Low toxicity of cationic lipid-based emulsion for gene transfer

Inhalable mRNA Nanoparticle with Enhanced Nebulization Stability and Pulmonary Microenvironment Infiltration

The delivery of mRNA into the lungs is the key to solving infectious and intractable diseases that frequently occur in the lungs. Since inhalation using a nebulizer is the most promising method for mRNA delivery into the lungs, there have been many attempts toward adapting lipid nanoparticles for mRNA inhalation. However, conventional lipid nanoparticles, which have shown great effectiveness for systemic delivery of mRNA and intramuscular vaccination, are not effective for pulmonary delivery due to their structural instability during nebulization and their inability to adapt to the pulmonary microenvironment. To address these issues, we developed an ionizable liposome-mRNA lipocomplex (iLPX). iLPX has a highly ordered lipid bilayer structure, which increases stability during nebulization, and its poly(ethylene glycol)-free composition allows it to infiltrate the low serum environment and the pulmonary surfactant layer in the lungs. We selected an inhalation-optimized iLPX (IH-iLPX) using a multistep screening procedure that mimics the pulmonary delivery process of inhaled nanoparticles. The IH-iLPX showed a higher transfection efficiency in the lungs compared to conventional lipid nanoparticles after inhalation with no observed toxicity in vivo. Furthermore, analysis of lung distribution revealed even protein expression in the deep lungs, with effective delivery to epithelial cells. This study provides insights into the challenges and solutions related to the development of inhaled mRNA pulmonary therapeutics.

Advanced nanoscale delivery systems for mRNA-based vaccines

The effectiveness of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, especially those designed for COVID-19, relies heavily on sophisticated delivery systems that ensure efficient delivery of mRNA to target cells. A variety of nanoscale vaccine delivery systems (VDSs) have been explored for this purpose, including lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), liposomes, and polymeric nanoparticles made from biocompatible polymers such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), as well as viral vectors and lipid-polymer hybrid complexes. Among these, LNPs are particularly notable for their efficiency in encapsulating and protecting mRNA. These nanoscale VDSs can be engineered to enhance stability and facilitate uptake by cells. The choice of delivery system depends on factors like the specific mRNA vaccine, target cell types, stability requirements, and desired immune response. In this review, we shed light on recent advances in delivery mechanisms for self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccines, emphasizing groundbreaking studies on nanoscale delivery systems aimed at improving the efficacy and safety of mRNA/saRNA vaccines.

Lipid Horizons: Recent Advances and Future Prospects in LBDDS for Oral Administration of Antihypertensive Agents

The lipid-based drug delivery system (LBDDS) is a well-established technique that is anticipated to bring about comprehensive transformations in the pharmaceutical field, impacting the management and administration of drugs, as well as treatment and diagnosis. Various LBDDSs verified to be an efficacious mechanism for monitoring hypertension systems are SEDDS (self-nano emulsifying drug delivery), nanoemulsion, microemulsions, vesicular systems (transferosomes and liposomes), and solid lipid nanoparticles. LBDDSs overcome the shortcomings that are associated with antihypertensive agents because around fifty percent of the antihypertensive agents experience a few drawbacks including short half-life because of hepatic first-pass metabolism, poor aqueous solubility, low permeation rate, and undesirable side effects. This review emphasizes antihypertensive agents that were encapsulated into the lipid carrier to improve their poor oral bioavailability. Incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as nanotechnology and targeted drug delivery, LBDDS holds promise in addressing the multifactorial nature of hypertension. By fine-tuning drug release profiles and enhancing drug uptake at specific sites, LBDDS can potentially target renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system components, sympathetic nervous system pathways, and endothelial dysfunction, all of which play crucial roles in hypertension pathophysiology. The future of hypertension management using LBDDS is promising, with ongoing reviews focusing on precision medicine approaches, improved biocompatibility, and reduced toxicity. As we delve deeper into understanding the intricate mechanisms underlying hypertension, LBDDS offers a pathway to develop next-generation antihypertensive therapies that are safer, more effective, and tailored to individual patient needs.

Assessment of Different Niosome Formulations for Optogenetic Applications: Morphological and Electrophysiological Effects

Gene therapy and optogenetics are becoming promising tools for treating several nervous system pathologies. Currently, most of these approaches use viral vectors to transport the genetic material inside the cells, but viruses present some potential risks, such as marked immunogenicity, insertional mutagenesis, and limited insert gene size. In this framework, non-viral nanoparticles, such as niosomes, are emerging as possible alternative tools to deliver genetic material, avoiding the aforementioned problems. To determine their suitability as vectors for optogenetic therapies in this work, we tested three different niosome formulations combined with three optogenetic plasmids in rat cortical neurons in vitro. All niosomes tested successfully expressed optogenetic channels, which were dependent on the ratio of niosome to plasmid, with higher concentrations yielding higher expression rates. However, we found changes in the dendritic morphology and electrophysiological properties of transfected cells, especially when we used higher concentrations of niosomes. Our results highlight the potential use of niosomes for optogenetic applications and suggest that special care must be taken to achieve an optimal balance of niosomes and nucleic acids to achieve the therapeutic effects envisioned by these technologies.

