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Diwan R, Bhatt HN, Beaven E, Nurunnabi M. Emerging delivery approaches for targeted pulmonary fibrosis treatment. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 204:115147. [PMID: 38065244 PMCID: PMC10787600 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115147] [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: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/01/2024]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive, and life-threatening interstitial lung disease which causes scarring in the lung parenchyma and thereby affects architecture and functioning of lung. It is an irreversible damage to lung functioning which is related to epithelial cell injury, immense accumulation of immune cells and inflammatory cytokines, and irregular recruitment of extracellular matrix. The inflammatory cytokines trigger the differentiation of fibroblasts into activated fibroblasts, also known as myofibroblasts, which further increase the production and deposition of collagen at the injury sites in the lung. Despite the significant morbidity and mortality associated with PF, there is no available treatment that efficiently and effectively treats the disease by reversing their underlying pathologies. In recent years, many therapeutic regimens, for instance, rho kinase inhibitors, Smad signaling pathway inhibitors, p38, BCL-xL/ BCL-2 and JNK pathway inhibitors, have been found to be potent and effective in treating PF, in preclinical stages. However, due to non-selectivity and non-specificity, the therapeutic molecules also result in toxicity mediated severe side effects. Hence, this review demonstrates recent advances on PF pathology, mechanism and targets related to PF, development of various drug delivery systems based on small molecules, RNAs, oligonucleotides, peptides, antibodies, exosomes, and stem cells for the treatment of PF and the progress of various therapeutic treatments in clinical trials to advance PF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimpy Diwan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79902, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, United States
| | - Himanshu N Bhatt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79902, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, United States
| | - Elfa Beaven
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79902, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, United States
| | - Md Nurunnabi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79902, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, United States; The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, United States.
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2
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Togami K, Kanehira Y, Yumita Y, Ozaki H, Wang R, Tada H, Chono S. Heterogenous Intrapulmonary Distribution of Aerosolized Model Compounds in Mice with Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis. J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv 2023; 36:289-299. [PMID: 37843890 DOI: 10.1089/jamp.2023.0002] [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] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: A distinctive pathological feature of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the aberrant accumulation of extracellular matrix components in the alveoli in abnormal remodeling and reconstruction following scarring of the alveolar structure. The current antifibrotic agents used for IPF therapy frequently result in systemic side effects because these agents are distributed, through the blood, to many different tissues after oral administration. In contrast to oral administration, the intrapulmonary administration of aerosolized drugs is believed to be an efficient method for their direct delivery to the focus sites in the lungs. However, how fibrotic lesions alter the distribution of aerosolized drugs following intrapulmonary administration remains largely unknown. In this study, we evaluate the intrapulmonary distribution characteristics of aerosolized model compounds in mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis through imaging the organs and alveoli. Methods: Aerosolized model compounds were administered to mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis using a Liquid MicroSprayer®. The intrapulmonary distribution characteristics of aerosolized model compounds were evaluated through several imaging techniques, including noninvasive lung imaging using X-ray computed tomography, ex vivo imaging using zoom fluorescence microscopy, frozen tissue section observation, and three-dimensional imaging with tissue-clearing treatment using confocal laser microscopy. Results: In fibrotic lungs, the aerosolized model compounds were heterogeneously distributed. In observations of frozen tissue sections, model compounds were observed only in the fibrotic foci near airless spaces called honeycombs. In three-dimensional imaging of cleared tissue from fibrotic lungs, the area of the model compound in the alveolar space was smaller than in healthy lungs. Conclusion: The intrapulmonary deposition of extracellular matrix associated with pulmonary fibrosis limits the intrapulmonary distribution of aerosolized drugs. The development of delivery systems for antifibrotic agents to improve the distribution characteristics in fibrotic foci is necessary for effective IPF therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Togami
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Japan
