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Casadidio C, Hartman JEM, Mesquita B, Haegebaert R, Remaut K, Neumann M, Hak J, Censi R, Di Martino P, Hennink WE, Vermonden T. Effect of Polyplex Size on Penetration into Tumor Spheroids. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:5515-5531. [PMID: 37811785 PMCID: PMC10630948 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00397] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynecological cancers in the world. In recent years, nucleic acid (NA)-based formulations have been shown to be promising treatments for ovarian cancer, including tumor nodules. However, gene therapy is not that far advanced in clinical reality due to unfavorable physicochemical properties of the NAs, such as high molecular weight, poor cellular uptake, rapid degradation by nucleases, etc. One of the strategies used to overcome these drawbacks is the complexation of anionic NAs via electrostatic interactions with cationic polymers, resulting in the formation of so-called polyplexes. In this work, the role of the size of pDNA and siRNA polyplexes on their penetration into ovarian-cancer-based tumor spheroids was investigated. For this, a methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (mPEG-pDMAEMA) diblock copolymer was synthesized as a polymeric carrier for NA binding and condensation with either plasmid DNA (pDNA) or short interfering RNA (siRNA). When prepared in HEPES buffer (10 mM, pH 7.4) at a nitrogen/phosphate (N/P) charge ratio of 5 and pDNA polyplexes were formed with a size of 162 ± 11 nm, while siRNA-based polyplexes displayed a size of 25 ± 2 nm. The polyplexes had a slightly positive zeta potential of +7-8 mV in the same buffer. SiRNA and pDNA polyplexes were tracked in vitro into tumor spheroids, resembling in vivo avascular ovarian tumor nodules. For this purpose, reproducible spheroids were obtained by coculturing ovarian carcinoma cells with primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts in different ratios (5:2, 1:1, and 2:5). Penetration studies revealed that after 24 h of incubation, siRNA polyplexes were able to penetrate deeper into the homospheroids (composed of only cancer cells) and heterospheroids (cancer cells cocultured with fibroblasts) compared to pDNA polyplexes which were mainly located in the rim. The penetration of the polyplexes was slowed when increasing the fraction of fibroblasts present in the spheroids. Furthermore, in the presence of serum siRNA polyplexes encoding for luciferase showed a high cellular uptake in 2D cells resulting in ∼50% silencing of luciferase expression. Taken together, these findings show that self-assembled small siRNA polyplexes have good potential as a platform to test ovarian tumor nodulus penetration..
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Casadidio
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS),
Utrecht University 99, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
- School
of Pharmacy, Drug Delivery Division, University
of Camerino, CHiP Research Center, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Macerata, Italy
| | - Jet E. M. Hartman
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS),
Utrecht University 99, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bárbara
S. Mesquita
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS),
Utrecht University 99, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ragna Haegebaert
- Laboratory
of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrien Remaut
- Laboratory
of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Myriam Neumann
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS),
Utrecht University 99, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jaimie Hak
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS),
Utrecht University 99, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roberta Censi
- School
of Pharmacy, Drug Delivery Division, University
of Camerino, CHiP Research Center, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Macerata, Italy
- Recusol
Srl, Via del Bastione
16, 62032 Camerino, Macerata, Italy
| | - Piera Di Martino
- Department
of Pharmacy, “G. D’Annunzio”
University of Chieti and Pescara, Via dei Vestini 1, 66100 Chieti, Chieti, Italy
- Recusol
Srl, Via del Bastione
16, 62032 Camerino, Macerata, Italy
| | - Wim E. Hennink
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS),
Utrecht University 99, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tina Vermonden
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS),
Utrecht University 99, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Annala A, Ilochonwu BC, Wilbie D, Sadeghi A, Hennink WE, Vermonden T. Self-Healing Thermosensitive Hydrogel for Sustained Release of Dexamethasone for Ocular Therapy. ACS POLYMERS AU 2022; 3:118-131. [PMID: 36785837 PMCID: PMC9912331 DOI: 10.1021/acspolymersau.2c00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop an injectable hydrogel delivery system for sustained ocular delivery of dexamethasone. To this end, a self-healing hydrogel consisting of a thermosensitive ABA triblock copolymer was designed. The drug was covalently linked to the polymer by copolymerization of methacrylated dexamethasone with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and N-acryloxysuccinimide (NAS) through reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) functionalized at both ends with a chain transfer agent (CTA). Hydrogel formation was achieved by mixing aqueous solutions of the formed thermosensitive polymer (with a cloud point of 23 °C) with cystamine at 37 °C, to result in covalent cross-linking due to the reaction of the N-hydroxysuccimide (NHS) functionality of the polymer and the primary amines of cystamine. Rheological analysis showed both thermogelation and covalent cross-linking at 37 °C, as well as the self-healing properties of the formed network, which was attributed to the presence of disulfide bonds in