Recombinant polymers for cancer gene therapy: A minireview

Magnetism in drug delivery: The marvels of iron oxides and substituted ferrites nanoparticles

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The conventional utilization of drugs is characterized by poor biodistribution, limited effectiveness, and lack of selectivity, besides undesirable side effects on multiple body systems.

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Seeking a DDS with a modifiable skeleton to customize drug targeting is of extreme importance for successful therapy of many diseases.

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Among the different synthesis strategies for MNPs, chemical methods are the most common, and on top of the pyramid, is the co-precipitation method.

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MNPs have customizable properties, where applying a hydrophilic coating protects the particles from opsonization and human-immunity recognition, which increases their circulation time.

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The route MNPs usually follow in the body starts with magnetic guidance to the target, immobilization for drug release, and finally clearance.

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Interestingly, multifunctional nanocomplexes with conjugated SPIONS and PEI presented enhanced transfection while decreased PEI toxicity.

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Theranostic applications of MNPs are limitless, whether it is a dual function of diagnosis and therapy simultaneously, or a multimodal imaging system.

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IONPs participate in the production of oxidative stress that leads to cell damage.

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Metal ferrite NPs can overcome the drawbacks of IONPs provided that the substituting metal in use is less toxic.

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Metal ferrite NPs present unique properties of high saturation magnetization, enhanced encapsulation efficacy, as well as enzyme-mimetic activities.

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Magnesium ferrite NPs (MFNPs) were found to exhibit greater magnetic heating capacity compared to other ferrites. MFNPs also show safe metabolism and high biocompatibility, making them a promising system for cancer applications.

In modern drug delivery, seeking a drug delivery system (DDS) with a modifiable skeleton for proper targeting of loaded actives to specific sites in the body is of extreme importance for a successful therapy. Magnetically guided nanosystems, where particles such as iron oxides are guided to specific regions using an external magnetic field, can provide magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while delivering a therapeutic payload at the same time, which represents a breakthrough in disease therapy and make MNPs excellent candidates for several biomedical applications. In this review, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) along with their distinguishable properties, including pharmacokinetics and toxicity, especially in cancer therapy will be discussed. The potential perspective of using other elements within the MNP system to reduce toxicity, improve pharmacokinetics, increase the magnetization ability, improve physical targeting precision and/or widen the scope of its biomedical application will be also discussed.

Liposomal delivery of CRISPR/Cas9

Liposomes are one of the most widely investigated carriers for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery. The surface properties of liposomal carriers, including the surface charge, PEGylation, and ligand modification can significantly affect the gene silencing efficiency. Three barriers of systemic CRISPR/Cas9 delivery (long blood circulation, efficient tumor penetration, and efficient cellular uptake/endosomal escape) are analyzed on liposomal carriers with different surface charges, PEGylations, and ligand modifications. Cationic formulations dominate CRISPR/Cas9 delivery and neutral formulations also have good performance while anionic formulations are generally not proper for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery. The PEG dilemma (prolonged blood circulation vs. reduced cellular uptake/endosomal escape) and the side effect of repeated PEGylated formulation (accelerated blood clearance) were discussed. Effects of ligand modification on cationic and neutral formulations were analyzed. Finally, we summarized the achievements in liposomal CRISPR/Cas9 delivery, outlined existing problems, and provided some future perspectives. Liposomes are one of the most widely investigated carriers for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery. The surface properties of liposomal carriers, including the surface charge, PEGylation, and ligand modification can significantly affect the gene silencing efficiency. Three barriers of systemic siRNA delivery (long blood circulation, efficient tumor penetration, and efficient cellular uptake/endosomal escape) are analyzed on liposomal carriers with different surface charges, PEGylations, and ligand modifications. Cationic formulations dominate CRISPR/Cas9 delivery and neutral formulations also have good performance while anionic formulations are generally not proper for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery. The PEG dilemma (prolonged blood circulation vs. reduced cellular uptake/endosomal escape) and the side effect of repeated PEGylated formulation (accelerated blood clearance) were discussed. Effects of ligand modification on cationic and neutral formulations were analyzed. Finally, we summarized the achievements in liposomal CRISPR/Cas9 delivery, outlined existing problems, and provided some future perspectives.