- Creation Research Institute of Life Science in KITA-no-DAICHI, Sapporo, Japan
- Division of Pharmaceutics, Hokkaido Pharmaceutical University School of Pharmacy, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yukimune Kanehira
- Division of Pharmaceutics, Hokkaido Pharmaceutical University School of Pharmacy, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuki Yumita
- Division of Pharmaceutics, Hokkaido Pharmaceutical University School of Pharmacy, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ozaki
- Division of Pharmaceutics, Hokkaido Pharmaceutical University School of Pharmacy, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Rui Wang
- Division of Pharmaceutics, Hokkaido Pharmaceutical University School of Pharmacy, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Tada
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Japan
- Division of Pharmaceutics, Hokkaido Pharmaceutical University School of Pharmacy, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sumio Chono
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Japan
- Creation Research Institute of Life Science in KITA-no-DAICHI, Sapporo, Japan
- Division of Pharmaceutics, Hokkaido Pharmaceutical University School of Pharmacy, Sapporo, Japan
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3
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Man HSJ, Moosa VA, Singh A, Wu L, Granton JT, Juvet SC, Hoang CD, de Perrot M. Unlocking the potential of RNA-based therapeutics in the lung: current status and future directions. Front Genet 2023; 14:1281538. [PMID: 38075698 PMCID: PMC10703483 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1281538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Awareness of RNA-based therapies has increased after the widespread adoption of mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. These mRNA vaccines had a significant impact on reducing lung disease and mortality. They highlighted the potential for rapid development of RNA-based therapies and advances in nanoparticle delivery systems. Along with the rapid advancement in RNA biology, including the description of noncoding RNAs as major products of the genome, this success presents an opportunity to highlight the potential of RNA as a therapeutic modality. Here, we review the expanding compendium of RNA-based therapies, their mechanisms of action and examples of application in the lung. The airways provide a convenient conduit for drug delivery to the lungs with decreased systemic exposure. This review will also describe other delivery methods, including local delivery to the pleura and delivery vehicles that can target the lung after systemic administration, each providing access options that are advantageous for a specific application. We present clinical trials of RNA-based therapy in lung disease and potential areas for future directions. This review aims to provide an overview that will bring together researchers and clinicians to advance this burgeoning field.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. S. Jeffrey Man
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Respirology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Vaneeza A. Moosa
- Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anand Singh
- Thoracic Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Licun Wu
- Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - John T. Granton
- Division of Respirology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen C. Juvet
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Respirology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chuong D. Hoang
- Thoracic Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Marc de Perrot
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
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4
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Kim KR, Kim J, Cho S, Ahn DR. Human β-Defensin 23 as a Carrier for In Vitro and In Vivo Delivery of mRNA. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2477. [PMID: 37896237 PMCID: PMC10610245 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The successful application of mRNA therapeutics hinges on the effective intracellular delivery of mRNA both in vitro and in vivo. However, this remains a formidable challenge due to the polyanionic nature, longitudinal shape, and low nuclease resistance of mRNA. In this study, we introduce a novel mRNA delivery platform utilizing a human β-defensin peptide, hBD23. The positive charge of hBD23 allows it to form nanocomplexes with mRNA, facilitating cellular uptake and providing protection against serum nucleases. When optimized for peptide-to-mRNA (N/P) ratios, these hBD23/mRNA complexes demonstrated efficient cellular delivery and subsequent protein expression both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, as hBD23 is human derived, the complexes exhibited minimal cytotoxicity and immunogenicity. Given its high biocompatibility and delivery efficiency, hBD23 represents a promising platform for the in vitro and in vivo delivery of mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Ran Kim
- Chemical and Biological Integrative Research Center, Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; (K.-R.K.); (J.K.)
| | - Junghyun Kim
- Chemical and Biological Integrative Research Center, Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; (K.-R.K.); (J.K.)
| | - Seunghye Cho
- Division of Biomedical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea;
| | - Dae-Ro Ahn
- Chemical and Biological Integrative Research Center, Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; (K.-R.K.); (J.K.)
