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Sun Y, Yang Z, Wang C, Yang T, Cai C, Zhao X, Yang L, Ding P. Exploring the role of peptides in polymer-based gene delivery. Acta Biomater 2017; 60:23-37. [PMID: 28778533 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.07.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Polymers are widely studied as non-viral gene vectors because of their strong DNA binding ability, capacity to carry large payload, flexibility of chemical modifications, low immunogenicity, and facile processes for manufacturing. However, high cytotoxicity and low transfection efficiency substantially restrict their application in clinical trials. Incorporating functional peptides is a promising approach to address these issues. Peptides demonstrate various functions in polymer-based gene delivery systems, such as targeting to specific cells, breaching membrane barriers, facilitating DNA condensation and release, and lowering cytotoxicity. In this review, we systematically summarize the role of peptides in polymer-based gene delivery, and elaborate how to rationally design polymer-peptide based gene delivery vectors. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Polymers are widely studied as non-viral gene vectors, but suffer from high cytotoxicity and low transfection efficiency. Incorporating short, bioactive peptides into polymer-based gene delivery systems can address this issue. Peptides demonstrate various functions in polymer-based gene delivery systems, such as targeting to specific cells, breaching membrane barriers, facilitating DNA condensation and release, and lowering cytotoxicity. In this review, we highlight the peptides' roles in polymer-based gene delivery, and elaborate how to utilize various functional peptides to enhance the transfection efficiency of polymers. The optimized peptide-polymer vectors should be able to alter their structures and functions according to biological microenvironments and utilize inherent intracellular pathways of cells, and consequently overcome the barriers during gene delivery to enhance transfection efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Zhen Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Chunxi Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Tianzhi Yang
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Husson University, Bangor, ME, USA
| | - Cuifang Cai
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Li Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Pingtian Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
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2
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Munsell EV, Ross NL, Sullivan MO. Journey to the Center of the Cell: Current Nanocarrier Design Strategies Targeting Biopharmaceuticals to the Cytoplasm and Nucleus. Curr Pharm Des 2016; 22:1227-44. [PMID: 26675220 DOI: 10.2174/1381612822666151216151420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
New biopharmaceutical molecules, potentially able to provide more personalized and effective treatments, are being identified through the advent of advanced synthetic biology strategies, sophisticated chemical synthesis approaches, and new analytical methods to assess biological potency. However, translation of many of these structures has been significantly limited due to the need for more efficient strategies to deliver macromolecular therapeutics to desirable intracellular sites of action. Engineered nanocarriers that encapsulate peptides, proteins, or nucleic acids are generally internalized into target cells via one of several endocytic pathways. These nanostructures, entrapped within endosomes, must navigate the intracellular milieu to orchestrate delivery to the intended destination, typically the cytoplasm or nucleus. For therapeutics active in the cytoplasm, endosomal escape continues to represent a limiting step to effective treatment, since a majority of nanocarriers trapped within endosomes are ultimately marked for enzymatic degradation in lysosomes. Therapeutics active in the nucleus have the added challenges of reaching and penetrating the nuclear envelope, and nuclear delivery remains a preeminent challenge preventing clinical translation of gene therapy applications. Herein, we review cutting-edge peptide- and polymer-based design strategies with the potential to enable significant improvements in biopharmaceutical efficacy through improved intracellular targeting. These strategies often mimic the activities of pathogens, which have developed innate and highly effective mechanisms to penetrate plasma membranes and enter the nucleus of host cells. Understanding these mechanisms has enabled advances in synthetic peptide and polymer design that may ultimately improve intracellular trafficking and bioavailability, leading to increased access to new classes of biotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Millicent O Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, DE 19716, Delaware.
