1
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Kreofsky NW, Roy P, Brown ME, Perez U, Leighton RE, Frontiera RR, Reineke TM. Cinchona Alkaloid Polymers Demonstrate Highly Efficient Gene Delivery Dependent on Stereochemistry, Methoxy Substitution, and Length. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:486-501. [PMID: 38150323 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid delivery with cationic polymers is a promising alternative to expensive viral-based methods; however, it often suffers from a lower performance. Herein, we present a highly efficient delivery system based on cinchona alkaloid natural products copolymerized with 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate. Cinchona alkaloids are an attractive monomer class for gene delivery applications, given their ability to bind to DNA via both electrostatics and intercalation. To uncover the structure-activity profile of the system, four structurally similar cinchona alkaloids were incorporated into polymers: quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine. These polymers differed in the chain length, the presence or absence of a pendant methoxy group, and stereochemistry, all of which were found to alter gene delivery performance and the ways in which the polymers overcome biological barriers to transfection. Longer polymers that contained the methoxy-bearing cinchona alkaloids (i.e., quinine and quinidine) were found to have the best performance. These polymers exhibited the tightest DNA binding, largest and most abundant DNA-polymer complexes, and best endosomal escape thanks to their increased buffering capacity and closest nuclear proximity of the payload. Overall, this work highlights the remarkable efficiency of polymer systems that incorporate cinchona alkaloid natural products while demonstrating the profound impact that small structural changes can have on overcoming biological hurdles associated with gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas W Kreofsky
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Punarbasu Roy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mary E Brown
- University Imaging Centers, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Ulises Perez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Ryan E Leighton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Renee R Frontiera
- 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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2
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Lu Z, Zongjie G, Qianyu Z, Xueyan L, Kexin W, Baoyan C, Ran T, Fang R, Hui H, Huali C. Preparation and characterization of a gemini surfactant-based biomimetic complex for gene delivery. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2023; 182:92-102. [PMID: 36509322 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Gemini surfactants (GS) have been explored as non-viral gene delivery systems. Nevertheless, their cytotoxicity and the limitations in the in vivo studies have impeded their development. To attenuate toxicity and further explore their possibilities in gene delivery, a series of GS (18-7-18)-based gene delivery systems complexed with red blood cell membranes (RBCM) or/and DOPE-PEG2000 (DP) were prepared and evaluated. EGFP-encoding plasmids were delivered via GS-based complexes and the efficiency of gene transfection was evaluated by imaging of the major organs after intravenous administration in mice and qPCR quantification in hepatocytes. In order to assess the safety of GS-based complexes, the hemolysis test, serum biochemical indices, H&E staining and CCK-8 test were examined. The results revealed that EGFP was primarily expressed in livers, and all complexes showed minimal acute toxicity to major organs. Moreover, we found that the dual incorporation of RBCM and DP could significantly elevate the transfection efficiency and cell viability in hepatocytes. Overall, the results indicated that GS-based complexes possessed great potential as vectors for gene delivery both in vivo and in vitro and the dual incorporation of RBCM and DP could be a promising gene delivery approach with high transfection efficacy and low toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Lu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Medical School Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400042, PR China
| | - Gan Zongjie
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Medical School Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400042, PR China
| | - Zhang Qianyu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Medical School Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400042, PR China
| | - Liu Xueyan
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Medical School Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400042, PR China
| | - Wu Kexin
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Medical School Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400042, PR China
| | - Chen Baoyan
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Medical School Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400042, PR China
| | - Tao Ran
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Medical School Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400042, PR China
| | - Ren Fang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Medical School Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400042, PR China
| | - Hu Hui
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Medical School Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400042, PR China
| | - Chen Huali
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Medical School Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400042, PR China.
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3
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Directing the Way-Receptor and Chemical Targeting Strategies for Nucleic Acid Delivery. Pharm Res 2023; 40:47-76. [PMID: 36109461 PMCID: PMC9483255 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03385-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid therapeutics have shown great potential for the treatment of numerous diseases, such as genetic disorders, cancer and infections. Moreover, they have been successfully used as vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to unfold full therapeutical potential, these nano agents have to overcome several barriers. Therefore, directed transport to specific tissues and cell types remains a central challenge to receive carrier systems with enhanced efficiency and desired biodistribution profiles. Active targeting strategies include receptor-targeting, mediating cellular uptake based on ligand-receptor interactions, and chemical targeting, enabling cell-specific delivery as a consequence of chemically and structurally modified carriers. With a focus on synthetic delivery systems including polyplexes, lipid-based systems such as lipoplexes and lipid nanoparticles, and direct conjugates optimized for various types of nucleic acids (DNA, mRNA, siRNA, miRNA, oligonucleotides), we highlight recent achievements, exemplified by several nucleic acid drugs on the market, and discuss challenges for targeted delivery to different organs such as brain, eye, liver, lung, spleen and muscle in vivo.
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4
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Müllner M. Molecular polymer bottlebrushes in nanomedicine: therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:5683-5716. [PMID: 35445672 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc01601j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Molecular polymer bottlebrushes are densely grafted, individual macromolecules with nanoscale proportions. The last decade has seen an increased focus on this material class, especially in nanomedicine and for biomedical applications. This Feature Article provides an overview of major developments in this area to highlight the many opportunities that these polymer architectures bring to nano-bio research. The article covers aspects of bottlebrush synthesis and summarises their use in drug and gene delivery, imaging, as theranostics and as prototype materials to correlate nanoparticle structure and composition to biological function and behaviour. Areas for future research in this area are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Müllner
- Key Centre for Polymers and Colloids, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. .,The University of Sydney Nano Institute (Sydney Nano), Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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5
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Floyd TG, Häkkinen S, Hall SCL, Dalgliesh RM, Lehnen AC, Hartlieb M, Perrier S. Cationic Bottlebrush Copolymers from Partially Hydrolyzed Poly(oxazoline)s. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G. Floyd
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
| | - Satu Häkkinen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
| | - Stephen C. L. Hall
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, U.K
| | - Robert M. Dalgliesh
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, U.K
| | - Anne-Catherine Lehnen
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Potsdam 14476, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP), Geiselbergstr. 69, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Matthias Hartlieb
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Potsdam 14476, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP), Geiselbergstr. 69, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sébastien Perrier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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6
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Le Guen C, Dussouillez C, Kichler A, Chan-Seng D. Insertion of hydrophobic spacers on dodecalysines as potential transfection enhancers. Eur Polym J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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7
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Alsuraifi A, Mathew E, Lamprou DA, Curtis A, Hoskins C. Thermally reactive N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) amphiphiles for drug solubilisation. Int J Pharm 2021; 601:120570. [PMID: 33812968 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Thermally active polymers, can respond structurally to temperature changes, making them interesting as potential drug delivery vehicles. Polymers of N-(3-aminopropyl) methacrylamide hydrochloride (APMA) are cationic with primary amine groups in their structure, which have been explored in biomedical applications via post-polymerisation modifications. In this work, we synthesised amphiphilic APMA monomers using hydrophobic pendant groups via conjugation onto their primary amine group. The pendant groups chosen in this study were palmitoyl, dansyl and cholesteryl moieties. The amphiphilic monomers were subsequently copolymerized with N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) using varied monomer feed ratios resulting in a thermo-responsive system. The ability of the resultant aggregates in aqueous solution to encapsulate and liberate model drugs (e.g., propofol, griseofulvin and prednisolone) was then determined. Our data showed that the HPMA based formulations were capable of loading the model drug molecules inside their lipophilic core; HPMA-co-(APMA-Dansyl 2%) exhibited the largest drug encapsulation ability. Subsequently, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was incorporated into the intrinsic polymer structure. This resulted in a more rapid drug release profile, whereby 100% of griseofulvin and prednisolone were liberated after only 4 h, which was only 5% and 10% before the PEG inclusion, respectively. Similarly, propofol showed 70% liberation from the polymer aggregate after 24 h, compared with only 30% liberation pre-PEGylation. These studies give an insight into the potential of the HMPA based amphiphiles as thermally responsive cargo carrier/release systems which could be exploited in the delivery of poorly soluble drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Alsuraifi
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK; College of Dentistry, University of Basrah, Basrah 61004, Iraq
| | - Essyrose Mathew
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | | | - Anthony Curtis
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Clare Hoskins
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK; Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1RD, UK.