Non-viral mediated gene therapy in human cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells recovers chloride channel functionality

Gene therapy strategies based on non-viral vectors are currently considered as a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF), being liposomes the most commonly used gene carriers. Niosomes offer a powerful alternative to liposomes due to their higher stability and lower cytotoxicity, provided by their non-ionic surfactant and helper components. In this work, a three-formulation screening is performed, in terms of physicochemical and biological behavior, in CF patient derived airway epithelial cells. The most efficient niosome formulation reaches 28% of EGFP expressing live cells and follows caveolae-mediated endocytosis. Transfection with therapeutic cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene results in 5-fold increase of CFTR protein expression in transfected versus non-transfected cells, which leads to 1.5-fold increment of the chloride channel functionality. These findings highlight the relevance of niosome-based systems as an encouraging non-viral gene therapy platform with potential therapeutic benefits for CF.

Brain Angiogenesis Induced by Nonviral Gene Therapy with Potential Therapeutic Benefits for Central Nervous System Diseases

Gene therapy employing nanocarriers represents a promising strategy to treat central nervous system (CNS) diseases, where brain microvasculature is frequently compromised. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key angiogenic molecule; however, its in vivo administration to the CNS by nonviral gene therapy has not been conducted. Hence, we prepared and physicochemically characterized four cationic niosome formulations (1-4), which were combined with pVEGF-GFP to explore their capacity to transfer the VEGF gene to CNS cells and achieve angiogenesis in the brain. Experiments in primary neuronal cells showed successful and safe transfection with niosome 4, producing double levels of biologically active VEGF in comparison to the rest of the formulations. Intracortical administration of niosome 4 based nioplexes in mouse brain validated the ability of this nonviral vector to deliver the VEGF gene to CNS cells, inducing brain angiogenesis and emerging as a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of CNS diseases.

Lipid-Based Nanosystem As Intelligent Carriers for Versatile Drug Delivery Applications

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The contemporary drug discovery research shows that most of the drug candidates are highly potent, but showing poor aqueous solubility leads a variety of challenges for formulation scientists to develop a suitable formulation to improve the systemic bioavailability of such drugs. Lipid-based nanocarriers act as a major and most projecting approach overcoming the limitations which affect several physiochemical properties of drug such as the solubility, partition coefficient and bioavailability or absorption. This also fulfills a variety of product requirements and helps to overcome several limitations as decided by symptoms of the disease, various routes of administration of drug, price concern, increasing strength of product, noxious or harmful effect of drug, and dose efficacy. The lipidic nanosystem formulates aqueous drug in lipid base and is also a commercially feasible approach for the formulation of different dosage forms meant for topical or transdermal, oral, ocular, pulmonary, and parenteral delivery. This review provides a brief on lipid-based drug delivery nanocarrier and the mechanisms by which lipids and lipidic excipients improve the oral absorption of drugs with poor aqueous solubility and also provide a viewpoint on the promising applications of lipidic nanoparticulate systems.

Non-viral vectors based on cationic niosomes and minicircle DNA technology enhance gene delivery efficiency for biomedical applications in retinal disorders

Low transfection efficiency is a major challenge to overcome in non-viral approaches to reach clinical practice. Our aim was to explore new strategies to achieve more efficient non-viral gene therapies for clinical applications and in particular, for retinal diseases. Cationic niosomes and three GFP-encoding genetic materials consisting on minicircle (2.3 kb), its parental plasmid (3.5 kb) and a larger plasmid (5.5 kb) were combined to form nioplexes. Once fully physicochemically characterized, in vitro experiments in ARPE-19 retina epithelial cells showed that transfection efficiency of minicircle nioplexes doubled that of plasmids ones, maintaining good cell viability in all cases. Transfections in retinal primary cells and injections of nioplexes in rat retinas confirmed the higher capacity of cationic niosomes vectoring minicircle to deliver the genetic material into retina cells. Therefore, nioplexes based on cationic niosomes vectoring minicircle DNA represent a potential tool for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases.

Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems and cationic surfactants: do they potentiate each other in cytotoxicity?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) containing five different cationic surfactants.

METHODS

Cationic surfactants were added in a concentration of 1% and 5% (m/m) to SEDDS comprising 30% Capmul MCM, 30% Captex 355, 30% Cremophor EL and 10% propylene glycol. The resulting formulations were characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, in-vitro haemolytic activity and toxicity on Caco-2 via MTT assay and lactate dehydrogenase release assay.

KEY FINDINGS

The evaluated surfactants had in both concentrations a minor impact on the size of SEDDS ranging from 30.2 ± 0.6 to 55.4 ± 1.1 nm, whereas zeta potential changed significantly from -9.0 ± 0.3 to +28.8 ± 1.6 mV. The overall cytotoxicity of cationic surfactants followed the rank order: hexadecylpyridinium chloride > benzalkonium chloride > alkyltrimethylammonium bromide > octylamine > 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium. The haemolytic activity of the combination of cationic surfactants and SEDDS on human red blood cells was synergistic. Furthermore, cationic SEDDS exhibited higher cytotoxicity of Caco-2 cells compared to SEDDS without cationic surfactants.

