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Wang X, Zhang H, Chen X, Wu C, Ding K, Sun G, Luo Y, Xiang D. Overcoming tumor microenvironment obstacles: Current approaches for boosting nanodrug delivery. Acta Biomater 2023; 166:42-68. [PMID: 37257574 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.05.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In order to achieve targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, efficacy improvement, and side effect reduction, various types of nanoparticles are employed. However, their therapeutic effects are not ideal. This phenomenon is caused by tumor microenvironment abnormalities such as abnormal blood vessels, elevated interstitial fluid pressure, and dense extracellular matrix that affect nanoparticle penetration into the tumor's interstitium. Furthermore, nanoparticle properties including size, charge, and shape affect nanoparticle transport into tumors. This review comprehensively goes over the factors hindering nanoparticle penetration into tumors and describes methods for improving nanoparticle distribution by remodeling the tumor microenvironment and optimizing nanoparticle physicochemical properties. Finally, a critical analysis of future development of nanodrug delivery in oncology is further discussed. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This article reviews the factors that hinder the distribution of nanoparticles in tumors, and describes existing methods and approaches for improving the tumor accumulation from the aspects of remodeling the tumor microenvironment and optimizing the properties of nanoparticles. The description of the existing methods and approaches is followed by highlighting their advantages and disadvantages and put forward possible directions for the future researches. At last, the challenges of improving tumor accumulation in nanomedicines design were also discussed. This review will be of great interest to the broad readers who are committed to delivering nanomedicine for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Wang
- Center of Smart Laboratory and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China; Department of Oncology, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing 402260, China; Department of Oncology, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing 402260, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Center of Smart Laboratory and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250033, China
| | - Xiaohui Chen
- Center of Smart Laboratory and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Chunrong Wu
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing 402260, China; Department of Oncology, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing 402260, China
| | - Ke Ding
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing 402260, China; Department of Oncology, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing 402260, China
| | - Guiyin Sun
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing 402260, China; Department of Oncology, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing 402260, China.
| | - Yang Luo
- Center of Smart Laboratory and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
| | - Debing Xiang
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing 402260, China; Department of Oncology, Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing 402260, China.
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Tuguntaev RG, Hussain A, Fu C, Chen H, Tao Y, Huang Y, Liu L, Liang XJ, Guo W. Bioimaging guided pharmaceutical evaluations of nanomedicines for clinical translations. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:236. [PMID: 35590412 PMCID: PMC9118863 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01451-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanomedicines (NMs) have emerged as an efficient approach for developing novel treatment strategies against a variety of diseases. Over the past few decades, NM formulations have received great attention, and a large number of studies have been performed in this field. Despite this, only about 60 nano-formulations have received industrial acceptance and are currently available for clinical use. Their in vivo pharmaceutical behavior is considered one of the main challenges and hurdles for the effective clinical translation of NMs, because it is difficult to monitor the pharmaceutic fate of NMs in the biological environment using conventional pharmaceutical evaluations. In this context, non-invasive imaging modalities offer attractive solutions, providing the direct monitoring and quantification of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior of labeled NMs in a real-time manner. Imaging evaluations have great potential for revealing the relationship between the physicochemical properties of NMs and their pharmaceutical profiles in living subjects. In this review, we introduced imaging techniques that can be used for in vivo NM evaluations. We also provided an overview of various studies on the influence of key parameters on the in vivo pharmaceutical behavior of NMs that had been visualized in a non-invasive and real-time manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan G Tuguntaev
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, People's Republic of China
| | - Abid Hussain
- Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, School of Life Science, School of Medical Technology (Institute of Engineering Medicine), Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Chenxing Fu
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoting Chen
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Tao
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xing-Jie Liang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190, People's Republic of China.
| | - Weisheng Guo
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Delvaux NA, Mathew B, Rice KG. Fluorescent labeling of plasmid DNA for gene delivery: Implications of dye hydrophobicity on labeling efficiencies and nanoparticle size. Anal Biochem 2022; 644:113895. [PMID: 32783899 PMCID: PMC7870724 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2020.113895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Covalent fluorescent labels are important tools for monitoring the in vitro and in vivo localization of plasmid DNA nanoparticles, but must meet several criteria including high DNA labeling efficiencies and minimal impact on nanoparticle size. We developed a novel fluorescent labeling strategy utilizing an aryl azide photolabel conjugated to a short cationic peptide to label plasmid DNA with Cyanine 5 and sulfo-Cyanine 5. Using a simple camera flash apparatus, photolabel-peptide-dyes can be conjugated to DNA in minutes with preservation of DNA structure and minimal dye photobleaching. The addition of two anionic sulfonates to the Cyanine 5 core greatly improved labeling efficiencies from ~13 to ~53% and mitigated PEGylated polyacridine peptide-DNA nanoparticle size increases over a range of labeling densities. Comparison of our sulfo-Cyanine 5 peptide label to the Mirus Bio Label IT-Cy5 kit revealed that while both did not affect nanoparticle sizes appreciably, labeling efficiencies with our conjugate were higher, possibly due to the higher positive charge density on the peptide linker. The results from this work provide important considerations for choosing fluorophore tags to track DNA nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan A Delvaux