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8
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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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9
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Freitag F, Wagner E. Optimizing synthetic nucleic acid and protein nanocarriers: The chemical evolution approach. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 168:30-54. [PMID: 32246984 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Optimizing synthetic nanocarriers is like searching for a needle in a haystack. How to find the most suitable carrier for intracellular delivery of a specified macromolecular nanoagent for a given disease target location? Here, we review different synthetic 'chemical evolution' strategies that have been pursued. Libraries of nanocarriers have been generated either by unbiased combinatorial chemistry or by variation and novel combination of known functional delivery elements. As in natural evolution, definition of nanocarriers as sequences, as barcode or design principle, may fuel chemical evolution. Screening in appropriate test system may not only provide delivery candidates, but also a refined understanding of cellular delivery including novel, unpredictable mechanisms. Combined with rational design and computational algorithms, candidates can be further optimized in subsequent evolution cycles into nanocarriers with improved safety and efficacy. Optimization of nanocarriers differs for various cargos, as illustrated for plasmid DNA, siRNA, mRNA, proteins, or genome-editing nucleases.
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10
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Gajendiran M, Kim S, Jo H, Kim K. Fabrication of pH responsive coacervates using a polycation-b-polypropylene glycol diblock copolymer for versatile delivery platforms. J IND ENG CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2020.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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11
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Roeven E, Kuzmyn AR, Scheres L, Baggerman J, Smulders MMJ, Zuilhof H. PLL-Poly(HPMA) Bottlebrush-Based Antifouling Coatings: Three Grafting Routes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:10187-10199. [PMID: 32820926 PMCID: PMC7498161 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we compare three routes to prepare antifouling coatings that consist of poly(l-lysine)-poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide) bottlebrushes. The poly(l-lysine) (PLL) backbone is self-assembled onto the surface by charged-based interactions between the lysine groups and the negatively charged silicon oxide surface, whereas the poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide) [poly(HPMA)] side chains, grown by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization, provide antifouling properties to the surface. First, the PLL-poly(HPMA) coatings are synthesized in a bottom-up fashion through a grafting-from approach. In this route, the PLL is self-assembled onto a surface, after which a polymerization agent is immobilized, and finally HPMA is polymerized from the surface. In the second explored route, the PLL is modified in solution by a RAFT agent to create a macroinitiator. After self-assembly of this macroinitiator onto the surface, poly(HPMA) is polymerized from the surface by RAFT. In the third and last route, the whole PLL-poly(HPMA) bottlebrush is initially synthesized in solution. To this end, HPMA is polymerized from the macroinitiator in solution and the PLL-poly(HPMA) bottlebrush is then self-assembled onto the surface in just one step (grafting-to approach). Additionally, in this third route, we also design and synthesize a bottlebrush polymer with a PLL backbone and poly(HPMA) side chains, with the latter containing 5% carboxybetaine (CB) monomers that eventually allow for additional (bio)functionalization in solution or after surface immobilization. These three routes are evaluated in terms of ease of synthesis, scalability, ease of characterization, and a preliminary investigation of their antifouling performance. All three coating procedures result in coatings that show antifouling properties in single-protein antifouling tests. This method thus presents a new, simple, versatile, and highly scalable approach for the manufacturing of PLL-based bottlebrush coatings that can be synthesized partly or completely on the surface or in solution, depending on the desired production process and/or application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Roeven
- Laboratory
of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Surfix
BV, Bronland 12 B-1, 6708 WH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andriy R. Kuzmyn
- Laboratory
of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Aquamarijn
Micro Filtration BV, IJsselkade 7, 7201 HB Zutphen, The Netherlands
| | - Luc Scheres
- Surfix
BV, Bronland 12 B-1, 6708 WH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob Baggerman
- Aquamarijn
Micro Filtration BV, IJsselkade 7, 7201 HB Zutphen, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten M. J. Smulders
- Laboratory
of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Han Zuilhof
- Laboratory
of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
- School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, 300072 Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Department
of Chemical and Materials Engineering, King
Abdulaziz University, 21589 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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12
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Richter F, Martin L, Leer K, Moek E, Hausig F, Brendel JC, Traeger A. Tuning of endosomal escape and gene expression by functional groups, molecular weight and transfection medium: a structure-activity relationship study. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:5026-5041. [PMID: 32319993 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb00340a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The use of genetic material by non-viral transfer systems is still in its initial stages, but there are high expectations for the development of targeted therapies. However, nucleic acids cannot enter cells without help, they must be well protected to prevent degradation and overcome a variety of biological barriers, the endosomal barrier being one of the greatest cellular challenges. Herein, the structure-property-relationship was investigated in detail, using well-defined polymers. Polyacrylamides were synthesized via RAFT polymerization resulting in a polymer library of (i) different cationic groups as aminoethyl acrylamide (AEAm), dimethylaminoethyl acrylamide (DMAEAm), dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide (DMAPAm) and guanidinopropyl acrylamide (GPAm); (ii) different degree of polymerization; and investigated (iii) in different cell culture settings. The influence of molar mass and cationic moiety on complex formation with pDNA, cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency of the polymers were investigated. The systematic approach identified a pH-independent guanidinium-containing homopolymer (PGPAm89) as the polymer with the highest transfection efficiency and superior endosomal release under optimal conditions. Since PGPAm89 is not further protonated inside endosomes, common escape theories appear unsuitable. Therefore, the interaction with bis(monoacryloylglycerol)phosphate, a lipid specific for endosomal vesicles, was investigated. Our research suggests that the interactions between amines and lipids may be more relevant than anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Richter
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany.
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13
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Haque FM, Grayson SM. The synthesis, properties and potential applications of cyclic polymers. Nat Chem 2020; 12:433-444. [DOI: 10.1038/s41557-020-0440-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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14
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Callmann CE, Thompson MP, Gianneschi NC. Poly(peptide): Synthesis, Structure, and Function of Peptide-Polymer Amphiphiles and Protein-like Polymers. Acc Chem Res 2020; 53:400-413. [PMID: 31967781 PMCID: PMC11042489 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In this Account, we describe the organization of functional peptides as densely arrayed side chains on polymer scaffolds which we introduce as a new class of material called poly(peptide). We describe two general classes of poly(peptide): (1) Peptide-Polymer Amphiphiles (PPAs), which consist of block copolymers with a dense grouping of peptides arrayed as the side chains of the hydrophilic block and connected to a hydrophobic block that drives micelle assembly, and (2) Protein-like Polymers (PLPs), wherein peptide-brush polymers are composed from monomers, each containing a peptide side chain. Peptides organized in this manner imbue polymers or polymeric nanoparticles with a range of functional qualities inherent to their specific sequence. Therefore, polymers or nanoparticles otherwise lacking bioactivity or responsiveness to stimuli, once linked to a peptide of choice, can now bind proteins, enter cells and tissues, have controlled and switchable biodistribution patterns, and be enzyme substrates (e.g., for kinases, phosphatases, proteases). Indeed, where peptide substrates are incorporated, kinetically or thermodynamically driven morphological transitions can be enzymatically induced in the polymeric material. Synergistically, the polymer enforces changes in peptide activity and function by virtue of packing and constraining the peptide. The scaffold can protect peptides from proteolysis, change the pharmacokinetic profile of an intravenously injected peptide, increase the cellular uptake of an otherwise cell impermeable therapeutic peptide, or change peptide substrate activity entirely. Moreover, in addition to the sequence-controlled peptides (generated by solid phase synthesis), the polymer can carry its own sequence-dependent information, especially through living polymerization strategies allowing well-defined blocks and terminal labels (e.g., dyes, contrast agents, charged moieties). Hence, the two elements, peptide and polymer, cooperate to yield materials with unique function and properties quite apart from each alone. Herein, we describe the development of synthetic strategies for accessing these classes of biomolecule polymer conjugates. We discuss the utility of poly(peptide)-based materials in a range of biomedical applications, including imaging of diseased tissues (myocardial infarction and cancer), delivering small molecule drugs to tumors with high specificity, imparting cell permeability to otherwise impermeable peptides, protecting bioactive peptides from proteolysis in harsh conditions (e.g., stomach acid and whole blood), and transporting proteins into traditionally difficult-to-transfect cell types, including stem cells. Poly(peptide) materials offer new properties to both the constituent peptides and to the polymers, which can be tuned by the design of the oligopeptide sequence, degree of polymerization, peptide arrangement on the polymer backbone, and polymer backbone chemistry. These properties establish this approach as valuable for the development of peptides as medicines and materials in a range of settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra E. Callmann
