1
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Zheng L, Bandara SR, Tan Z, Leal C. Lipid nanoparticle topology regulates endosomal escape and delivery of RNA to the cytoplasm. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2301067120. [PMID: 37364130 PMCID: PMC10318962 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301067120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA therapeutics have the potential to resolve a myriad of genetic diseases. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are among the most successful RNA delivery systems. Expanding their use for the treatment of more genetic diseases hinges on our ability to continuously evolve the design of LNPs with high potency, cellular-specific targeting, and low side effects. Overcoming the difficulty of releasing cargo from endocytosed LNPs remains a significant hurdle. Here, we investigate the fundamental properties of nonviral RNA nanoparticles pertaining to the activation of topological transformations of endosomal membranes and RNA translocation into the cytosol. We show that, beyond composition, LNP fusogenicity can be prescribed by designing LNP nanostructures that lower the energetic cost of fusion and fusion-pore formation with a target membrane. The inclusion of structurally active lipids leads to enhanced LNP endosomal fusion, fast evasion of endosomal entrapment, and efficacious RNA delivery. For example, conserving the lipid make-up, RNA-LNPs having cuboplex nanostructures are significantly more efficacious at endosomal escape than traditional lipoplex constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lining Zheng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Sarith R. Bandara
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Zhengzhong Tan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Cecilia Leal
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
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2
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Anwar S, Mir F, Yokota T. Enhancing the Effectiveness of Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Using Cell-Penetrating Peptide Conjugation, Chemical Modification, and Carrier-Based Delivery Strategies. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041130. [PMID: 37111616 PMCID: PMC10140998 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotide-based therapies are a promising approach for treating a wide range of hard-to-treat diseases, particularly genetic and rare diseases. These therapies involve the use of short synthetic sequences of DNA or RNA that can modulate gene expression or inhibit proteins through various mechanisms. Despite the potential of these therapies, a significant barrier to their widespread use is the difficulty in ensuring their uptake by target cells/tissues. Strategies to overcome this challenge include cell-penetrating peptide conjugation, chemical modification, nanoparticle formulation, and the use of endogenous vesicles, spherical nucleic acids, and smart material-based delivery vehicles. This article provides an overview of these strategies and their potential for the efficient delivery of oligonucleotide drugs, as well as the safety and toxicity considerations, regulatory requirements, and challenges in translating these therapies from the laboratory to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Anwar
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Farin Mir
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
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3
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Li Z, Carter J, Santos L, Webster C, van der Walle CF, Li P, Rogers SE, Lu JR. Acidification-Induced Structure Evolution of Lipid Nanoparticles Correlates with Their In Vitro Gene Transfections. ACS NANO 2023; 17:979-990. [PMID: 36608273 PMCID: PMC9878718 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The rational design of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for enhanced gene delivery remains challenging because of incomplete knowledge of their formulation-structure relationship that impacts their intracellular behavior and consequent function. Small-angle neutron scattering has been used in this work to investigate the structure of LNPs encapsulating plasmid DNA upon their acidification (from pH 7.4 to 4.0), as would be encountered during endocytosis. The results revealed the acidification-induced structure evolution (AISE) of the LNPs on different dimension scales, involving protonation of the ionizable lipid, volume expansion and redistribution of aqueous and lipid components. A similarity analysis using an LNP's structural feature space showed a strong positive correlation between function (measured by intracellular luciferase expression) and the extent of AISE, which was further enhanced by the fraction of unsaturated helper lipid. Our findings reveal molecular and nanoscale changes occurring during AISE that underpin the LNPs' formulation-nanostructure-function relationship, aiding the rational design of application-directed gene delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongyi Li
- Biological
Physics Laboratory, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Schuster Building, ManchesterM13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Jessica Carter
- Biological
Physics Laboratory, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Schuster Building, ManchesterM13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Luis Santos
- Dosage
Form Design Development, Biopharmaceuticals Development, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland20878, United States
| | - Carl Webster
- Discovery
Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, CambridgeCB21 6GH, U.K.
| | - Christopher F. van der Walle
- The
Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, The Centre
for Regenerative Medicine, 5 Little France Drive, EdinburghEH16 4UU, U.K.
| | - Peixun Li
- ISIS
Neutron Facility, STFC, Chilton, DidcotOX11 0QZ, U.K.
| | | | - Jian Ren Lu
- Biological
Physics Laboratory, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Schuster Building, ManchesterM13 9PL, U.K.
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4
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Investigation of the ionic conditions in SiRNA-mediated delivery through its carriers in the cell membrane: a molecular dynamic simulation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17520. [PMID: 36266467 PMCID: PMC9582388 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22509-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
SiRNA is a new generation of drug molecules and a new approach for treating a variety of diseases such as cancer and viral infections. SiRNA delivery to cells and translocation into cytoplasm are the main challenges in the clinical application of siRNA. Lipid carriers are one of the most successful carriers for siRNA delivery. In this study, we investigated the interaction of siRNA with a zwitterionic bilayer and how ion concentration and lipid conjugation can affect it. The divalent cation such as Mg2+ ions could promote the siRNA adsorption on the bilayer surface. The cation ions can bind to the head groups of lipids and the grooves of siRNA molecules and form bridges between the siRNA and bilayer surface. Our findings demonstrated the bridges formed by divalent ions could facilitate the attachment of siRNA to the membrane surface. We showed that the divalent cations can regulate the bridging-driven membrane attachment and it seems the result of this modulation can be used for designing biomimetic devices. In the following, we examined the effect of cations on the interaction between siRNA modified by cholesterol and the membrane surface. Our MD simulations showed that in the presence of Mg2+, the electrostatic and vdW energy between the membrane and siRNA were higher compared to those in the presence of NA+. We showed that the electrostatic interaction between membrane and siRNA cannot be facilitated only by cholesterol conjugated. Indeed, cations are essential to create coulomb repulsion and enable membrane attachment. This study provides important insight into liposome carriers for siRNA delivery and could help us in the development of siRNA-based therapeutics. Due to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak, these results may shed light on the new approach for treating these diseases and their molecular details.