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, 52242, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Basil Mathew
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, 52242, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Kevin G Rice
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, 52242, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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Delvaux NA, Rice KG. The Reduced-Charge Melittin Analogue MelP5 Improves the Transfection of Non-Viral DNA Nanoparticles. J Pept Sci 2022; 28:e3404. [PMID: 35001445 PMCID: PMC10069327 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Melittin is a 26 amino acid amphiphilic alpha-helical peptide derived from honeybee venom. Prior studies have incorporated melittin into non-viral delivery systems to effect endosomal escape of DNA nanoparticles and improve transfection efficiency. Recent advances have led to the development of two newer melittin analogues, MelP5 and Macrolittin 70, with improved pore formation in lipid bilayers while possessing fewer positive charges relative to natural melittin. Consequently, MelP5 and Macrolittin 70 were conjugated through a disulfide bond to a DNA binding polyacridine peptide. The resulting peptide conjugates were used to prepare DNA nanoparticles to compare their relative endosomolytic potency by transfection of HepG2 cells. Melittin and MelP5 conjugates were equally potent at mediating in vitro gene transfer, whereas PEGylation of DNA nanoparticles revealed improved transfection with MelP5 relative to melittin. The results demonstrate the ability to substitute a potent, reduced charge analogue of melittin to improve overall DNA nanoparticle biocompatibility needed for in vivo testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan A Delvaux
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Kevin G Rice
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
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Huang X, Wu G, Liu C, Hua X, Tang Z, Xiao Y, Chen W, Zhou J, Kong N, Huang P, Shi J, Tao W. Intercalation-Driven Formation of siRNA Nanogels for Cancer Therapy. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:9706-9714. [PMID: 34723546 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c03539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful approach in the treatment of various diseases including cancers. The clinical translation of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based therapy requires safe and efficient delivery vehicles. Here, we report a siRNA nanogels (NG)-based delivery vehicle, which is driven directly by the intercalation between nucleic acid bis-intercalator and siRNA molecules. The intercalation-based siRNA NG exhibits good physiological stability and can enter cells efficiently via different endocytosis pathways. Furthermore, the siRNA NG can not only silence the target genes in vitro but also significantly inhibit the tumor growth in vivo. Therefore, this study provides an intercalation-based strategy for the development of a siRNA delivery platform for cancer therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the intercalation-driven siRNA NG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangang Huang
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, International Cancer Center, Laboratory of Evolutionary Theranostics (LET), School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of the Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060 China
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Gongwei Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Chuang Liu
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Xianwu Hua
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Zhongmin Tang
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Yufen Xiao
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Jun Zhou
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Na Kong
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Peng Huang
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, International Cancer Center, Laboratory of Evolutionary Theranostics (LET), School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jinjun Shi
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Wei Tao
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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Ogawa K, Katsumi H, Takata K, Nomura D, Moroto Y, Kitamura H, Takaki C, Morishita M, Yamamoto A. Orthogonal characterization and pharmacokinetic studies of polylactide-polyethyleneglycol polymeric nanoparticles with different physicochemical properties. Int J Pharm 2021; 608:121120. [PMID: 34560212 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.121120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
To optimize prolonged and sustained delivery of polylactide-block-polyethyleneglycol polymeric nanoparticles (PLA-PEG NPs), in terms of the PLA isomer and molecular weight, we performed orthogonal physicochemical characterization and evaluated the pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen (TAM)-loaded PLA-PEG NPs. DL-lactide- (DL-PEG NP), L-lactide- (L-PEG NPs), and stereocomplex-based (SC-PEG NPs) PLA-PEGs, with two different PLA to PEG ratios (12k-5k and 5k-5k Da) were synthesized, and NPs were prepared by anti-solvent precipitation. Size exclusion chromatography, multi-angle light scattering, dynamic light scattering, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance studies revealed that SC-PEG NPs (12k-5k) had a compact structure and the highest PEG density, followed by L-PEG NPs (12k-5k), DL-PEG NPs (12k-5k), and all PLA-PEG NPs (5k-5k). Additionally, solid-phase extraction indicated that SC-PEG NPs (12k-5k) had the highest drug loading content and the lowest surface TAM adsorption, of the PLA-PEGs evaluated. These results were explained by the crystallinity of the PLA core, which was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. In the pharmacokinetic studies, 14C-TAM-loaded 111In-SC-PEG NPs (12k-5k) exhibited the highest area under the plasma concentration-time curve, followed by L-PEG NPs (12k-5k) and DL-PEG NPs (12k-5k), after intravenous injection in mice. These results indicate that SC-PEG NPs (12k-5k) are promising drug carriers for the sustained and prolonged delivery of TAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Ogawa
- Formulation R&D Laboratory, CMC R&D Division, Shionogi Co. Ltd., Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo 660-0813, Japan; Department of Biopharmaceutics, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Hidemasa Katsumi
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan.