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3
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Yang C, Hu T, Cao H, Zhang L, Zhou P, He G, Song X, Tong A, Guo G, Yang F, Zhang X, Qian Z, Qi X, Zhou L, Zheng Y. Facile Construction of Chloroquine Containing PLGA-Based pDNA Delivery System for Efficient Tumor and Pancreatitis Targeting in Vitro and in Vivo. Mol Pharm 2015; 12:2167-79. [PMID: 25955154 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chengli Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation
Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Tingting Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation
Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Hua Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation
Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Lijing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation
Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Pengxiang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation
Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Gu He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation
Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Xiangrong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation
Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Aiping Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation
Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Gang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation
Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation
Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
- Department of Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoning Zhang
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyong Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation
Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Xiaorong Qi
- Department of Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Liangxue Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation
Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
- Department of Cerebral Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Yu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation
Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
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4
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Swami R, Singh I, Khan W, Ramakrishna S. Diseases originate and terminate by genes: unraveling nonviral gene delivery. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2015; 3:593-610. [PMID: 25786377 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-013-0159-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The world is driving in to the era of transformation of chemical therapeutic molecules to biological genetic material therapeutics, and that is where the biological drugs especially "genes" come into existence. These genes worked as "magical bullets" to specifically silence faulty genes responsible for progression of diseases. Viral gene delivery research is far ahead of nonviral gene delivery technique. However, with more advancement in polymer science, new ways are opening for better and efficient nonviral gene delivery. But efficient delivery method is always considered as a bottleneck for gene delivery as success of which will decide the fate of gene in cells. During the past decade, it became evident that extracellular as well as intracellular barriers compromise the transfection efficiency of nonviral vectors. The challenge for gene therapy research is to pinpoint the rate-limiting steps in this complex process and implement strategies to overcome the biological physiochemical and metabolic barriers encountered during targeting. The synergy between studies that investigate the mechanism of breaking in and breaking out of nonviral gene delivery carrier through various extracellular and intracellular barriers with desired characteristics will enable the rational design of vehicles and revolutionize the treatment of various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajan Swami
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, 500037, India
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5
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Chen Y, Wang X, Liu T, Zhang DSZ, Wang Y, Gu H, Di W. Highly effective antiangiogenesis via magnetic mesoporous silica-based siRNA vehicle targeting the VEGF gene for orthotopic ovarian cancer therapy. Int J Nanomedicine 2015; 10:2579-94. [PMID: 25848273 PMCID: PMC4386807 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s78774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic antiangiogenesis strategies have demonstrated significant antitumor efficacy in ovarian cancer. Recently, RNA interference (RNAi) has come to be regarded as a promising technology for treatment of disease, especially cancer. In this study, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-small interfering RNA (siRNA) was encapsulated into a magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticle (M-MSN)-based, polyethylenimine (PEI)-capped, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-grafted, fusogenic peptide (KALA)-functionalized siRNA delivery system, termed M-MSN_VEGF siRNA@PEI-PEG-KALA, which showed significant effectiveness with regard to VEGF gene silencing in vitro and in vivo. The prepared siRNA delivery system readily exhibited cellular internalization and ease of endosomal escape, resulting in excellent RNAi efficacy without associated cytotoxicity in SKOV3 cells. In in vivo experiments, notable retardation of tumor growth was observed in orthotopic ovarian tumor-bearing mice, which was attributed to significant inhibition of angiogenesis by systemic administration of this nanocarrier. No obvious toxic drug responses were detected in major organs. Further, the magnetic core of M-MSN_VEGF siRNA@PEI-PEG-KALA proved capable of probing the site and size of the ovarian cancer in mice on magnetic resonance imaging. Collectively, the results demonstrate that an M-MSN-based delivery system has potential to serve as a carrier of siRNA therapeutics in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinran Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ding Sheng-Zi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunfei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongchen Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Di