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5
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Shan X, Luo L, Yu Z, You J. Recent advances in versatile inverse lyotropic liquid crystals. J Control Release 2022; 348:1-21. [PMID: 35636617 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Owing to the rapid and significant progress in advanced materials and life sciences, nanotechnology is increasingly gaining in popularity. Among numerous bio-mimicking carriers, inverse lyotropic liquid crystals are known for their unique properties. These carriers make accommodation of molecules with varied characteristics achievable due to their complicated topologies. Besides, versatile symmetries of inverse LCNPs (lyotropic crystalline nanoparticles) and their aggregating bulk phases allow them to be applied in a wide range of fields including drug delivery, food, cosmetics, material sciences etc. In this review, in-depth summary, discussion and outlook for inverse lyotropic liquid crystals are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Shan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Lihua Luo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Zhixin Yu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jian You
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
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6
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In Vitro CRISPR/Cas9 Transfection and Gene-Editing Mediated by Multivalent Cationic Liposome-DNA Complexes. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14051087. [PMID: 35631673 PMCID: PMC9143451 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14051087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (Cas9) gene-editing offers exciting new therapeutic possibilities for disease treatment with a genetic etiology such as cancer, cardiovascular, neuronal, and immune disorders. However, its clinical translation is being hampered by the lack of safe, versatile, and effective nonviral delivery systems. Herein we report on the preparation and application of two cationic liposome−DNA systems (i.e., lipoplexes) for CRISPR/Cas9 gene delivery. For that purpose, two types of cationic lipids are used (DOTAP, monovalent, and MVL5, multivalent with +5e nominal charge), along with three types of helper lipids (DOPC, DOPE, and monoolein (GMO)). We demonstrated that plasmids encoding Cas9 and single-guide RNA (sgRNA), which are typically hard to transfect due to their large size (>9 kb), can be successfully transfected into HEK 293T cells via MVL5-based lipoplexes. In contrast, DOTAP-based lipoplexes resulted in very low transfection rates. MVL5-based lipoplexes presented the ability to escape from lysosomes, which may explain the superior transfection efficiency. Regarding gene editing, MVL5-based lipoplexes achieved promising GFP knockout levels, reaching rates of knockout superior to 35% for charge ratios (+/−) of 10. Despite the knockout efficiency being comparable to that of Lipofectamine 3000® commercial reagent, the non-specific gene knockout is more pronounced in MVL5-based formulations, probably resulting from the considerable cytotoxicity of these formulations. Altogether, these results show that multivalent lipid-based lipoplexes are promising CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid delivery vehicles, which by further optimization and functionalization may become suitable in vivo delivery systems.
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7
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Elucidation of physico-chemical principles of high-density lipoprotein-small RNA binding interactions. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101952. [PMID: 35447119 PMCID: PMC9133651 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular small RNAs (sRNAs) are abundant in many biofluids, but little is known about their mechanisms of transport and stability in RNase-rich environments. We previously reported that high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) in mice were enriched with multiple classes of sRNAs derived from the endogenous transcriptome, but also from exogenous organisms. Here, we show that human HDL transports tRNA-derived sRNAs (tDRs) from host and nonhost species, the profiles of which were found to be altered in human atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that HDL binds to tDRs through apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and that these interactions are conferred by RNA-specific features. We tested this using microscale thermophoresis and electrophoretic mobility shift assays and found that HDL binds to tDRs and other single-stranded sRNAs with strong affinity but did not bind to double-stranded RNA or DNA. Furthermore, we show that natural and synthetic RNA modifications influenced tDR binding to HDL. We demonstrate that reconstituted HDL bound to tDRs only in the presence of apoA-I, and purified apoA-I alone were able to bind sRNA. Conversely, phosphatidylcholine vesicles did not bind tDRs. In summary, we conclude that HDL binds to single-stranded sRNAs likely through nonionic interactions with apoA-I. These results highlight binding properties that likely enable extracellular RNA communication and provide a foundation for future studies to manipulate HDL-sRNA interactions for therapeutic approaches to prevent or treat disease.