| | - Kazuyuki Takata
- Formulation R&D Laboratory, CMC R&D Division, Shionogi Co. Ltd., Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo 660-0813, Japan
| | - Daiki Nomura
- Formulation R&D Laboratory, CMC R&D Division, Shionogi Co. Ltd., Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo 660-0813, Japan
| | - Yasushi Moroto
- Formulation R&D Laboratory, CMC R&D Division, Shionogi Co. Ltd., Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo 660-0813, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Kitamura
- Formulation R&D Laboratory, CMC R&D Division, Shionogi Co. Ltd., Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo 660-0813, Japan
| | - Chise Takaki
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Masaki Morishita
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Akira Yamamoto
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
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7
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Ramanathan R, Delvaux NA, Rice KG. Gene transfection of primary mouse hepatocytes in 384-well plates. Anal Biochem 2020; 644:113911. [PMID: 32910973 PMCID: PMC7936984 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2020.113911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We report the development of an improved in vitro transfection assay to test the efficiency of non-viral vector DNA nanoparticle transfection of primary hepatocytes. The protocol describes the isolation of viable hepatocytes from a mouse by collagenous perfusion. Primary mouse hepatocytes are plated in 384-well plates and cultured for 24 h prior to transfection with polyethylenimine (PEI) or peptide DNA nanoparticles. Luciferase expression is measured after 24 h following the addition of ONE-Glo substrate. The gene transfer assay for primary hepatocytes was optimized for cell plating number, DNA dose, and PEI to DNA ratio. The assay was applied to compare the expression mediated by mRNA relative to two plasmids possessing different promoters. The reported assay provides reliable in vitro expression results that allow direct comparison of the efficiency of different non-viral gene delivery vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghu Ramanathan
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Nathan A Delvaux
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Kevin G Rice
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
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8
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Zhu M, Hao N, Zaheer M, Yang J, Li L. Preparation of Functional Long-Subchain Hyperbranched Polystyrenes via Post-polymerization Modification: Study on the Critical Role of Chemical Stability of Branching Linkage. ChemistryOpen 2020; 9:967-974. [PMID: 33005561 PMCID: PMC7512117 DOI: 10.1002/open.202000143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-polymerization modification (PPM) is one of the most powerful strategy for preparing polymers with functional groups that cannot be synthesized by direct polymerization. So far, numerous experimental efforts have been devoted to the stability issue of monomer structures during the PPM process, but little attention was paid to chemical linkages. However, for hyperbranched polymers, a minor change of linkage unit could lead to a significant influence on the overall stability and performance of polymer materials. In this work, we investigated the chemical stability of long-subchain hyperbranched polystyrenes with ester, aryl ether, and carbon-carbon bonds as branching linkages under a few most popular PPM conditions, including NaOH hydrolysis reaction, TFA-promoted hydrolysis reaction, BBr3-catalyzed methoxy-hydroxyl conversion reaction, and LiAlH4 carbonyl reduction reaction. Related results are summarized into a synthetic route map that can provide practical and intuitive guidance for preparing functional long-subchain hyperbranched polystyrenes and other type of polymers by PPM for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo Zhu
- Department of Chemical PhysicsUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Nairong Hao
- Department of Chemical PhysicsUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Muhammad Zaheer
- Department of Chemical PhysicsUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Jinxian Yang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental EngineeringShenzhen UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Lianwei Li
- College of Chemistry and Environmental EngineeringShenzhen UniversityShenzhenChina
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9
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Ingle NP, Hexum JK, Reineke TM. Polyplexes Are Endocytosed by and Trafficked within Filopodia. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:1379-1392. [PMID: 32118406 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The improvement of nonviral gene therapies relies to a large extent on understanding many fundamental physical and biological properties of these systems. This includes interactions of synthetic delivery systems with the cell and mechanisms of trafficking delivery vehicles, which remain poorly understood on both the extra- and intracellular levels. In this study, the mechanisms of cellular internalization and trafficking of polymer-based nanoparticle complexes consisting of polycations and nucleic acids, termed polyplexes, have been observed in detail at the cellular level. For the first time evidence has been obtained that filopodia, actin projections that radiate out from the surface of cells, serve as a route for the direct endocytosis of polyplexes. Confocal microscopy images demonstrated that filopodia on HeLa cells detect external polyplexes and extend into the extracellular milieu to internalize these particles. Polyplexes are observed to be internalized into membrane-bound vesicles (i.e., clathrin-coated pits and caveolae) directly within filopodial projections and are subsequently transported along actin to the main cell body for potential delivery of the nucleic acids to the nucleus. The kinetics and speed of polyplex trafficking have also been measured. The polyplex-loaded vesicles were also discovered to traffic between two cells within filopodial bridges. These findings provide novel insight into the early events of cellular contact with polyplexes through filopodial-based interactions in addition to endocytic vesicle trafficking-an important fundamental discovery to enable advancement of nonviral gene editing, nucleic acid therapies, and biomedical materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilesh P Ingle
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Joseph K Hexum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Theresa M Reineke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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10
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Heat-shrinking DNA nanoparticles for in vivo gene delivery. Gene Ther 2020; 27:196-208. [PMID: 31900424 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-019-0117-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The particle size of a PEG-peptide DNA nanoparticle is a key determinant of biodistribution following i.v. dosing. DNA nanoparticles of <100 nm in diameter are sufficiently small to cross through fenestrated endothelial cells to target hepatocytes in the liver. In addition, DNA nanoparticles must be close to charge-neutral to avoid recognition and binding to scavenger receptors found on Kupffer cells and endothelial cells in the liver. In the present study, we demonstrate an approach to heat shrink DNA nanoparticles to reduce their size to <100 nm to target hepatocytes. An optimized protocol heated plasmid DNA at 100 °C for 10 min resulting in partial denaturation. The immediate addition of a polyacridine PEG-peptide followed by cooling to room temperature resulted in heat-shrunken DNA nanoparticles that were ~70 nm in diameter compared with 170 nm when heating was omitted. Heat shrinking resulted in the conversion of supercoiled DNA into open circular to remove strain during compaction. Heat-shrunken DNA nanoparticles were stable to freeze-drying and reconstitution in saline. Hydrodynamic dosing established that 70 nm heat-shrunken DNA nanoparticles efficiently expressed luciferase in mouse liver. Biodistribution studies revealed that 70 nm DNA nanoparticles are rapidly and transiently taken up by liver whereas 170 nm DNA nanoparticles avoid liver uptake due to their larger size. The results provide a new approach to decrease the size of polyacridine PEG-peptide DNA nanoparticles to allow penetration of the fenestrated endothelium of the liver for the purpose of transfecting hepatocytes in vivo.