- Division of Biomedical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea;
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Paul D, Miller MH, Born J, Samaddar S, Ni H, Avila H, Krishnamurthy VR, Thirunavukkarasu K. The Promising Therapeutic Potential of Oligonucleotides for Pulmonary Fibrotic Diseases. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:193-206. [PMID: 36562410 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2160439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fibrotic lung diseases represent a large subset of diseases with an unmet clinical need. Oligonucleotide therapies (ONT) are a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of pulmonary disease as they can inhibit pathways that are otherwise difficult to target. Additionally, targeting the lung specifically with ONT is advantageous because it reduces the possibilities of systemic side effects and tolerability concerns. AREAS COVERED This review presents the chemical basis of designing various ONTs currently known to treat fibrotic lung diseases. Further, the authors have also discussed the delivery vehicle, routes of administration, physiological barriers of the lung, and toxicity concerns with ONTs. EXPERT OPINION ONTs provide a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of fibrotic diseases of the lung, particularly because ONTs directly delivered to the lung show little systemic side effects compared to current therapeutic strategies. Dry powder aerosolized inhalers may be a good strategy for getting ONTs into the lung in humans. However, as of now, no dry powder ONTs have been approved for use in the clinical setting, and this challenge must be overcome for future therapies. Various delivery methods that can aid in direct targeting may also improve the use of ONTs for lung fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Josh Born
- Genetic Medicine, Eli Lilly and Company
| | - Shayak Samaddar
- Bioproduct Drug Development, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, US
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Snitow ME, Chaudhry FN, Zepp JA. Engineering and Modeling the Lung Mesenchyme. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1413:139-154. [PMID: 37195530 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-26625-6_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The structure of the mammalian lung controls the flow of air through the airways and into the distal alveolar region where gas exchange occurs. Specialized cells in the lung mesenchyme produce the extracellular matrix (ECM) and growth factors required for lung structure. Historically, characterizing the mesenchymal cell subtypes was challenging due to their ambiguous morphology, overlapping expression of protein markers, and limited cell-surface molecules needed for isolation. The recent development of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) complemented with genetic mouse models demonstrated that the lung mesenchyme comprises transcriptionally and functionally heterogeneous cell-types. Bioengineering approaches that model tissue structure clarify the function and regulation of mesenchymal cell types. These experimental approaches demonstrate the unique abilities of fibroblasts in mechanosignaling, mechanical force generation, ECM production, and tissue regeneration. This chapter will review the cell biology of the lung mesenchyme and experimental approaches to study their function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda E Snitow
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Fatima N Chaudhry
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jarod A Zepp
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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7
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Kim D, Byun J, Kim SI, Chung HH, Kim YW, Shim G, Oh YK. DNA-cloaked nanoparticles for tumor microenvironment-responsive activation. J Control Release 2022; 350:448-459. [PMID: 36037974 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.08.044] [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: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although progress has been made in developing tumor microenvironment-responsive delivery systems, the list of cargo-releasing stimuli remains limited. In this study, we report DNA nanothread-cloaked nanoparticles for reactive oxygen species (ROS)-rich tumor microenvironment-responsive delivery systems. ROS is well known to strongly induce DNA fragmentation via oxidative stress. As a model anticancer drug, hydrophobic omacetaxine was entrapped in branched cyclam ligand-modified nanoparticles (BNP). DNA nanothreads were prepared by rolling-circle amplification and complexed to BNP, yielding DNA nanothread-cloaked BNP (DBNP). DBNP was unmasked by DNA nanothread-degrading ROS and culture supernatants of LNCaP cells. The size and zeta potential of DBNP were changed by ROS. In ROShigh LNCaP cells, but not in ROSlow fibroblast cells, the uptake of DBNP was higher than that of other nanoparticles. Molecular imaging revealed that DBNP exhibited greater distribution to tumor tissues, compared to other nanoparticles. Ex vivo mass spectrometry-based imaging showed that omacetaxine metabolites were distributed in tumor tissues of mice treated with DBNP. Intravenous administration of DBNP reduced the tumor volume by 80% compared to untreated tumors. Profiling showed that omacetaxine treatment altered the transcriptional profile. These results collectively support the feasibility of using polymerized DNA-masked nanoparticles for selective activation in the ROS-rich tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyoon Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Junho Byun