Protein-Engineered Functional Materials

Proteins are versatile macromolecules that can perform a variety of functions. In the past three decades, they have been commonly used as building blocks to generate a range of biomaterials. Owing to their flexibility, proteins can either be used alone or in combination with other functional molecules. Advances in synthetic and chemical biology have enabled new protein fusions as well as the integration of new functional groups leading to biomaterials with emergent properties. This review discusses protein-engineered materials from the perspectives of domain-based designs as well as physical and chemical approaches for crosslinked materials, with special emphasis on the creation of hydrogels. Engineered proteins that organize or template metal ions, bear noncanonical amino acids (NCAAs), and their potential applications, are also reviewed.

Optimized PEI-based Transfection Method for Transient Transfection and Lentiviral Production

Polyethyleneimine (PEI), a cationic polymer vehicle, forms a complex with DNA which then can carry anionic nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells. PEI-based transfection is widely used for transient transfection of plasmid DNA. The efficiency of PEI-based transfection is affected by numerous factors, including the way the PEI/DNA complex is prepared, the ratio of PEI to DNA, the concentration of DNA, the storage conditions of PEI solutions, and more. Considering the major influencing factors, PEI-based transfection has been optimized to improve its efficiency, reproducibility, and consistency. This protocol outlines the steps for ordinary transient transfection and lentiviral production using PEI. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Antibiotic free selection for the high level biosynthesis of a silk-elastin-like protein

Silk-elastin-like proteins (SELPs) are a family of genetically engineered recombinant protein polymers exhibiting mechanical and biological properties suited for a wide range of applications in the biomedicine and materials fields. They are being explored as the next generation of biomaterials but low productivities and use of antibiotics during production undermine their economic viability and safety. We have developed an industrially relevant, scalable, fed-batch process for the high level production of a novel SELP in E. coli in which the commonly used antibiotic selection marker of the expression vector is exchanged for a post segregational suicide system, the separate-component-stabilisation system (SCS). SCS significantly augments SELP productivity but also enhances the product safety profile and reduces process costs by eliminating the use of antibiotics. Plasmid content increased following induction but no significant differences in plasmid levels were discerned when using SCS or the antibiotic selection markers under the controlled fed-batch conditions employed. It is suggested that the absence of competing plasmid-free cells improves host cell viability and enables increased productivity with SCS. With the process developed, 12.8 g L⁻¹ purified SELP was obtained, this is the highest SELP productivity reported to date and clearly demonstrates the commercial viability of these promising polymers.

Silk-elastinlike protein polymers for matrix-mediated cancer gene therapy

Silk-elastinlike protein polymers (SELPs) are recombinant polymers designed from silk fibroin and mammalian elastin amino acid repeats. These are versatile materials that have been examined as controlled release systems for intratumoral gene delivery. SELP hydrogels comprise monodisperse and tunable polymers that have the capability to control and localize the release and expression of plasmid DNA and viruses. This article reviews recent developments in the synthesis and characterization of SELP hydrogels and their use for matrix-mediated gene delivery.

Polyplex formation between four-arm poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) and plasmid DNA in gene delivery

Amphiphilic polyelectrolytes comprising cationic and uncharged hydrophilic segments condensed negatively charged DNA to form a core-shell structure stabilized by a layer of hydrophilic corona chains. At physiological pH, four-arm star-shaped poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (four-arm PEO-b-PDEAEMA) block copolymer possessed positively charged amine groups that interacted with negatively charged plasmid DNA to form polymer/DNA complexes. The mechanism and physicochemical properties of the complex formation were investigated at varying molar ratio of amine groups on polymer chains and phosphate group on plasmid DNA segments (N/P ratio). The capability of the star block copolymer to condense DNA was demonstrated through gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide exclusion assay. In the absence of salt, the hydrodynamic radius of polyplexes was about 94 nm at low polymer/DNA ratio, and it decreased to about 34 nm at large N/P ratios, forming a compact spherical structure with a weighted average molecular weight of 4.39 +/- 0.22 x 10(6) g/mol. Approximately 15 polymeric chains were required to condense a plasmid DNA. The addition of monovalent salt to the polyplexes significantly altered the size of the complexes, which would have an impact on cell transfection. Because of the electrostatic interaction induced by the diffusion of small ions, the polyplex increased in size to about 53 nm with a less compact structure. In vitro cytotoxicty of polymer and polymer/pDNA complexes were evaluated, and the polyplexes exhibited low toxicity at low N/P ratios. At N/P ratio of 4.5, the four-arm PEO-b-PDEAEMA showed the highest level of transfection in Neuro-2A cells. These observations showed that the star-shaped multi-arm polymers offers interesting properties in self-association and condensation ability for plasmid DNA and can serve as a nonviral DNA delivery system.