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Departments of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Pharmacology, International Institute of Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Matthew P. Thompson
- Departments of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Pharmacology, International Institute of Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Nathan C. Gianneschi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Departments of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Pharmacology, International Institute of Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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15
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Perry CC, Ramos-Méndez J, Milligan JR. DNA Condensation with a Boron-Containing Cationic Peptide for Modeling Boron Neutron Capture Therapy. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2019; 166. [PMID: 32454570 DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2019.108521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The amino acid derivative 4-borono-L-phenylalanine (BPA) has been used in the radiation medicine technique boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Here we have characterized its interaction with DNA when incorporated into a positively charged hexa-L-arginine peptide. This ligand binds strongly to DNA and induces its condensation, an effect which is attenuated at higher ionic strengths. The use of an additional tetra-L-arginine ligand enables the preparation of a DNA condensate in the presence of a negligible concentration of unbound boron. Under these conditions, Monte Carlo simulation indicates that >85% of energy deposition events resulting from thermal neutron irradiation derive from boron fission. The combination of experimental model systems and simulations that we describe here provides a valuable tool for accurate track structure modeling of the DNA damage produced by the high LET particles involved in BNCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris C Perry
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11085 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Jose Ramos-Méndez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, 1600 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Jamie R Milligan
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11085 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
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16
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Francica JR, Laga R, Lynn GM, Mužíková G, Androvič L, Aussedat B, Walkowicz WE, Padhan K, Ramirez-Valdez RA, Parks R, Schmidt SD, Flynn BJ, Tsybovsky Y, Stewart-Jones GBE, Saunders KO, Baharom F, Petrovas C, Haynes BF, Seder RA. Star nanoparticles delivering HIV-1 peptide minimal immunogens elicit near-native envelope antibody responses in nonhuman primates. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000328. [PMID: 31206510 PMCID: PMC6597128 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide immunogens provide an approach to focus antibody responses to specific neutralizing sites on the HIV envelope protein (Env) trimer or on other pathogens. However, the physical characteristics of peptide immunogens can limit their pharmacokinetic and immunological properties. Here, we have designed synthetic “star” nanoparticles based on biocompatible N-[(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] (HPMA)-based polymer arms extending from a poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer core. In mice, these star nanoparticles trafficked to lymph nodes (LNs) by 4 hours following vaccination, where they were taken up by subcapsular macrophages and then resident dendritic cells (DCs). Immunogenicity optimization studies revealed a correlation of immunogen density with antibody titers. Furthermore, the co-delivery of Env variable loop 3 (V3) and T-helper peptides induced titers that were 2 logs higher than if the peptides were given in separate nanoparticles. Finally, we performed a nonhuman primate (NHP) study using a V3 glycopeptide minimal immunogen that was structurally optimized to be recognized by Env V3/glycan broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). When administered with a potent Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist adjuvant, these nanoparticles elicited high antibody binding titers to the V3 site. Similar to human V3/glycan bnAbs, certain monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) elicited by this vaccine were glycan dependent or targeted the GDIR peptide motif. To improve affinity to native Env trimer affinity, nonhuman primates (NHPs) were boosted with various SOSIP Env proteins; however, significant neutralization was not observed. Taken together, this study provides a new vaccine platform for administration of glycopeptide immunogens for focusing immune responses to specific bnAb epitopes. Synthetic polymer-based nanoparticles effectively deliver HIV Env glycopeptide immunogens to lymph nodes and stimulate B cell lineages with characteristics resembling broadly neutralizing antibodies, in nonhuman primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Francica
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Richard Laga
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Geoffrey M Lynn
- Avidea Technologies, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Gabriela Mužíková
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Androvič
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Baptiste Aussedat
- Department of Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - William E Walkowicz
- Department of Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Kartika Padhan
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ramiro Andrei Ramirez-Valdez
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Robert Parks
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Stephen D Schmidt
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Barbara J Flynn
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Guillaume B E Stewart-Jones
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kevin O Saunders
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Faezzah Baharom
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Constantinos Petrovas
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Barton F Haynes
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Robert A Seder
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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17
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Star-shaped poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate)s as non-viral gene carriers: Exploring structure-function relationship. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2019; 181:721-727. [PMID: 31228855 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2019.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy shows much promise in treating many inheritable and acquired diseases, but challenges remain in the design of gene vectors with low cytotoxicity and high transfection efficiency. Elucidating the structure-function relationship of non-viral polymer-based gene carriers is crucial for improving the design and performance of safe and effective gene therapy approaches. The cationic poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate) (PAEM) containing primary amino side groups is an attractive carrier for gene delivery. This study focuses on four PAEM-based polycations with well-defined molecular weight and chain architecture. The polymers include three cyclodextrin (CD)-cored star-shaped PAEM polycations (s-PAEM), synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and a linear PAEM polycation (l-PAEM), synthesized via activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET) ATRP. All four polycations could condense plasmid DNA (pDNA) into spherical polyplexes with small sizes (<200 nm). The polyplexes showed excellent stability during storage and were able to resist electrostatic destabilization. The cytotoxicity of these polycations was depended on dose and target cell type and was influenced by molecular weight and chain architecture, yet the polyplexes showed little cytotoxicity regardless of the type of polymer used. The transfection efficiency of PAEM polycations was highly dependent upon molecular weight, molecular architecture (star versus linear) and target cell type. In most cases, polyplexes formed by high-molecular-weight s-PAEM performed the best. Moreover, at a specific N/P ratio, the transfection efficiency mediated by s-PAEM was higher in MCF-7 breast cancer cells than in COS-7 fibroblast-like cells, but such cell-type dependence was not obvious for l-PAEM. These findings indicate that the star-shaped PAEM polycations could be promising gene carriers for gene therapy applications.