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Ik Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Hoon Chung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Wan Kim
- Daegu Cancer Center, DongSung Bio-Pharmaceuticals, Daegu 41061, Republic of Korea
| | - Gayong Shim
- School of Systems Biomedical Science and Integrative Institute of Basic Sciences, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yu-Kyoung Oh
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Li R, Jia Y, Kong X, Nie Y, Deng Y, Liu Y. Novel drug delivery systems and disease models for pulmonary fibrosis. J Control Release 2022; 348:95-114. [PMID: 35636615 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.05.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a serious and progressive lung disease which is possibly life-threatening. It causes lung scarring and affects lung functions including epithelial cell injury, massive recruitment of immune cells and abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). There is currently no cure for PF. Treatment for PF is aimed at slowing the course of the disease and relieving symptoms. Pirfenidone (PFD) and nintedanib (NDNB) are currently the only two FDA-approved oral medicines to slow down the progress of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a specific type of PF. Novel drug delivery systems and therapies have been developed to improve the prognosis of the disease, as well as reduce or minimize the toxicities during drug treatment. The drug delivery routes for these therapies are various including oral, intravenous, nasal, inhalant, intratracheal and transdermal; although this is dependent on specific treatment mechanisms. In addition, researchers have also expanded current animal models that could not fully restore the clinicopathology, and developed a series of in vitro models such as organoids to study the pathogenesis and treatment of PF. This review describes recent advances on pathogenesis exploration, classifies and specifies the progress of drug delivery systems by their delivery routes, as well as an overview on the in vitro and in vivo models for PF research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yizhen Jia
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Xiaohan Kong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yichu Nie
- Clinical Research Institute, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Yang Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
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9
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Loo CY, Lee WH. Nanotechnology-based therapeutics for targeting inflammatory lung diseases. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2022; 17:865-879. [PMID: 35315290 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2021-0447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The physiochemical properties of drugs used in treating inflammation-associated lung diseases (i.e., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis) play an important role in determining the effectiveness of formulations. Most commonly used drugs are associated with low solubility, low stability and rapid clearance, thus resulting in low bioavailability and therapeutic index. This review focuses on current trends and development of drugs (i.e., corticosteroids, long-acting β-agonists and biomacromolecules such as DNA, siRNA and mRNA) employed to treat inflammatory lung diseases. In addition, this review includes the current challenges of and future perspective with regard to nanotechnology in the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Yee Loo
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Perak, 30450, Malaysia
| | - Wing-Hin Lee
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Perak, 30450, Malaysia
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10
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Yu Y, Liu X, Zhao Z, Xu Z, Qiao Y, Zhou Y, Qiao H, Zhong J, Dai J, Suo G. The Extracellular Matrix Enriched With Exosomes for the Treatment on Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:747223. [PMID: 34938180 PMCID: PMC8685953 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.747223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a severe respiratory disease caused by lung microenvironment changes. TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway plays a critical role in the fibrotic process. MicroRNA-29 (miR-29) has proved to alleviate the occurrence of PF by downregulating TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway. The miRNA application encounters obstacles due to its low stability in body and no targeting to lesions. Exosomes can be used for therapeutic delivery of miRNA due to their favorable delivery properties. However, low efficiency of separation and production impedes the therapeutic application of exosomes. In this study, we developed a liquid natural extracellular matrix (ECM) enriched with miR-29-loaded exosomes for PF treatment. The collagen-binding domain (CBD)-fused Lamp2b (CBD-Lamp2b) and miR-29 were overexpressed in human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) host cells for the entrapment of miR-29-loaded exosomes in ECM of the cells. The repeated freeze-thaw method was performed to prepare the liquid ECM enriched with exosomes without destroying the exosomal membrane. In summary, this study developed a novel functional ECM biomaterial for therapy of PF, and also provided a promising gene therapy platform for different diseases by treatment with liquid ECM that is, enriched with exosomes loaded with different functional miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhen Yu