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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6
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Chitosan-mediated non-viral gene delivery with improved serum stability and reduced cytotoxicity. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-014-0450-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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7
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Enhanced blood–brain barrier penetration and glioma therapy mediated by a new peptide modified gene delivery system. Biomaterials 2015; 37:345-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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8
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Yu Z, Yu B, Kaye JB, Tang C, Chen S, Dong C, Shen B. Perspectives and Challenges of Cell-Penetrating Peptides in Effective siRNA Delivery. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1142/s1793984414410165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, hundreds of cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been intensively developed as drug and nucleic acid delivery vectors. In many cases, however, the efficient delivery of exogenous bioactive molecules through the plasma membrane to their targets remains a tremendous challenging issue. CPPs have attracted tremendous research interest as efficient cellular delivery vehicles due to their intrinsic ability to enter cells and mediate uptake of a wide range of macromolecular cargos, such as proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, drugs and nanoparticle carriers. This review presents and discusses the current perspectives of CPP-mediated siRNA delivery system. We focus on the CPP-mediated siRNA delivery approaches, and particular emphasis is placed on the strategies for the advantages and disadvantages for each delivery approach. Lastly, the cellular uptake mechanisms of CPPs and the specific challenges associated with each delivery system of siRNAs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Yu
- Department of Physiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P. R. China
- Center for BioEnergetics, The Biodesign Institute and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Bin Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and New Drug Research & Development Center Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China
| | - Justin Boy Kaye
- Center for BioEnergetics, The Biodesign Institute and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Chenhong Tang
- Center for BioEnergetics, The Biodesign Institute and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Shengxi Chen
- Center for BioEnergetics, The Biodesign Institute and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Chenbo Dong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Bing Shen
- Department of Physiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P. R. China
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9
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Farinha D, Pedroso de Lima MC, Faneca H. Specific and efficient gene delivery mediated by an asialofetuin-associated nanosystem. Int J Pharm 2014; 473:366-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2014.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Revised: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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10
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Yang MY, Chen MT, Huang PI, Wang CY, Chang YC, Yang YP, Lo WL, Sung WH, Liao YW, Lee YY, Chang YL, Tseng LM, Chen YW, Ma HI. Nuclear Localization Signal-Enhanced Polyurethane-Short Branch Polyethylenimine-Mediated Delivery of Let-7a Inhibited Cancer Stem-Like Properties by Targeting the 3'-UTR of HMGA2 in Anaplastic Astrocytoma. Cell Transplant 2014; 24:1431-50. [PMID: 24898358 DOI: 10.3727/096368914x682107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) is a grade III glioma that often occurs in middle-aged patients and presents a uniformly poor prognosis. A small subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) possessing a self-renewing capacity is reported to be responsible for tumor recurrence and therapeutic resistance. An accumulating amount of microRNAs (miRNA) were found aberrantly expressed in human cancers and regulate CSCs. Efforts have been made to couple miRNAs with nonviral gene delivery approaches to target specific genes in cancer cells. However, the efficiency of delivery of miRNAs to AA-derived CSCs is still an applicability hurdle. