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Hartl N, Jürgens DC, Carneiro S, König AC, Xiao X, Liu R, Hauck SM, Merkel OM. Protein corona investigations of polyplexes with varying hydrophobicity - From method development to in vitro studies. Int J Pharm 2023; 643:123257. [PMID: 37482228 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
In the field of non-viral drug delivery, polyplexes (PXs) represent an advanced investigated and highly promising tool for the delivery of nucleic acids. Upon encountering physiological fluids, they adsorb biological molecules to form a protein corona (PC), that influence PXs biodistribution, transfection efficiencies and targeting abilities. In an effort to understand protein - PX interactions and the effect of PX material on corona composition, we utilized cationic branched 10 kDa polyethyleneimine (b-PEI) and a hydrophobically modified nylon-3 polymer (NM0.2/CP0.8) within this study to develop appropriate methods for PC investigations. A centrifugation procedure for isolating hard corona - PX complexes (PCPXs) from soft corona proteins after incubating the PXs in fetal bovine serum (FBS) for PC formation was successfully optimized and the identification of proteins by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method clearly demonstrated that the PC composition is affected by the underlying PXs material. With regard to especially interesting functional proteins, which might be able to induce active targeting effects, several candidates could be detected on b-PEI and NM0.2/CP0.8 PXs. These results are of high interest to better understand how the design of PXs impacts the PC composition and subsequently PCPXs-cell interactions to enable precise adjustment of PXs for targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Hartl
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - David C Jürgens
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Simone Carneiro
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Ann-Christine König
- Metbolomics and Proteomics Core, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Heidemannsstr. 1, 80939 Munich, Germany
| | - Ximian Xiao
- East China University of Science and Technology, 30 Meilong Rd, Shanghai, China
| | - Runhui Liu
- East China University of Science and Technology, 30 Meilong Rd, Shanghai, China
| | - Stefanie M Hauck
- Metbolomics and Proteomics Core, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Heidemannsstr. 1, 80939 Munich, Germany
| | - Olivia M Merkel
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany.
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Hartl N, Gabold B, Adams F, Uhl P, Oerter S, Gätzner S, Metzger M, König AC, Hauck SM, Appelt-Menzel A, Mier W, Fricker G, Merkel OM. Overcoming the blood-brain barrier? - prediction of blood-brain permeability of hydrophobically modified polyethylenimine polyplexes for siRNA delivery into the brain with in vitro and in vivo models. J Control Release 2023; 360:613-629. [PMID: 37437848 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective biological barrier that represents a major bottleneck in the treatment of all types of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) offers in principle a promising therapeutic approach, e.g., for brain tumors, by downregulating brain tumor-related genes and inhibiting tumor growth via RNA interference. In an effort to develop efficient siRNA nanocarriers for crossing the BBB, we utilized polyethyleneimine (PEI) polymers hydrophobically modified with either stearic-acid (SA) or dodecylacrylamide (DAA) subunits and evaluated their suitability for delivering siRNA across the BBB in in vitro and in vivo BBB models depending on their structure. Physicochemical characteristics of siRNA-polymer complexes (polyplexes (PXs)), e.g., particle size and surface charge, were measured by dynamic light scattering and laser Doppler anemometry, whereas siRNA condensation ability of polymers and polyplex stability was evaluated by spectrophotometric methods. The composition of the biomolecule corona that absorbs on polyplexes upon encountering physiological fluids was investigated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method. Cellular internalization abilities of PXs into brain endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) was confirmed, and a BBB permeation assay using a human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived BBB model revealed similar abilities to cross the BBB for all formulations under physiological conditions. However, biodistribution studies of radiolabeled PXs in mice were inconsistent with in vitro results as the detected amount of radiolabeled siRNA in the brain delivered with PEI PXs was higher compared to PEI-SA PXs. Taken together, PEI PXs were shown to be a suitable nanocarrier to deliver small amounts of siRNA across the BBB into the brain but more sophisticated human BBB models that better represent physiological conditions and biodistribution are required to provide highly predictive in vitro data for human CNS drug development in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Hartl
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Bettina Gabold
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Friederike Adams
- University of Stuttgart, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, Macromolecular Materials and Fiber Chemistry, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Philipp Uhl
- University Hospital Heidelberg, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Oerter
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC), Translational Center Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), 97070 Würzburg, Germany; University Hospital Würzburg, Chair of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM), 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Gätzner
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC), Translational Center Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marco Metzger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC), Translational Center Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), 97070 Würzburg, Germany; University Hospital Würzburg, Chair of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM), 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ann-Christine König
- Helmholtz Centrum Munich - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Research Unit Protein Science, Heidemannsstr. 1, 80939, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie M Hauck
- Helmholtz Centrum Munich - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Research Unit Protein Science, Heidemannsstr. 1, 80939, Munich, Germany
| | - Antje Appelt-Menzel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC), Translational Center Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), 97070 Würzburg, Germany; University Hospital Würzburg, Chair of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM), 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Walter Mier
- University Hospital Heidelberg, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gert Fricker
- University of Heidelberg, Institute for Pharmacy & Molekular Biotechnology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 329, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olivia M Merkel
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, Munich, Germany.