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18
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Design and development of a robust photo-responsive block copolymer framework for tunable nucleic acid delivery and efficient gene silencing. Polym J 2018. [DOI: 10.1038/s41428-018-0077-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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19
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Xu X, Li Y, Liang Q, Song Z, Li F, He H, Wang J, Zhu L, Lin Z, Yin L. Efficient Gene Delivery Mediated by a Helical Polypeptide: Controlling the Membrane Activity via Multivalency and Light-Assisted Photochemical Internalization (PCI). ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:256-266. [PMID: 29206023 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b15896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of robust and nontoxic membrane-penetrating materials is highly demanded for nonviral gene delivery. Herein, a photosensitizer (PS)-embedded, star-shaped helical polypeptide was developed, which combines the advantages of multivalency-enhanced intracellular DNA uptake and light-strengthened endosomal escape to enable highly efficient gene delivery with low toxicity. 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis-(4-aminophenyl) porphyrin as a selected PS initiated ring-opening polymerization of N-carboxyanhydride and yielded a star-shaped helical polypeptide after side-chain functionalization with guanidine groups. The star polypeptide afforded a notably higher transfection efficiency and lower cytotoxicity than those of its linear analogue. Light irradiation caused almost complete (∼90%) endosomal release of the DNA cargo via the photochemical internalization (PCI) mechanism and further led to a 6-8-fold increment of the transfection efficiency in HeLa, B16F10, and RAW 264.7 cells, outperforming commercial reagent 25k PEI by up to 3 orders of magnitude. Because the PS and DNA cargoes were compartmentalized distantly in the core and polypeptide layers, respectively, the generated reactive oxygen species caused minimal damage to DNA molecules to preserve their transfection potency. Such multivalency- and PCI-potentiated gene delivery efficiency was also demonstrated in vivo in melanoma-bearing mice. This study thus provides a promising strategy to overcome the multiple membrane barriers against nonviral gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yongjuan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Qiujun Liang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Ziyuan Song
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 1304 W Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Fangfang Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Hua He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Jinhui Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Lipeng Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zhifeng Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University of Medicine , Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Lichen Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
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20
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O’Keeffe Ahern J, A S, Zhou D, Gao Y, Lyu J, Meng Z, Cutlar L, Pierucci L, Wang W. Brushlike Cationic Polymers with Low Charge Density for Gene Delivery. Biomacromolecules 2017; 19:1410-1415. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b01267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sigen A
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Dezhong Zhou
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Yongsheng Gao
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jing Lyu
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Zhao Meng
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Lara Cutlar
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Luca Pierucci
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Wenxin Wang
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
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21
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Krhac Levacic A, Morys S, Wagner E. Solid-phase supported design of carriers for therapeutic nucleic acid delivery. Biosci Rep 2017; 37:BSR20160617. [PMID: 28963371 PMCID: PMC5662914 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20160617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid molecules are important therapeutic agents in the field of antisense oligonucleotide, RNA interference, and gene therapies. Since nucleic acids are not able to cross cell membranes and enter efficiently into cells on their own, the development of efficient, safe, and precise delivery systems is the crucial challenge for development of nucleic acid therapeutics. For the delivery of nucleic acids to their intracellular site of action, either the cytosol or the nucleus, several extracellular and intracellular barriers have to be overcome. Multifunctional carriers may handle the different special requirements of each barrier. The complexity of such macromolecules however poses a new hurdle in medical translation, which is the chemical production in reproducible and well-defined form. Solid-phase assisted synthesis (SPS) presents a solution for this challenge. The current review provides an overview on the design and SPS of precise sequence-defined synthetic carriers for nucleic acid cargos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Krhac Levacic
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan Morys
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich, Schellingstrasse 4, D-80799 Munich, Germany
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22
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Shi B, Zheng M, Tao W, Chung R, Jin D, Ghaffari D, Farokhzad OC. Challenges in DNA Delivery and Recent Advances in Multifunctional Polymeric DNA Delivery Systems. Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:2231-2246. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bingyang Shi
- International
Joint Center for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, P.R. China
| | - Meng Zheng
- International
Joint Center for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, P.R. China
| | - Wei Tao
- Center for
Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Roger Chung
- Faculty
of Medicine and Health Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Dayong Jin
- ARC
Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Institute
for Biomedical Materials and Devices (IBMD), University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2007, Australia
| | - Dariush Ghaffari
- Center for
Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Omid C. Farokhzad
- Center for
Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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23
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Greco CT, Andrechak JC, Epps TH, Sullivan MO. Anionic Polymer and Quantum Dot Excipients to Facilitate siRNA Release and Self-Reporting of Disassembly in Stimuli-Responsive Nanocarrier Formulations. Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:1814-1824. [PMID: 28441861 PMCID: PMC5672795 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The incorporation of anionic excipients into polyplexes is a promising strategy for modulating siRNA binding versus release and integrating diagnostic capabilities; however, specific design criteria and structure-function relationships are needed to facilitate the development of nanocarrier-based theranostics. Herein, we incorporated poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and quantum dot (QD) excipients into photolabile siRNA polyplexes to increase gene silencing efficiencies by up to 100% and enable self-reporting of nanocarrier disassembly. Our systematic approach identified the functional relationships between gene silencing and key parameters such as excipient loading fractions and molecular weights that facilitated the establishment of design rules for optimization of nanocarrier efficacy. For example, we found that PAA molecular weights ∼10-20× greater than that of the coencapsulated siRNA exhibited the most efficient release and silencing. Furthermore, siRNA release assays and RNAi modeling allowed us to generate a PAA "heat map" that predicted gene silencing a priori as a function of PAA molecular weight and loading fraction. QDs further promoted selective siRNA release and provided visual as well as Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based monitoring of the dynamic changes in nanostructure in situ. Moreover, even with the addition of anionic components, our formulations exhibited substantially improved stability and shelf life relative to typical formulations, with complete stability after a week of storage and full activity in the presence of serum. Taken together, this study enabled synergistic improvements in siRNA release and diagnostic capabilities, along with the development of mechanistic insights that are critical for advancing the translation of nucleic acid theranostics into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad T Greco
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and §Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware , Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Jason C Andrechak
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and §Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware , Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Thomas H Epps
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and §Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware , Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Millicent O Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and §Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware , Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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24
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Zhou Z, Liu X, Zhu D, Wang Y, Zhang Z, Zhou X, Qiu N, Chen X, Shen Y. Nonviral cancer gene therapy: Delivery cascade and vector nanoproperty integration. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 115:115-154. [PMID: 28778715 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 269] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy represents a promising cancer treatment featuring high efficacy and limited side effects, but it is stymied by a lack of safe and efficient gene-delivery vectors. Cationic polymers and lipid-based nonviral gene vectors have many advantages and have been extensively explored for cancer gene delivery, but their low gene-expression efficiencies relative to viral vectors limit their clinical translations. Great efforts have thus been devoted to developing new carrier materials and fabricating functional vectors aimed at improving gene expression, but the overall efficiencies are still more or less at the same level. This review analyzes the cancer gene-delivery cascade and the barriers, the needed nanoproperties and the current strategies for overcoming these barriers, and outlines PEGylation, surface-charge, size, and stability dilemmas in vector nanoproperties to efficiently accomplish the cancer gene-delivery cascade. Stability, surface, and size transitions (3S Transitions) are proposed to resolve those dilemmas and strategies to realize these transitions are comprehensively summarized. The review concludes with a discussion of the future research directions to design high-performance nonviral gene vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuxian Zhou
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, 310027 Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangrui Liu
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, 310027 Hangzhou, China
| | - Dingcheng Zhu
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, 310027 Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, 310027 Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, 310027 Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuefei Zhou
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, 310027 Hangzhou, China
| | - Nasha Qiu
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, 310027 Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuesi Chen
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Key Lab of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun, China
| | - Youqing Shen
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, 310027 Hangzhou, China.