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and applicability of nonviral vector-mediated delivery of Let-7a with regard to eradication of AA and AA-derived CSC cells. Herein, our miRNA/mRNA microarray and RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of Let-7a, a tumor-suppressive miRNA, is inversely correlated with the levels of HMGA2 and Sox2 in the AA side population (SP(+)) cells. Luciferase reporter assay showed that Let-7a directly targets the 3'-UTRs of HMGA2 in AA-SP(+) cells. Knockdown of HMGA2 significantly suppressed the protein expression of Sox2 in AA-SP(+) cells, whereas overexpression of HMGA2 upregulated Sox2 expression in AA-SP(-). Nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptides can facilitate nuclear targeting of DNA and are used to improve gene delivery. Using polyurethane-short branch polyethylenimine (PU-PEI) as a therapeutic delivery vehicle, we conjugated NLS with Let-7 and successfully delivered it to AA-SP(+) cells, resulting in significantly suppressed expression of HMGA2 and Sox2, tumorigenicity, and CSC-like abilities. This treatment facilitated the differentiation of AA-SP(+) cells into non-SP CSCs. Furthermore, PU-PEI-mediated delivery of NLS-conjugated Let-7a in AA-SP(+) cells suppressed the expression of drug-resistant and antiapoptotic genes, and increased cell sensitivity to radiation. Finally, the in vivo delivery of PU-PEI-NLS-Let-7a significantly suppressed the tumorigenesis of AA-SP(+) cells and synergistically improved the survival rate of orthotopically AA-SP(+)-transplanted immunocompromised mice when combined with radiotherapy. Therefore, PU-PEI-NLS-Let-7a is a potential novel therapeutic approach for AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yin Yang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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A novel application of indolicidin for gene delivery. Int J Pharm 2013; 456:293-300. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2013.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Revised: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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12
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Overcoming oral insulin delivery barriers: application of cell penetrating peptide and silica-based nanoporous composites. Front Chem Sci Eng 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11705-013-1306-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Lindberg S, Muñoz-Alarcón A, Helmfors H, Mosqueira D, Gyllborg D, Tudoran O, Langel U. PepFect15, a novel endosomolytic cell-penetrating peptide for oligonucleotide delivery via scavenger receptors. Int J Pharm 2012. [PMID: 23200958 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.11.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Gene-regulatory biomolecules such as splice-correcting oligonucleotides and anti-microRNA oligonucleotides are important tools in the struggle to understand and treat genetic disorders caused by defective gene expression or aberrant splicing. However, oligonucleotides generally suffer from low bioavailability, hence requiring efficient and non-toxic delivery vectors to reach their targets. Cell-penetrating peptides constitute a promising category of carrier molecules for intracellular delivery of bioactive cargo. In this study we present a novel cell-penetrating peptide, PepFect15, comprising the previously reported PepFect14 peptide modified with endosomolytic trifluoromethylquinoline moieties to facilitate endosomal escape. Pepfect15 efficiently delivers both splice-correcting oligonucleotides and anti-microRNA oligonucleotides into cells through a non-covalent complexation strategy. To our knowledge this is the first work that describes peptide-mediated anti-microRNA delivery. The peptide and its cargo form stable, negatively charged nanoparticles that are taken up by cells largely through scavenger receptor type A mediated endocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Staffan Lindberg
- Department of Neurochemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 21A, SE-106 92 Stockholm, Sweden.
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A mesoporous silica nanoparticle--PEI--fusogenic peptide system for siRNA delivery in cancer therapy. Biomaterials 2012; 34:1391-401. [PMID: 23164421 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.10.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2012] [Accepted: 10/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is widely regarded as a promising technology for disease treatment, yet one major obstacle for its clinical application is the lack of efficient siRNA delivery vehicles. In this study, we described a magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (M-MSNs)-based, polyelectrolyte (polyethylenimine, PEI) and fusogenic peptide (KALA)-functionalized siRNA delivery system (denoted as M-MSN_siRNA@PEI-KALA), which was highly effective for initiating target gene silencing both in vitro and in vivo. The construction of this delivery system began with the encapsulation of siRNA within the mesopores of M-MSNs, followed by the coating of PEI on the external surface of siRNA-loaded M-MSNs and the chemical conjugation of KALA peptides. The as-prepared delivery vehicles, with notable siRNA protective effect and negligible cytotoxicity, could be easily internalized into cells, readily escape from the endolysosomes and release the loaded siRNA into the cytoplasm. As a result, the knockdown of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tumor cells were observed, both with excellent RNAi efficiencies. In the following in vivo experiments, the intratumoral injection of M-MSN_VEGF siRNA@PEI-KALA significantly inhibited the tumor growth, possibly by the suppression of neovascularization in tumors. To sum up, we have established a highly effective MSNs-based delivery system, which has great potential to serve as therapeutic siRNA formulation for cancer treatment.