Nanospheres formulated from L-tyrosine polyphosphate exhibiting sustained release of polyplexes and in vitro controlled transfection properties

Currently, viruses are utilized as vectors for gene therapy, since they transport across cellular membranes, escape endosomes, and effectively deliver genes to the nucleus. The disadvantage of using viruses for gene therapy is their immune response. Therefore, nanospheres have been formulated as a nonviral gene vector by blending l-tyrosine-polyphosphate (LTP) with polyethylene glycol grafted to chitosan (PEG-g-CHN) and linear polyethylenimine (LPEI) conjugated to plasmid DNA (pDNA). PEG-g-CHN stabilizes the emulsion and prevents nanosphere coalescence. LPEI protects pDNA degradation during nanosphere formation, provides endosomal escape, and enhances gene expression. Previous studies show that LTP degrades within seven days and is appropriate for intracellular gene delivery. These nanospheres prepared by water-oil emulsion by sonication and solvent evaporation show diameters between 100 and 600 nm. Also, dynamic laser light scattering shows that nanospheres completely degrade after seven days. The sustained release of pDNA and pDNA-LPEI polyplexes is confirmed through electrophoresis and PicoGreen assay. A LIVE/DEAD cell viability assay shows that nanosphere viability is comparable to that of buffers. X-Gal staining shows a sustained transfection for 11 days using human fibroblasts. This result is sustained longer than pDNA-LPEI and pDNA-FuGENE 6 complexes. Therefore, LTP-pDNA nanospheres exhibit controlled transfection and can be used as a nonviral gene delivery vector.

Addressing the problem of cationic lipid-mediated toxicity: the magnetoliposome model

The high biocompatibility and versatile nature of liposomes made these particles keystone components in many hot-topic research areas. For transfection and cell labelling purposes, synthetic cationic lipids are often added, but in most studies, little attention has been paid to their cytotoxic effects. In the present work, cationic magnetoliposomes (MLs), i.e. iron oxide cores enwrapped by a phospholipid bilayer (dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine or sphingomyelin) doped with cationic lipids (1,2-distearoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane), serve as a model to examine cationic lipid toxicity. Mechanisms of cytotoxic effects were found to be either dependent or independent of actual particle internalisation according to data obtained in the absence or presence of several endocytosis inhibitors. The former seem to be caused by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to a Ca2+ influx at high ROS levels. The latter are due to a destabilisation of the cell plasma membrane upon transfer of the cationic lipid from the ML bilayer into the plasma membrane. However, these adverse effects can be diminished by the use of a ROS scavenger, a Ca(2+)-channel blocker or by modulating the liposome size, lipid bilayer constitution or by stabilising the membrane by anchoring it on a solid core. Careful attention must be paid in terms of assessing cell viability as the effects are highly time dependent and the data suggest the incompatibility of using the well-known MTT assay when high levels of ROS species are generated.

Differential intra-endothelial delivery of polymer nanocarriers targeted to distinct PECAM-1 epitopes

Coupling drug carriers to antibodies for targeting endothelial cells (ECs) may improve treatment of vascular and pulmonary diseases. Selecting antibodies that deliver carriers to the cell surface or intracellularly may further optimize specificity of interventions. We studied antibody-directed targeting of nanocarriers to platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1, an endothelial glycoprotein containing 6 Ig-like extracellular domains. PECAM-1 antibodies bind to ECs without internalization, but ECs internalize by endocytosis nanocarriers carrying multiple copies of anti-PECAM (anti-PECAM/NCs). To determine whether binding and intracellular transport of anti-PECAM/NCs depend on the epitope engaged, we targeted five PECAM-1 epitopes: mAb35, mAb37 and mAb62 (membrane-distal Ig domain 1), mAbGi34 (Ig domains 2/3), and mAb4G6 (membrane-proximal Ig domain 6). The antibodies bound to ECs regardless of the epitope proximity to the plasmalemma, whereas 130 nm diameter nanocarriers only targeted effectively distal domains (mAb4G6/NCs did not bind to ECs). ECs internalized mAb35, mAb62, and mAbGi34 carriers regardless of their size (0.13 to 5 microm diameter), yet they did not internalize mAb37/NCs. After internalization, mAb62/NCs trafficked to lysosomes within 2-3 h, whereas mAb35/NCs had prolonged residence in pre-lysosomal vesicles. Therefore, endothelial binding, endocytosis, and intracellular transport of anti-PECAM/NCs are epitope-specific. This paradigm will guide the design of endothelial drug delivery systems providing specific cellular localizations.