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25
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Sun Q, Zhou Z, Qiu N, Shen Y. Rational Design of Cancer Nanomedicine: Nanoproperty Integration and Synchronization. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2017; 29:1606628. [PMID: 28234430 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201606628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 659] [Impact Index Per Article: 94.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Current cancer nanomedicines can only mitigate adverse effects but fail to enhance therapeutic efficacies of anticancer drugs. Rational design of next-generation cancer nanomedicines should aim to enhance their therapeutic efficacies. Taking this into account, this review first analyzes the typical cancer-drug-delivery process of an intravenously administered nanomedicine and concludes that the delivery involves a five-step CAPIR cascade and that high efficiency at every step is critical to guarantee high overall therapeutic efficiency. Further analysis shows that the nanoproperties needed in each step for a nanomedicine to maximize its efficiency are different and even opposing in different steps, particularly what the authors call the PEG, surface-charge, size and stability dilemmas. To resolve those dilemmas in order to integrate all needed nanoproperties into one nanomedicine, stability, surface and size nanoproperty transitions (3S transitions for short) are proposed and the reported strategies to realize these transitions are comprehensively summarized. Examples of nanomedicines capable of the 3S transitions are discussed, as are future research directions to design high-performance cancer nanomedicines and their clinical translations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihang Sun
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, 310027, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhuxian Zhou
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, 310027, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nasha Qiu
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, 310027, Hangzhou, China
| | - Youqing Shen
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, 310027, Hangzhou, China
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26
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Ljubimova JY, Sun T, Mashouf L, Ljubimov AV, Israel LL, Ljubimov VA, Falahatian V, Holler E. Covalent nano delivery systems for selective imaging and treatment of brain tumors. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 113:177-200. [PMID: 28606739 PMCID: PMC5578712 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nanomedicine is a rapidly evolving form of therapy that holds a great promise for superior drug delivery efficiency and therapeutic efficacy than conventional cancer treatment. In this review, we attempt to cover the benefits and the limitations of current nanomedicines with special attention to covalent nano conjugates for imaging and drug delivery in the brain. The improvement in brain tumor treatment remains dismal despite decades of efforts in drug development and patient care. One of the major obstacles in brain cancer treatment is the poor drug delivery efficiency owing to the unique blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the CNS. Although various anti-cancer agents are available to treat tumors outside of the CNS, the majority fails to cross the BBB. In this regard, nanomedicines have increasingly drawn attention due to their multi-functionality and versatility. Nano drugs can penetrate BBB and other biological barriers, and selectively accumulate in tumor cells, while concurrently decreasing systemic toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Y Ljubimova
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., AHSP, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
| | - Tao Sun
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., AHSP, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Leila Mashouf
- Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Alexander V Ljubimov
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Liron L Israel
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., AHSP, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Vladimir A Ljubimov
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida, 2 Tampa General Circle, Tampa, FL 33606, USA
| | - Vida Falahatian
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP), 2424 Erwin Road, Suite 1102, Hock Plaza Box 2721, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Eggehard Holler
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., AHSP, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Institut für Biophysik und Physikalische Biochemie, Universität Regensburg, D-93040 Regensburg, Germany
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27
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Greco CT, Muir VG, Epps TH, Sullivan MO. Efficient tuning of siRNA dose response by combining mixed polymer nanocarriers with simple kinetic modeling. Acta Biomater 2017; 50:407-416. [PMID: 28063990 PMCID: PMC5317101 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Two of the most prominent challenges that limit the clinical success of siRNA therapies are a lack of control over cargo release from the delivery vehicle and an incomplete understanding of the link between gene silencing dynamics and siRNA dosing. Herein, we address these challenges through the formulation of siRNA polyplexes containing light-responsive polymer mixtures, whose varied compositions and triggered release behavior provide enhanced gene silencing and controlled dose responses that can be predicted by simple kinetic models. Through the straightforward mixing of two block copolymers, the level of gene knockdown was easily optimized to achieve the maximum level of GAPDH protein silencing in NIH/3T3 cells (~70%) using a single siRNA dose. The kinetic model was used to describe the dynamic changes in mRNA and protein concentrations in response to siRNA treatment. These predictions enabled the application of a second dose of siRNA to maximally suppress gene expression over multiple days, leading to a further 50% reduction in protein levels relative to those measured following a single dose. Furthermore, polyplexes remained dormant in cells until exposed to the photo-stimulus, demonstrating the complete control over siRNA activity as well as the stability of the nanocarriers. Thus, this work demonstrates that pairing advances in biomaterials design with simple kinetic modeling provides new insight into gene silencing dynamics and presents a powerful strategy to control gene expression through siRNA delivery. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Our manuscript describes two noteworthy impacts: (1) we designed mixed polymer formulations to enhance gene silencing, and (2) we simultaneously developed a simple kinetic model for determining optimal siRNA dose responses to maintain silencing over several days. These advances address critical challenges in siRNA delivery and provide new opportunities in therapeutics development. The structure-function relationships prevalent in these formulations were established to enable tuning and forecasting of nanocarrier efficiency a priori, leading to siRNA dosing regimens able to maximally suppress gene expression. Our advances are significant because the mixed polymer formulations provide a straightforward and scalable approach to tailor siRNA delivery regimens. Moreover, the implementation of accurate dosing frameworks addresses a major knowledge gap that has hindered clinical implementation of siRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad T Greco
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Victoria G Muir
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Thomas H Epps
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
| | - Millicent O Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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Fan W, Shi W, Zhang W, Jia Y, Zhou Z, Brusnahan SK, Garrison JC. Cathepsin S-cleavable, multi-block HPMA copolymers for improved SPECT/CT imaging of pancreatic cancer. Biomaterials 2016; 103:101-115. [PMID: 27372424 PMCID: PMC5018995 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
This work continues our efforts to improve the diagnostic and radiotherapeutic effectiveness of nanomedicine platforms by developing approaches to reduce the non-target accumulation of these agents. Herein, we developed multi-block HPMA copolymers with backbones that are susceptible to cleavage by cathepsin S, a protease that is abundantly expressed in tissues of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). Specifically, a bis-thiol terminated HPMA telechelic copolymer containing 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) was synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Three maleimide modified linkers with different sequences, including cathepsin S degradable oligopeptide, scramble oligopeptide and oligo ethylene glycol, were subsequently synthesized and used for the extension of the HPMA copolymers by thiol-maleimide click chemistry. All multi-block HPMA copolymers could be labeled by (177)Lu with high labeling efficiency and exhibited high serum stability. In vitro cleavage studies demonstrated highly selective and efficient cathepsin S mediated cleavage of the cathepsin S-susceptible multi-block HPMA copolymer. A modified multi-block HPMA copolymer series capable of Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) was utilized to investigate the rate of cleavage of the multi-block HPMA copolymers in monocyte-derived macrophages. Confocal imaging and flow cytometry studies revealed substantially higher rates of cleavage for the multi-block HPMA copolymers containing the cathepsin S-susceptible linker. The efficacy of the cathepsin S-cleavable multi-block HPMA copolymer was further examined using an in vivo model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Based on the biodistribution and SPECT/CT studies, the copolymer extended with the cathepsin S susceptible linker exhibited significantly faster clearance and lower non-target retention without compromising tumor targeting. Overall, these results indicate that exploitation of the cathepsin S activity in MPS tissues can be utilized to substantially lower non-target accumulation, suggesting this is a promising approach for the development of diagnostic and radiotherapeutic nanomedicine platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Fan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Wen Shi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Wenting Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Yinnong Jia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Zhengyuan Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Susan K. Brusnahan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Jered C. Garrison
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
- Eppley Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985950 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
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29
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Greco CT, Epps TH, Sullivan MO. Mechanistic Design of Polymer Nanocarriers to Spatiotemporally Control Gene Silencing. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2016; 2:1582-1594. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6b00336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chad T. Greco
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and ‡Department of Materials Science
and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Thomas H. Epps
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and ‡Department of Materials Science
and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Millicent O. Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and ‡Department of Materials Science
and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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30