the cystamine cross-links, making the system injectable. The release of dexamethasone from the hydrogel occurred through ester hydrolysis following first-order kinetics in an aqueous medium at pH 7.4 over 430 days at 37 °C. Based on simulations, administration of 100 mg of hydrogel would be sufficient for maintaining therapeutic levels of dexamethasone in the vitreous for at least 500 days. Importantly, dexamethasone was released from the hydrogel in its native form as determined by LC-MS analysis. Cytocompatibility studies showed that at clinically relevant concentrations, both the polymer and the cross-linker were well tolerated by adult retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells. Moreover, the hydrogel did not show any toxicity to ARPE-19 cells. The injectability of the hydrogel, together with the long-lasting release of dexamethasone and good cytocompatibility with a retinal cell line, makes this delivery system an attractive candidate for treatment of ocular inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada Annala
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty
of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Blessing C. Ilochonwu
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty
of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Danny Wilbie
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty
of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Amir Sadeghi
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70210, Finland
| | - Wim E. Hennink
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty
of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Tina Vermonden
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty
of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CG, The Netherlands,
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Progress of cationic gene delivery reagents for non-viral vector. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:525-538. [PMID: 33394152 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-11028-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Gene delivery systems play a vital role in gene therapy and recombinant protein production. The advantages of using gene delivery reagents for non-viral vector include the capacity to accommodate a large packaging load and their low or absent immunogenicity. Furthermore, they are easy to produce at a large scale and preserve. Gene delivery reagents for non-viral vector are commonly used for transfecting a variety of cells and tissues. It is mainly composed of liposomes and non-liposome cationic polymers. According to the different head structures used, the non-viral cationic transfection reagents include a quaternary ammonium salt, amine, amino acid or polypeptide, guanidine salt, and a heterocyclic ring. This article summarizes these approaches and developments of types and components of transfection reagents and optimization of gene delivery. The optimization of mammalian cell transient recombinant protein expression system and cationic reagents for clinical or clinical trials are also discussed.
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Sahoo S, Bera S, Dhara D. Histidine-Based Reduction-Sensitive Star-Polymer Inclusion Complex as a Potential DNA Carrier: Biophysical Studies Using Time-Resolved Fluorescence as an Important Tool. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:11262-11273. [PMID: 32865419 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
An ideal DNA carrier is one that is capable of effectively condensing DNA into complexes of optimum size and shape, preventing premature decomplexation in the bloodstream and efficiently releasing the DNA into affected cells. In this context, we have developed a novel β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-based four-arm star-shaped polymer inclusion complex (IC) with arms made of a poly(l-histidine)-based cationic polymer. The polymer was well characterized by gel permeation chromatography, NMR, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We have also investigated its DNA complexation and release properties. Bisadamantane containing a disulfide bond was synthesized that linked two such poly(l-histidine)-containing β-CD units via guest-host interactions to prepare the presented IC. Besides using the conventional steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, the ability of this IC to condense DNA to form polyplexes and their release behavior have been established by using the time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy technique. Thiazole orange (TO) was used for the first time as a DNA-intercalating dye in the time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic study. The superior DNA-condensing ability of the IC as compared to that of the precursor two-arm β-CD and linear poly(l-histidine) of a comparable molecular weight, as confirmed by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, atomic force microscopy, and gel electrophoresis studies, could be attributed to a higher charge density. The IC-DNA polyplexes were found to be stable in a medium similar to an extracellular fluid but could efficiently release DNA in the presence of 10 mM glutathione, a concentration prevalent in the intracellular fluid of cancer cells. Hence, here, we have successfully demonstrated the synthesis of a novel biocompatible star-shaped IC with the potential to carry and release DNA in cancer cells and also established the feasibility of using the time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic technique to study the complexation behavior of the polycation and DNA using TO as a DNA-intercalating dye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satyagopal Sahoo
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Sharmita Bera
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Dibakar Dhara
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
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