Micro/nanostructured polymeric systems for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications

This review provides an outline of the polymeric micro/nanostructured advanced systems that are suited for the controlled and targeted administration of, specifically, nonconventional drugs. The contribution of new trends in drug-delivery technology is focused on two major parts, dealing with brief surveys of: the biodegradable/bioerodible polymeric systems used in the formulation of micro/nanoparticles and techniques used in the preparation of micro/nanoparticles for their biomedical application in cancer treatment specifically, in inflammation pathologies, as oxygen carriers (blood substitutes) and in tissue-engineering practice. A small discussion of the future perspectives of the described systems is also given.

Clinical toxicities of nanocarrier systems

Toxicity of nanocarrier systems involves physiological, physicochemical, and molecular considerations. Nanoparticle exposures through the skin, the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract and the lymphatics have been described. Nanocarrier systems may induce cytotoxicity and/or genotoxicity, whereas their antigenicity is still not well understood. Nanocarrier may alter the physicochemical properties of xenobiotics resulting in pharmaceutical changes in stability, solubility, and pharmacokinetic disposition. In particular, nanocarriers may reduce toxicity of hydrophobic cancer drugs that are solubilized. Nano regulation is still undergoing major changes to encompass environmental, health, and safety issues. The rapid commercialization of nanotechnology requires thoughtful environmental, health and safety research, meaningful, and an open discussion of broader societal impacts, and urgent toxicological oversight action.

Evaluation of the effect of vector architecture on DNA condensation and gene transfer efficiency

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vector architecture on DNA condensation, particle stability, and gene transfer efficiency. Two recombinant non-viral vectors with the same amino acid compositions but different architectures, composed of lysine-histidine (KH) repeating units fused to fibroblast growth factor, were genetically engineered. In one vector lysine residues were dispersed (KHKHKHKHKK)(6)-FGF2, whereas in the other they were in clusters (KKKHHHHKKK)(6)-FGF2. Organization of lysine residues in this manner was inspired by the sequence of DNA condensing motifs that exist in nature (e.g., histones) where lysine residues are organized in clusters. These two constructs were compared in terms of DNA condensation and gene transfer efficiency. It was observed that the construct with KH units in clusters was able to condense pDNA into more stable particles with sizes <150 nm making them suitable for cellular uptake via receptor mediated endocytosis. This in turn resulted in five times higher transfection efficiency for the cKH-FGF2. This study demonstrates that in targeted non-viral gene transfer, the vector architecture plays as significant a role as its amino acid sequence. Thus, in the design of the non-viral vectors (synthetic or recombinant) this factor should be considered of paramount importance.

Polymer platforms for drug delivery and biomedical imaging

Biocompatible synthetic polymers have demonstrated advantageous pharmacokinetic properties as compared to small molecular agents. Incorporation of low molecular weight therapeutics and imaging agents into biocompatible polymers can optimize their pharmacokinetic properties with improved efficacy of therapy and diagnostic imaging, respectively. We have applied the concept of drug delivery to design safe and effective contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and used biomedical imaging in non-invasive evaluation of drug delivery and image-guided therapy. We summarize here the recent progress in our research on biodegradable macromolecular MRI contrast agents, non-invasive visualization of in vivo drug delivery of polymeric conjugates with contrast enhanced MRI, and contrast enhanced MRI guided photodynamic therapy. The preliminary results have shown that biocompatible polymers can be used as an effective platform for drug delivery and biomedical imaging. Safe and effective imaging agents can be designed by using the concept of polymeric drug delivery. Biomedical imaging can be used as a non-invasive method for the evaluation of in vivo drug delivery of polymeric drug delivery systems. The combination of drug delivery and biomedical imaging can result in image-guided therapies, which include tumor detection, therapy and non-invasive evaluation of therapeutic responses.

Enhanced cellular delivery and transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA using positively charged biocompatible colloidal gold nanoparticles

Efficient and safe nonviral gene delivery systems are a prerequisite for the clinical application of therapeutic genes. In this study, we report an enhancement of the transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA, via the use of positively charged colloidal gold nanoparticles (PGN). Plasmid DNA encoding for murine interleukin-2 (pVAXmIL-2) was complexed with PGN at a variety of ratios. The delivery of pVAXmIL-2 into C2C12 cells was dependent on the complexation ratios between PGN and the plasmid DNA, presented the highest delivery at a ratio of 2400:1. After complexation with DNA, PGN showed significantly higher cellular delivery and transfection efficiency than did the polyethylenimines (PEI) of different molecular weights, such as PEI25K (m.w. 25 kd) and PEI2K (m.w. 2 kd). PGN resulted in a cellular delivery of pVAXmIL-2 6.3-fold higher than was seen with PEI25K. The PGN/DNA complex resulted in 3.2- and 2.1-fold higher murine IL-2 protein expression than was seen in association with the PEI25K/DNA and PEI2K/DNA complexes, respectively. Following intramuscular administration, PGN/DNA complexes showed more than 4 orders of magnitude higher expression levels as compared to naked DNA. Moreover, the PGN/DNA complexes showed higher cell viability than other cationic nonviral vectors. Collectively, the results of this study suggest that the PGN/DNA complexes may harbor the potential for development into efficient and safe gene delivery vehicles.