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Therapeutic delivery opportunities, obstacles and applications for cell-penetrating peptides. Ther Deliv 2012; 2:71-82. [PMID: 22833926 DOI: 10.4155/tde.10.78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Advancements in the development of large bioactive molecules as therapeutic agents have made drug delivery an active and important field of research. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have the ability to deliver an array of molecules and even nano-size particles into cells in an efficient and non-toxic manner, both in vitro and in vivo. This review aims to give a perspective on the obstacles that CPP-mediated drug delivery is currently facing as well as the great opportunities for improvements that lie ahead. Strategies for delivery of novel gene-modulating agents and enhancing efficacy of classical drugs will be discussed, as well as methods for increasing bioavailability and tissue specificity of CPPs. The usefulness and potential of CPPs as therapeutic drug-delivery vectors will be exemplified by their use in the treatment of cancer, viral infection and muscular dystrophy.
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Hoyer J, Neundorf I. Knockdown of a G protein-coupled receptor through efficient peptide-mediated siRNA delivery. J Control Release 2012; 161:826-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2012.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Revised: 05/05/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Abstract
Over the past two decades, gene therapy has garnered tremendous attention and is heralded by many as the ultimate cure to treat diseases such as cancer, viral infections, and inherited genetic disorders. However, the therapeutic applications of nucleic acids extend beyond the delivery of double-stranded DNA and subsequent expression of deficient gene products in diseased tissue. Other strategies include antisense oligonucleotides and most notably RNA interference (RNAi). Antisense strategies bear great potential for the treatment of diseases that are caused by misspliced mRNA, and RNAi is a universal and extraordinarily efficient tool to knock down the expression of virtually any gene by specific degradation of the desired target mRNA. However, because of the hurdles associated with effective delivery of nucleic acids across a cell membrane, the initial euphoria surrounding siRNA therapy soon subsided. The ability of oligonucleotides to cross the plasma membrane is hampered by their size and highly negative charge. Viral vectors have long been the gold standard to overcome this barrier, but they are associated with severe immunogenic effects and possible tumorigenesis. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), cationic peptides that can translocate through the cell membrane independent of receptors and can transport cargo including proteins, small organic molecules, nanoparticles, and oligonucleotides, represent a promising class of nonviral delivery vectors. This Account focuses on peptide carrier systems for the cellular delivery of various types of therapeutic nucleic acids with a special emphasis on cell-penetrating peptides. We also emphasize the clinical relevance of this research through examples of promising in vivo studies. Although CPPs are often derived from naturally occurring protein transduction domains, they can also be artificially designed. Because CPPs typically include many positively charged amino acids, those electrostatic interactions facilitate the formation of complexes between the carriers and the oligonucleotides. One drawback of CPP-mediated delivery includes entrapment of the cargo in endosomes because uptake tends to be endocytic: coupling of fatty acids or endosome-disruptive peptides to the CPPs can overcome this problem. CPPs can also lack specificity for a single cell type, which can be addressed through the use of targeting moieties, such as peptide ligands that bind to specific receptors. Researchers have also applied these strategies to cationic carrier systems for nonviral oligonucleotide delivery, such as liposomes or polymers, but CPPs tend to be less cytotoxic than other delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Hoyer
- Translational Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ines Neundorf
- Translational Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Strasse 47, 50674 Cologne, Germany
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Lo WL, Chien Y, Chiou GY, Tseng LM, Hsu HS, Chang YL, Lu KH, Chien CS, Wang ML, Chen YW, Huang PI, Hu FW, Yu CC, Chu PY, Chiou SH. Nuclear localization signal-enhanced RNA interference of EZH2 and Oct4 in the eradication of head and neck squamous Cell carcinoma-derived cancer stem cells. Biomaterials 2012; 33:3693-709. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2011] [Accepted: 01/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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CHEN J, WANG H, XU X, CHEN W, ZHANG X. PEPTIDES AND POLYPEPTIDES FOR GENE AND DRUG DELIVERY. ACTA POLYM SIN 2011. [DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1105.2011.11100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Wang T, Upponi JR, Torchilin VP. Design of multifunctional non-viral gene vectors to overcome physiological barriers: dilemmas and strategies. Int J Pharm 2011; 427:3-20. [PMID: 21798324 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2011.