group, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICTP-CSIC), Departamento de Química Macromolecular Aplicada, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Reigada
- Molecular Neuroprotection Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos (SESCAM), 45071 Toledo, Spain
| | - Teresa Muñoz-Galdeano
- Molecular Neuroprotection Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos (SESCAM), 45071 Toledo, Spain
| | - Irene Novillo
- Molecular Neuroprotection Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos (SESCAM), 45071 Toledo, Spain
| | - Alberto Gallardo
- Polymer Functionalization Group, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICTP-CSIC), Departamento de Química Macromolecular Aplicada, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Rodríguez-Hernández
- Polymer Functionalization Group, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICTP-CSIC), Departamento de Química Macromolecular Aplicada, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramón Eritja
- Department of Surfactants and Nanobiotechnology, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Aviñó
- Department of Surfactants and Nanobiotechnology, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Elvira
- Polymer Functionalization Group, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICTP-CSIC), Departamento de Química Macromolecular Aplicada, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rodrigo M Maza
- Molecular Neuroprotection Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos (SESCAM), 45071 Toledo, Spain
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Zhang Z, Wen Y, Song X, Zhu J, Li J. Nonviral DNA Delivery System with Supramolecular PEGylation Formed by Host-Guest Pseudo-Block Copolymers. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:5057-5070. [PMID: 35007054 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c00306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A cationic supramolecular system based on host-guest pseudoblock copolymers was developed for nonviral DNA delivery. In this system, the macromolecular host was a cationic star-shaped polymer composed of a β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) core and multiple poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) chains grafted on the core, while the macromolecular guest was a linear adamantyl-ended poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG-Ad). Pseudoblock copolymers were self-assembled from the polymeric host-guest pairs (typically, 1:1 molar ratio) in aqueous media through the inclusion of an adamantyl group at the end of guest polymer into the β-CD cavity of host polymers. Through such an approach, the resultant supramolecular system was integrated with not only a superior DNA condensing ability due to the host polymer but also an outstanding polyplex-stabilizing ability as well as biocompatibility due to the guest polymer. The cationic star-shaped host polymers alone were capable of condensing plasmid DNA efficiently into nanoparticles (70-100 nm) with positive surface charge. They showed obviously lower cytotoxicity than PEI 25K (commercial branched polyethylenimine with a molecular weight around 25 kDa) in cell lines of L929, MB231, and Hela under high dose. In serum-free or serum-containing culture conditions, these host polymers exhibited either higher or lower in vitro DNA transfection efficiency as compared with PEI 25K in the three cell lines under study, which was dependent on the N/P ratios and PDMAEMA arm length. Upon incorporation of the PEG block through host-guest complexation with mPEG-Ad (i.e., supramolecular PEGylation), the resulting host-guest supramolecular systems exhibited even lower cytotoxicity than the host polymers alone. The polyplexes between plasmid DNA (pDNA) and the host-guest systems showed significantly improved stability in BSA-PBS buffer solution (pH 7.4) and enhanced in vitro DNA transfection efficiency in the cases of higher N/P ratios or longer PDMAEMA arms in all tested cell lines under both serum-free and serum-containing culture conditions, as compared with the corresponding polyplexes without supramolecular PEGylation. Further, through forming pseudoblock copolymer, the DNA transfection ability of the supramolecular system can be easily modulated and optimized either by changing the ratio between the guest and host or by using different hosts with varied PDMAEMA arm lengths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongxing Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574, Singapore
| | - Yuting Wen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574, Singapore
| | - Xia Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574, Singapore
| | - Jingling Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574, Singapore
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574, Singapore
