1
|
Zarei B, Akrami M, Rezaei N, Mahdavi M, Kamankesh M, Haririan I, Asadi M, Navaei-Nigjeh M. A doxycycline-loaded microfiber of poly-metformin/PCL for eradicating melanoma stem cells. Int J Pharm 2024; 660:124358. [PMID: 38897492 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124358] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Nowadays, electrospun fibrous mats are used as drug delivery systems for loading of potential drugs in order to kill cancer cells. In the study, a skin patch for treating melanoma cancer after surgery was made using polycaprolactone and polymetformin microfibers that were loaded with doxycycline (PolyMet/PCL@DOX), an anti-cancer stem cell agent. The morphology, structure, mechanical characteristics, swelling, and porosity of the electrospun microfibers were examined. Drug release andanticancereffectiveness of PolyMet/PCL@DOXwas evaluated against A375 melanoma cancer stem cells using the MTS, Flow cytometry, colony formation and CD44 expression assays. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) verified the micro fibrous structure with a diameter of about 2.31 µm. The porosity and swelling percentages for microfibers was 73.5 % and 2.9 %, respectively. The tensile strength at the breaking point was equal to 3.84 MPa. The IC50 of PolyMet/PCL@DOX was 7.4 μg/mL. The survival rate of A375 cells after 72 h of PolyMet/PCL@DOX treatment was 43.9 %. The colony formation capacity of A375 cells decreased after PolyMet/PCL@DOX treatment. The level of CD44 expression in the PolyMet/PCL@DOX group decreased compared to the control group. Generally, PolyMet/PCL@DOX microfibers can be a promising candidate as a patch after surgery to eradicate cancer stem cells, effectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Behnoosh Zarei
- School of Pharmacy, International Campus, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Akrami
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Institute of Biomaterials, University of Tehran & Tehran University of Medical Sciences (IBUTUMS), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Niloufar Rezaei
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mahdavi
- Endocrinology & Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Kamankesh
- Department of Polymer Chemistry, School of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Tehran, Iran
| | - Ismaeil Haririan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Institute of Biomaterials, University of Tehran & Tehran University of Medical Sciences (IBUTUMS), Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Asadi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mona Navaei-Nigjeh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Steffens RC, Folda P, Fendler NL, Höhn M, Bücher-Schossau K, Kempter S, Snyder NL, Hartmann L, Wagner E, Berger S. GalNAc- or Mannose-PEG-Functionalized Polyplexes Enable Effective Lectin-Mediated DNA Delivery. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:351-370. [PMID: 38440876 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
A cationic, dendrimer-like oligo(aminoamide) carrier with four-arm topology based on succinoyl tetraethylene pentamine and histidines, cysteines, and N-terminal azido-lysines was screened for plasmid DNA delivery on various cell lines. The incorporated azides allow modification with various shielding agents of different polyethylene glycol (PEG) lengths and/or different ligands by copper-free click reaction, either before or after polyplex formation. Prefunctionalization was found to be advantageous over postfunctionalization in terms of nanoparticle formation, stability, and efficacy. A length of 24 ethylene oxide repetition units and prefunctionalization of ≥50% of azides per carrier promoted optimal polyplex shielding. PEG shielding resulted in drastically reduced DNA transfer, which could be successfully restored by active lectin targeting via novel GalNAc or mannose ligands, enabling enhanced receptor-mediated endocytosis of the carrier system. The involvement of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) in the uptake of GalNAc-functionalized polyplexes was confirmed in the ASGPR-positive hepatocarcinoma cell lines HepG2 and Huh7. Mannose-modified polyplexes showed superior cellular uptake and transfection efficacy compared to unmodified and shielded polyplexes in mannose-receptor-expressing dendritic cell-like DC2.4 cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricarda C Steffens
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Paul Folda
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Nikole L Fendler
- Department of Chemistry, Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina 28035, United States
| | - Miriam Höhn
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Bücher-Schossau
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Susanne Kempter
- Faculty of Physics, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Nicole L Snyder
- Department of Chemistry, Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina 28035, United States
| | - Laura Hartmann
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, University Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 31, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Simone Berger