CONCLUSIONS

According to these results, SEDDS and cationic surfactants seem to bear an additive up to synergistic toxic risk.

Polysorbate 20 non-ionic surfactant enhances retinal gene delivery efficiency of cationic niosomes after intravitreal and subretinal administration

The success of non-viral vectors based on cationic niosomes for retinal gene delivery applications depends on the ability to achieve persistent and high levels of transgene expression, ideally from a single administration. In this work, we studied the effect of the non-ionic surfactant component of niosomes in their transfection efficiency in rat retina. For that purpose, three niosome formulations that only differed in the non-ionic tensioactives were elaborated. Niosomes contained: cationic lipid 1,2-di-O-octadecenyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTMA), helper lipid squalene and polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80 or polysorbate 85. Niosomes and corresponding nioplexes were fully characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, morphology and ability to protect and release DNA. In vitro experiments were carried out to evaluate transfection efficiency, cell viability and intracellular trafficking pathways of the formulations. Nioplexes based on polysorbate 20 niosomes were the most efficient transfecting retinal cells in vitro. Moreover, subretinal and intravitreal administration of those nioplexes in vivo showed also high levels of transgene expression in rat retinas. Our results demonstrate that the incorporation of polysorbate 20 in cationic niosomes enhances retinal gene delivery. Thus, this formulation emerges as a potential non-viral candidate to efficiently transfer specific therapeutic genes into the eye for biomedical purposes.

Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems in Cancer Therapy: What Is Available and What Is Yet to Come

Cancer is a leading cause of death in many countries around the world. However, the efficacy of current standard treatments for a variety of cancers is suboptimal. First, most cancer treatments lack specificity, meaning that these treatments affect both cancer cells and their normal counterparts. Second, many anticancer agents are highly toxic, and thus, limit their use in treatment. Third, a number of cytotoxic chemotherapeutics are highly hydrophobic, which limits their utility in cancer therapy. Finally, many chemotherapeutic agents exhibit short half-lives that curtail their efficacy. As a result of these deficiencies, many current treatments lead to side effects, noncompliance, and patient inconvenience due to difficulties in administration. However, the application of nanotechnology has led to the development of effective nanosized drug delivery systems known commonly as nanoparticles. Among these delivery systems, lipid-based nanoparticles, particularly liposomes, have shown to be quite effective at exhibiting the ability to: 1) improve the selectivity of cancer chemotherapeutic agents; 2) lower the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs to normal tissues, and thus, reduce their toxic side effects; 3) increase the solubility of hydrophobic drugs; and 4) offer a prolonged and controlled release of agents. This review will discuss the current state of lipid-based nanoparticle research, including the development of liposomes for cancer therapy, different strategies for tumor targeting, liposomal formulation of various anticancer drugs that are commercially available, recent progress in liposome technology for the treatment of cancer, and the next generation of lipid-based nanoparticles.

Effects of Tissue-Type Plasminogen Site-Specific Transgene in Gelatin-Coated Dacron on the Fibrinolysis Activity of Rabbit Left Atrium

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effects of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) gene transfer with left-atrium local positioning on the fibrinolytic activity of rabbit left atrial blood.

METHODS

A total of 48 rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 16): gene therapy, vector control, and blank control groups. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups (8 rabbits in each subgroup) according to the sacrifice time on the postoperative 3(rd) and 14(th) days. The tPA mRNA transcriptional level and exogenous tPA protein expression within regional myocardial tissues of the left atrium were detected on the postoperative 3(rd) and 14(th) days. After excluding the animals that died, 6 samples of each subgroup were randomly selected for the statistics (n = 6).

RESULTS

The tPA activities in rabbit left atrial blood and peripheral blood were also detected. The tPAmRNA and tPA protein expressions within regional myocardial tissues were detected on the postoperative 3(rd) and 14(th) days. The tPA activity in left atrial blood in the gene therapy group was higher than the tPA activity of other groups (p < 0.02). No significant differences were observed in the tPA activity of peripheral blood among the 3 groups before surgery. A gelatin-coated Dacron piece, which carried the tPA gene, was implanted in the left atrial appendage.

CONCLUSIONS

The gelatin-coated Dacron piece could express and secrete tPA proteins in the region, thus enhancing the fibrinolytic activity of left atrial blood.

KEY WORDS

Fibrinolytic activity; Gelatin coating; Gene; Left atrium; Tissue-type plasminogen activator.