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11
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Zhao Z, Ukidve A, Krishnan V, Mitragotri S. Effect of physicochemical and surface properties on in vivo fate of drug nanocarriers. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 143:3-21. [PMID: 30639257 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the years, a plethora of materials - natural and synthetic - have been engineered at a nanoscopic level and explored for drug delivery. Nanocarriers based on such materials could improve the payload's pharmacokinetics and achieve the desired pharmacological response at the target tissue. Despite the development of rationally designed drug nanocarriers, only a handful of such formulations have been successfully translated into the clinic. The physicochemical properties (size, shape, surface chemistry, porosity, elasticity, and many others) of these nanocarriers influence its biological identity, which in presence of biological barriers in vivo, could significantly modulate the therapeutic index of its cargo and alter the desired outcome. Further, complexities associated with developing effective drug nanocarriers have led to conflicting views of its safety, permeation of biological barriers and cellular uptake. Here, in this review, we emphasize the effect of physicochemical properties of nanocarriers on their interactions with the biological milieu. The review will discuss in depth, how modulating the physicochemical properties would influence a drug nanocarrier's behavior in vivo and the mechanisms underlying these effects. The goal of this review is to summarize the design considerations based on these properties and to provide a conceptual template for achieving improved therapeutic efficacy with enhanced patient compliance.
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12
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Uchida S, Kataoka K. Design concepts of polyplex micelles for in vivo therapeutic delivery of plasmid DNA and messenger RNA. J Biomed Mater Res A 2019; 107:978-990. [PMID: 30665262 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.36614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Nonviral delivery of plasmid (p)DNA or messenger (m)RNA is a safe and promising therapeutic option to continuously supply therapeutic proteins into diseased tissues. In most cases of in vivo pDNA and mRNA delivery, these nucleic acids are loaded into carriers based on cationic polymers and/or lipids to prevent nuclease-mediated degradation before reaching target cells. The carriers should also evade host clearance mechanisms, including uptake by scavenger cells and filtration in the spleen. Installation of ligands onto the carriers can facilitate their rapid uptake into target cells. Meanwhile, carrier toxicity should be minimized not only for preventing undesirable adverse responses in patients, but also for preserving the function of transfected cells to exert therapeutic effects. Long-term progressive improvement of platform technologies has helped overcome most of these issues, though some still remain hindering the widespread clinical application of nonviral pDNA and mRNA delivery. This review discusses design concepts of nonviral carriers for in vivo delivery and the issues to be overcome, focusing especially on our own efforts using polyplex micelles. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 978-990, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Uchida
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.,Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-0821, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kataoka
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-0821, Japan.,Policy Alternatives Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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13
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Taguchi K, Lu H, Jiang Y, Hung TT, Stenzel MH. Safety of nanoparticles based on albumin-polymer conjugates as a carrier of nucleotides for pancreatic cancer therapy. J Mater Chem B 2018; 6:6278-6287. [PMID: 32254618 DOI: 10.1039/c8tb01613e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy through systemic administration is expected to offer significant therapeutic potential against intractable cancers, including pancreatic cancer. One of the requirements for in vivo gene therapy is the development of a gene carrier with a high level of safety, transfection ability and tumour accumulation. Bovine serum albumin (BSA)-poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) conjugation (BSA-PDMAEMA conjugation) could result in the development of a promising gene carrier. This conjugate could preserve the BSA structure well and efficiently condense the nucleotide inside, resulting in the formation of BSA-PDMAEMA nanoparticles that have a polyion complex core and surrounding BSA corona with a size of <100 nm. The nanoparticles that were produced based on BSA-PDMAEMA conjugation possessed good characteristics for use as a gene carrier with good biocompatibility, appropriate blood retention and gene protective properties. Furthermore, the in vivo two-dimensional and three-dimensional biodistribution in a xenograft pancreatic cancer (AsPC-1) model in mice clearly showed that BSA-PDMAEMA nanoparticles accumulated at the tumour site via enhanced permeability and the retention effect. Furthermore, BSA-PDMAEMA nanoparticles, which condensed the active anti-cancer oligonucleotide, ISIS5132, inhibited the growth of cancer in AsPC-1-bearing mice compared to mice which were administered with ISIS5132 alone. The structure of the BSA-PDMAEMA nanoparticles, i.e. the polyion complex core with the BSA corona, would comprehensively contribute to these ideal characteristics for use as a gene carrier. In conclusion, BSA-PDMAEMA nanoparticles could exert a therapeutic effect on intractable pancreatic cancer in vivo, indicating their use as a promising gene carrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuaki Taguchi
- Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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14
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Metabolically stabilized double-stranded mRNA polyplexes. Gene Ther 2018; 25:473-484. [PMID: 30154525 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-018-0038-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The metabolic instability of mRNA currently limits its utility for gene therapy. Compared to plasmid DNA, mRNA is significantly more susceptible to digestion by RNase in the circulation following systemic dosing. To increase mRNA metabolic stability, we hybridized a complementary reverse mRNA with forward mRNA to generate double-stranded mRNA (dsmRNA). RNase A digestion of dsmRNA established a 3000-fold improved metabolic stability compared to single-stranded mRNA (ssmRNA). Formulation of a dsmRNA polyplex using a PEG-peptide further improved the stability by 3000-fold. Hydrodynamic dosing and quantitative bioluminescence imaging of luciferase expression in the liver of mice established the potent transfection efficiency of dsmRNA and dsmRNA polyplexes. However, hybridization of the reverse mRNA against the 5' and 3' UTR of forward mRNA resulted in UTR denaturation and a tenfold loss in expression. Repeat dosing of dsmRNA polyplexes produced an equivalent transient expression, suggesting the lack of an immune response in mice. Co-administration of excess uncapped dsmRNA with a dsmRNA polyplex failed to knock down expression, suggesting that dsmRNA is not a Dicer substrate. Maximal circulatory stability was achieved using a fully complementary dsmRNA polyplex. The results established dsmRNA as a novel metabolically stable and transfection-competent form of mRNA.