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Grimme CJ, Hanson MG, Reineke TM. Enhanced ASO-Mediated Gene Silencing with Lipophilic pH-Responsive Micelles. Bioconjug Chem 2023. [PMID: 37384839 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we examine the ASO-mediated gene silencing efficiency of pH-responsive micelles, by incorporating 2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DIP) into the micelle core and comparing physical and biological properties with non-pH-responsive micelles. Additionally, the lipophilic effect of the micelle cores was examined in both types of micelles. Varying lipophilicity was achieved by varying alkyl monomer chain lengths─butyl (4), lauryl (12), and stearyl (18) methacrylate. Each of the micelles formed within our family offered the added benefit of well-defined and uniform templates for loading antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) payloads. Overall, the micelles followed previously established trends of outperforming their linear polymer (nonmicelle) analogs and ASO only control. More specifically, the highest performing micelles were the pH-responsive micelles with longer alkyl chains or higher lipophilicity─D-DIP+LMA and D-DIP+SMA (∼90% silencing). These two micelles demonstrated silencing efficiencies similar to Jet-PEI and Lipofectamine 2000 and caused lower toxicity than Lipofectamine 2000. The shortest alkyl chain pH-responsive micelle, D-DIP+BMA (64%), displayed strong gene silencing similar to that about that of its non-pH-responsive micelle, D-BMA (68%), and the pH-responsive micelle without an alkyl chain incorporated, D-DIP (59%). This work illuminates a minimum alkyl chain length dependence to allow gene silencing within our micelle family. However, including only longer alkyl chains into the micelle core without the pH-responsive unit DIP had a hindering effect, thus demonstrating the requirement of the DIP unit when including longer alkyl chain lengths. This work demonstrates the exemplary gene silencing efficiencies of polymeric micelles and uncovers the relationship between pH responsiveness and performance with lipophilic polymer micelles for enhancing ASO-mediated gene silencing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian J Grimme
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mckenna G Hanson
- 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
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Santo D, Mendonça PV, Serra AC, Coelho JFJ, Faneca H. Targeted downregulation of MYC mediated by a highly efficient lactobionic acid-based glycoplex to enhance chemosensitivity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Int J Pharm 2023; 637:122865. [PMID: 36940837 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122865] [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: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The chemosensitization of tumor cells by gene therapy represents a promising strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. In this regard, HCC-specific and highly efficient gene delivery nanocarriers are urgently needed. For this purpose, novel lactobionic acid-based gene delivery nanosystems were developed to downregulate c-MYC expression and sensitize tumor cells to low concentration of sorafenib (SF). A library of tailor-made cationic glycopolymers, based on poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride) (PAMA) and poly(2-lactobionamidoethyl methacrylate) (PLAMA) were synthesized by a straightforward activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization. The nanocarriers prepared with PAMA114-co-PLAMA20 glycopolymer were the most efficient for gene delivery. These glycoplexes specifically bound to the asialoglycoprotein receptor and were internalized through the clathrin-coated pit endocytic pathway. c-MYC expression was significantly downregulated by MYC short-hairpin RNA (MYC shRNA), resulting in efficient inhibition of tumor cells proliferation and a high levels apoptosis in 2D and 3D HCC-tumor models. Moreover, c-MYC silencing increased the sensitivity of HCC cells to SF (IC50 for MYC shRNA+ SF 1.9 μM compared to 6.9 μM for control shRNA + SF). Overall, the data obtained demonstrated the great potential of PAMA114-co-PLAMA20/MYC shRNA nanosystems combined with low doses of SF for the treatment of HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Santo
- University of Coimbra, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Patrícia V Mendonça
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Chemical Engineering, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Arménio C Serra
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Chemical Engineering, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jorge F J Coelho
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Chemical Engineering, Coimbra, Portugal; IPN, Instituto Pedro Nunes, Associação para a Inovação e Desenvolvimento em Ciência e Tecnologia, Rua Pedro Nunes, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Henrique Faneca