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Xingzhi Liu
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhe Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhongjuan Xu
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Yong Qiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuanshuai Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Medical Optics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Hong Qiao
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Junjie Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, National Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianwu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular, Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guangli Suo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
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11
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Biomacromolecule-mediated pulmonary delivery of siRNA and anti-sense oligos: challenges and possible solutions. Expert Rev Mol Med 2021; 23:e22. [PMID: 34906269 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2021.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Biomacromolecules have gained much attention as biomedicine carriers in recent years due to their remarkable biophysical and biochemical properties including sustainability, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, long systemic circulation time and ability to target. Recent developments in a variety of biological functions of biomacromolecules and progress in the study of biological drug carriers suggest that these carriers may have advantages over carriers of synthetic materials in terms of half-life, durability, protection and manufacturing facility. Despite the full pledge advancements in the applications of biomacromolecules, its clinical use is hindered by certain factors that allow the pre-mature release of loaded cargos before reaching the target site. The delivery therapeutics are degraded by systemic nucleases, cleared by reticulo-endothelial system, cleared by pulmonary mucus cilia or engulfed by lysosome during cellular uptake that has led to the failure of clinical therapy. It clearly indicates that there is a wide range of gaps in the results of experimental work and clinical applications of biomacromolecules. This review focuses mainly on the barriers (intracellular/extracellular) and hurdles to the delivery of biomacromolecules with special emphasis on siRNA as well as the delivery of antisense oligos in multiple pulmonary diseases, particularly focusing on lung cancer. Also, the challenges posed to such delivery and possible solutions have been highlighted.
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12
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Wu Q, Jiao B, Gui W, Zhang Q, Wang F, Han L. Long non-coding RNA SNHG1 promotes fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition during the development of pulmonary fibrosis induced by silica particles exposure. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 228:112938. [PMID: 34741930 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Inhaling silica dust in the environment can cause progressive pulmonary fibrosis, then silicosis. Silicosis is the most harmful occupational disease in the world, so the study of the mechanism is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of silicosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important players in the pathological process of fibrotic diseases. However, the function of specific lncRNA in regulating pulmonary fibrosis remains elusive. In this study, a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis via intratracheal instillation of silica particles was established, and the differential expression of lnc-SNHG1 and miR-326 in lung tissues and TGF-β1-treated fibroblasts was detected by the qRT-PCR method. Short interfering RNA (siRNA) and plasmid were designed for knockdown or overexpression of lnc-SNHG1 in fibroblasts. MiRNA simulant was designed for overexpression of miR-326 in vivo and in vitro. Dual-luciferase reporter system, immunofluorescence, western blot, wound healing and transwell assay were performed to investigate the function and the underlying mechanisms of lnc-SNHG1. As a result, we found that lnc-SNHG1 was highly expressed in fibrotic lung tissues of mice and TGF-β1-treated fibroblasts. Moreover, the high expression of lnc-SNHG1 facilitated the migration and invasion of fibroblasts and the secretion of fibrotic molecules, while the low expression of lnc-SNHG1 exerted the opposite effects. Further mechanism studies showed that miR-326 was the potential target of lnc-SNHG1, and there is a negative correlation between the expression levels of lnc-SNHG1 and miR-326. Combined with mitigating fibrotic effects of miR-326 in a mouse model of silica particles exposure, we revealed that lnc-SNHG1 significantly sponged miR-326 and facilitated the expression of SP1, thus accelerating fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and synergistically promoting the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Our study uncovered a key mechanism by which lnc-SNHG1 regulated pulmonary fibrosis through miR-326/SP1 axis, and lnc-SNHG1 is a potential target for the prevention and treatment of silicosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyun Wu
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China; Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China.