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Reinhard S, Wagner E. How to Tackle the Challenge of siRNA Delivery with Sequence-Defined Oligoamino Amides. Macromol Biosci 2016; 17. [PMID: 27328447 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201600152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) as a mechanism of gene regulation provides exciting opportunities for medical applications. Synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) triggers the knockdown of complementary mRNA sequences in a catalytic fashion and has to be delivered into the cytosol of the targeted cells. The design of adequate carrier systems to overcome multiple extracellular and intracellular roadblocks within the delivery process has utmost importance. Cationic polymers form polyplexes through electrostatic interaction with negatively charged nucleic acids and present a promising class of carriers. Issues of polycations regarding toxicity, heterogeneity, and polydispersity can be overcome by solid-phase-assisted synthesis of sequence-defined cationic oligomers. These medium-sized highly versatile nucleic acid carriers display low cytotoxicity and can be modified and tailored in multiple ways to meet specific requirements of nucleic acid binding, polyplex size, shielding, targeting, and intracellular release of the cargo. In this way, sequence-defined cationic oligomers can mimic the dynamic and bioresponsive behavior of viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sören Reinhard
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilians University, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilians University, 81377, Munich, Germany.,Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM), 80799, Munich, Germany
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31
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Cheng Y, Wei H, Tan JKY, Peeler DJ, Maris DO, Sellers DL, Horner PJ, Pun SH. Nano-Sized Sunflower Polycations As Effective Gene Transfer Vehicles. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2016; 12:2750-8. [PMID: 27061622 PMCID: PMC5052141 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201502930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The architecture of polycations plays an important role in both gene transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity. In this work, a new polymer, sunflower poly(2-dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate) (pDMAEMA), is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and employed as nucleic acid carriers compared to linear pDMAEMA homopolymer and comb pDMAEMA. The sunflower pDMAEMAs show higher IC50 , greater buffering capacity, and stronger binding capacity toward plasmid DNA than their linear and comb counterparts. In vitro transfection studies demonstrate that sunflower pDMAEMAs exhibit high transfection efficiency as well as relatively low cytotoxicity in complete growth medium. In vivo gene delivery by intraventricular injection to the brain shows that sunflower polymer delivers plasmid DNA more effectively than comb polymer. This study provides a new insight into the relationship between polymeric architecture and gene delivery capability, and as well as a useful means to design potent vectors for successful gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States (USA)
| | - Hua Wei
- Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - James-Kevin Y. Tan
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States (USA)
| | - David J. Peeler
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States (USA)
| | - Don O. Maris
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195, (USA)
| | - Drew L. Sellers
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States (USA)
| | - Philip J. Horner
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195, (USA)
| | - Suzie H. Pun
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States (USA)
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32
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He H, Zheng N, Song Z, Kim KH, Yao C, Zhang R, Zhang C, Huang Y, Uckun FM, Cheng J, Zhang Y, Yin L. Suppression of Hepatic Inflammation via Systemic siRNA Delivery by Membrane-Disruptive and Endosomolytic Helical Polypeptide Hybrid Nanoparticles. ACS NANO 2016; 10:1859-70. [PMID: 26811880 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b05470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of inflammatory diseases represents one of the biggest clinical challenges. RNA interference (RNAi) against TNF-α provides a promising modality toward anti-inflammation therapy, but its therapeutic potential is greatly hampered by the by the lack of efficient siRNA delivery vehicles in vivo. Herein, we report a hybrid nanoparticulate (HNP) system based on a cationic helical polypeptide PPABLG for the efficient delivery of TNF-α siRNA. The helical structure of PPABLG features pore formation on cellular and endosomal membranes to facilitate the direct translocation as well as endosomal escape of TNF-α siRNA in macrophages, representing a unique superiority to a majority of the existing polycation-based gene vectors that experience severe endosomal entrapment and lysosomal degradation. As such, HNPs containing TNF-α siRNA afforded effective systemic TNF-α knockdown following systemic administration at a low dose of 50 μg of siRNA/kg and thus demonstrated a potent anti-inflammatory effect to rescue animals from LPS/d-GalN-induced hepatic sepsis. This study therefore verifies that the bioactive secondary structure of polypeptides significantly dominates the in vivo siRNA delivery efficiency, and the unique properties of PPABLG HNPs render remarkable potentials for anti-inflammation therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua He
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University , 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Nan Zheng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 1304 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Ziyuan Song
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 1304 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Kyung Hoon Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 1304 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Catherine Yao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 1304 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Rujing Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 1304 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Chenglin Zhang
- The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, The Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yuhui Huang
- The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, The Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Fatih M Uckun
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Systems Immunobiology Laboratory, Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases, Children's Hospital , Los Angeles, California 90027, United States
| | - Jianjun Cheng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 1304 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Yanfeng Zhang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Lichen Yin
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University , 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou 215123, China
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33
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Cui PF, Zhuang WR, Qiao JB, Zhang JL, He YJ, Luo CQ, Jin QR, Xing L, Jiang HL. Histone-inspired biomimetic polymeric gene vehicles with excellent biocompatibility and enhanced transfection efficacy. Polym Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6py01703g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Histone-inspired biomimetic polymeric gene vectors show great biocompatibility and enhanced transfection efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Fei Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Wan-Ru Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Jian-Bin Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Jia-Liang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Yu-Jing He
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Cheng-Qiong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Qing-Ri Jin
- College of Animal Science and Technology
- Zhejiang A&F University
- Lin'an
- China
| | - Lei Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Hu-Lin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
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34
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Redondo JA, Martínez-Campos E, Navarro R, Reinecke H, Elvira C, López-Lacomba JL, Gallardo A. Effect on in vitro cell response of the statistical insertion of N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide on linear pro-dendronic polyamine's gene carriers. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2015; 93:303-10. [PMID: 25937440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2015.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Statistical copolymers of N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) and the dendronic methacrylic monomer 2-(3-(Bis(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)amino)propanamido)ethyl methacrylate (TEDETAMA, derived from N,N,N',N'-tetraethyldiethylenetriamine, TEDETA), were synthesized through radical copolymerization and evaluated in vitro as non-viral gene carriers. Three copolymers with nominal molar percentages of HPMA of 25%, 50% and 75% were prepared and studied comparatively to the positive controls poly-TEDETAMA and hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI, 25kDa). Their ability to complex DNA at different N/P molar ratios, from 1/1 up to 8/1, was determined through agarose gel electrophoresis and Dynamic Light Scattering. The resulting complexes (polyplexes) were characterized and evaluated in vitro as possible non-viral gene carriers for Swiss-3T3 fibroblasts, using luciferase as reporter gene and a calcein cytocompatibility assay. All the copolymers, except the one with highest HPMA proportion (75 molar %) at the lowest N/P ratio, condensed DNA to a particle size between 100 and 300 nm. The copolymers with 25 and 50 molar % of HPMA displayed higher transfection efficiency and cytocompatibility than the positive controls poly-TEDETAMA and PEI. A higher proportion of HPMA (75 molar %) led to copolymers that displayed very low transfection efficiency, despite their full cytocompatibility even at the highest N/P ratio. These results indicate that the statistical combination of TEDETAMA and HPMA and its fine compositional tuning in the copolymers may fulfill the fine balance of transfection efficiency and cytocompatibility in a superior way to the control poly-TEDETAMA and PEI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Alfonso Redondo
- Institute of Polymer Science and Technology, ICTP-CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Enrique Martínez-Campos
- Institute of Biofunctional Studies (IEB), Tissue Engineering Group, (UCM), Associated Unit to the Institute of Polymer Science and Technology (CSIC), Paseo de Juan XXIII 1, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Navarro
- Institute of Polymer Science and Technology, ICTP-CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Helmut Reinecke
- Institute of Polymer Science and Technology, ICTP-CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Elvira
- Institute of Polymer Science and Technology, ICTP-CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis López-Lacomba
- Institute of Biofunctional Studies (IEB), Tissue Engineering Group, (UCM), Associated Unit to the Institute of Polymer Science and Technology (CSIC), Paseo de Juan XXIII 1, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Gallardo
- Institute of Polymer Science and Technology, ICTP-CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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35
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Scomparin A, Polyak D, Krivitsky A, Satchi-Fainaro R. Achieving successful delivery of oligonucleotides--From physico-chemical characterization to in vivo evaluation. Biotechnol Adv 2015; 33:1294-309. [PMID: 25916823 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference is one of the most promising fields in modern medicine to treat several diseases, ranging from cancer to cardiac diseases, passing through viral infections and metabolic pathologies. Since the discovery of the potential therapeutic properties of non-self oligonucleotides, it was clear that it is important to develop delivery systems that are able to increase plasma stability and bestow membrane-crossing abilities to the oligonucleotides in order to reach their cytoplasmic targets. Polymer therapeutics, among other systems, are widely investigated as delivery systems for therapeutic agents, such as oligonucleotides. Physico-chemical characterization of the supramolecular polyplexes obtained upon charge interaction or covalent conjugation between the polymeric carrier and the oligonucleotides is critical. Appropriate characterization is fundamental in order to predict and understand the in vivo silencing efficacy and to avoid undesired side effects and toxicity profile. Shedding light on the physico-chemical and in vitro requirements of a polyplex leads to an efficient in vivo delivery system for RNAi therapeutics. In this review, we will present the most common techniques for characterization of obtained polymer/oligonucleotide polyplexes and an up-to-date state of the art in vivo preclinical and clinical studies. This is the first review to deal with the difficulties in appropriate characterization of small interfering RNA (siRNA) or microRNA (miRNA) polyplexes and conjugates which limit the clinical translation of this promising technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Scomparin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Room 607, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Dina Polyak