- University of Coimbra, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Coimbra, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Santo D, Cordeiro RA, Mendonça P, Serra A, Coelho JFJ, Faneca H. Glycopolymers Mediate Suicide Gene Therapy in ASGPR-Expressing Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells in Tandem with Docetaxel. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:1274-1286. [PMID: 36780314 PMCID: PMC10015461 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Cationic glycopolymers stand out as gene delivery nanosystems due to their inherent biocompatibility and high binding affinity to the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), a target receptor overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. However, their synthesis procedure remains laborious and complex, with problems of solubilization and the need for protection/deprotection steps. Here, a mini-library of well-defined poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride-co-poly(2-lactobionamidoethyl methacrylate) (PAMA-co-PLAMA) glycopolymers was synthesized by activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET) ATRP to develop an efficient gene delivery nanosystem. The glycoplexes generated had suitable physicochemical properties and showed high ASGPR specificity and high transfection efficiency. Moreover, the HSV-TK/GCV suicide gene therapy strategy, mediated by PAMA144-co-PLAMA19-based nanocarriers, resulted in high antitumor activity in 2D and 3D culture models of HCC, which was significantly enhanced by the combination with small amounts of docetaxel. Overall, our results demonstrated the potential of primary-amine polymethacrylate-containing-glycopolymers as HCC-targeted suicide gene delivery nanosystems and highlight the importance of combined strategies for HCC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Santo
- Center
for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University
of Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal
- Institute
for Interdisciplinary Research, University
of Coimbra, Coimbra 3030-789, Portugal
| | - Rosemeyre A. Cordeiro
- Center
for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University
of Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal
- Institute
for Interdisciplinary Research, University
of Coimbra, Coimbra 3030-789, Portugal
| | - Patrícia
V. Mendonça
- Centre
for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of
Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3030-790, Portugal
| | - Arménio
C. Serra
- Centre
for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of
Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3030-790, Portugal
| | - Jorge F. J. Coelho
- Centre
for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of
Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3030-790, Portugal
- Associação
para a Inovação e Desenvolvimento Em Ciência
e Tecnologia, IPN—Instituto Pedro
Nunes, Rua Pedro Nunes, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Henrique Faneca
- Center
for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University
of Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal
- Institute
for Interdisciplinary Research, University
of Coimbra, Coimbra 3030-789, Portugal
- . Phone: +351-239-820-190. Fax: +351- 239-853-607
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Su DD, Gervais V, Ulrich S, Barboiu M. Complexation Preferences of Dynamic Constitutional Frameworks as Adaptive Gene Vectors. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202203062. [PMID: 36345945 PMCID: PMC10108089 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202203062] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The growing applications of therapeutic nucleic acids requires the concomitant development of vectors that are optimized to complex one type of nucleic acid, forming nanoparticles suitable for further trafficking and delivery. While fine-tuning a vector by molecular engineering to obtain a particular nanoscale organization at the nanoparticle level can be a challenging endeavor, we turned the situation around and instead screened the complexation preferences of dynamic constitutional frameworks toward different types of DNAs. Dynamic constitutional frameworks (DCF) are recently-identified vectors by our group that can be prepared in a versatile manner through dynamic covalent chemistry. Herein, we designed and synthesized 40 new DCFs that vary in hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance, number of cationic headgroups. The results of DNA complexation obtained through gel electrophoresis and fluorescent displacement assays reveal binding preferences of different DCFs toward different DNAs. The formation of compact spherical architectures with an optimal diameter of 100-200 nm suggests that condensation into nanoparticles is more effective for longer PEG chains and PEI groups that induce a better binding performance in the presence of DNA targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Dan Su
- Institut Européen des Membranes, Adaptive Supramolecular Nanosystems Group, University of Montpellier, ENSCM-CNRS, Place E. Bataillon CC047, Montpellier, 34095, France.,Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | - Virginie Gervais
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Sébastien Ulrich
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | - Mihail Barboiu
- Institut Européen des Membranes, Adaptive Supramolecular Nanosystems Group, University of Montpellier, ENSCM-CNRS, Place E. Bataillon CC047, Montpellier, 34095, France