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8
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Singh PC, Ahmed M, Nihonyanagi S, Yamaguchi S, Tahara T. DNA-Induced Reorganization of Water at Model Membrane Interfaces Investigated by Heterodyne-Detected Vibrational Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:840-846. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c08581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Chandra Singh
- Molecular Spectroscopy Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Mohammed Ahmed
- Molecular Spectroscopy Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Ultrafast Spectroscopy Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics (RAP), 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nihonyanagi
- Molecular Spectroscopy Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Ultrafast Spectroscopy Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics (RAP), 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Shoichi Yamaguchi
- Molecular Spectroscopy Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakura, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Tahei Tahara
- Molecular Spectroscopy Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Ultrafast Spectroscopy Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics (RAP), 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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9
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Coelho F, Salonen LM, Silva BFB. Hemiacetal-linked pH-sensitive PEG-lipids for non-viral gene delivery. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2nj02217f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cationic lipid–DNA complexes containing a novel hemiacetal PEG-lipid for endosomal escape were characterized in terms of pH-response, stability, and biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Coelho
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Av. Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
| | - Laura M. Salonen
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Av. Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
| | - Bruno F. B. Silva
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Av. Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
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10
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Abstract
Hierarchic self-assembly underpins much of the form and function seen in synthetic or biological soft materials. Lipids are paramount examples, building themselves in nature or synthetically in a variety of meso/nanostructures. Synthetic block copolymers capture many of lipid's structural and functional properties. Lipids are typically biocompatible and high molecular weight polymers are mechanically robust and chemically versatile. The development of new materials for applications like controlled drug/gene/protein delivery, biosensors, and artificial cells often requires the combination of lipids and polymers. The emergent composite material, a "polymer-lipid hybrid membrane", displays synergistic properties not seen in pure components. Specific examples include the observation that hybrid membranes undergo lateral phase separation that can correlate in registry across multiple layers into a three-dimensional phase-separated system with enhanced permeability of encapsulated drugs. It is timely to underpin these emergent properties in several categories of hybrid systems ranging from colloidal suspensions to supported hybrid films. In this review, we discuss the form and function of a vast number of polymer-lipid hybrid systems published to date. We rationalize the results to raise new fundamental understanding of hybrid self-assembling soft materials as well as to enable the design of new supramolecular systems and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo Kyung Go
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana─Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Cecilia Leal
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana─Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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11
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Caillaud M, Gobeaux F, Hémadi M, Boutary S, Guenoun P, Desmaële D, Couvreur P, Wien F, Testard F, Massaad-Massade L. Supramolecular organization and biological interaction of squalenoyl siRNA nanoparticles. Int J Pharm 2021; 609:121117. [PMID: 34562556 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.121117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Small interfering RNAs (siRNA) are attractive and powerful tools to inhibit the expression of a targeted gene. However, their extreme hydrophilicities combined with a negative charge and short plasma half-life counteract their use as therapeutics. Previously, we chemically linked siRNA to squalene (SQ) which self-assembled as nanoparticles (NPs) with pharmacological efficiency in cancers and recently in a hereditary neuropathy. In order to understand the siRNA-SQ NP assembly and fate once intravenously injected, the present study detailed characterization of siRNA-SQ NP structure and its interaction with serum components. From SAXS and SANS analysis, we propose that the siRNA-SQ bioconjugate self-assembled as 11-nm diameter supramolecular assemblies, which are connected one to another to form spherical nanoparticles of around 130-nm diameter. The siRNA-SQ NPs were stable in biological media and interacted with serum components, notably with albumin and LDL. The high specificity of siRNA to decrease or normalize gene expression and the high colloidal stability when encapsulated into squalene nanoparticles offer promising targeted therapy with wide applications for pathologies with gene expression dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Caillaud
- U1195 Diseases and Hormones of the Nervous System, INSERM U1195 and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Frédéric Gobeaux
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, LIONS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Miryana Hémadi
- Université de Paris, CNRS-UMR 7086, Interfaces, Traitements, Organisation et DYnamique des Systèmes (ITODYS), UFR de Chimie, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Suzan Boutary
- U1195 Diseases and Hormones of the Nervous System, INSERM U1195 and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Patrick Guenoun
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, LIONS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Didier Desmaële
- Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 8612, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Patrick Couvreur
- Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 8612, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | | | - Fabienne Testard
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, LIONS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Liliane Massaad-Massade
- U1195 Diseases and Hormones of the Nervous System, INSERM U1195 and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
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12
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Tsai SJ, Atai NA, Cacciottolo M, Nice J, Salehi A, Guo C, Sedgwick A, Kanagavelu S, Gould SJ. Exosome-mediated mRNA delivery in vivo is safe and can be used to induce SARS-CoV-2 immunity. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101266. [PMID: 34600888 PMCID: PMC8483990 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional delivery of mRNA has high clinical potential. Previous studies established that mRNAs can be delivered to cells in vitro and in vivo via RNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Here we describe an alternative approach using exosomes, the only biologically normal nanovesicle. In contrast to LNPs, which elicited pronounced cellular toxicity, exosomes had no adverse effects in vitro or in vivo at any dose tested. Moreover, mRNA-loaded exosomes were characterized by efficient mRNA encapsulation (∼90%), high mRNA content, consistent size, and a polydispersity index under 0.2. Using an mRNA encoding the red light-emitting luciferase Antares2, we observed that mRNA-loaded exosomes were superior to mRNA-loaded LNPs at delivering functional mRNA into human cells in vitro. Injection of Antares2 mRNA-loaded exosomes also led to strong light emission following injection into the vitreous fluid of the eye or into the tissue of skeletal muscle in mice. Furthermore, we show that repeated injection of Antares2 mRNA-loaded exosomes drove sustained luciferase expression across six injections spanning at least 10 weeks, without evidence of signal attenuation or adverse injection site responses. Consistent with these findings, we observed that exosomes loaded with mRNAs encoding immunogenic forms of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Nucleocapsid proteins induced long-lasting cellular and humoral responses to both. Taken together, these results demonstrate that exosomes can be used to deliver functional mRNA to and into cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Jui Tsai