| | - Biyang Jiao
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Wenwen Gui
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Qianyi Zhang
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Lei Han
- Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing 210009, China
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13
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Chen D, Liu S, Chen D, Liu J, Wu J, Wang H, Su Y, Kwak G, Zuo X, Rao D, Cui H, Shu C, Suk JS. A Two‐Pronged Pulmonary Gene Delivery Strategy: A Surface‐Modified Fullerene Nanoparticle and a Hypotonic Vehicle. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202101732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daiqin Chen
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Johns Hopkins Baltimore MD USA
- Department of Ophthalmology Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
| | - Shuai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhongguancun North First Street 2 Beijing PR China
| | - Dinghao Chen
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Johns Hopkins Baltimore MD USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Whiting School of Engineering Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
| | - Jinhao Liu
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Johns Hopkins Baltimore MD USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Whiting School of Engineering Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
| | - Jerry Wu
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Johns Hopkins Baltimore MD USA
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Whiting School of Engineering Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
| | - Yun Su
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Johns Hopkins Baltimore MD USA
- Department of Ophthalmology Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
| | - Gijung Kwak
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Johns Hopkins Baltimore MD USA
- Department of Ophthalmology Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
| | - Xinyuan Zuo
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Johns Hopkins Baltimore MD USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Whiting School of Engineering Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
| | - Divya Rao
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Johns Hopkins Baltimore MD USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Whiting School of Engineering Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Whiting School of Engineering Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
| | - Chunying Shu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhongguancun North First Street 2 Beijing PR China
| | - Jung Soo Suk
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Johns Hopkins Baltimore MD USA
- Department of Ophthalmology Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Whiting School of Engineering Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
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14
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Li N, Shi F, Wang X, Yang P, Sun K, Zhang L, Hao X, Li X, Li J, Jin Y. Silica dust exposure induces pulmonary fibrosis through autophagy signaling. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2021; 36:1269-1277. [PMID: 33720480 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Silicosis is a well-acknowledged occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of a large amount of free silica dust during the production period and eventually a considerable negative impact on the patients' quality of life. Autophagy exerts a critical influence on immune and inflammatory responses during the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we sought to determine whether autophagy is involved in silicosis's pathogenesis and how it may affect pulmonary cellular physiology. In the animal experiments, we found persistent activation of autophagy in the development of pulmonary fibrosis, which was also accompanied by tumor necrosis factor and transforming growth factor expression increased. Therefore, the autophagy signaling pathway may regulate the inflammatory response and affect the progression of fibrosis. Further, in vitro experiments, we used LY294002, RAPA, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) intervened autophagy. Our results showed that PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is involved in the autophagy changed mediated by SiO2 exposed, and autophagy might play a protective role in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, NAC's effect is not apparent on SiO2 -mediated autophagy through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, but it can reduce the inflammatory response on NR8383 cells mediated by SiO2-exposed. Nevertheless, it's interesting that NAC can reduce the inflammatory response on NR8383 cells mediated by SiO2 -exposed. Taken together, our data demonstrated that SiO2 -exposed can induce pulmonary fibrosis along with autophagy both in vivo and in vitro, NAC could alleviate the inflammatory response NR8383 cells by SiO2 -exposed through non PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and the specific mechanism of its action needs further studying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Li
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Fan Shi
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Health and Family Planning Enforcement Bureau, Baotou, China
| | - Pan Yang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Kun Sun
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaohui Hao
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Jinlong Li
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Yulan Jin
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, China
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15
