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Kumar R, Santa Chalarca CF, Bockman MR, Bruggen CV, Grimme CJ, Dalal RJ, Hanson MG, Hexum JK, Reineke TM. Polymeric Delivery of Therapeutic Nucleic Acids. Chem Rev 2021; 121:11527-11652. [PMID: 33939409 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The advent of genome editing has transformed the therapeutic landscape for several debilitating diseases, and the clinical outlook for gene therapeutics has never been more promising. The therapeutic potential of nucleic acids has been limited by a reliance on engineered viral vectors for delivery. Chemically defined polymers can remediate technological, regulatory, and clinical challenges associated with viral modes of gene delivery. Because of their scalability, versatility, and exquisite tunability, polymers are ideal biomaterial platforms for delivering nucleic acid payloads efficiently while minimizing immune response and cellular toxicity. While polymeric gene delivery has progressed significantly in the past four decades, clinical translation of polymeric vehicles faces several formidable challenges. The aim of our Account is to illustrate diverse concepts in designing polymeric vectors towards meeting therapeutic goals of in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy. Here, we highlight several classes of polymers employed in gene delivery and summarize the recent work on understanding the contributions of chemical and architectural design parameters. We touch upon characterization methods used to visualize and understand events transpiring at the interfaces between polymer, nucleic acids, and the physiological environment. We conclude that interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies motivated by fundamental questions are key to designing high-performing polymeric vehicles for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | | | - Matthew R Bockman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Craig Van Bruggen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Christian J Grimme
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Rishad J Dalal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mckenna G Hanson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Joseph K Hexum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Theresa M Reineke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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Chen Y, Li J, Oupický D. Conjugate Polyplexes with Anti-Invasive Properties and Improved siRNA Delivery In Vivo. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:296-305. [PMID: 29338191 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This study reports on a simple method to prepare siRNA-polycation conjugate polyplexes by in situ thiol-disulfide exchange reaction. The conjugate polyplexes are prepared using thiol-terminated siRNA and a bioreducible branched polycationic inhibitor of the CXCR4 chemokine receptor (rPAMD). The rPAMD-SS-siRNA conjugate polyplexes exhibit improved colloidal stability and resistance against disassembly with heparin, serum, and physiological salt concentrations when compared with control conventional rPAMD/siRNA polyplexes. Coating the polyplexes with human serum albumin masks the positive surface charge and contributes to the enhanced in vitro gene silencing and improved safety in vivo. The conjugate polyplexes display improved in vivo reporter gene silencing following intravenous injection in tumor-bearing mice. Because the conjugate polyplexes retained the ability of rPAMD to inhibit CXCR4 and restrict cancer cell invasion, the developed systems show promise for future combination anti-metastatic siRNA therapies of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Jing Li
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - David Oupický
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
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3
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Zhang
- Joint
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- Center
for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics,
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Jicheng Yu
- Joint
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- Center
for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics,
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Hunter N. Bomba
- Joint
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Yong Zhu
- Joint
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- Department
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Zhen Gu
- Joint
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- Center
for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics,
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department
of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Brülisauer L, Gauthier MA, Leroux JC. Disulfide-containing parenteral delivery systems and their redox-biological fate. J Control Release 2014; 195:147-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Revised: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Oupický D, Li J. Bioreducible polycations in nucleic acid delivery: past, present, and future trends. Macromol Biosci 2014; 14:908-22. [PMID: 24678057 PMCID: PMC4410047 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201400061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Polycations that are degradable by reduction of disulfide bonds are developed for applications in delivery of nucleic acids. This Feature Article surveys methods of synthesis of bioreducible polycations and discusses current understanding of the mechanism of action of bioreducible polyplexes. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between the biological redox environment and toxicity, trafficking, transfection activity, and in vivo behavior of bioreducible polycations and polyplexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Oupický
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Durham Research Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5830, USA.