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nadia A Atai
- Capricor Therapeutics, Inc, Beverly Hills, California, USA
| | | | - Justin Nice
- Capricor Therapeutics, Inc, Beverly Hills, California, USA
| | - Arjang Salehi
- Capricor Therapeutics, Inc, Beverly Hills, California, USA
| | - Chenxu Guo
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Stephen J Gould
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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13
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Bost JP, Barriga H, Holme MN, Gallud A, Maugeri M, Gupta D, Lehto T, Valadi H, Esbjörner EK, Stevens MM, El-Andaloussi S. Delivery of Oligonucleotide Therapeutics: Chemical Modifications, Lipid Nanoparticles, and Extracellular Vesicles. ACS NANO 2021; 15:13993-14021. [PMID: 34505766 PMCID: PMC8482762 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c05099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Oligonucleotides (ONs) comprise a rapidly growing class of therapeutics. In recent years, the list of FDA-approved ON therapies has rapidly expanded. ONs are small (15-30 bp) nucleotide-based therapeutics which are capable of targeting DNA and RNA as well as other biomolecules. ONs can be subdivided into several classes based on their chemical modifications and on the mechanisms of their target interactions. Historically, the largest hindrance to the widespread usage of ON therapeutics has been their inability to effectively internalize into cells and escape from endosomes to reach their molecular targets in the cytosol or nucleus. While cell uptake has been improved, "endosomal escape" remains a significant problem. There are a range of approaches to overcome this, and in this review, we focus on three: altering the chemical structure of the ONs, formulating synthetic, lipid-based nanoparticles to encapsulate the ONs, or biologically loading the ONs into extracellular vesicles. This review provides a background to the design and mode of action of existing FDA-approved ONs. It presents the most common ON classifications and chemical modifications from a fundamental scientific perspective and provides a roadmap of the cellular uptake pathways by which ONs are trafficked. Finally, this review delves into each of the above-mentioned approaches to ON delivery, highlighting the scientific principles behind each and covering recent advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy P. Bost
- Department
of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge 14152, Sweden
| | - Hanna Barriga
- Department
of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
| | - Margaret N. Holme
- Department
of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
| | - Audrey Gallud
- Department
of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers
University of Technology, Gothenburg 41296, Sweden
- Advanced
Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43150, Sweden
| | - Marco Maugeri
- Department
of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine,
Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 41390, Sweden
| | - Dhanu Gupta
- Department
of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge 14152, Sweden
| | - Taavi Lehto
- Department
of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge 14152, Sweden
- Institute
of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - Hadi Valadi
- Department
of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine,
Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 41390, Sweden
| | - Elin K. Esbjörner
- Department
of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers
University of Technology, Gothenburg 41296, Sweden
| | - Molly M. Stevens
- Department
of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
- Department
of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Biomedical
Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BU, United Kingdom
| | - Samir El-Andaloussi
- Department
of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge 14152, Sweden
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14
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Ewert KK, Scodeller P, Simón-Gracia L, Steffes VM, Wonder EA, Teesalu T, Safinya CR. Cationic Liposomes as Vectors for Nucleic Acid and Hydrophobic Drug Therapeutics. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1365. [PMID: 34575441 PMCID: PMC8465808 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13091365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cationic liposomes (CLs) are effective carriers of a variety of therapeutics. Their applications as vectors of nucleic acids (NAs), from long DNA and mRNA to short interfering RNA (siRNA), have been pursued for decades to realize the promise of gene therapy, with approvals of the siRNA therapeutic patisiran and two mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 as recent milestones. The long-term goal of developing optimized CL-based NA carriers for a broad range of medical applications requires a comprehensive understanding of the structure of these vectors and their interactions with cell membranes and components that lead to the release and activity of the NAs within the cell. Structure-activity relationships of lipids for CL-based NA and drug delivery must take into account that these lipids act not individually but as components of an assembly of many molecules. This review summarizes our current understanding of how the choice of the constituting lipids governs the structure of their CL-NA self-assemblies, which constitute distinct liquid crystalline phases, and the relation of these structures to their efficacy for delivery. In addition, we review progress toward CL-NA nanoparticles for targeted NA delivery in vivo and close with an outlook on CL-based carriers of hydrophobic drugs, which may eventually lead to combination therapies with NAs and drugs for cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai K. Ewert
- Materials, Physics, and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Departments, and Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; (V.M.S.); (E.A.W.)
| | - Pablo Scodeller
- Laboratory of Precision- and Nanomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Centre of Excellence for Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 14b, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (P.S.); (L.S.-G.)
| | - Lorena Simón-Gracia
- Laboratory of Precision- and Nanomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Centre of Excellence for Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 14b, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (P.S.); (L.S.-G.)
| | - Victoria M. Steffes
- Materials, Physics, and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Departments, and Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; (V.M.S.); (E.A.W.)
| | - Emily A. Wonder
- Materials, Physics, and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Departments, and Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; (V.M.S.); (E.A.W.)
| | - Tambet Teesalu
- Laboratory of Precision- and Nanomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Centre of Excellence for Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 14b, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (P.S.); (L.S.-G.)