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Grimme CJ, Hanson MG, Corcoran LG, Reineke TM. Polycation Architecture Affects Complexation and Delivery of Short Antisense Oligonucleotides: Micelleplexes Outperform Polyplexes. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:3257-3271. [PMID: 35862267 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we examine the complexation and biological delivery of a short single-stranded antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) payload with four polymer derivatives that form two architectural variants (polyplexes and micelleplexes): a homopolymer poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (D), a diblock polymer poly(ethylene glycol)methylether methacrylate-block-poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (ObD), and two micelle-forming variants, poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (DB) and poly(ethylene glycol)methylether methacrylate-block-poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (ObDB). Both polyplexes and micelleplexes complexed ASOs, and the incorporation of an Ob brush enhances colloidal stability. Micellplexes are templated by the size and shape of the unloaded micelle and that micelle-ASO complexation is not sensitive to formulation/mixing order, allowing ease, versatility, and reproducibility in packaging short oligonucleotides. The DB micelleplexes promoted the largest gene silencing, internalization, and tolerable toxicity while the ObDB micelleplexes displayed enhanced colloidal stability and highly efficient payload trafficking despite having lower cellular uptake. Overall, this work demonstrates that cationic micelles are superior delivery vehicles for ASOs denoting the importance of vehicle architecture in biological performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian J Grimme
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mckenna G Hanson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Louis G Corcoran
- 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
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Affiliation(s)
- Martina H. Stenzel
- Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design, School of Chemistry, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Carbohydrates are the most abundant and one of the most important biomacromolecules in Nature. Except for energy-related compounds, carbohydrates can be roughly divided into two categories: Carbohydrates as matter and carbohydrates as information. As matter, carbohydrates are abundantly present in the extracellular matrix of animals and cell walls of various plants, bacteria, fungi, etc., serving as scaffolds. Some commonly found polysaccharides are featured as biocompatible materials with controllable rigidity and functionality, forming polymeric biomaterials which are widely used in drug delivery, tissue engineering, etc. As information, carbohydrates are usually referred to the glycans from glycoproteins, glycolipids, and proteoglycans, which bind to proteins or other carbohydrates, thereby meditating the cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. These glycans could be simplified as synthetic glycopolymers, glycolipids, and glycoproteins, which could be afforded through polymerization, multistep synthesis, or a semisynthetic strategy. The information role of carbohydrates can be demonstrated not only as targeting reagents but also as immune antigens and adjuvants. The latter are also included in this review as they are always in a macromolecular formulation. In this review, we intend to provide a relatively comprehensive summary of carbohydrate-based macromolecular biomaterials since 2010 while emphasizing the fundamental understanding to guide the rational design of biomaterials. Carbohydrate-based macromolecules on the basis of their resources and chemical structures will be discussed, including naturally occurring polysaccharides, naturally derived synthetic polysaccharides, glycopolymers/glycodendrimers, supramolecular glycopolymers, and synthetic glycolipids/glycoproteins. Multiscale structure-function relationships in several major application areas, including delivery systems, tissue engineering, and immunology, will be detailed. We hope this review will provide valuable information for the development of carbohydrate-based macromolecular biomaterials and build a bridge between the carbohydrates as matter and the carbohydrates as information to promote new biomaterial design in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Su
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.,Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600, The Netherlands
| | - Yingle Feng
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.,Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, P. R. China
| | - Kongchang Wei
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Department of Materials meet Life, Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, St. Gallen 9014, Switzerland
| | - Xuyang Xu
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Rongying Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Guosong Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.,Multiscale Research Institute of Complex Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kumar R, Santa Chalarca CF, Bockman MR, Bruggen CV, Grimme CJ, Dalal RJ, Hanson MG, Hexum JK, Reineke TM. Polymeric Delivery of Therapeutic Nucleic Acids. Chem Rev 2021; 121:11527-11652. [PMID: 33939409 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The advent of genome editing has transformed the therapeutic landscape for several debilitating diseases, and the clinical outlook for gene therapeutics has never been more promising. The therapeutic potential of nucleic acids has been limited by a reliance on engineered viral vectors for delivery. Chemically defined polymers can remediate technological, regulatory, and clinical challenges associated with viral modes of gene delivery. Because of their scalability, versatility, and exquisite tunability, polymers are ideal biomaterial platforms for delivering nucleic acid payloads efficiently while minimizing immune response and cellular toxicity. While polymeric gene delivery has progressed significantly in the past four decades, clinical translation of polymeric vehicles faces several