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Khargharia S, Kizzire K, Ericson M, Baumhover NJ, Rice KG. PEG length and chemical linkage controls polyacridine peptide DNA polyplex pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, metabolic stability and in vivo gene expression. J Control Release 2013; 170:325-33. [PMID: 23735574 PMCID: PMC3904502 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2013.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2013] [Revised: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/27/2013] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The pharmacokinetics (PK), biodistribution and metabolism of non-viral gene delivery systems administered systemically are directly related to in vivo efficacy. The magnitude of luciferase expression in the liver of mice following a tail vein dose of a polyplex, composed of 1 μg of pGL3 in complex with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) polyacridine peptide, followed by a delayed hydrodynamic (HD) stimulation (1-9 h), depends on the HD stimulation delay time and the structure of the polyacridine peptide. As demonstrated in the present study, the PEG length and the type of chemical linkage joining PEG to the polyacridine peptide dramatically influence the in vivo gene transfer efficiency. To understand how PEG length, linkage and location influence gene transfer efficiency, detailed PK, biodistribution and HD-stimulated gene expression experiments were performed on polyplexes prepared with an optimized polyacridine peptide modified through a single terminal Cys or Pen (penicillamine) with a PEG chain of average length of 2, 5, 10, 20, or 30 kDa. The chemical linkage was examined by attaching PEG(5 kDa) to the polyacridine peptide through a thiol-thiol (SS), thiol-maleimide (SM), thiol-vinylsulfone (SV), thiol-acetamide (SA), penicillamine-thiol-maleimide (PM) or penicillamine-thiol-thiol (PS). The influence of PEG location was analyzed by attaching PEG(5 kDa) to the polyacridine peptide through a C-terminal, N-terminal, or a middle Cys residue. The results established rapid metabolism of polyplexes containing SV and SA chemical linkages that leads to a decreased polyplex PK half-life and a complete loss of HD-stimulated gene expression at delay times of 5 h. Conversely, polyplexes containing PM, PS, and SM chemical linkages were metabolically stable, allowing robust HD-stimulated expression at delay times up to 5h post-polyplex administration. The location of PEG(₅ kDa) within the polyacridine peptide exerted only a minor influence on the gene transfer of polyplexes. However, varying the PEG length from 2, 5, 10, 20, or 30 kDa dramatically altered polyplex biodistribution, with a 30 kDa PEG maximally blocking liver uptake to 13% of dose, while maintaining the ability to mediate HD-stimulated gene expression. The combination of results establishes important relationships between PEGylated polyacridine peptide structure, physical properties, in vivo metabolism, PK and biodistribution resulting in an optimal PEG length and linkage that leads to a robust HD-stimulated gene expression in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjib Khargharia
- Division of Medicinal & Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City IA 52242
| | - Koby Kizzire
- Division of Medicinal & Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City IA 52242
| | - Mark Ericson
- Division of Medicinal & Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City IA 52242
| | - Nicholas J. Baumhover
- Division of Medicinal & Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City IA 52242
| | - Kevin G. Rice
- Division of Medicinal & Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City IA 52242
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Thacker EE, Timares L, Matthews QL. Strategies to overcome host immunity to adenovirus vectors in vaccine development. Expert Rev Vaccines 2009; 8:761-77. [PMID: 19485756 DOI: 10.1586/erv.09.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The first clinical evaluations of adenovirus (Ad)-based vectors for gene therapy were initiated in the mid-1990s and led to great anticipation for future utility. However, excitement surrounding gene therapy, particularly Ad-based therapy, was diminished upon the death of Jesse Gelsinger, and recent discouraging results from the HIV vaccine STEP trial have brought efficacy and safety issues to the forefront again. Even so, Ad vectors are still considered among the safest and most effective vaccine vectors. Innate and pre-existing immunity to Ad mediate much of the acute toxicities and reduced therapeutic efficacies observed following vaccination with this vector. Thus, innovative strategies must continue to be developed to reduce Ad-specific antigenicity and immune recognition. This review provides an overview and critique of the most promising strategies, including results from preclinical trials in mice and nonhuman primates, which aim to revive the future of Ad-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Thacker
- Division of Human Gene Therapy, Departments of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, BMR2 470, 901 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35294-32172, USA.