The role of helper lipids in the intracellular disposition and transfection efficiency of niosome formulations for gene delivery to retinal pigment epithelial cells

In this work, we carried out a comparative study of four different niosome formulations based on the same cationic lipid and non-ionic tensoactive. The niosomes prepared by oil-in-water emulsion technique (o/w) only differed in the helper lipid composition: squalene, cholesterol, squalane or no helper lipid. Niosomes and nioplexes elaborated upon the addition of pCMS-EGFP reporter plasmid were characterized in terms of size, zeta potential and polydispersity index. The capacity of the niosomes to condense, release and protect the DNA against enzymatic degradation was evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis. In vitro experiments were carried out to evaluate transfection efficiency and cell viability in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Moreover, uptake and intracellular trafficking studies were performed to further understand the role of the helper lipids in the transfection process. Interestingly, among all tested formulations, niosomes elaborated with squalene as helper lipid were the most efficient transfecting cells. Such transfection efficiency could be attributed to their higher cellular uptake and the particular entry pathways used, where macropinocytosis pathway and lysosomal release played an important role. Therefore, these results suggest that helper lipid composition is a crucial step to be considered in the design of niosome formulation for retinal gene delivery applications since clearly modulates the cellular uptake, internalization mechanism and consequently, the final transfection efficiency.

Mono-arginine Cholesterol-based Small Lipid Nanoparticles as a Systemic siRNA Delivery Platform for Effective Cancer Therapy

Although efforts have been made to develop a platform carrier for the delivery of RNAi therapeutics, systemic delivery of siRNA has shown only limited success in cancer therapy. Cationic lipid-based nanoparticles have been widely used for this purpose, but their toxicity and undesired liver uptake after systemic injection owing to their cationic surfaces have hampered further clinical translation. This study describes the development of neutral, small lipid nanoparticles (SLNPs) made of a nontoxic cationic cholesterol derivative, as a suitable carrier of systemic siRNA to treat cancers. The cationic cholesterol derivative, mono arginine-cholesterol (MA-Chol), was synthesized by directly attaching an arginine moiety to cholesterol via a cleavable ester bond. siRNA-loaded SLNPs (siRNA@SLNPs) were prepared using MA-Chol and a neutral helper lipid, dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), as major components and a small amount of PEGylated phospholipid mixed with siRNA. The resulting nanoparticles were less than ~50 nm in diameter with neutral zeta potential and much lower toxicity than typical cationic cholesterol (DC-Chol)-based lipid nanoparticles. SLNPs loaded with siRNA against kinesin spindle protein (siKSP@SLNPs) exhibited a high level of target gene knockdown in various cancer cell lines, as shown by measurement of KSP mRNA and cell death assays. Furthermore, systemic injection of siKSP@SLNPs into prostate tumor-bearing mice resulted in preferential accumulation of the delivered siRNA at the tumor site and significant inhibition of tumor growth, with little apparent toxicity, as shown by body weight measurements. These results suggest that these SLNPs may provide a systemic delivery platform for RNAi-based cancer therapy.

Development and characterization of a cationic lipid nanocarrier as non-viral vector for gene therapy

The aim of the present work was to produce a cationic solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) as non-viral vector for protein delivery. Cationic SLN were produced by double emulsion method, composed of softisan(®) 100, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), Tween(®) 80, Span(®) 80, glycerol and lipoid(®) S75 loading insulin as model protein. The formulation was characterized in terms of mean hydrodynamic diameter (z-ave), polydispersity index (PI), zeta potential (ZP), stability during storage time, stability after lyophilization, effect of toxicity and transfection ability in HeLa cells, in vitro release profile and morphology. SLN were stable for 30days and showed minimal changes in their physicochemical properties after lyophilization. The particles exhibited a relatively slow release, spherical morphology and were able to transfect HeLa cells, but toxicity remained an obstacle. Results suggest that SLN are nevertheless promising for delivery of proteins or nucleic acids for gene therapy.

Formulation and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a cationic emulsion as a vehicle for improving adenoviral gene transfer

Advancements in the use of adenoviral vectors in gene therapy have been limited by the need for specific receptors on targeted cell types, immunogenicity and hepatotoxicity following systemic administration. In an effort to overcome the current limitations of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer, cationic emulsions were explored as a vehicle to improve adenoviral vector-mediated gene transfer. Complexation of adenovirus with emulsions containing the cationic lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP) enhanced the potency of adenoviral gene transfer as compared to DOTAP liposomes. Among the various emulsion formulations examined, those containing the iodized oil, Lipiodol, as an inner core and stabilized by DOTAP/cholesterol/1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-methoxy(poly-ethylene glycol)-5000 most efficiently enhanced adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. Optimized Lipiodol-containing emulsions appear to be more strongly associated with adenoviral particles, exhibiting higher complex stability compared to other formulations. They provide the adenovirus with an additional cellular entry mechanism through caveolae-dependent endocytosis, thereby increasing adenovirus entry into cells. Furthermore, adenovirus-emulsion complexation significantly reduced transgene expression in the liver following systemic administration. These findings indicate that emulsion complexation may be a promising strategy for overcoming many of the challenges associated with the use of adenoviruses in gene therapy. Additionally, the observation of increased transgene expression in lung together with reduced expression in liver demonstrates that the adenovirus-emulsion complex may act as a lung-targeting adenoviral gene delivery system.