formidable challenges. The aim of our Account is to illustrate diverse concepts in designing polymeric vectors towards meeting therapeutic goals of in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy. Here, we highlight several classes of polymers employed in gene delivery and summarize the recent work on understanding the contributions of chemical and architectural design parameters. We touch upon characterization methods used to visualize and understand events transpiring at the interfaces between polymer, nucleic acids, and the physiological environment. We conclude that interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies motivated by fundamental questions are key to designing high-performing polymeric vehicles for gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | | | - Matthew R Bockman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Craig Van Bruggen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Christian J Grimme
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Rishad J Dalal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mckenna G Hanson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Joseph K Hexum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Theresa M Reineke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bockman MR, Dalal RJ, Kumar R, Reineke TM. Facile synthesis of GalNAc monomers and block polycations for hepatocyte gene delivery. Polym Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1py00250c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Here, we present a facile synthetic route for a monomer displaying N-acetyl-d-galactosamine and subsequent copolymerization in a block format with cationic subunits readily accessing liver-targeted polymeric pDNA delivery vehicles with low toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rishad J. Dalal
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Minnesota
- Minneapolis
- USA
| | - Ramya Kumar
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Minnesota
- Minneapolis
- USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wyers D, Goris T, De Smet Y, Junkers T. Amino acid acrylamide mimics: creation of a consistent monomer library and characterization of their polymerization behaviour. Polym Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1py00735a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A novel consistent approach to mimic the structure of biopolymers via precision polymer synthesis with reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dries Wyers
- Polymer Reaction Design Group, School of Chemistry, Monash University, 19 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Toon Goris
- Polymer Reaction Design Group, School of Chemistry, Monash University, 19 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Yana De Smet
- Polymer Reaction Design Group, School of Chemistry, Monash University, 19 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Tanja Junkers
- Polymer Reaction Design Group, School of Chemistry, Monash University, 19 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Wang S, Wannasarit S, Figueiredo P, Molinaro G, Ding Y, Correia A, Casettari L, Wiwattanapatapee R, Hirvonen J, Liu D, Li W, Santos HA. Intracellular Delivery of Budesonide and Polydopamine Co‐Loaded in Endosomolytic Poly(butyl methacrylate‐
co
‐methacrylic acid) Grafted Acetalated Dextran for Macrophage Phenotype Switch from M1 to M2. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202000058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Wang
- Drug Research Program Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology Faculty of Pharmacy University of Helsinki Helsinki FI‐00014 Finland
| | - Saowanee Wannasarit
- Drug Research Program Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology Faculty of Pharmacy University of Helsinki Helsinki FI‐00014 Finland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Prince of Songkla University Hat Yai 90110 Thailand
| | - Patrícia Figueiredo
- Drug Research Program Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology Faculty of Pharmacy University of Helsinki Helsinki FI‐00014 Finland
| | - Giuseppina Molinaro
- Drug Research Program Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology Faculty of Pharmacy University of Helsinki Helsinki FI‐00014 Finland
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences University of Urbino Carlo Bo Urbino Italy 61029
| | - Yaping Ding
- Drug Research Program Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology Faculty of Pharmacy University of Helsinki Helsinki FI‐00014 Finland
| | - Alexandra Correia
- Drug Research Program Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology Faculty of Pharmacy University of Helsinki Helsinki FI‐00014 Finland
| | - Luca Casettari
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences University of Urbino Carlo Bo Urbino Italy 61029
| | - Ruedeekorn Wiwattanapatapee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Prince of Songkla University Hat Yai 90110 Thailand
| | - Jouni Hirvonen
- Drug Research Program Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology Faculty of Pharmacy University of Helsinki Helsinki FI‐00014 Finland
| | - Dongfei Liu
- Drug Research Program Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology Faculty of Pharmacy University of Helsinki Helsinki FI‐00014 Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) University of Helsinki Helsinki FI‐00014 Finland
| | - Wei Li
- Drug Research Program Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology Faculty of Pharmacy University of Helsinki Helsinki FI‐00014 Finland