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15
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Allen RJ, Mathew B, Rice KG. PEG-Peptide Inhibition of Scavenger Receptor Uptake of Nanoparticles by the Liver. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:3881-3891. [PMID: 30052459 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PEGylated polylysine peptides represent a new class of scavenger receptor inhibitors that may find utility at inhibiting DNA nanoparticle uptake by Kupffer cells in the liver. PEG-peptides inhibit scavenger receptors in the liver by a novel mechanism involving in situ formation of albumin nanoparticles. The present study developed a new in vivo assay used to explore the structure-activity-relationships of PEG-peptides to find potent scavenger receptor inhibitors. Radio-iodinated PEG-peptides were dosed i.v. in mice and shown to saturate liver uptake in a dose-dependent fashion. The inhibition potency (IC50) was dependent on both the length of a polylysine repeat and PEG molecular weight. PEG30kda-Cys-Tyr-Lys25 was confirmed to be a high molecular weight (33.5 kDa) scavenger receptor inhibitor with an IC50 of 18 μM. Incorporation of multiple Leu residues improved potency, allowing a decrease in PEG MW and Lys repeat, resulting in PEG5kda-Cys-Tyr-Lys-(Leu-Lys4)3-Leu-Lys that inhibited scavenger receptors with an IC50 = 20 μM. A further decrease in PEG MW to 2 kDa increased potency further, resulting in a low molecular weight (4403 g/mol) PEG-peptide with an IC50 of 3 μM. Optimized low molecular weight PEG-peptides also demonstrated potency when inhibiting the uptake of radio-iodinated DNA nanoparticles by the liver. This study demonstrates an approach to discover low molecular weight PEG-peptides that serve as potent scavenger receptor inhibitors to block nanoparticle uptake by the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rondine J Allen
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy , University of Iowa , Iowa City , Iowa 52242 , United States
| | - Basil Mathew
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy , University of Iowa , Iowa City , Iowa 52242 , United States
| | - Kevin G Rice
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy , University of Iowa , Iowa City , Iowa 52242 , United States
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16
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Wang JL, Du XJ, Yang JX, Shen S, Li HJ, Luo YL, Iqbal S, Xu CF, Ye XD, Cao J, Wang J. The effect of surface poly(ethylene glycol) length on in vivo drug delivery behaviors of polymeric nanoparticles. Biomaterials 2018; 182:104-113. [PMID: 30114562 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Engineering nanoparticles of reasonable surface poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) length is important for designing efficient drug delivery systems. Eliminating the disturbance by other nanoproperties, such as size, PEG density, etc., is crucial for systemically investigating the impact of surface PEG length on the biological behavior of nanoparticles. In the present study, nanoparticles with different surface PEG length but similar other nanoproperties were prepared by using poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PCL) copolymers of different molecular weights and incorporating different contents of PCL3500 homopolymer. The molecular weight of PEG block in PEG-PCL was between 3400 and 8000 Da, the sizes of nanoparticles were around 100 nm, the terminal PEG density was controlled at 0.4 PEG/nm2 (or the frontal PEG density was controlled at 0.16 PEG/nm2). Using these nanoproperties well-designed nanoparticles, we demonstrated PEG length-dependent changes in the biological behaviors of nanoparticles and exhibited nonmonotonic improvements as the PEG molecular weight increased from 3400 to 8000 Da. Moreover, under the experimental conditions, we found nanoparticles with a surface PEG length of 13.8 nm (MW = 5000 Da) significantly decreased the absorption with serum protein and interaction with macrophages, which led to prolonged blood circulation time, enhanced tumor accumulation and improved antitumor efficacy. The present study will help to establish a relatively precise relationship between surface PEG length and the in vivo behavior of nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Long Wang
- Institutes for Life Sciences, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Xiao-Jiao Du
- Institutes for Life Sciences, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Jin-Xian Yang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Song Shen
- Institutes for Life Sciences, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Hong-Jun Li
- Institutes for Life Sciences, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Ying-Li Luo
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, PR China
| | - Shoaib Iqbal
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, PR China
| | - Cong-Fei Xu
- Institutes for Life Sciences, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Xiao-Dong Ye
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Jie Cao
- Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510180, PR China.