A cationic nanoemulsion for the delivery of next-generation RNA vaccines

Nucleic acid-based vaccines such as viral vectors, plasmid DNA, and mRNA are being developed as a means to address a number of unmet medical needs that current vaccine technologies have been unable to address. Here, we describe a cationic nanoemulsion (CNE) delivery system developed to deliver a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine. This nonviral delivery system is based on Novartis's proprietary adjuvant MF59, which has an established clinical safety profile and is well tolerated in children, adults, and the elderly. We show that nonviral delivery of a 9 kb self-amplifying mRNA elicits potent immune responses in mice, rats, rabbits, and nonhuman primates comparable to a viral delivery technology, and demonstrate that, relatively low doses (75 µg) induce antibody and T-cell responses in primates. We also show the CNE-delivered self-amplifying mRNA enhances the local immune environment through recruitment of immune cells similar to an MF59 adjuvanted subunit vaccine. Lastly, we show that the site of protein expression within the muscle and magnitude of protein expression is similar to a viral vector. Given the demonstration that self-amplifying mRNA delivered using a CNE is well tolerated and immunogenic in a variety of animal models, we are optimistic about the prospects for this technology.

Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems

The principle objective of formulation of lipid-based drugs is to enhance their bioavailability. The use of lipids in drug delivery is no more a new trend now but is still the promising concept. Lipid-based drug delivery systems (LBDDS) are one of the emerging technologies designed to address challenges like the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Lipid-based formulations can be tailored to meet a wide range of product requirements dictated by disease indication, route of administration, cost consideration, product stability, toxicity, and efficacy. These formulations are also a commercially viable strategy to formulate pharmaceuticals, for topical, oral, pulmonary, or parenteral delivery. In addition, lipid-based formulations have been shown to reduce the toxicity of various drugs by changing the biodistribution of the drug away from sensitive organs. However, the number of applications for lipid-based formulations has expanded as the nature and type of active drugs under investigation have become more varied. This paper mainly focuses on novel lipid-based formulations, namely, emulsions, vesicular systems, and lipid particulate systems and their subcategories as well as on their prominent applications in pharmaceutical drug delivery.

Development of nucleic acid vaccines: use of self-amplifying RNA in lipid nanoparticles

Self-amplifying RNA or RNA replicon is a form of nucleic acid-based vaccine derived from either positive-strand or negative-strand RNA viruses. The gene sequences encoding structural proteins in these RNA viruses are replaced by mRNA encoding antigens of interest as well as by RNA polymerase for replication and transcription. This kind of vaccine has been successfully assayed with many different antigens as vaccines candidates, and has been shown to be potent in several animal species, including mice, nonhuman primates, and humans. A key challenge to realizing the broad potential of self-amplifying vaccines is the need for safe and effective delivery methods. Ideally, an RNA nanocarrier should provide protection from blood nucleases and extended blood circulation, which ultimately would increase the possibility of reaching the target tissue. The delivery system must then be internalized by the target cell and, upon receptor-mediated endocytosis, must be able to escape from the endosomal compartment into the cell cytoplasm, where the RNA machinery is located, while avoiding degradation by lysosomal enzymes. Further, delivery systems for systemic administration ought to be well tolerated upon administration. They should be safe, enabling the multiadministration treatment modalities required for improved clinical outcomes and, from a developmental point of view, production of large batches with reproducible specifications is also desirable. In this review, the concept of self-amplifying RNA vaccines and the most promising lipid-based delivery systems are discussed.

Emerging applications of nanoparticles for lung cancer diagnosis and therapy

Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, most of them being active tobacco smokers. Non small cell lung cancer accounts for around 85% to 90% of deaths, whereas the rest is contributed by small cell lung cancer. The extreme lethality of lung cancer arises due to lack of suitable diagnostic procedures for early detection of lung cancer and ineffective conventional therapeutic strategies. In course with desperate attempts to address these issues independently, a multifunctional nanotherapeutic or diagnostic system is being sought as a favorable solution. The manifestation of physiochemical properties of such nanoscale systems is tuned favorably to come up with a versatile cancer cell targeted diagnostic and therapeutic system. Apart from this, the aspect of being at nanoscale by itself confers the system with an advantage of passive accumulation at the site of tumor. This review provides a broad perspective of three major subclasses of such nanoscale therapeutic and diagnostic systems which include polymeric nanoparticles-based approaches, metal nanoparticles-based approaches, and bio-nanoparticles-based approaches. This review work also serves the purpose of gaining an insight into the pros and cons of each of these approaches with a prospective improvement in lung cancer therapeutics and diagnostics.