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Cyrus R. Safinya
- Materials, Physics, and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Departments, and Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; (V.M.S.); (E.A.W.)
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15
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Sarkar S, Tran N, Soni SK, Nasa Z, Drummond CJ, Conn CE. Cuboplex-Mediated Nonviral Delivery of Functional siRNA to Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:2336-2345. [PMID: 33410653 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c20956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles of internal cubic symmetry, termed cuboplexes, are potential nonviral delivery vehicles for gene therapy due to their "topologically active" nature, which may enhance endosomal escape and improve delivery outcomes. In this study, we have used cationic cuboplexes, based on monoolein (MO) doped with a cationic lipid, for the encapsulation and delivery of antisense green fluorescent protein (GFP)-small interfering RNA (siRNA) into Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO)-GFP cells. Agarose gel electrophoresis has confirmed the successful encapsulation of siRNA within cationic cubosomes, while synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) demonstrated that the underlying cubic nanostructure of the particles was retained following encapsulation. The cationic cubosomes were shown to be reasonably nontoxic against the CHO-GFP cell line. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) provided evidence of the successful transfection to CHO-GFP cells. Knockdown efficiency was strongly linked to the type of cationic lipid used, although all cubosomes had essentially the same internal nanostructure. The gene knockdown efficiency for some cationic cubosomes was shown to be higher than lipofectamine, which is a commercially available liposome-based formulation, while the controlled release of the siRNA from the cubosomes over a 72 h period was observed using confocal microscopy. This combination exemplifies the potential of cationic cuboplexes as a novel, nonviral, controlled-release delivery vector for siRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sampa Sarkar
- School of Science, College of Science, Engineering and Health, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Nhiem Tran
- School of Science, College of Science, Engineering and Health, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Sarvesh Kumar Soni
- School of Science, College of Science, Engineering and Health, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Zeyad Nasa
- School of Science, College of Science, Engineering and Health, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Calum J Drummond
- School of Science, College of Science, Engineering and Health, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Charlotte E Conn
- School of Science, College of Science, Engineering and Health, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
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Ponti F, Campolungo M, Melchiori C, Bono N, Candiani G. Cationic lipids for gene delivery: many players, one goal. Chem Phys Lipids 2021; 235:105032. [PMID: 33359210 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2020.105032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Lipid-based carriers represent the most widely used alternative to viral vectors for gene expression and gene silencing purposes. This class of non-viral vectors is particularly attractive for their ease of synthesis and chemical modifications to endow them with desirable properties. Despite combinatorial approaches have led to the generation of a large number of cationic lipids displaying different supramolecular structures and improved behavior, additional effort is needed towards the development of more and more effective cationic lipids for transfection purposes. With this review, we seek to highlight the great progress made in the design of each and every constituent domain of cationic lipids, that is, the chemical structure of the headgroup, linker and hydrophobic moieties, and on the specific effect on the assembly with nucleic acids. Since the complexity of such systems is known to affect their performances, the role of formulation, stability and phase behavior on the transfection efficiency of such assemblies will be thoroughly discussed. Our objective is to provide a conceptual framework for the development of ever more performing lipid gene delivery vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Ponti
- GenT LΛB, Dept. of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, 20131, Milan, Italy; Laboratory for Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Canada Research Chair I in Biomaterials and Bioengineering for the Innovation in Surgery, Dept. Min-Met-Materials Engineering, Research Center of CHU de Quebec, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Matilde Campolungo
- GenT LΛB, Dept. of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, 20131, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Melchiori
- GenT LΛB, Dept. of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, 20131, Milan, Italy
| | - Nina Bono
- GenT LΛB, Dept. of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, 20131, Milan, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Candiani
- GenT LΛB, Dept. of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, 20131, Milan, Italy.
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Lipid-Nucleic Acid Complexes: Physicochemical Aspects and Prospects for Cancer Treatment. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25215006. [PMID: 33126767 PMCID: PMC7662579 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is an extremely complex disease, typically caused by mutations in cancer-critical genes. By delivering therapeutic nucleic acids (NAs) to patients, gene therapy offers the possibility to supplement, repair or silence such faulty genes or to stimulate their immune system to fight the disease. While the challenges of gene therapy for cancer are significant, the latter approach (a type of immunotherapy) starts showing promising results in early-stage clinical trials. One important advantage of NA-based cancer therapies over synthetic drugs and protein treatments is the prospect of a more universal approach to designing therapies. Designing NAs with different sequences, for different targets, can be achieved by using the same technologies. This versatility and scalability of NA drug design and production on demand open the way for more efficient, affordable and personalized cancer treatments in the future. However, the delivery of exogenous therapeutic NAs into the patients’ targeted cells is also challenging. Membrane-type lipids exhibiting permanent or transient cationic character have been shown to associate with NAs (anionic), forming nanosized lipid-NA complexes. These complexes form a wide variety of nanostructures, depending on the global formulation composition and properties of the lipids and NAs. Importantly, these different lipid-NA nanostructures interact with cells via different mechanisms and their therapeutic potential can be optimized to promising levels in vitro. The complexes are also highly customizable in terms of surface charge and functionalization to allow a wide range of targeting and smart-release properties. Most importantly, these synthetic particles offer possibilities for scaling-up and affordability for the population at large. Hence, the versatility and scalability of these particles seem ideal to accommodate the versatility that NA therapies offer. While in vivo efficiency of lipid-NA complexes is still poor in most cases, the advances achieved in the last three decades are significant and very recently a lipid-based gene therapy medicine was approved for the first time (for treatment of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis). Although the path to achieve efficient NA-delivery in cancer therapy is still long and tenuous, these advances set a new hope for more treatments in the future. In this review, we attempt to cover the most important biophysical and physicochemical aspects of non-viral lipid-based gene therapy formulations, with a perspective on future cancer treatments in mind.