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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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Shu L, Fu F, Huang Z, Huang Y, Hu P, Pan X. Nanostructure of DiR-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles with Potential Bioimaging Functions. AAPS PharmSciTech 2020; 21:321. [PMID: 33200271 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-020-01847-1] [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: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The fluorescence dye-loaded nanoparticles are widely used as bioimaging agents in the field of nanotheranostics. However, the nanoparticles for nanotheranostics usually consist of synthetic materials, such as metal, silica, and organic polymers, which are often biologically incompatible and may arouse toxicity issues. Herein, the potential of near-infrared probe DiR-containing solid lipid nanoparticle suspensions (DiR-SLNS) as the bioimaging agent, which was prepared by lipids and surfactants with excellent biocompatibility, was investigated in this study. The nanostructure of DIR-SLNS system and the distribution of DiR were studied by dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. The stability of physicochemical properties and fluorescence spectra of DIR-SLNS system were investigated using dynamic laser scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and fluorescence spectra. The fluorescence intensity-concentration correlation of DIR-SLNS was also evaluated. As a result, DiR-SLNS demonstrated a "core-shell"-like nanostructure and DiR was mainly distributed in the cetyl palmitate (CP) core rather than the surface of SLNS, which was beneficial to its potential applications in bioimaging. DiR-SLNS exhibited remarkable physicochemical stability as the nanoparticles maintained ~ 90% fluorescence intensity during the 10-day storage time. The correlation between fluorescence intensity and concentration was established and validated using a linear regression model. This study proposed a type of promising candidates in nano-scale with higher safety and fluorescence stability for bioimaging.
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Polyplexes for gene and nucleic acid delivery: Progress and bottlenecks. Eur J Pharm Sci 2020; 150:105358. [PMID: 32360232 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Gene and nucleic acid delivery constitute a huge biological challenge and several attempts have been made by research laboratories to address this issue. Cationic polymers and cationic lipids (positively charged carriers) can be utilized for the transport of these biomolecules. Polyplexes (PPs) are interpolyelectrolyte complexes which are spontaneously formed through the electrostatic condensation between nucleic acid and a cationic polymer. PPs are capable of high-density payload condensation leading to cell internalization and subsequent protection from enzymatic degradation. Most cationic polymers can cross extracellular barriers, but it is more challenging to overcome intracellular barriers (efficient disassembly and endosomal escape). In this review, the use of PPs for gene and nucleic acid delivery is discussed.
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Non-Viral in Vitro Gene Delivery: It is Now Time to Set the Bar! Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12020183. [PMID: 32098191 PMCID: PMC7076396 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Transfection by means of non-viral gene delivery vectors is the cornerstone of modern gene delivery. Despite the resources poured into the development of ever more effective transfectants, improvement is still slow and limited. Of note, the performance of any gene delivery vector in vitro is strictly dependent on several experimental conditions specific to each laboratory. The lack of standard tests has thus largely contributed to the flood of inconsistent data underpinning the reproducibility crisis. A way researchers seek to address this issue is by gauging the effectiveness of newly synthesized gene delivery vectors with respect to benchmarks of seemingly well-known behavior. However, the performance of such reference molecules is also affected by the testing conditions. This survey points to non-standardized transfection settings and limited information on variables deemed relevant in this context as the major cause of such misalignments. This review provides a catalog of conditions optimized for the gold standard and internal reference, 25 kDa polyethyleneimine, that can be profitably replicated across studies for the sake of comparison. Overall, we wish to pave the way for the implementation of standardized protocols in order to make the evaluation of the effectiveness of transfectants as unbiased as possible.
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Santo D, Mendonça PV, Lima MS, Cordeiro RA, Cabanas L, Serra A, Coelho JFJ, Faneca H. Poly(ethylene glycol)- block-poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride)-Based Polyplexes as Serum-Tolerant Nanosystems for Enhanced Gene Delivery. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:2129-2141. [PMID: 30986077 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Incorporation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) into polyplexes has been used as a promising approach to enhance their stability and reduce unwanted interactions with biomolecules. However, this strategy generally has a negative influence on cellular uptake and, consequently, on transfection of target cells. In this work, we explore the effect of PEGylation on biological and physicochemical properties of poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate) (PAMA)-based polyplexes. For this purpose, different tailor-made PEG- b-PAMA block copolymers, and the respective homopolymers, were synthesized using the controlled/"living" radical polymerization method based on activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization. The obtained data show that PEG- b-PAMA-based polyplexes exhibited a much better transfection activity/cytotoxicity relationship than the corresponding non-PEGylated nanocarriers. The best formulation, prepared with the largest block copolymer (PEG45- b-PAMA168) at a 25:1 N/P ratio, presented a 350-fold higher transfection activity in the presence of serum than that obtained with polyplexes generated with the gold standard bPEI. This higher transfection activity was associated to an improved capability to overcome the intracellular barriers, namely the release from the endolysosomal pathway and the vector unpacking and consequent DNA release from the nanosystem inside cells. Moreover, these nanocarriers exhibit suitable physicochemical properties for gene delivery, namely reduced sizes, high DNA protection, and colloidal stability. Overall, these findings demonstrate the high potential of the PEG45- b-PAMA168 block copolymer as a gene delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Santo
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-504 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Patrícia V Mendonça
- CEMMPRE, Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Coimbra , 3030-790 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Mafalda S Lima
- CEMMPRE, Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Coimbra , 3030-790 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Rosemeyre A Cordeiro
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-504 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Luis Cabanas
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-504 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Arménio Serra
- CEMMPRE, Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Coimbra , 3030-790 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Jorge F J Coelho
- CEMMPRE, Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Coimbra , 3030-790 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Henrique Faneca
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-504 Coimbra , Portugal
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