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Room 607, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Adva Krivitsky
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Room 607, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ronit Satchi-Fainaro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Room 607, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
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36
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Lächelt U, Wagner E. Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Using Polyplexes: A Journey of 50 Years (and Beyond). Chem Rev 2015; 115:11043-78. [DOI: 10.1021/cr5006793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 418] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Lächelt
- Pharmaceutical
Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilians Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Nanosystems
Initiative
Munich (NIM), 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical
Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilians Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Nanosystems
Initiative
Munich (NIM), 80799 Munich, Germany
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37
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Frazier N, Robinson R, Ray A, Ghandehari H. Effects of Heating Temperature and Duration by Gold Nanorod Mediated Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy on Copolymer Accumulation in Tumor Tissue. Mol Pharm 2015; 12:1605-14. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nick Frazier
- Department
of Bioengineering, ‡Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of
Utah, and §Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Ryan Robinson
- Department
of Bioengineering, ‡Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of
Utah, and §Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Abhijit Ray
- Department
of Bioengineering, ‡Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of
Utah, and §Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Hamidreza Ghandehari
- Department
of Bioengineering, ‡Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of
Utah, and §Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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38
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Foster AA, Greco CT, Green MD, Epps TH, Sullivan MO. Light-mediated activation of siRNA Release in diblock copolymer assemblies for controlled gene silencing. Adv Healthc Mater 2015; 4:760-70. [PMID: 25530259 PMCID: PMC4429132 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201400671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Revised: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Controllable release is particularly important for the delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA), as siRNAs have a high susceptibility to enzymatic degradation if release is premature, yet lack silencing activity if they remain inaccessible within the cytoplasm. To overcome these hurdles, novel and tailorable mPEG-b-poly(5-(3-(amino)propoxy)-2-nitrobenzyl methacrylate) (mPEG-b-P(APNBMA)) diblock copolymers containing light-sensitive o-nitrobenzyl moieties and pendant amines are employed to provide both efficient siRNA binding, via electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, as well as triggered charge reversal and nucleic acid release. In particular, siRNA/mPEG-b-P(APNBMA)23.6 polyplexes show minimal aggregation in physiological salt and serum, and enhanced resistance to polyanion-induced unpackaging compared to polyethylenimine preparations. Cellular delivery of siRNA/mPEG-b-P(APNBMA)23.6 polyplexes reveals greater than 80% cellular transfection, as well as rapid and widespread cytoplasmic distribution. Additionally, UV irradiation indicates ≈70% reduction in targeted gene expression following siRNA/mPEG-b-P(APNBMA)23.6 polyplex treatment, as compared to 0% reduction in polyplex-treated cells without UV irradiation, and only ≈30% reduction for Lipofectamine-treated cells. The results here highlight the potential of these light-sensitive copolymers with a well-defined on/off switch for applications including cellular patterning for guided cell growth and extension, and cellular microarrays for exploring protein and drug interactions that require enhanced spatiotemporal control of gene activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbygail A. Foster
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Chad T. Greco
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Matthew D. Green
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Thomas H. Epps
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Newark, DE 19716, USA
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Redondo J, Velasco D, Pérez-Perrino M, Reinecke H, Gallardo A, Pandit A, Elvira C. Synergistic effect of pendant hydroxypropyl and pyrrolidine moieties randomly distributed along polymethacrylamide backbones on in vitro DNA-transfection. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2015; 90:38-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2014.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Chu DSH, Bocek MJ, Shi J, Ta A, Ngambenjawong C, Rostomily RC, Pun SH. Multivalent display of pendant pro-apoptotic peptides increases cytotoxic activity. J Control Release 2015; 205:155-61. [PMID: 25596326 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Revised: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Several cationic antimicrobial peptides have been investigated as potential anti-cancer drugs due to their demonstrated selective toxicity towards cancer cells relative to normal cells. For example, intracellular delivery of KLA, a pro-apoptotic peptide, results in toxicity against a variety of cancer cell lines; however, the relatively low activity and small size lead to rapid renal excretion when applied in vivo, limiting its therapeutic potential. In this work, apoptotic peptide-polymer hybrid materials were developed to increase apoptotic peptide activity via multivalent display. Multivalent peptide materials were prepared with comb-like structure by RAFT copolymerization of peptide macromonomers with N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA). Polymers displayed a GKRK peptide sequence for targeting p32, a protein often overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells, either fused with or as a comonomer to a KLA macromonomer. In three tested cancer cell lines, apoptotic polymers were significantly more cytotoxic than free peptides as evidenced by an order of magnitude decrease in IC50 values for the polymers compared to free peptide. The uptake efficiency and intracellular trafficking of one polymer construct was determined by radiolabeling and subcellular fractionation. Despite their more potent cytotoxic profile, polymeric KLA constructs have poor cellular uptake efficiency (<1%). A significant fraction (20%) of internalized constructs localize with intact mitochondrial fractions. In an effort to increase cellular uptake, polymer amines were converted to guanidines by reaction with O-methylisourea. Guanidinylated polymers disrupted function of isolated mitochondria more than their lysine-based analogs, but overall toxicity was decreased, likely due to inefficient mitochondrial trafficking. Thus, while multivalent KLA polymers are more potent than KLA peptides, these materials can be substantially improved by designing next generation materials with improved cellular internalization and mitochondrial targeting efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S H Chu
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Michael J Bocek
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Julie Shi
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Anh Ta
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Chayanon Ngambenjawong
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Robert C Rostomily
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Suzie H Pun
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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41
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Rinkenauer AC, Schubert S, Traeger A, Schubert US. The influence of polymer architecture on in vitro pDNA transfection. J Mater Chem B 2015; 3:7477-7493. [DOI: 10.1039/c5tb00782h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In the field of polymer-based gene delivery, the tuning potential of polymers by using different architectures like graft- and star-shaped polymers as well as self-assembled block copolymers is immense. In the last years numerous new polymer designs showed enhanced transfections properties in combination with a good biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C. Rinkenauer
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC)
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena
- 07743 Jena
- Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM)
| | - Stephanie Schubert
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM)
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena
- 07743 Jena
- Germany
- Institute of Pharmacy
| | - Anja Traeger
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC)
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena
- 07743 Jena
- Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM)
| | - Ulrich S. Schubert
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC)
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena
- 07743 Jena
- Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM)
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42
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Cao D, Tian S, Huang H, Chen J, Pan S. Divalent folate modification on PEG: an effective strategy for improving the cellular uptake and targetability of PEGylated polyamidoamine-polyethylenimine copolymer. Mol Pharm 2014; 12:240-52. [PMID: 25514347 DOI: 10.1021/mp500572v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The stability and targeting ability of nanocarrier gene delivery systems are necessary conditions to ensure the good therapeutic effect and low nonspecific toxicity of cancer treatment. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been widely applied for improving stability and as a spacer for linking ligands and nanocarriers to improve targetability. However, the cellular uptake and endosomal escape capacity of nanocarriers has been seriously harmed due to the introduction of PEG. In the present study, we synthesized a new gene delivery vector by coupling divalent folate-PEG (PEG3.4k-FA2) onto polyamidoamine-polyethylenimine (PME) copolymer (PME-(PEG3.4k-FA2)1.72). Both PEG and monovalent folate-PEG (PEG3.4k-FA1) modified PME were prepared as control polymers, which were named as PME-(PEG3.5k)1.69 and PME-(PEG3.4k-FA1)1.66, respectively. PME-(PEG3.4k-FA2)1.72 exhibited strong DNA condensation capacity like parent polymer PME which was not significantly influenced by PEG. PME-(PEG3.4k-FA2)1.72/DNA complexes at N/P = 10 had a diameter ∼143 nm and zeta potential ∼13 mV and showed the lowest cytotoxicity and hemolysis and the highest transfection efficiency among all tested polymers. In folate receptor positive (FR-positive) cells, the cellular uptake and transfection efficiency were increased with the increase in the number of folates coupled on PEG; the order was PME-(PEG3.4k-FA2)1.72 > PME-(PEG3.4k-FA1)1.66 > PME-(PEG3.5k)1.69. Folate competition assays showed that PME-(PEG3.4k-FA2)1.72 complexes had stronger targeting ability than PME-(PEG3.5k)1.69 and PME-(PEG3.4k-FA1)1.66 complexes due to their higher folate density per PEG molecule. Cellular uptake mechanism study showed that the folate density on PEG could change the endocytosis pathway of PME-(PEG3.5k)1.69 from clathrin-mediated endocytosis to caveolae-mediated endocytosis, leading to less lysosomal degradation. Distribution and uptake in 3D multicellular spheroid assays showed that divalent folate could offer PME-(PEG3.4k-FA2)1.72 complexes stronger penetrating ability and higher cellular uptake. With these advantages, PME-(PEG3.4k-FA2)1.72 may be a promising nonviral vector candidate for efficient gene delivery. This study also indicates that divalent folate modification on PEG can serve as an efficient strategy to improve the cellular uptake and targeting ability of PEGylated cationic polymers for gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duanwen Cao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