| | - Hélder A. Santos
- Drug Research Program Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology Faculty of Pharmacy University of Helsinki Helsinki FI‐00014 Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) University of Helsinki Helsinki FI‐00014 Finland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Richter F, Martin L, Leer K, Moek E, Hausig F, Brendel JC, Traeger A. Tuning of endosomal escape and gene expression by functional groups, molecular weight and transfection medium: a structure-activity relationship study. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:5026-5041. [PMID: 32319993 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb00340a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The use of genetic material by non-viral transfer systems is still in its initial stages, but there are high expectations for the development of targeted therapies. However, nucleic acids cannot enter cells without help, they must be well protected to prevent degradation and overcome a variety of biological barriers, the endosomal barrier being one of the greatest cellular challenges. Herein, the structure-property-relationship was investigated in detail, using well-defined polymers. Polyacrylamides were synthesized via RAFT polymerization resulting in a polymer library of (i) different cationic groups as aminoethyl acrylamide (AEAm), dimethylaminoethyl acrylamide (DMAEAm), dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide (DMAPAm) and guanidinopropyl acrylamide (GPAm); (ii) different degree of polymerization; and investigated (iii) in different cell culture settings. The influence of molar mass and cationic moiety on complex formation with pDNA, cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency of the polymers were investigated. The systematic approach identified a pH-independent guanidinium-containing homopolymer (PGPAm89) as the polymer with the highest transfection efficiency and superior endosomal release under optimal conditions. Since PGPAm89 is not further protonated inside endosomes, common escape theories appear unsuitable. Therefore, the interaction with bis(monoacryloylglycerol)phosphate, a lipid specific for endosomal vesicles, was investigated. Our research suggests that the interactions between amines and lipids may be more relevant than anticipated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Richter
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kang Z, Ding G, Meng Z, Meng Q. The rational design of cell-penetrating peptides for application in delivery systems. Peptides 2019; 121:170149. [PMID: 31491454 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2019.170149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) play a crucial role in the transportation of bioactive molecules. Although CPPs have been used widely in various delivery systems, further applications of CPPs are hampered by several drawbacks, such as high toxicity, low delivery efficiency, proteolytic instability and poor specificity. To design CPPs with great cell-penetrating ability, physicochemical properties and safety, researchers have tried to develop new methods to overcome the defects of CPPs. Briefly, (1) the side chain of arginine containing the guanidinium group is essential for the facilitation of cellular uptake; (2) the hydrophobic counterion complex around the guanidinium-rich backbone can "coat" the highly cationic structure with lipophilic moieties and act as an activator; (3) the conformation-constrained strategy was pursued to shield the peptide, thereby impeding access of the proteolytic enzyme; (4) targeting strategies can increase cell-type specificity of CPPs. In this review, the above four aspects were discussed in detail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziyao Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Guihua Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Zhao Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Qingbin Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Resources and Functional Molecules of the Changbai Mountain, Affiliated Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Tan Z, Jiang Y, Zhang W, Karls L, Lodge TP, Reineke TM. Polycation Architecture and Assembly Direct Successful Gene Delivery: Micelleplexes Outperform Polyplexes via Optimal DNA Packaging. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:15804-15817. [PMID: 31553590 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b06218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cellular delivery of biomacromolecules is vital to medical research and therapeutic development. Cationic polymers are promising and affordable candidate vehicles for these precious payloads. However, the impact of polycation architecture and solution assembly on the biological mechanisms and efficacy of these vehicles has not been clearly defined. In this study, four polymers containing the same cationic poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (D) block but placed in different architectures have been synthesized, characterized, and compared for cargo binding and biological performance. The D homopolymer and its diblock copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (OD) readily encapsulate pDNA to form polyplexes. Two amphiphilic block polymer variants, poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (DB) and poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (ODB), self-assemble into micelles, which template pDNA winding around the