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18
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Porras-Gomez M, Leal C. Lipid-based Liquid Crystalline Films and Solutions for the Delivery of Cargo to Cells. LIQUID CRYSTALS REVIEWS 2019; 7:167-182. [PMID: 31942262 PMCID: PMC6961842 DOI: 10.1080/21680396.2019.1666752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A major challenge in the delivery of cargo (genes and/or drugs) to cells using nanostructured vehicles is the ability to safely penetrate plasma membranes by escaping the endosome before degradation, later releasing the payload into the cytoplasm or organelle of interest. Lipids are a class of bio-compatible molecules that self-assemble into a variety of liquid crystalline constructs. Most of these materials can be used to encapsulate drugs, proteins, and nucleic acids to deliver them safely into various cell types. Lipid phases offer a plethora of structures capable of forming complexes with biomolecules, most notably nucleic acids. The physichochemical characteristics of the lipid molecular building blocks, one might say the lipid primary structure, dictates how they collectively interact to assemble into various secondary structures. These include bilayers, lamellar stacks of bilayers, two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal arrays of lipid tubes, and even 3D cubic constructs. The liquid crystalline materials can be present in the form of aqueous suspensions, bulk materials or confined to a film configuration depending on the intended application (e.g. bolus vs surface-based delivery). This work compiles recent findings of different lipid-based liquid crystalline constructs both in films and particles for gene and drug delivery applications. We explore how lipid primary and secondary structures endow liquid crystalline materials with the ability to carry biomolecular cargo and interact with cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn Porras-Gomez
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Cecilia Leal
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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19
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Bouxsein NF, Leal C, McAllister CS, Li Y, Ewert KK, Samuel CE, Safinya CR. 3D Columnar Phase of Stacked Short DNA Organized by Coherent Membrane Undulations. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:11891-11901. [PMID: 31408350 PMCID: PMC6743479 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b01726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We report on the discovery of a new organized lipid-nucleic acid phase upon intercalation of blunt duplexes of short DNA (sDNA) within cationic multilayer fluid membranes. End-to-end interactions between sDNA leads to columnar stacks. At high membrane charge density, with the inter-sDNA column spacing (dsDNA) comparable but larger than the diameter of sDNA, a 2D columnar phase (i.e., a 2D smectic) is found similar to the phase in cationic liposome-DNA complexes with long lambda-phage DNA. Remarkably, with increasing dsDNA as the membrane charge density is lowered, a transition is observed to a 3D columnar phase of stacked sDNA. This occurs even though direct DNA-DNA electrostatic interactions across layers are screened by diffusing cationic lipids near the phosphate groups of sDNA. Softening of the membrane bending rigidity (κ), which further promotes membrane undulations, significantly enhances the 3D columnar phase. These observations are consistent with a model by Schiessel and Aranda-Espinoza where local membrane undulations, due to electrostatically induced membrane wrapping around sDNA columns, phase lock from layer-to-layer, thereby precipitating coherent "crystal-like" undulations coupled to sDNA columns with long-range position and orientation order. The finding that this new phase is stable at large dsDNA and enhanced with decreasing κ is further supportive of the model where the elastic cost of membrane deformation per unit area around sDNA columns (∝ κh2/dsDNA4, h2 = sum of square of amplitudes of the inner and outer monolayer undulations) is strongly reduced relative to the favorable electrostatic attractions of partially wrapped membrane around sDNA columns. The findings have broad implications in the design of membrane-mediated assembly of functional nanoparticles in 3D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan F. Bouxsein
- Materials Department, Physics Department, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Cecília Leal
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Christopher S. McAllister
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Youli Li
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Kai K. Ewert
- Materials Department, Physics Department, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Charles E. Samuel
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Cyrus R. Safinya
- Materials Department, Physics Department, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
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20
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Linear, self-assembled patterns appearing spontaneously as a result of DNA-CTMA lipoplex Langmuir-Blodgett deposition on a solid surface. POLYMER 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2019.121643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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21