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Malcolm DW, Varghese JJ, Sorrells JE, Ovitt CE, Benoit DSW. The Effects of Biological Fluids on Colloidal Stability and siRNA Delivery of a pH-Responsive Micellar Nanoparticle Delivery System. ACS NANO 2018; 12:187-197. [PMID: 29232104 PMCID: PMC5987762 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b05528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) interact with complex protein milieus in biological fluids, and these interactions have profound effects on NP physicochemical properties and function. Surprisingly, most studies neglect the impact of these interactions, especially with respect to NP-mediated siRNA delivery. Here, the effects of serum on colloidal stability and siRNA delivery of a pH-responsive micellar NP delivery system were characterized. Results show cationic NP-siRNA complexes aggregate in ≥2% serum in buffer, but are stable in serum-free media. Furthermore, nonaggregated NP-siRNA delivered in serum-free media result in 4-fold greater siRNA uptake in vitro, compared to aggregated NP-siRNA. Interestingly, pH-responsive membrane lysis behavior, which is required for endosomal escape, and NP-siRNA dissociation, necessary for gene knockdown, are significantly reduced in serum. Consistent with these data, nonaggregated NP-siRNA in serum-free conditions result in highly efficient gene silencing, even at doses as low as 5 nM siRNA. NP-siRNA diameter was measured at albumin and IgG levels mimicking biological fluids. Neither albumin nor IgG alone induces NP-siRNA aggregation, implicating other serum proteins in NP colloidal instability. Finally, as a proof-of-principle that stability is maintained in established in vivo models, transmission electron microscopy reveals NP-siRNA are taken up by ductal epithelial cells in a nonaggregated state when injected retroductally into mouse salivary glands in vivo. Overall, this study shows serum-induced NP-siRNA aggregation significantly diminishes efficiency of siRNA delivery by reducing uptake, pH-responsive membrane lysis activity, and NP-siRNA dissociation. Moreover, these results highlight the importance of local NP-mediated drug delivery and are broadly applicable to other drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic W. Malcolm
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jomy J. Varghese
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Janet E. Sorrells
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Catherine E. Ovitt
- Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Danielle S. W. Benoit
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
- Corresponding Author Contact Information: Danielle S. W. Benoit, Ph.D., 308 Robert B. Goergen Hall,, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA.,
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Wu J, Qu W, Williford JM, Ren Y, Jiang X, Jiang X, Pan D, Mao HQ, Luijten E. Improved siRNA delivery efficiency via solvent-induced condensation of micellar nanoparticles. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 28:204002. [PMID: 28266928 PMCID: PMC5790992 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa6519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Efficient delivery of short interfering RNA (siRNA) remains one of the primary challenges of RNA interference therapy. Polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylated polycationic carriers have been widely used for the condensation of DNA and RNA molecules into complex-core micelles. The PEG corona of such nanoparticles can significantly improve their colloidal stability in serum, but PEGylation of the carriers also reduces their condensation capacity, hindering the generation of micellar particles with sufficient complex stability. This presents a particularly significant challenge for packaging siRNA into complex micelles, as it has a much smaller size and more rigid chain structure than DNA plasmids. Here, we report a new method to enhance the condensation of siRNA with PEGylated linear polyethylenimine using organic solvent and to prepare smaller siRNA nanoparticles with a more extended PEG corona and consequently higher stability. As a proof of principle, we have demonstrated the improved gene knockdown efficiency resulting from the reduced siRNA micelle size in mice livers following intravenous administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Wei Qu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208
| | - John-Michael Williford
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Yong Ren
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Xuesong Jiang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center and Whitaker Biomedical Engineering Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Xuan Jiang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Deng Pan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Hai-Quan Mao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center and Whitaker Biomedical Engineering Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Erik Luijten
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208
- Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208