cationic corona to form micelleplexes. Micelleplexes were found to have superior delivery efficiency compared to polyplexes and detailed physicochemical and biological characterizations were performed to pinpoint the mechanisms by testing hypotheses related to cellular internalization, intracellular trafficking, and pDNA unpackaging. For the first time, we find that the higher concentration of amines housed in micelleplexes stimulates both cellular internalization and potential endosomal escape, and the physical motif of pDNA winding into micelleplexes, reminiscent of DNA compaction by histones in chromatin, preserves the pDNA secondary structure in its native B form. This likely allows greater payload accessibility for protein expression with micelleplexes compared to polyplexes, which tightly condense pDNA and significantly distort its helicity. This work provides important guidance for the design of successful biomolecular delivery systems via optimizing the physicochemical properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Tan
- Department of Chemistry , University of Minnesota , 207 Pleasant Street SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Yaming Jiang
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science , University of Minnesota , 421 Washington Avenue SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Wenjia Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science , University of Minnesota , 421 Washington Avenue SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Logan Karls
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science , University of Minnesota , 421 Washington Avenue SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Timothy P Lodge
- Department of Chemistry , University of Minnesota , 207 Pleasant Street SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States.,Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science , University of Minnesota , 421 Washington Avenue SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Theresa M Reineke
- Department of Chemistry , University of Minnesota , 207 Pleasant Street SE , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Van Bruggen C, Hexum JK, Tan Z, Dalal RJ, Reineke TM. Nonviral Gene Delivery with Cationic Glycopolymers. Acc Chem Res 2019; 52:1347-1358. [PMID: 30993967 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.8b00665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The field of gene therapy, which aims to treat patients by modulating gene expression, has come to fruition and has landed several landmark FDA approvals. Most gene therapies currently rely on viral vectors to deliver nucleic acid cargo into cells, but there is significant interest in moving toward chemical-based methods, such as polymer-based vectors, due to their low cost, immunocompatibility, and tunability. The full potential of polymer-based delivery systems has yet to be realized, however, because most polymeric transfection reagents are either too inefficient or too toxic for use in the clinic. In this Account, we describe developments in carbohydrate-based cationic polymers, termed glycopolymers, for enhanced nonviral gene delivery. As ubiquitous components of biological systems, carbohydrates are a rich class of compounds that can be harnessed to improve the biocompatibility of non-native polymers, such as linear polyamines used for promoting transfection. Reineke et al. developed a new class of carbohydrate-based polymers called poly(glycoamidoamine)s (PGAAs) by step-growth polymerization of linear monosaccharides with linear ethyleneamines. These glycopolymers were shown to be both efficient and biocompatible transfection reagents. Systematic modifications of the structural components of the PGAA system revealed structure-activity relationships important to its function, including its ability to degrade in situ. Expanding upon the development of step-growth glycopolymers, monosaccharides, such as glucose, were functionalized as vinyl-based monomers for the formation of diblock copolymers via radical addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Upon complexation with plasmid DNA, the glucose-containing block creates a hydrophilic shell that promotes colloidal stability as effectively as PEG functionalization. An N-acetyl-d-galactosamine variant of this diblock polymer yields colloidally stable particles that show increased receptor-mediated uptake by liver hepatocytes in vitro and promotes liver targeting in mice. Finally, the disaccharide trehalose was incorporated into polycationic structures using both step-growth and RAFT techniques. It was shown that these trehalose-based copolymers imparted increased colloidal stability and yielded plasmid and siRNA polyplexes that resist aggregation upon lyophilization and reconstitution in water. The aforementioned series of glycopolymers use carbohydrates to promote effective and safe delivery of nucleic acid cargo into a variety of human cells types by promoting vehicle degradation, tissue-targeting, colloidal stabilization, and stability toward lyophilization to extend shelf life. Work is currently underway to translate the use of glycopolymers for safe and efficient delivery of nucleic acid cargo for gene therapy and gene editing applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Craig Van Bruggen
- 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
| | - Zhe Tan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Rishad J. Dalal
- 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