| | - Jun Wang
- Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510180, PR China; Institutes for Life Sciences, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
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17
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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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18
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Gensicka-Kowalewska M, Cholewiński G, Dzierzbicka K. Recent developments in the synthesis and biological activity of acridine/acridone analogues. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra01026e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Many people in the world struggle with cancer or bacterial, parasitic, viral, Alzheimer's and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Grzegorz Cholewiński
- Department of Organic Chemistry
- Chemical Faculty
- Gdansk University of Technology
- 80-233 Gdansk
- Poland
| | - Krystyna Dzierzbicka
- Department of Organic Chemistry
- Chemical Faculty
- Gdansk University of Technology
- 80-233 Gdansk
- Poland
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19
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Zhang L, Li Z, Sun F, Xu Y, Du Z. Effect of inserted spacer in hepatic cell-penetrating multifunctional peptide component on the DNA intracellular delivery of quaternary complexes based on modular design. Int J Nanomedicine 2016; 11:6283-6295. [PMID: 27920533 PMCID: PMC5126006 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s115381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A safe and efficient quaternary gene delivery system (named Q-complexes) was constructed based on self-assembly of molecules through noncovalent bonds. This system was formulated through the cooperation and competing interactions of cationic liposomes, multifunctional peptides, and DNA, followed by coating hyaluronic acid on the surface of the ternary complexes. The multifunctional peptide was composed of two functional domains: penetrating hepatic tumor-targeted cell moiety (KRPTMRFRYTWNPMK) and a wrapping gene sequence (polyarginine 16). The effect of spacer insertion between the two domains of multifunctional peptide on the intracellular transfection of Q-complexes was further studied. Experimental results showed that the formulations assembled with various peptides in the spacer elements possessed different intercellular pathways and transfection efficiencies. The Q-complexes containing peptide in the absence of spacer element (Pa) showed the highest gene expression among all samples. The Q-complexes containing peptides with a noncleavable spacer GA (Pc) had no ability of intracellular nucleic acid delivery, whereas those with a cleavable spacer RVRR (Pd) showed moderate transfection activity. These results demonstrated that the different spacers inserted in the multifunctional peptide played an important role in in vitro DNA transfection efficiency. Atomic force microscopy images showed that the morphologies of ternary complexes (LPcD) and Q-complexes (HLcPD) were crystal lamellas, whereas those of other nanocomplexes were spheres. Circular dichroism showed the changed configuration of peptide with spacer GA in nanocomplexes compared with that of its free state, whereas the Pa configuration without spacer in nanocomplexes was consistent with that of its free state. The present study contributed to the structural understanding of Q-complexes, and further effective modification is in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luchen Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai
| | - Zhenbo Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai
| | - Fangli Sun
- School of Engineering, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Lin'an, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhong Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai
| | - Zixiu Du
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai
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20
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Superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles mPEG350- and mPEG2000-coated: cell uptake and biocompatibility evaluation. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2016; 12:909-919. [PMID: 26767515 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2015.12.371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Revised: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONS) were synthesized by thermal decomposition of an organometallic precursor at high temperature and coated with a bi-layer composed of oleic acid and methoxy-polyethylene glycol-phospholipid. The formulations were named SPION-PEG350 and SPION-PEG2000. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements show that the SPIONs are near-spherical, well-crystalline, and have high saturation magnetization and susceptibility. FTIR spectroscopy identifies the presence of oleic acid and of the conjugates mPEG for each sample. In vitro biocompatibility of SPIONS was investigated using three cell lines; up to 100μg/ml SPION-PEG350 showed non-toxicity, while SPION-PEG2000 showed no signal of toxicity even up to 200μg/ml. The uptake of SPIONS was detected using magnetization measurement, confocal and atomic force microscopy. SPION-PEG2000 presented the highest internalization capacity, which should be correlated with the mPEG chain size. The in vivo results suggested that SPION-PEG2000 administration in mice triggered liver and kidney injury. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR The potential use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONS) in the clinical setting have been studied by many researchers. The authors synthesized two types of SPIONS here and investigated the physical properties and biological compatibility. The findings should provide more data on the design of SPIONS for clinical application in the future.
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21
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Tissue-specific Calibration of Real-time PCR Facilitates Absolute Quantification of Plasmid DNA in Biodistribution Studies. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2016; 5:e371. [PMID: 27701400 PMCID: PMC5095683 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2016.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Analysis of the tissue distribution of plasmid DNA after administration of nonviral gene delivery systems is best accomplished using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), although published strategies do not allow determination of the absolute mass of plasmid delivered to different tissues. Generally, data is expressed as the mass of plasmid relative to the mass of genomic DNA (gDNA) in the sample. This strategy is adequate for comparisons of efficiency of delivery to a single site but it does not allow direct comparison of delivery to multiple tissues, as the mass of gDNA extracted per unit mass of each tissue is different. We show here that by constructing qPCR standard curves for each tissue it is possible to determine the dose of intact plasmid remaining in each tissue, which is a more useful parameter when comparing the fates of different formulations of DNA. We exemplify the use of this tissue-specific qPCR method by comparing the delivery of naked DNA, cationic DNA complexes, and neutral PEGylated DNA complexes after intramuscular injection. Generally, larger masses of intact plasmid were present 24 hours after injection of DNA complexes, and neutral complexes resulted in delivery of a larger mass of intact plasmid to the spleen.