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Barriga HMG, Holme MN, Stevens MM. Cubosomes: The Next Generation of Smart Lipid Nanoparticles? Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:2958-2978. [PMID: 29926520 PMCID: PMC6606436 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201804067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cubosomes are highly stable nanoparticles formed from the lipid cubic phase and stabilized by a polymer based outer corona. Bicontinuous lipid cubic phases consist of a single lipid bilayer that forms a continuous periodic membrane lattice structure with pores formed by two interwoven water channels. Cubosome composition can be tuned to engineer pore sizes or include bioactive lipids, the polymer outer corona can be used for targeting and they are highly stable under physiological conditions. Compared to liposomes, the structure provides a significantly higher membrane surface area for loading of membrane proteins and small drug molecules. Owing to recent advances, they can be engineered in vitro in both bulk and nanoparticle formats with applications including drug delivery, membrane bioreactors, artificial cells, and biosensors. This review outlines recent advances in cubosome technology enabling their application and provides guidelines for the rational design of new systems for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna M. G. Barriga
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Margaret N. Holme
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Molly M. Stevens
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Departments of Materials and Bioengineering and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
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22
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Luque-Caballero G, Maldonado-Valderrama J, Quesada-Pérez M, Martín-Molina A. Interaction of DNA with likely-charged lipid monolayers: An experimental study. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2019; 178:170-176. [PMID: 30856586 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2019.02.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Anionic lipids are increasingly being used in lipoplexes for synthetic gene vectors as an alternative to cationic lipids. This is primarily due to their lower toxicity, which makes them biocompatible and adaptable to be tissue specific. However, anionic lipoplexes require the presence of multivalent cations to promote the electrostatic attraction between DNA and anionic lipid mono- and bilayers. In this work we provide for the first time experimental results of the adsorption of linear DNA onto anionic/zwitterionic lipid monolayers without any addition of cations. This is demonstrated experimentally by means of Langmuir monolayers of DOPE/DOPG (1:1) lipids spread on a water subphase that contains calf thymus DNA. The adsorption of DNA onto anionic/zwitterionic lipid monolayers is discussed in terms of the surface pressure-molecular area isotherms recorded in the absence and in the presence of different electrolytes. Measurements of the surface potential provide additional evidence of the different interaction of DNA anionic/zwitterionic lipid monolayers depending on the presence and nature of electrolyte. These experimental results are further analysed in terms of the overall dipole moment normal to the monolayers providing new insight into the behaviour of anionic lipoplexes and the role of zwitterionic lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- German Luque-Caballero
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva sn, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Julia Maldonado-Valderrama
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva sn, 18071, Granada, Spain; Unidad de excelencia "Modelling Nature" (MNat), Universidad de Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Quesada-Pérez
- Departamento de Física, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Linares, Universidad de Jaén, 23700, Linares, Jaén, Spain
| | - Alberto Martín-Molina
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva sn, 18071, Granada, Spain; Instituto Carlos I de Física Teórica y Computacional, Universidad de Granada, Spain.
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Leung SSW, Leal C. The stabilization of primitive bicontinuous cubic phases with tunable swelling over a wide composition range. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:1269-1277. [PMID: 30462135 PMCID: PMC6876301 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm02059k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In this paper we investigate the pseudo-ternary phase diagram of glycerol monooleate (GMO), a cationic lipid (DOTAP - 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane), and a "PEGylated" lipid (DOPE-PEG - 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000 kDa]) in excess water. We use small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) to map out a phase diagram in a regime of low DOPE-PEG content (1-5 mol%), which is pertinent for the application of lipid systems as carriers of biomolecular cargo to cells. Pure GMO is known to self-assemble into bicontinuous cubic phases of the gyroid type at low water content and of the diamond type in excess water. These complex structures have numerous advantages reaching beyond drug delivery, e.g. as protein crystallization matrices, but their formulation is challenging as very small contents of guest molecules can shift the phase behavior towards other geometries such as the lamellar phase. In this work, we show that the ternary GMO/DOTAP/DOPE-PEG system allows the stabilization of bicontinuous cubic phases in excess water over a wide composition range. The symmetry of the phase can be tuned by varying the amount of PEGylated lipid, with the primitive type dominating at low DOPE-PEG content (1-3 mol%) and the diamond phase arising at 5 mol% DOPE-PEG. In addition, we found that the diamond phase is virtually non-responsive to electrostatic swelling. In contrast, primitive bicontinuous cubic lattice dimensions swell up in equilibrium to 650 Å with increased cationic lipid content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherry S W Leung
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, USA.