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2011] [Revised: 07/11/2011] [Accepted: 07/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Gene-based therapeutics hold great promise for medical advancement and have been used to treat various human diseases with mixed success. However, their therapeutic application in vivo is limited due largely to several physiological barriers. The design of non-viral gene vectors with the ability to overcome delivery obstacles is currently under extensive investigation. These efforts have placed an emphasis on the development of multifunctional vectors able to execute multiple tasks to simultaneously overcome both extracellular and intracellular obstacles. However, the assembly of these different functionalities into a single system to create multifunctional gene vectors faces many conflicts that largely limit the safe and efficient application of lipoplexes and polyplexes in a systemic delivery. In the review, we have described the dilemmas inherent in the design of a viable, non-viral gene vector equipped with multiple functionalities. The strategies directed towards individual delivery barriers are first summarized, followed by a focus on the design of so-called smart multifunctional vectors with the capability to overcome the delivery difficulties of gene medicines, including the so-called the "polycation dilemma", the "PEG dilemma" and the "package and release dilemma".
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, 312 Mugar Life Sciences Building, 360 Huntington Avenue, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Chen YA, Kuo HC, Chen YM, Huang SY, Liu YR, Lin SC, Yang HL, Chen TY. A gene delivery system based on the N-terminal domain of human topoisomerase I. Biomaterials 2011; 32:4174-84. [PMID: 21406310 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/19/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The N-terminal 200 amino acid residues of topoisomerase I (TopoN) is highly positive in charge and has DNA binding activity, without DNA sequence and topological specificity. Here, a fusion protein (6 x His-PTD-TopoN) containing a hexahistidine (6 x His) tag, a membrane penetration domain and TopoN (amino acid 3-200) was designed and developed. The protein can bind to different sizes (3.0-8.0 kb) and forms (circular and linear) of DNA and translocates the bound DNA to the nucleus. The protein also showed low cytotoxicity to GF-1 grouper fish fin cells that were previously very sensitive and difficult to transfect in vitro. Maintaining the hexahistidine tag increased the protein's transfection efficiency in COS7 African green monkey kidney cells and simplified the purification process. The plasmid pEGFP-N1 was delivered into COS7 cells by the protein in ATP- and temperature-dependent manners. The results indicate that the binding ability of TopoN is very useful for DNA delivery and the carrier protein can be expressed in Escherichia coli without removal of the hexahistidine tag.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-An Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biotechnology, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
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Won YW, Lim KS, Kim YH. Intracellular organelle-targeted non-viral gene delivery systems. J Control Release 2011; 152:99-109. [PMID: 21255626 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2010] [Revised: 12/30/2010] [Accepted: 01/07/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy is a rapidly growing approach for the treatment of various diseases. To achieve successful gene therapy, a gene delivery system is necessary to overcome several barriers in the extracellular and intracellular spaces. Polymers, peptides, liposomes and nanoparticles developed as gene carriers have achieved efficient cellular uptake of genes. Among these carriers, cationic polymers and peptides have been further developed as intracellular organelle-targeted delivery systems. The cytoplasm, nucleus and mitochondria have been considered primary targets for gene delivery using targeting moieties or environment-responsive materials. In this review, we explore recently developed non-viral gene carriers based on reducible systems specialized to target the cytoplasm, nucleus and mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Wook Won
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical Research, and Institute of Aging Society, Hanyang University, 17 Haengdang-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133-791, Republic of Korea
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Liu C, Zhang N. Nanoparticles in Gene Therapy. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2011; 104:509-62. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-416020-0.00013-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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PAMAM dendrimer with a 1,2-diaminoethane surface facilitates endosomal escape for enhanced pDNA delivery. POLYMER 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2010.10.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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