Introduction to Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is a scientific movement that has the potential to transform the diagnosis and treatment of disease in the 21st century. The area of investigation is defined by the study, design, manipulation, manufacture, and control of materials or devices by physical or chemical means at resolutions on the order of one billionth of a meter. The potential for a wide range of clinical applications makes a basic understanding of nanotechnology important to physiatrists. This review presents an introduction to nanotechnology and discusses key developments in tissue engineering, drug delivery, imaging, diagnostics, surface texturing, and biointerfaces that could impact the practice of physiatry in the future.

Biodistribution and tissue expression kinetics of plasmid DNA complexed with polyethylenimines of different molecular weight and structure

Polyethylenimine (PEI) has been studied as an efficient and versatile in vitro and in vivo gene delivery agent. Here, we report the in vivo fate, tissue expression duration, and safety after the intravenous injection of plasmid DNA complexed to various PEIs under different conditions. Murine interleukin-2 plasmid DNA was complexed with branched PEI2Kd, 25Kd, or linear PEI25Kd at different N/P ratios. The mean residence time of plasmid DNA was found to be prolonged after delivery in PEI, evidencing the highest values in branched PEI25Kd. As compared to branched PEI25Kd, linear PEI25Kd at the same N/P ratio provided mRNA expression levels orders of magnitude higher in the lung over an 8-day period. In the branched PEI2Kd/DNA complexes, the N/P ratio of 80:1 evidenced higher gene expression efficiency in the kidney and spleen than the normal N/P ratio of 10:1. The generation of proinflammatory chemokine receptors was induced by branched PEI25Kd, but not by other PEIs. The complexes of DNA with linear 25Kd PEI or branched PEI2Kd exhibited no histological changes after repeated administrations. These results indicate that the structure, molecular weight, and N/P ratios of PEIs must be collectively considered and modulated for organ-targeted plasmid DNA delivery.

Adenoviral Gene Delivery to Solid Tumors by Recombinant Silk–Elastinlike Protein Polymers

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of silk-elastinlike protein polymers (SELPs) in controlling the release rate of adenoviruses in vitro and in vivo while preserving their bioactivity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A hydrogel system composed of SELP/adenovirus mixture was prepared. The release of the adenovirus particles from the hydrogels was quantified by Real Time-PCR and the bioactivity of the released viruses was evaluated using confocal microscopy and beta-galactosidase assay. To demonstrate the ability of SELP in entrapping virus cargo and releasing it over a prolonged period of time in vivo, a SELP/adenovirus mixture was prepared and injected directly into xenograft tumor models of breast and head and neck cancer in mice. At various time points mice were sacrificed, tumors dissected, and tissue sections studied under confocal microscope.

RESULTS

In vitro studies demonstrated that SELP hydrogels release viruses over a period of 4 weeks while preserving their bioactivity. After intratumoral injection, a prolonged and localized expression of adenoviruses was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest the potential of SELPs in local adenoviral delivery to solid tumors as an alternative approach to intratumoral virus infusion.

Temperature-Controlled Properties of DNA Complexes with Poly(ethylenimine)-graft-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

End-functionalized poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) was synthesized by living free radical polymerization and conventional free radical polymerization and was used to prepare graft copolymers with poly(ethylenimine) (PEI). The copolymers exhibited lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior between 30 and 32 degrees C and formed complexes with plasmid DNA. The LCST of the copolymers in the DNA complexes increased slightly to approximately 34-35 degrees C. Cytotoxicity of the copolymers was evaluated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from cells. The copolymers exhibited temperature-dependent toxicity, with higher levels of LDH release observed at temperatures above the LCST. Cellular uptake and transfection activity of the DNA complexes with the PEI-g-PNIPA copolymers were lower than those of the control PEI/DNA complexes at temperature below the LCST but increased to the PEI/DNA levels at temperatures above the LCST.