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43
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Green MD, Foster AA, Greco CT, Roy R, Lehr RM, Epps TH, Sullivan MO. Catch and Release: Photocleavable Cationic Diblock Copolymers as a Potential Platform for Nucleic Acid Delivery. Polym Chem 2014; 5:10.1039/C4PY00638K. [PMID: 25090637 PMCID: PMC4115287 DOI: 10.1039/c4py00638k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Binding interactions between DNA and cationic carriers must be sufficiently strong to prevent nuclease-mediated degradation, yet weak enough to permit transcription. We demonstrate cationic diblock copolymers containing PEG and o-nitrobenzyl moieties that facilitated tailorable DNA complexation and light-activated release. This design unlocks a new approach to advance non-viral gene packaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Green
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. Fax: +1 302 831 1048; Tel: +1 302 831 8072
| | - Abbygail A. Foster
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. Fax: +1 302 831 1048; Tel: +1 302 831 8072
| | - Chad T. Greco
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. Fax: +1 302 831 1048; Tel: +1 302 831 8072
| | - Raghunath Roy
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. Fax: +1 302 831 1048; Tel: +1 302 831 8072
| | - Rachel M. Lehr
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. Fax: +1 302 831 1048; Tel: +1 302 831 8072
| | - Thomas H. Epps
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. Fax: +1 302 831 1048; Tel: +1 302 831 8072
| | - Millicent O. Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. Fax: +1 302 831 1048; Tel: +1 302 831 8072
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44
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Qin X, Xie W, Tian S, Ali MA, Shirke A, Gross RA. Influence of Nε-Protecting Groups on the Protease-Catalyzed Oligomerization of l-Lysine Methyl Ester. ACS Catal 2014. [DOI: 10.1021/cs500268d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xu Qin
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Department of Chemistry and Biology,
Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, 4005B BioTechnology Bldg., 110 Eighth
Street, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Wenchun Xie
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Department of Chemistry and Biology,
Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, 4005B BioTechnology Bldg., 110 Eighth
Street, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Sai Tian
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Department of Chemistry and Biology,
Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, 4005B BioTechnology Bldg., 110 Eighth
Street, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Mohamed Abo Ali
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Department of Chemistry and Biology,
Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, 4005B BioTechnology Bldg., 110 Eighth
Street, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Abhijeet Shirke
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Department of Chemistry and Biology,
Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, 4005B BioTechnology Bldg., 110 Eighth
Street, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Richard A. Gross
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Department of Chemistry and Biology,
Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, 4005B BioTechnology Bldg., 110 Eighth
Street, Troy, New York 12180, United States
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45
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Shi J, Choi JL, Chou B, Johnson RN, Schellinger JG, Pun SH. Effect of polyplex morphology on cellular uptake, intracellular trafficking, and transgene expression. ACS NANO 2013; 7:10612-20. [PMID: 24195594 PMCID: PMC3874816 DOI: 10.1021/nn403069n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticle morphology has been shown to affect cellular uptake, but there are few studies investigating the impact of particle shape on biologic drug delivery. Recently, our group synthesized a series of N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA)-oligolysine brush polymers for nucleic acid delivery that varied in oligolysine peptide length and polymer molecular weight. Interestingly, a 50% longer peptide (K15) transfected very poorly compared to the optimized polymer comprised of K10 peptide despite similar chemical composition and molecular weight. We hypothesized that differences in particle morphology contributed to the differences in plasmid DNA delivery. We found that particles formed with plasmid DNA and a polymer with the longer oligolysine peptide (pHK15) had larger aspect ratios than particles formed with optimized polymer (pHK10). Even though both formulations showed similar percentages of cellular association, particles of a higher aspect ratio were internalized to a lesser extent. Furthermore, the rod-like particles accumulated more in endosomal/lysosomal compartments, leading to delayed nuclear delivery. Other parameters, such as particle surface charge, unpackaging ability, uptake mechanism, intracellular trafficking, and the presence of heparan sulfate proteoglycans did not significantly differ between the two polymer formulations. These results indicate that, for this system, polyplex morphology primarily impacts nucleic acid delivery efficiency through differences in cellular internalization rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Shi
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington , 3720 15th Avenue NE, Box 355061, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
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46
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Wei H, Chu DSH, Zhao J, Pahang JA, Pun SH. Synthesis and evaluation of cyclic cationic polymers for nucleic acid delivery. ACS Macro Lett 2013; 2. [PMID: 24409400 DOI: 10.1021/mz400560y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hua Wei
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Box 355061, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - David S. H. Chu
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Box 355061, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Julia Zhao
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Box 355061, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Joshuel A. Pahang
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Box 355061, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Suzie H. Pun
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Box 355061, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
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47
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Shi J, Schellinger JG, Pun SH. Engineering biodegradable and multifunctional peptide-based polymers for gene delivery. J Biol Eng 2013; 7:25. [PMID: 24156736 PMCID: PMC4015834 DOI: 10.1186/1754-1611-7-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex nature of in vivo gene transfer establishes the need for multifunctional delivery vectors capable of meeting these challenges. An additional consideration for clinical translation of synthetic delivery formulations is reproducibility and scale-up of materials. In this review, we summarize our work over the last five years in developing a modular approach for synthesizing peptide-based polymers. In these materials, bioactive peptides that address various barriers to gene delivery are copolymerized with a hydrophilic backbone of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) using reversible-addition fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. We demonstrate that this synthetic approach results in well-defined, narrowly-disperse polymers with controllable composition and molecular weight. To date, we have investigated the effectiveness of various bioactive peptides for DNA condensation, endosomal escape, cell targeting, and degradability on gene transfer, as well as the impact of multivalency and polymer architecture on peptide bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Shi
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Joan G Schellinger
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Suzie H Pun
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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48
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Jones CH, Chen CK, Ravikrishnan A, Rane S, Pfeifer BA. Overcoming nonviral gene delivery barriers: perspective and future. Mol Pharm 2013; 10:4082-98. [PMID: 24093932 DOI: 10.1021/mp400467x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 277] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A key end goal of gene delivery research is to develop clinically relevant vectors that can be used to combat elusive diseases such as AIDS. Despite promising engineering strategies, efficiency and ultimately gene modulation efficacy of nonviral vectors have been hindered by numerous in vitro and in vivo barriers that have resulted in subviral performance. In this perspective, we concentrate on the gene delivery barriers associated with the two most common classes of nonviral vectors, cationic-based lipids and polymers. We present the existing delivery barriers and summarize current vector-specific strategies to overcome said barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles H Jones
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York , Buffalo, New York, 14260-4200, United States
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49
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Chu DSH, Schellinger JG, Bocek MJ, Johnson RN, Pun SH. Optimization of Tet1 ligand density in HPMA-co-oligolysine copolymers for targeted neuronal gene delivery. Biomaterials 2013; 34:9632-7. [PMID: 24041424 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.08.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Accepted: 08/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Targeted gene delivery vectors can enhance cellular specificity and transfection efficiency. We demonstrated previously that conjugation of Tet1, a peptide that binds to the GT1b ganglioside, to polyethylenimine results in preferential transfection of neural progenitor cells in vivo. In this work, we investigate the effect of Tet1 ligand density on gene delivery to neuron-like, differentiated PC-12 cells. A series of statistical, cationic peptide-based polymers containing various amounts (1-5 mol%) of Tet1 were synthesized via one-pot reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization by copolymerization of Tet1 and oligo-l-lysine macromonomers with N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA). When complexed with plasmid DNA, the resulting panel of Tet1-functionalized polymers formed particles with similar particle size as particles formed with untargeted HPMA-oligolysine copolymers. The highest cellular uptake in neuron-like differentiated PC-12 cells was observed using polymers with intermediate Tet1 peptide incorporation. Compared to untargeted polymers, polymers with optimal incorporation of Tet1 increased gene delivery to neuron-like PC-12 cells by over an order of magnitude but had no effect compared to control polymers in transfecting NIH/3T3 control cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S H Chu
- University of Washington, Department of Bioengineering, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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50
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Yin L, Tang H, Kim KH, Zheng N, Song Z, Gabrielson NP, Lu H, Cheng J. Light-responsive helical polypeptides capable of reducing toxicity and unpacking DNA: toward nonviral gene delivery. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2013; 52:9182-9186. [PMID: 23832670 PMCID: PMC4232450 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201302820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Revised: 05/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lichen Yin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Haoyu Tang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Kyung Hoon Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Nan Zheng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Ziyuan Song
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Nathan P. Gabrielson
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Hua Lu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Jianjun Cheng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
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