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Recent advances in the design, development, and targeting mechanisms of polymeric micelles for delivery of siRNA in cancer therapy. Prog Polym Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Han L, Tang C, Yin C. Enhanced antitumor efficacies of multifunctional nanocomplexes through knocking down the barriers for siRNA delivery. Biomaterials 2015; 44:111-21. [PMID: 25617131 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2014] [Revised: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/20/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Multifunctional nanocomplexes (NCs) consisting of urocanic acid-modified galactosylated trimethyl chitosan (UA-GT) conjugates as polymeric vectors, poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-citraconic anhydride (PAH-Cit) as charge-reversible crosslinkers, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) siRNA as therapeutic genes, were rationally designed to simultaneously overcome the extracellular, cellular, and intracellular barriers for siRNA delivery. The strong physical stability of UA-GT/PAH-Cit/siRNA NCs (UA-GT NCs) at pH 7.4 and 6.5 endowed protection from massive dilution, competitive ions, and ubiquitous nucleases in the blood and tumorous microenvironment. Their internalization into hepato-carcinoma cells was facilitated through the recognition of galactose receptors, followed by effective escape from endosomes/lysosomes owing to the strong buffering capacity of imidazole residues. At the meantime, the endosomal/lysosomal acidity triggered the charge reversal of PAH-Cit in UA-GT NCs, thus evoking their structural disassembly and subsequently accelerated release of siRNA in the cytosol. As a result, robust in vivo performance in terms of both gene silencing and tumor inhibition was achieved by UA-GT NCs at a low siRNA dose. Moreover, neither histological nor hematological toxicity was detected following repeated intravenous administration. Therefore, UA-GT NCs potentially served as an efficient and safe candidate in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma through knocking down the overall barriers for siRNA delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Han
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Cui Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chunhua Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
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Du Z, Xiang S, Zang Y, Zhou Y, Wang C, Tang H, Jin T, Zhang X. Polyspermine imine, a pH responsive polycationic siRNA carrier degradable to endogenous metabolites. Mol Pharm 2014; 11:3300-6. [PMID: 24846641 DOI: 10.1021/mp500169p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Cationic polymers readily degradable in response to cellular environment are especially favored as easy-formulating materials to pack siRNA into a nanoparticle and to release the cargo in the cytoplasm in time. In addition to the efficiency of cytosomal release, the degradation products should best be free of safety concerns, a typical challenge for cationic polymers. To satisfy the two criteria, we report a new cationic polymer, polyspermine imine, named as PSP-Imine, which is formed by condensing two endogenous molecules, spermine and glyoxal, through conjugated π linkage, -N═C-C═N- (Schiff base reaction), a poly linkage structure sufficiently stable under neutral condition but dissociative under the endosomal pH. Cellular assays under a confocal microscope indicated that the polyplex formed of PSP-Imine readily released the loaded siRNA to the cytoplasm after being engulfed in the target cells and efficiently silenced the target genes in different cell lines and xenograft mouse model of human cervical carcinoma, as compared with nondegradable PEI 25 kDa. Cell viability assays confirmed that PSP-Imine showed no visible cytotoxicity within the concentration being tested. The present study suggests that PSP-Imine is an excellent siRNA condensing material for forming the core of a therapeutically feasible synthetic carrier system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixiu Du
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Pharmacy , 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
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Williford JM, Wu J, Ren Y, Archang MM, Leong KW, Mao HQ. Recent advances in nanoparticle-mediated siRNA delivery. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2014; 16:347-70. [PMID: 24905873 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-071813-105119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Inhibiting specific gene expression by short interfering RNA (siRNA) offers a new therapeutic strategy to tackle many diseases, including cancer, metabolic disorders, and viral infections, at the molecular level. The macromolecular and polar nature of siRNA hinders its cellular access to exert its effect. Nanoparticulate delivery systems can promote efficient intracellular delivery. Despite showing promise in many preclinical studies and potential in some clinical trials, siRNA has poor delivery efficiency, which continues to demand innovations, from carrier design to formulation, in order to overcome transport barriers. Previous findings for optimal plasmid DNA delivery cannot be generalized to siRNA delivery owing to significant discrepancy in size and subtle differences in chain flexibility between the two types of nucleic acids. In this review, we highlight the recent advances in improving the stability of siRNA nanoparticles, understanding their intracellular trafficking and release mechanisms, and applying judiciously the promising formulations to disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- John-Michael Williford