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ZHOU QINGHUI, YOU YEZI, WU CHAO, HUANG YI, OUPICKÝ DAVID. Cyclic RGD-targeting of reversibly stabilized DNA nanoparticles enhances cell uptake and transfection in vitro. J Drug Target 2009; 17:364-73. [PMID: 19263264 PMCID: PMC4655816 DOI: 10.1080/10611860902807046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Reversibly stabilized DNA nanoparticles (rSDN) were prepared by coating reducible polycation/DNA complexes with multivalent N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers. RGD-targeted rSDN were formulated by linking cyclic c(RGDyK) to the surface layer of rSDN. Cellular uptake in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and THLE immortalized hepatic cells was quantified by real-time PCR. RGD-targeted rSDN exhibited approximately twofold higher cell uptake in integrin-positive cells: B16F10 and HUVEC compared to THLE cells with low integrin content. RGD-targeting mediated increased transfection activity in B16F10 cells but not in THLE cells. Overall, the studies show that rSDN can be effectively targeted with RGD while exhibiting reduced nonspecific cell interactions and favorable stability. As such, these gene delivery vectors have the potential to permit targeting therapeutic genes to tumors by systemic delivery. In addition, the study shows that real-time PCR could be used effectively for the quantification of cellular uptake of gene delivery vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- QING-HUI ZHOU
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, Tel: 313-577-6511; Fax: 313-577-2033
| | - YE-ZI YOU
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, Tel: 313-577-6511; Fax: 313-577-2033
| | - CHAO WU
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, Tel: 313-577-6511; Fax: 313-577-2033
| | - YI HUANG
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, Tel: 313-577-6511; Fax: 313-577-2033
| | - DAVID OUPICKÝ
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, Tel: 313-577-6511; Fax: 313-577-2033
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Newman CM, Crosdale DJ, Fisher KD, Briggs SS, Norman KE, Seymour LW, Hellewell PG. P-selectin dependent targeting to inflamed endothelium of recombinant P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 immunoglobulin chimera-coated poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide]-DNA polyplexes in vivo visualised by intravital microscopy. J Gene Med 2009; 11:326-34. [PMID: 19219895 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.1294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developing vectors that target specifically to disease sites after systemic injection is an important goal in gene therapy research. METHODS We prepared fluorescent DNA polyplexes (< or =150 nm in diameter) comprising plasmid DNA condensed with poly(L-lysine) and coated with a multivalent reactive copolymer based on poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] (pHPMA). These polyplexes were then surface modified with a recombinant P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 immunoglobulin chimera (rPSGL-Ig) previously investigated as a selectin antagonist in clinical studies. RESULTS Five minutes after jugular vein injection of these polyplexes, fluorescence accumulation in inflamed cremasteric venules of C57BL6 mice was more than eight-fold higher than that observed after injection of Fc-blocked control polyplexes. Fluorescence above background was not observed in P-selectin deficient mice, confirming the specificity for P-selectin in this model. CONCLUSIONS These data provide encouragement for the further development of rPSGL-Ig-coated polyplexes as potential nonviral vectors for targeted gene therapy in inflammatory conditions, such as ischaemia reperfusion injury, unstable atherosclerotic plaques and myocarditis. This approach may also be transferable to the use of other targeting ligands whose cognate partner is specifically upregulated on the vascular endothelium in individual pathological situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Newman
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
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Evaluation of pharmacokinetics of bioreducible gene delivery vectors by real-time PCR. Pharm Res 2009; 26:1581-9. [PMID: 19240986 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-009-9847-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2008] [Accepted: 02/04/2009] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate pharmacokinetics of reversibly stabilized DNA nanoparticles (rSDN) using a single-step lysis RT-PCR. METHODS rSDN were prepared by coating bioreducible polycation/DNA polyplexes with multivalent N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers. Targeted polyplexes were formulated by linking cyclic RGD ligand (c(RGDyK)) to the HPMA surface layer of rSDN. The pharmacokinetic parameters in tumor-bearing mice were analyzed by PKAnalyst. RESULTS The pharmacokinetics of naked plasmid DNA, simple DNA polyplexes, rSDN, and RGD-targeted rSDN exhibited two-compartment model characteristics with area under the blood concentration-time curve (AUC) increasing from 1,102 ng x ml(-1) x min(-1) for DNA to 3,501 ng x ml(-1) x min(-1) for rSDN. Non-compartment model analysis revealed increase in mean retention time (MRT) from 4.5 min for naked DNA to 22.9 min for rSDN. CONCLUSIONS RT-PCR is a sensitive and convenient method suitable for analyzing pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of DNA polyplexes. Surface stabilization of DNA polyplexes can significantly extend their MRT and AUC compared to naked DNA. DNA degradation in rSDN in blood circulation, due to a combined effect of disulfide reduction and competitive reactions with charged molecules in the blood, contributes to DNA elimination.