Polysorbate cationic synthetic vesicle for gene delivery

Synthetic nonionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) are a colloidal system with closed bilayer structures, displaying distinct advantages in stability and cost compared with liposomes. In this article, polysorbate cationic niosomes (PCNs) were developed as gene carriers. The PCNs comprised nonionic surfactants (i.e., polysorbates) and a cationic cholesterol, and were synthesized using a film hydration method. The niosomes thus prepared possessed a regular morphology, and a particle size of 100 ∼ 200 nm, and a zeta potential of +30 ∼ 45 mV. The PCNs showed great physical stability over the course of 4 weeks at room temperature. The binding capacity of PCNs toward oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) was assessed by a gel retardation approach, which demonstrated that the ionic complexes were formed when ± charge ratio reached to 4 or greater. Gene transfer study showed that the PCNs exhibited a high efficiency in mediating cellular uptake and transferred DNA expression. Based on these findings, PCNs may offer the potential to function as an effective gene delivery system.

Construction of adiponectin-encoding plasmid DNA and gene therapy of non-obese type 2 diabetes mellitus

Adiponectin (ADN), an insulin-sensitizing adipokine, stimulates glucose uptake, inhibits gluconeogenesis, and plays an important role in improving insulin sensitivity. Since blood levels of ADN are low in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), this study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of increasing the ADN level through injection of plasmid DNA encoding ADN in type 2 DM. A non-obese type 2 DM mouse model was established via combined administration of streptozotocin with nicotinamide and exhibited significantly higher plasma glucose concentration and insulin resistance compared with normal controls according to oral glucose tolerance and insulin challenge tests. Plasmid DNA encoding mouse ADN from differentiated NIH3T3 adipocytes was constructed in pVAX1 (pVAX/ADN). Transfection of pVAX/ADN into various cell lines including HeLa, HT22, HEK293, HepG2, and SK-Hep1 cells, increased ADN mRNA expression levels in a dose-dependent manner. The administration of pVAX/ADN into non-obese type 2 DM mice via tail vein significantly increased the blood level of ADN and decreased the plasma glucose concentration. Moreover, the parameters related to insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity (QUICKI) were significantly improved. These results suggest that ADN gene therapy could be a clinically effective tool for the treatment of type 2 DM.

Advancing nonviral gene delivery: lipid- and surfactant-based nanoparticle design strategies

Gene therapy is a technique utilized to treat diseases caused by missing, defective or overexpressing genes. Although viral vectors transfect cells efficiently, risks associated with their use limit their clinical applications. Nonviral delivery systems are safer, easier to manufacture, more versatile and cost effective. However, their transfection efficiency lags behind that of viral vectors. Many groups have dedicated considerable effort to improve the efficiency of nonviral gene delivery systems and are investigating complexes composed of DNA and soft materials such as lipids, polymers, peptides, dendrimers and gemini surfactants. The bottom-up approach in the design of these nanoparticles combines components essential for high levels of transfection, biocompatibility and tissue-targeting ability. This article provides an overview of the strategies employed to improve in vitro and in vivo transfection, focusing on the use of cationic lipids and surfactants as building blocks for nonviral gene delivery systems.

In vitro reporter gene transfection via plasmid DNA delivered by metered dose inhaler

Aerosolised DNA administration could potentially advance the treatment of inheritable lung diseases, lung malignancies and provide genetic immunisation against infection. Jet nebulisation, the current standard for introducing DNA formulations into the lung, is inherently inefficient. Pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) offer a potentially more efficacious and convenient alternative, especially for repeat administration. We aim to modify a novel low-energy nanotechnology process to prepare surfactant-coated pDNA nanoparticles for pulmonary gene delivery via a pMDI. Water-in-oil microemulsions containing green fluorescent protein reporter plasmid were snap-frozen and lyophilised. Lyophilised pDNA, in some cases following a surfactant wash, was incorporated into pMDIs with hydrofluoroalkane 134a (HFA134a) propellant and ethanol as cosolvent. To assess biological functionality, A549 human lung epithelial cells were exposed to aerosolised pDNA particles in the presence of dioleoyl-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP). Transfection studies demonstrated that pDNA biological functionality was maintained following aerosolisation. In vitro toxicity assays (MTT) showed no significant cell viability loss following aerosolised pDNA treatment. We have demonstrated that pDNA particles can be incorporated into an HFA134a formulation and aerosolised using a standard valve and actuator. Particles prepared by this novel process have potential for stable and efficient delivery of pDNA to the lower respiratory tract via standard pMDI technology.

Lyophilized HER2-specific PEGylated immunoliposomes for active siRNA gene silencing

The development of a tumor-specific immunoliposome delivering small interfering RNA (siRNA) represents a practical way in cancer gene therapy. In this study, we developed PEGylated 3beta-[N-(N', N'-dimethylaminoethane) carbamoyl] cholesterol (DC-Chol)/dioleoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine (DOPE) immunoliposomes conjugated with the Fab' of recombinant humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (PIL) for siRNA delivery. The results demonstrated that the lyophilized PIL (LPIL) prepared by the lyophilization/rehydration method possessed a significantly enhanced HER1 gene, a model target, silencing ability compared with PIL in HER2-overexpressing SK-BR3 cells. Among a series of LPIL with different PEGylation degree, LPIL containing 2.5%PEG (2.5%PEG LPIL) showed the best HER1 gene silencing activity. Confocal microscope studies demonstrated that 2.5%PEG LPIL could specifically bind to SK-BR3 cells and were sequentially internalized into them. Using RhoA as a cancer therapeutic target, 2.5%PEG LPIL entrapping anti-RhoA siRNA could specifically silence RhoA expression and inhibit cell invasion in SK-BR3 cells. In conclusion, these finding demonstrated the potential use of 2.5%PEG LPIL in specifically delivering siRNA to HER2-overexpressing cancers.