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Chen Y, Diaz-Dussan D, Peng YY, Narain R. Hydroxyl-Rich PGMA-Based Cationic Glycopolymers for Intracellular siRNA Delivery: Biocompatibility and Effect of Sugar Decoration Degree. Biomacromolecules 2019; 20:2068-2074. [PMID: 30970212 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The ErbB family of proteins, structurally related to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), is found to be overexpressed in many cancers such as gliomas, a lung and cervical carcinomas. Gene therapy allows to modify the expression of genes like ErbB and has been a promising strategy to target oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. In the current work, novel hydroxyl-rich poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA)-based cationic glycopolymers were designed for intracellular small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery to silence the EGFR gene. The cationic polymers with different sugar decoration degrees (0, 9, and 33%) were synthesized by ring-opening reaction of PGMA with ethanolamine and a lactobionic acid-derived aminosaccharide (Lac-NH2). Specific EGFR knockdown of the protein tyrosine kinase ErbB-overexpressing HeLa cells was achieved using these hydroxyl-rich polycation/siRNA complexes. Higher sugar content improved the biocompatibility of the polymers, but it also seems to decrease the EGFR knockdown capability, which should mainly be related to the surface charge of polyplexes. An optimum balance was observed with PGEL-1 (9% sugar content) formulation, achieving ∼52% knockdown efficiency as well as high cell viability. Considering the specific recognition between galactose residues and asialoglycoprotein receptor in hepatocytes, our novel PGMA-based cationic glycopolymers exhibited promising future to serve as a safe and targeting gene delivery vector to hepatoma cell line like HepG2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yangjun Chen
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Eye Hospital , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou 325027 , Zhejiang , China.,Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering , University of Alberta , Edmonton T6G 2G6 , Alberta , Canada
| | - Diana Diaz-Dussan
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering , University of Alberta , Edmonton T6G 2G6 , Alberta , Canada
| | - Yi-Yang Peng
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering , University of Alberta , Edmonton T6G 2G6 , Alberta , Canada
| | - Ravin Narain
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering , University of Alberta , Edmonton T6G 2G6 , Alberta , Canada
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Nie X, Zhang Z, Wang CH, Fan YS, Meng QY, You YZ. Interactions in DNA Condensation: An Important Factor for Improving the Efficacy of Gene Transfection. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 30:284-292. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Nie
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, P. R. China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, P. R. China
| | | | | | | | - Ye-Zi You
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
|
21
|
Parsons KH, Mondal MH, McCormick CL, Flynt AS. Guanidinium-Functionalized Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes Enabling RNAi in Resistant Insect Pests. Biomacromolecules 2018; 19:1111-1117. [PMID: 29446934 PMCID: PMC5894059 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b01717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
RNAi-based technologies are ideal for pest control as they can provide species specificity and spare nontarget organisms. However, in some pests biological barriers prevent use of RNAi, and therefore broad application. In this study we tested the ability of a synthetic cationic polymer, poly-[ N-(3-guanidinopropyl)methacrylamide] (pGPMA), that mimics arginine-rich cell penetrating peptides to trigger RNAi in an insensitive animal- Spodoptera frugiperda. Polymer-dsRNA interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) were found to be efficiently taken up by cells, and to drive highly efficient gene knockdown. These IPECs could also trigger target gene knockdown and moderate larval mortality when fed to S. frugiperda larvae. This effect was sequence specific, which is consistent with the low toxicity we found to be associated with this polymer. A method for oral delivery of dsRNA is critical to development of RNAi-based insecticides. Thus, this technology has the potential to make RNAi-based pest control useful for targeting numerous species and facilitate use of RNAi in pest management practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keith H Parsons
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering , The University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg , Mississippi 39406 , United States
| | - Mosharrof H Mondal
- Department of Biological Sciences , The University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg , Mississippi 39406 , United States
| | - Charles L McCormick
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering , The University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg , Mississippi 39406 , United States.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , The University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg , Mississippi 39406 , United States
| | - Alex S Flynt
- Department of Biological Sciences , The University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg , Mississippi 39406 , United States
| |
Collapse
|