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22
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Baumhover NJ, Duskey JT, Khargharia S, White CW, Crowley ST, Allen RJ, Rice KG. Structure-Activity Relationship of PEGylated Polylysine Peptides as Scavenger Receptor Inhibitors for Non-Viral Gene Delivery. Mol Pharm 2015; 12:4321-8. [PMID: 26485572 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PEGylated polylysine peptides of the general structure PEG30 kDa-Cys-Trp-LysN (N = 10 to 30) were used to form fully condensed plasmid DNA (pGL3) polyplexes at a ratio of 1 nmol of peptide per μg of DNA (ranging from N:P 3:1 to 10:1 depending on Lys repeat). Co-administration of 5 to 80 nmols of excess PEG-peptide with fully formed polyplexes inhibited the liver uptake of (125)I-pGL3-polyplexes. The percent inhibition was dependent on the PEG-peptide dose and was saturable, consistent with inhibition of scavenger receptors. The scavenger receptor inhibition potency of PEG-peptides was dependent on the length of the Lys repeat, which increased 10-fold when comparing PEG30 kDa-Cys-Trp-Lys10 (IC50 of 20.2 μM) with PEG30 kDa-Cys-Trp-Lys25 (IC50 of 2.1 μM). We hypothesize that PEG-peptides inhibit scavenger receptors by spontaneously forming small 40 to 60 nm albumin nanoparticles that bind to and saturate the receptor. Scavenger receptor inhibition delayed the metabolism of pGL3-polyplexes, resulting in efficient gene expression in liver hepatocytes following delayed hydrodynamic dosing. PEG-peptides represent a new class of scavenger inhibitors that will likely have broad utility in blocking unwanted liver uptake and metabolism of a variety of nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Baumhover
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Jason T Duskey
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Sanjib Khargharia
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Christopher W White
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Samuel T Crowley
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Rondine J Allen
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Kevin G Rice
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
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23
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Crowley ST, Rice KG. "Evolving nanoparticle gene delivery vectors for the liver: What has been learned in 30 years". J Control Release 2015; 219:457-470. [PMID: 26439664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Nonviral gene delivery to the liver has been under evolution for nearly 30years. Early demonstrations established relatively simple nonviral vectors could mediate gene expression in HepG2 cells which understandably led to speculation that these same vectors would be immediately successful at transfecting primary hepatocytes in vivo. However, it was soon recognized that the properties of a nonviral vector resulting in efficient transfection in vitro were uncorrelated with those needed to achieve efficient nonviral transfection in vivo. The discovery of major barriers to liver gene transfer has set the field on a course to design biocompatible vectors that demonstrate increased DNA stability in the circulation with correlating expression in liver. The improved understanding of what limits nonviral vector gene transfer efficiency in vivo has resulted in more sophisticated, low molecular weight vectors that allow systematic optimization of nanoparticle size, charge and ligand presentation. While the field has evolved DNA nanoparticles that are stable in the circulation, target hepatocytes, and deliver DNA to the cytosol, breaching the nucleus remains the last major barrier to a fully successful nonviral gene transfer system for the liver. The lessons learned along the way are fundamentally important to the design of all systemically delivered nanoparticle nonviral gene delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel T Crowley
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242,USA
| | - Kevin G Rice
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242,USA.
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24
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Efficient expression of stabilized mRNA PEG-peptide polyplexes in liver. Gene Ther 2015; 22:993-9. [PMID: 26125604 PMCID: PMC4670273 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2015.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Revised: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The expression efficiency in liver following hydrodynamic delivery of in vitro transcribed mRNA was improved 2000-fold using a codon-optimized mRNA luciferase construct with flanking 3' and 5' human β-globin untranslated regions (UTR mRNA) over an un-optimized mRNA without β-globin UTRs. Nanoparticle UTR mRNA polyplexes were formed using a novel polyacridine PEG-peptide, resulting in an additional 15-fold increase in expression efficiency in the liver. The combined increase in expression for UTR mRNA PEG-peptide polyplexes was 3500-fold over mRNA lacking UTRs and PEG-peptide. The expression efficiency of UTR mRNA polyplex was 10-fold greater than the expression from an equivalent 1 µg dose of pGL3. Maximal expression was maintained from 4 to 24 hours. Serum incubation established the unique ability of the polyacridine PEG-peptide to protect UTR mRNA polyplexes from RNase metabolism by binding to double stranded regions. UTR mRNA PEG-peptide polyplexes are efficient non-viral vectors that circumvent the need for nuclear uptake, representing an advancement toward the development of a targeted gene delivery system to transfect liver hepatocytes.