Cationic liposome-DNA complexes as gene delivery vectors: Development and behaviour towards bone-like cells

Modulation of the biological pathways responsible for fracture repair and osteogenisis may accelerate regeneration. Gene therapy is an alternative method for the release of osteogenisis-stimulating proteins into tissues. The development of vectors for gene release is still a problem in terms of ethics and techniques. In this work we evaluated whether cationic liposomes constitute a valuable strategy for the release of genetic material into bone tissue cells as non-viral vectors. Liposomes were prepared with 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP)-2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine and DOTAP-cholesterol, and characterized according to their size, zeta potential, DNA protection capacity and cytotoxicity. Transfection studies were also carried out using pCMVbeta-gal plasmid in two osteoblastic cell lines (MG63 and MC3T3-E1) and in the 294T line, varying the charge ratio and the applied DNA dose. Inclusion of transferrin to increase the expression was also tested. The results suggest that there is great dependency between the transfection activity and the lipid formulation, the charge ratios of the complexes, the applied DNA dose and the cell type. There were even some differences concerning both osteoblastic lines under study. The cells of the MC3T3-E1 line present greater expression levels than the cells of the MG-63 line. The conjugation of the transferrin with the complexes contributes to the increase in transfection levels, possibly due to an increase in internalization of complexes. It is thus a good strategy for inducing the expression of specific genes in osteoblast-like cells.

The influence of size, lipid composition and bilayer fluidity of cationic liposomes on the transfection efficiency of nanolipoplexes

Among non-viral vectors, cationic liposomes are the most promising carriers in gene delivery. But the most critical issue about their application is their low transfection efficiency compared to viral vectors. In this study, we tried to make a comparison between transfection efficiency of different liposomal formulations and to investigate the effect of membrane fluidity and other physical properties of liposomes and lipoplexes such as size and charge ratio on the transfection efficiency in in vitro environment. Different gene delivery systems were developed by using liposomes composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) or 3-beta-[N-(N'N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl] cholesterol (DC-CHOL) in combination with other lipids including 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), egg L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine (EPC) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE). These multilamellar vesicle (MLV) liposomes were extruded through 100 nm polycarbonate filters to produce small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs). Transfection activity of these lipoplexes in Neuro2A cells was tested using pRL-CMV encoding Renilla luciferase. We could not establish any direct correlation between high fluid membranes and high transfection efficiency because DOTAP:DPPE had a better result than DOTAP:DOPE while DC-CHOL:DOPE was more successful in gene transfer than DC-CHOL:DPPE. It was revealed that the use of these two helper lipids with different Tm (DPPE: 64 degrees C and DOPE: -11 degrees C) along with DOTAP increased transfection efficiency but formulation of these phospholipids with DC-CHOL was led to a significant reduction in transfection activity. Generally, DOTAP:DPPE, DC-CHOL:DOPE and DOTAP:DOPE:DPPE formulations showed the highest transfection activity. The results of this study showed that, in designing of liposome based non-viral vectors, different parameters such as size, lipid composition and the use of helper lipid should be considered.

Chitosan-DNA nanoparticles: the effect of cell type and hydrolysis of chitosan on in vitro DNA transfection

Commercial chitosan (Ch) with low (LMWCh) and medium molecular weight (MMWCh) were hydrolyzed in diluted hydrochloric acid by heating at different temperatures. The viscosity average molecular weight of Chs was gradually decreased from 450 to 14 kDa as a function of temperature. Ch fractions were used for formation of Ch-DNA nanoparticles and tested for the ability to introduce DNA into HEK293, Swiss3T3, HeLa, and MDCK cells in vitro. The average diameter of nanoparticles was 200-220 nm. The surface charge of nanoparticles varied depending on the Ch/DNA ratio. The cell lines different response to DNA transfection with Ch fractions depended on molecular weight. HEK293 cells were efficiently transfected by nanoparticles prepared with Chs having a wide range of molecular weight (approximately 14-195 kDa). Swiss3T3 cells were efficiently transfected by Ch polymers with about <17 kDa. In contrast, HeLa and MDCK cells were highly resistant to DNA transfection with Ch polymers. These results strongly suggest that Ch polymers may be widely used for DNA trasnfection of the mammalian cells under optimized conditions.