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Salmaso S, Caliceti P, Amendola V, Meneghetti M, Magnusson JP, Pasparakis G, Alexander C. Cell up-take control of gold nanoparticles functionalized with a thermoresponsive polymer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1039/b816603j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Husseini GA, Pitt WG. Micelles and nanoparticles for ultrasonic drug and gene delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2008; 60:1137-52. [PMID: 18486269 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2008.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 299] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2008] [Accepted: 03/04/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Drug delivery research employing micelles and nanoparticles has expanded in recent years. Of particular interest is the use of these nanovehicles that deliver high concentrations of cytotoxic drugs to diseased tissues selectively, thus reducing the agent's side effects on the rest of the body. Ultrasound, traditionally used in diagnostic medicine, is finding a place in drug delivery in connection with these nanoparticles. In addition to their non-invasive nature and the fact that they can be focused on targeted tissues, acoustic waves have been credited with releasing pharmacological agents from nanocarriers, as well as rendering cell membranes more permeable. In this article, we summarize new technologies that combine the use of nanoparticles with acoustic power both in drug and gene delivery. Ultrasonic drug delivery from micelles usually employs polyether block copolymers and has been found effective in vivo for treating tumors. Ultrasound releases drug from micelles, most probably via shear stress and shock waves from the collapse of cavitation bubbles. Liquid emulsions and solid nanoparticles are used with ultrasound to deliver genes in vitro and in vivo. The small packaging allows nanoparticles to extravasate into tumor tissues. Ultrasonic drug and gene delivery from nanocarriers has tremendous potential because of the wide variety of drugs and genes that could be delivered to targeted tissues by fairly non-invasive means.
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Abstract
Polyplexes sensitive to redox potential gradients represent a promising class of vectors for delivery of nucleic acids. This review focuses on the recent advances in the development of these vectors. The biological rationale for the design of redox-sensitive polyplexes is discussed together with the basic synthetic approaches for introducing reducible disulfide bonds into the structure of the polyplexes. The biological properties of the redox-sensitive polyplexes of plasmid DNA, mRNA, antisense oligonucleotides and siRNA are reviewed with emphasis on in vitro cellular delivery, cytotoxicity and in vivo activity. Overall, redox-sensitive polyplexes represent a promising platform for further development as vectors for delivery of a wide variety of therapeutic nucleic acids.
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Abstract
Ultrasound exposure (USE) in the presence of microbubbles (MCB) (e.g. contrast agents used to enhance ultrasound imaging) increases plasmid transfection efficiency in vitro by several orders of magnitude. Formation of short-lived pores in the plasma membrane ('sonoporation'), up to 100 nm in effective diameter lasting a few seconds, is implicated as the dominant mechanism, associated with acoustic cavitation. Ultrasound enhanced gene transfer (UEGT) has also been successfully achieved in vivo, with reports of spatially restricted and therapeutically relevant levels of transgene expression. Loading MCB with nucleic acids and/or disease-targeting ligands may further improve the efficiency and specificity of UEGT such that clinical testing becomes a realistic prospect.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M H Newman
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
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