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25
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Kos P, Lächelt U, Herrmann A, Mickler FM, Döblinger M, He D, Krhač Levačić A, Morys S, Bräuchle C, Wagner E. Histidine-rich stabilized polyplexes for cMet-directed tumor-targeted gene transfer. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:5350-5362. [PMID: 25721131 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr06556e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor/c-Met proto oncogene on the surface of a variety of tumor cells gives an opportunity to specifically target cancerous tissues. Herein, we report the first use of c-Met as receptor for non-viral tumor-targeted gene delivery. Sequence-defined oligomers comprising the c-Met binding peptide ligand cMBP2 for targeting, a monodisperse polyethylene glycol (PEG) for polyplex surface shielding, and various cationic (oligoethanamino) amide cores containing terminal cysteines for redox-sensitive polyplex stabilization, were assembled by solid-phase supported syntheses. The resulting oligomers exhibited a greatly enhanced cellular uptake and gene transfer over non-targeted control sequences, confirming the efficacy and target-specificity of the formed polyplexes. Implementation of endosomal escape-promoting histidines in the cationic core was required for gene expression without additional endosomolytic agent. The histidine-enriched polyplexes demonstrated stability in serum as well as receptor-specific gene transfer in vivo upon intratumoral injection. The co-formulation with an analogous PEG-free cationic oligomer led to a further compaction of pDNA polyplexes with an obvious change of shape as demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy. Such compaction was critically required for efficient intravenous gene delivery which resulted in greatly enhanced, cMBP2 ligand-dependent gene expression in the distant tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Kos
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
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26
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Miteva M, Kirkbride KC, Kilchrist KV, Werfel TA, Li H, Nelson CE, Gupta MK, Giorgio TD, Duvall CL. Tuning PEGylation of mixed micelles to overcome intracellular and systemic siRNA delivery barriers. Biomaterials 2014; 38:97-107. [PMID: 25453977 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A series of endosomolytic mixed micelles was synthesized from two diblock polymers, poly[ethylene glycol-b-(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-co-propylacrylic acid-co-butyl methacrylate)] (PEG-b-pDPB) and poly[dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-b-(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-co-propylacrylic acid-co-butyl methacrylate)] (pD-b-pDPB), and used to determine the impact of both surface PEG density and PEG molecular weight on overcoming both intracellular and systemic siRNA delivery barriers. As expected, the percent PEG composition and PEG molecular weight in the corona had an inverse relationship with mixed micelle zeta potential and rate of cellular internalization. Although mixed micelles were internalized more slowly, they generally produced similar gene silencing bioactivity (∼ 80% or greater) in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells as the micelles containing no PEG (100 D/no PEG). The mechanistic explanation for the potent bioactivity of the promising 50 mol% PEG-b-DPB/50 mol% pD-b-pDPB (50 D) mixed micelle formulation, despite its relatively low rate of cellular internalization, was further investigated as a function of PEG molecular weight (5 k, 10 k, or 20 k PEG). Results indicated that, although larger molecular weight PEG decreased cellular internalization, it improved cytoplasmic bioavailability due to increased intracellular unpackaging (quantitatively measured via FRET) and endosomal release. When delivered intravenously in vivo, 50 D mixed micelles with a larger molecular weight PEG in the corona also demonstrated significantly improved blood circulation half-life (17.8 min for 20 k PEG micelles vs. 4.6 min for 5 kDa PEG micelles) and a 4-fold decrease in lung accumulation. These studies provide new mechanistic insights into the functional effects of mixed micelle-based approaches to nanocarrier surface PEGylation. Furthermore, the ideal mixed micelle formulation identified (50 D/20 k PEG) demonstrated desirable intracellular and systemic pharmacokinetics and thus has strong potential for in vivo therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Miteva
- Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B 351631, Nashville, TN 37235-1631, USA
| | - Kellye C Kirkbride
- Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B 351631, Nashville, TN 37235-1631, USA
| | - Kameron V Kilchrist
- Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B 351631, Nashville, TN 37235-1631, USA
| | - Thomas A Werfel
- Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B 351631, Nashville, TN 37235-1631, USA
| | - Hongmei Li
- Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B 351631, Nashville, TN 37235-1631, USA
| | - Christopher E Nelson
- Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B 351631, Nashville, TN 37235-1631, USA
| | - Mukesh K Gupta
- Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B 351631, Nashville, TN 37235-1631, USA
| | - Todd D Giorgio
- Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B 351631, Nashville, TN 37235-1631, USA
| | - Craig L Duvall
- Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B 351631, Nashville, TN 37235-1631, USA.
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Duskey JT, Rice KG. Nanoparticle ligand presentation for targeting solid tumors. AAPS PharmSciTech 2014; 15:1345-54. [PMID: 24927668 PMCID: PMC4179653 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-014-0143-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the many scientific advances to come from the study of nanoscience, the development of ligand-targeted nanoparticles to eliminate solid tumors is predicted to have a major impact on human health. There are many reports describing novel designs and testing of targeted nanoparticles to treat cancer. While the principles of the technology are well demonstrated in controlled lab experiments, there are still many hurdles to overcome for the science to mature into truly efficacious targeted nanoparticles that join the arsenal of agents currently used to treat cancer in humans. One of these hurdles is overcoming unwanted biodistribution to the liver while maximizing delivery to the tumor. This almost certainly requires advances in both nanoparticle stealth technology and targeting. Currently, it continues to be a challenge to control the loading of ligands onto polyethylene glycol (PEG) to achieve maximal targeting. Nanoparticle cellular uptake and subcellular targeting of genes and siRNA also remain a challenge. This review examines the types of ligands that have been most often used to target nanoparticles to solid tumors. As the science matures over the coming decade, careful control over ligand presentation on nanoparticles of precise size, shape, and charge will likely play a major role in achieving success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason T. Duskey
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 USA
| | - Kevin G. Rice
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 USA
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Khargharia S, Baumhover NJ, Crowley ST, Duskey J, Rice KG. The uptake mechanism of PEGylated DNA polyplexes by the liver influences gene expression. Gene Ther 2014; 21:1021-8. [DOI: 10.1038/gt.2014.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Revised: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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