Beta-1 adrenergic receptor antisense-oligodeoxynucleotides ameliorates left ventricular remodeling in 2-Kidney, 1-Clip rats

Gene therapy has been applied to reduce blood pressure in rats. However, little is known about the effects of gene therapy on both blood pressure and left ventricular (LV) remodeling. This study was designed to compare the antihypertensive effect of ss(1) adrenergic receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ss(1)- AS-ODN) by delivery with the different charge ratios cationic liposomes DOTAP/DOPE and its impact on the LV remodeling in rats with 2-Kidney, 1-Clip (2K1C) Hypertension. Five charge ratios of liposome/ODN were tested in 2K1C rats. There was hypertension, cardiac dysfunction, LV hypertrophy and LV collagen deposition in 2K1C rats. On the basis of the magnitude and duration of hypotension, 2.0 was determined to be the optimal charge ratio, which decreased blood pressure by up to 39 mm Hg for 27 days. ss(1)-AS-ODN preserved cardiac function and inhibited LV mass and LV interstitial collagen deposition. In conclusion, cationic liposomes DOTAP/DOPE improve the antihypertensive effects of ss(1)-AS-ODN in renovascular hypertension and 2.0 were determined to be the optimal charge ratio. This study demonstrated that cardiac ss(1)-AR played a key role in LV remodeling and ss1-AS-ODN ameliorates cardiac dysfunction and LV remodeling.

Liposome-mediated IL-28 and IL-29 expression in A549 cells and anti-viral effect of IL-28 and IL-29 on WISH cells

AIM

To construct the recombinant vectors carrying interleukin (IL)-28A, IL-28B and IL-29 cDNAs and express them in human A549 cells, and analyze their antiviral activity in vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-infected human immortalized amnion epithelial cell line (WISH cells).

METHODS

Total cell RNA was extracted from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) activated with poly I:C. The cDNAs encoding human IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 were amplified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and inserted into pcDNA3.1/V5-His-TOPO vectors. These recombinant vectors were transfected into human A549 cells by a liposome-mediated gene transfer method. Semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29. The antiviral activity of IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 was determined by a cytopathic effect reduction assay on WISH cells using VSV as a challenge virus.

RESULTS

The DNA sequences of the inserts were identical to the published sequences encoding IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 in GenBank. It was demonstrated that IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 genes were markedly transcribed in transfected cells. Expression of all 3 interleukins in A549 cells was confirmed by Western blot analysis. IL-28 and IL-29 expressed by A549 cells, like interferon (IFN) alpha-2b, were able to protect WISH cells against VSV infection.

CONCLUSION

IL-28 and IL-29 cDNAs were successfully cloned and expressed in eukaryotic cells via transfection with pcDNA3.1/V5-His-TOPO-IL-28/IL-29. Transfection with this vector produced a specific antiviral activity similar to that of IFN-alpha, which will provide a new tool for the functional study of these cytokines in humans.

The use of chitosan as a condensing agent to enhance emulsion-mediated gene transfer

Previously we have formulated a new cationic emulsion, composed of 3beta [N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane) carbamoyl] cholesterol and dioleoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine, castor oil and Tween 80, and it efficiently delivered plasmid DNA into various cancer cells with low toxicity. Chitosan is a natural cationic polysaccharide and is able to form polyelectrolyte complexes with DNA, in which the DNA is condensed and protected against nuclease degradation. Based on these facts, chitosan was used as a condensing agent to enhance the transfection efficiency of cationic emulsion-mediated gene delivery vehicle. The particle size, zeta potential and transmission electron micrographs of DNA/emulsion complexes were observed before and after condensation by chitosan. In vitro transfection efficiency of naked or precondensed DNA/emulsion (pcDNA/E) complexes was investigated in human hepatoma cells (HepG2) using flow cytometer, confocal microscope and western blot. In addition, in vivo gene transfer was also evaluated as GFP mRNA expression by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The size of transfection complexes was reduced after the condensation of DNA by chitosan. Moreover, when the pcDNA/E complexes were administered into the mice, the GFP mRNA expression was prolonged in liver and lung until day 6. These results suggest that the use of chitosan enhance the in vitro transfection efficiency and extend in vivo gene transfer.

Improved gene expression pattern using Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-based plasmid and cationic emulsion

To improve transgene expression of a non-viral gene delivery system, an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-based plasmid and cationic emulsion complex was prepared and evaluated. Cationic emulsion was formulated with castor oil, 3-N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl cholesterol (DC-Chol) and other co-emulsifiers. An EBV-based plasmid containing the two EBV components, origin of replication (oriP) and EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1), was constructed. The physical characteristics of the emulsion and the emulsion/DNA complex were determined. After cells were transfected with cationic emulsion/EBV-based plasmid complex, transfection efficiency and expression pattern were evaluated using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter. The average particle size and zeta potential of the emulsion itself were 96 nm and + 17 mV, respectively. The emulsion showed stable size distribution up to at least one month. With an increase of emulsion to DNA ratio, zeta-potential increased from negative to positive and the particle size decreased to 200-300 nm. The complex was stable against DNase I digestion and showed comparable transfection efficiency with Lipofectin for several tested cell lines. An enhanced and prolonged gene expression was achieved using EBV-based plasmid and cationic emulsion complex. Combining physically stable emulsion with self-replicating EBV-based plasmid may confer more effective gene expression.