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24
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Barriga HMG, Holme MN, Stevens MM. Cubosomen: die nächste Generation intelligenter Lipid‐Nanopartikel? Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201804067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna M. G. Barriga
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and BiophysicsKarolinska Institute Stockholm Schweden
| | - Margaret N. Holme
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and BiophysicsKarolinska Institute Stockholm Schweden
| | - Molly M. Stevens
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and BiophysicsKarolinska Institute Stockholm Schweden
- Departments of Materials and Bioengineering and Institute of Biomedical EngineeringImperial College London London Großbritannien
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25
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Pakornpadungsit P, Smitthipong W, Chworos A. Self-assembly nucleic acid-based biopolymers: learn from the nature. JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10965-018-1441-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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26
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Kang M, Tuteja M, Centrone A, Topgaard D, Leal C. Nanostructured Lipid-based Films for Substrate Mediated Applications in Biotechnology. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2018; 28:10.1002/adfm.201704356. [PMID: 31080383 PMCID: PMC6508631 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201704356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Amphiphilic in nature, lipids spontaneously self-assemble into a range of nanostructures in the presence of water. Among lipid self-assembled structures, liposomes and supported lipid bilayers have long held scientific interest for their main applications in drug delivery and plasma membrane models, respectively. In contrast, lipid-based multi-layered membranes on solid supports only recently begun drawing scientists' attention. New studies on lipid films show that the stacking of multiple bilayers on a solid support yields interestingly complex features to these systems. Namely, multiple layers exhibit cooperative structural and dynamic behavior. In addition, the materials enable compartmentalization, templating, and enhanced release of several molecules of interest. Importantly, supported lipid phases exhibit long-range periodic nano-scale order and orientation that is tunable in response to a changing environment. Herein, we summarize current and pertinent understanding of lipid-based film research focusing on how unique structural characteristics enable the emergence of new applications in biotechnology including label-free biosensors, macroscale drug delivery, and substrate-mediated gene delivery. Our very recent contributions to lipid-based films, focusing on the structural characterization at the meso, nano, and molecular-scale, using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering, Atomic Force Microscopy, Photothermal Induced Resonance, and Solid-State NMR will be also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjee Kang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Mohit Tuteja
- Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, United States
- Maryland Nanocenter, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States
| | - Andrea Centrone
- Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, United States
| | - Daniel Topgaard
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Center of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Leal
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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27
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Kang M, Lee B, Leal C. Three-Dimensional Microphase Separation and Synergistic Permeability in Stacked Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Membranes. CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS : A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2017; 29:9120-9132. [PMID: 31097879 PMCID: PMC6516788 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.7b02845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
We present new structures of soft-material thin films that augment the functionality of substrate-mediated delivery systems. A hybrid material composed of phospholipids and block copolymers adopts a multilayered membrane structure supported on a solid surface. The hybrid films comprise intentional intramembrane heterogeneities that register across multilayers. These stacked domains convey unprecedented enhancement and control of permeability of solutes across micrometer-thick films. Using grazing incidence X-ray scattering, phase contrast atomic force microscopy, and confocal microscopy, we observed that in each lamella, lipid and polymers partition unevenly within the membrane plane segregating into lipid- or polymer-rich domains. Interestingly, we found evidence that like-domains align in registry across multilayers, thereby making phase separation three-dimensional. Phase boundaries exist over extended length scales to compensate the height mismatch between lipid and polymer molecules. We show that microphase separation in hybrid films can be exploited to augment the capability of drug-eluting substrates. Lipid-polymer hybrid films loaded with paclitaxel show synergistic permeability of drug compared to single-component counterparts. We present a thorough structural study of stacked lipid-polymer hybrid membranes and propose that the presence of registered domains and domain boundaries impart enhanced drug release functionality. This work offers new perspectives in designing thin films for controlled delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjee Kang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Byeongdu Lee
- X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Cecilia Leal
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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Abstract
Lipids self-assemble into diverse supramolecular structures that exhibit thermotropic and/or lyotropic behavior. Lyotropic mesophases, where membranes conform to periodic minimal surfaces dividing two nonpenetrating aqueous subspaces, are arguably one of the most intriguing phases of lipid materials. Traditional 3D bicontinuous cubic lipid materials appear as a polycrystal of varying degrees of order. When exposed to water, the properties of the molecular building blocks of the membrane determine specific swelling limits setting the lattice dimensions at about 15 nm. This limited swelling severely impairs their application as delivery vehicles of large drugs or as matrices for guiding protein crystallization. We report the discovery of self-assembly strategies leading to the emergence of lipid bicontinuous single crystals with unprecedented swelling capacity. The conventional strategy to increase unit cell size is tweaking membrane composition to include charged building blocks, a process to achieve electrostatic-driven swelling. In this paper, we demonstrate that controlling self-assembly external conditions when coupled to membrane composition yields 3D bicontinuous cubic phases that swell up to lattice dimensions of 68 nm. Importantly, and contrary to what is perceived for soft lyotropic materials in general, the self-assembly methodology enables the development of large super-swelled monocrystals. Utilizing small-angle X-ray scattering and cryoelectron microscopy, we underpin three crucial factors dictating the stabilization of super-swelled lipid bicontinuous cubic single crystals: (i) organic solvent drying speed, (ii) membrane charge density, and (iii) polyethylene glycol-conjugated lipids amount.
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Steer D, Kang M, Leal C. Soft nanostructured films for directing the assembly of functional materials. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 28:142001. [PMID: 28145900 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa5d77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Lipids are a class of biological small molecules with hydrophilic and hydrophobic constituents forming the structural membranes in cells. Over the past century an extensive understanding of lipid biology and biophysics has been developed illuminating lipids as an intricate, highly tunable, and hierarchical soft-matter system. In addition to serving as cell membrane models, lipids have been investigated as microphase separated structures in aqueous solutions. In terms of applications lipids have been realized as powerful structural motifs for the encapsulation and cellular delivery of genetic material. More recently, lipids have also revealed promise as thin film materials, exhibiting long-range periodic nano-scale order and tunable orientation. In this review we summarize the pertinent understanding of lipid nanostructure development in bulk aqueous systems followed by the current and potential perturbations to these results induced by introduction of a substrate. These effects are punctuated by a summary of our published results in the field of lipid thin films with added nucleic acids and key results introducing hard materials into lipid nanostructured substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Steer
- Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, United States of America
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