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
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Elsaid N, Somavarapu S, Jackson TL. Cholesterol-poly(ethylene) glycol nanocarriers for the transscleral delivery of sirolimus. Exp Eye Res 2014; 121:121-9. [PMID: 24530465 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2014.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Revised: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize cholesterol-poly(ethylene) glycol (chol-PEG) nanocarriers of two different molecular weights (1 and 5 kDa) and to determine their effect on the transscleral retention and permeation of a lipophilic multi-therapeutic agent, sirolimus (rapamycin), with potential application in angiogenic and immunogenic ocular diseases. Sirolimus-containing nanocarriers were prepared using the thin-film hydration method and characterized for their physicochemical properties including size, drug entrapment (EE) and loading (DL) efficiencies, stability, surface charge, morphology, critical micelle concentration (CMC) and thermal properties. Ussing chambers were used to determine the retention and permeability of sirolimus-containing nanocarriers in porcine sclera followed by ultrastructural tissue examination. Sirolimus-containing nanocarriers had an average size of 11.7 nm (chol-PEG 1 kDa) and 13.8 nm (chol-PEG 5 kDa) and zeta potentials of 0.41 and -1.05, respectively. Both nanocarriers had similar transscleral permeabilities (chol-PEG 1 kDa 6.44 × 10(-7) and 5 kDa 6.16 × 10(-7) cm2 s(-1)), and very high scleral retention compared with a free solution of sirolimus (chol-PEG 1 kDa 16.9 μg/g; chol-PEG 5 kDa 7.48 μg/g; free sirolimus 0.57 μg/g). The DL (EE) for chol-PEG 1 and 5 kDa were 2.93% (77.4%) and 3.10% (81.6%), respectively. The CMC values for the nanocarriers were similar to those previously reported in literature (3.85 × 10(-7) M for chol-PEG 1 kDa; 4.26 × 10(-7) M for chol-PEG 5 kDa). In conclusion, chol-PEG nanocarriers successfully loaded sirolimus and resulted in scleral permeation and high retention, which shows potential utility for the topical delivery of lipophilic ocular drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naba Elsaid
- University College London School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Timothy L Jackson
- King's College London, London, United Kingdom; King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
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11
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Xiao B, Laroui H, Ayyadurai S, Viennois E, Charania MA, Zhang Y, Merlin D. Mannosylated bioreducible nanoparticle-mediated macrophage-specific TNF-α RNA interference for IBD therapy. Biomaterials 2013; 34:7471-82. [PMID: 23820013 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The application of RNA interference (RNAi) for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) therapy has been limited by the lack of non-cytotoxic, efficient and targetable small interfering RNA (siRNA) carriers. TNF-α is the major pro-inflammatory cytokine mainly secreted by macrophages during IBD. Here, a mannosylated bioreducible cationic polymer (PPM) was synthesized and further spontaneously assembled nanoparticles (NPs) assisted by sodium triphosphate (TPP). The TPP-PPM/siRNA NPs exhibited high uniformity (polydispersity index = 0.004), a small particle size (211-275 nm), excellent bioreducibility, and enhanced cellular uptake. Additionally, the generated NPs had negative cytotoxicity compared to control NPs fabricated by branched polyethylenimine (bPEI, 25 kDa) or Oligofectamine (OF) and siRNA. In vitro gene silencing experiments revealed that TPP-PPM/TNF-α siRNA NPs with a weight ratio of 40:1 showed the most efficient inhibition of the expression and secretion of TNF-α (approximately 69.9%, which was comparable to the 71.4% obtained using OF/siRNA NPs), and its RNAi efficiency was highly inhibited in the presence of mannose (20 mm). Finally, TPP-PPM/siRNA NPs showed potential therapeutic effects on colitis tissues, remarkably reducing TNF-α level. Collectively, these results suggest that non-toxic TPP-PPM/siRNA NPs can be exploited as efficient, macrophage-targeted carriers for IBD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Xiao
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta 30302, USA.
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12
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Stabilization of polyplexes via polymer crosslinking for efficient siRNA delivery. Eur J Pharm Sci 2012; 47:914-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2012.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Revised: 08/25/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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