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Chen D, Liu S, Chen D, Liu J, Wu J, Wang H, Su Y, Kwak G, Zuo X, Rao D, Cui H, Shu C, Suk JS. A Two-Pronged Pulmonary Gene Delivery Strategy: A Surface-Modified Fullerene Nanoparticle and a Hypotonic Vehicle. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:15225-15229. [PMID: 33855792 PMCID: PMC8238871 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202101732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Inhaled gene therapy poses a unique potential of curing chronic lung diseases, which are currently managed primarily by symptomatic treatments. However, it has been challenging to achieve therapeutically relevant gene transfer efficacy in the lung due to the presence of numerous biological delivery barriers. Here, we introduce a simple approach that overcomes both extracellular and cellular barriers to enhance gene transfer efficacy in the lung in vivo. We endowed tetra(piperazino)fullerene epoxide (TPFE)‐based nanoparticles with non‐adhesive surface polyethylene glycol (PEG) coatings, thereby enabling the nanoparticles to cross the airway mucus gel layer and avoid phagocytic uptake by alveolar macrophages. In parallel, we utilized a hypotonic vehicle to facilitate endocytic uptake of the PEGylated nanoparticles by lung parenchymal cells via the osmotically driven regulatory volume decrease (RVD) mechanism. We demonstrate that this two‐pronged delivery strategy provides safe, wide‐spread and high‐level transgene expression in the lungs of both healthy mice and mice with chronic lung diseases characterized by reinforced delivery barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiqin Chen
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shuai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing, PR China
| | - Dinghao Chen
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jinhao Liu
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jerry Wu
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yun Su
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gijung Kwak
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xinyuan Zuo
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Divya Rao
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chunying Shu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jung Soo Suk
- The Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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16
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Deng Z, Kalin GT, Shi D, Kalinichenko VV. Nanoparticle Delivery Systems with Cell-Specific Targeting for Pulmonary Diseases. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2021; 64:292-307. [PMID: 33095997 PMCID: PMC7909340 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2020-0306tr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory disorders are among the most important medical problems threatening human life. The conventional therapeutics for respiratory disorders are hindered by insufficient drug concentrations at pathological lesions, lack of cell-specific targeting, and various biobarriers in the conducting airways and alveoli. To address these critical issues, various nanoparticle delivery systems have been developed to serve as carriers of specific drugs, DNA expression vectors, and RNAs. The unique properties of nanoparticles, including controlled size and distribution, surface functional groups, high payload capacity, and drug release triggering capabilities, are tailored to specific requirements in drug/gene delivery to overcome major delivery barriers in pulmonary diseases. To avoid off-target effects and improve therapeutic efficacy, nanoparticles with high cell-targeting specificity are essential for successful nanoparticle therapies. Furthermore, low toxicity and high degradability of the nanoparticles are among the most important requirements in the nanoparticle designs. In this review, we provide the most up-to-date research and clinical outcomes in nanoparticle therapies for pulmonary diseases. We also address the current critical issues in key areas of pulmonary cell targeting, biosafety and compatibility, and molecular mechanisms for selective cellular uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zicheng Deng
- The Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, and
| | - Gregory T. Kalin
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, and
| | - Donglu Shi
- The Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - Vladimir V. Kalinichenko
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, and
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
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17
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Brain gene delivery using histidine and arginine-modified dendrimers for ischemic stroke therapy. J Control Release 2020; 330:907-919. [PMID: 33152393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.10.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Polyamidoamine dendrimer has been studied as an efficient gene carrier. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, polyamidoamine is a useful gene carrier, especially for inflammatory diseases. However, the commonly used polyamidoamine generation 6 dendrimer (PG6) has higher cytotoxicity than low-molecular weight polyamidoamines, which limits its applications. Therefore, early-generation polyamidoamine dendrimers, such as generation 2 (PG2), have been investigated as an alternative to PG6, although PG2 has a lower transfection efficiency. In this study, to improve gene delivery efficiency, histidine and arginine were conjugated on the primary amines of PG2, synthesizing PG2HR. The gene delivery efficiency of PG2HR was higher than that of PG2 or of PG2 conjugated with only arginine (PG2R), which may be due to higher cellular uptake and endosomal escape of the plasmid DNA (pDNA)/PG2HR complex. In addition, PG2HR had lower cytotoxicity than polyethylenimine (25 kDa, PEI25k), PG2, and PG2R. Mechanism studies showed that PG2HR delivered pDNA into the cells mainly by clathrin-independent endocytosis and partly by macropinocytosis. The therapeutic potential of PG2HR-mediated gene delivery was evaluated in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-reperfusion stroke animal models. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plasmid was delivered into the brain by local injection. The results showed that PG2HR had higher gene delivery efficiency in the brain than did PEI25k, PG2, or PG2R. Furthermore, compared to the pHO-1/PEI25k, pHO-1/PG2, and pHO-1/PG2R complexes, the pHO-1/PG2HR complex had reduced apoptosis levels and infarct sizes in ischemic brains. Therefore, because of its low cytotoxicity and high gene delivery efficiency, PG2HR may be useful for gene therapy of inflammatory diseases including ischemic stroke.
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