1
|
Ye T, Zhong Z, Cappellesso F, Deswarte K, Chen Y, Lauwers H, De Lombaerde E, Gontsarik M, Lienenklaus S, Van Lysebetten D, Sanders NN, Lambrecht BN, De Koker S, Laoui D, De Geest BG. CO-DELIVERY of glutamic acid-extended peptide antigen and imidazoquinoline TLR7/8 agonist via ionizable lipid nanoparticles induces protective anti-tumor immunity. Biomaterials 2024; 311:122693. [PMID: 38996672 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Cancer vaccines aim at generating cytotoxic CD8+ T cells that kill cancer cells and confer durable tumor regression. Hereto, CD8+ peptide epitopes should be presented by antigen presenting cells to CD8+ T cells in lymphoid tissue. Unfortunately, in unformulated soluble form, peptide antigens are poorly taken up by antigen presenting cells and do not efficiently reach lymph nodes. Hence, the lack of efficient delivery remains a major limitation for successful clinical translation of cancer vaccination using peptide antigens. Here we propose a generic peptide nanoformulation strategy by extending the amino acid sequence of the peptide antigen epitope with 10 glutamic acid residues. The resulting overall anionic charge of the peptide allows encapsulation into lipid nanoparticles (peptide-LNP) by electrostatic interaction with an ionizable cationic lipid. We demonstrate that intravenous injection of peptide-LNP efficiently delivers the peptide to immune cells in the spleen. Peptide-LNP that co-encapsulate an imidazoquinoline TLR7/8 agonist (IMDQ) induce robust innate immune activation in a broad range of immune cell subsets in the spleen. Peptide-LNP containing the minimal CD8+ T cell epitope of the HPV type 16 E7 oncoprotein and IMDQ induces high levels of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in the blood, and can confer protective immunity against E7-expressing tumors in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Ye
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Zifu Zhong
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Federica Cappellesso
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Brussel Center for Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Lab of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kim Deswarte
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Heleen Lauwers
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Mark Gontsarik
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefan Lienenklaus
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Niek N Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bart N Lambrecht
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Damya Laoui
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Brussel Center for Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Lab of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium.
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hilburg SL, Sokolova A, Cagnes M, Pozzo LD. Time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering for characterization of molecular exchange in lipid nanoparticle therapeutics. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 677:387-395. [PMID: 39153242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.08.061] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Nano-scale dynamics of self-assembled therapeutics play a large role in their biological function. However, assessment of such dynamics remains absent from conventional pharmaceutical characterization. We hypothesize that time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering (TR-SANS) can reveal their kinetic properties. For lipid nanoparticles (LNP), limited molecular motion is important for avoiding degradation prior to entering cells while, intracellularly, enhanced molecular motion is then vital for effective endosomal escape. We propose TR-SANS for quantifying molecular exchange in LNPs and, therefore, enabling optimization of opposing molecular behaviors of a pharmaceutical in two distinct environments. EXPERIMENTS We use TR-SANS in combination with traditional SANS and small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) to experimentally quantify nano-scale dynamics and provided unprecedented insight to molecular behavior of LNPs. FINDINGS LNPs have molecular exchange dynamics relevant to storage and delivery which can be captured using TR-SANS. Cholesterol exchanges on the time-scale of hours even at neutral pH. As pH drops below the effective pKa of the ionizable lipid, molecular exchange occurs faster. The results give insight into behavior enabling delivery and provide a quantifiable metric by which to compare formulations. Successful analysis of this multi-component system also expands the opportunities for using TR-SANS to characterize complex therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shayna L Hilburg
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
| | - Anna Sokolova
- Australia Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia
| | - Marina Cagnes
- Australia Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia
| | - Lilo D Pozzo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Narasipura EA, Fenton OS. Advances in non-viral mRNA delivery to the spleen. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:3027-3044. [PMID: 38712531 PMCID: PMC11175841 DOI: 10.1039/d4bm00038b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Developing safe and effective delivery strategies for localizing messenger RNA (mRNA) payloads to the spleen is an important goal in the field of genetic medicine. Accomplishing this goal is challenging due to the instability, size, and charge of mRNA payloads. Here, we provide an analysis of non-viral delivery technologies that have been developed to deliver mRNA payloads to the spleen. Specifically, our review begins by outlining the unique anatomy and potential targets for mRNA delivery within the spleen. Next, we describe approaches in mRNA sequence engineering that can be used to improve mRNA delivery to the spleen. Then, we describe advances in non-viral carrier systems that can package and deliver mRNA payloads to the spleen, highlighting key advances in the literature in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) and polymer nanoparticle (PNP) technology platforms. Finally, we provide commentary and outlook on how splenic mRNA delivery may afford next-generation treatments for autoimmune disorders and cancers. In undertaking this approach, our goal with this review is to both establish a fundamental understanding of drug delivery challenges associated with localizing mRNA payloads to the spleen, while also broadly highlighting the potential to use these genetic medicines to treat disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eshan A Narasipura
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Owen S Fenton
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Qassem S, Breier D, Naidu GS, Hazan-Halevy I, Peer D. Unlocking the therapeutic potential of locked nucleic acids through lipid nanoparticle delivery. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102224. [PMID: 38933259 PMCID: PMC11201112 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Locked nucleic acids (LNAs) are a subtype of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that are characterized by a bridge within the sugar moiety. LNAs owe their robustness to this chemical modification, which as the name suggests, locks it in one conformation. This perspective includes two components: a general overview on ASOs from one side and on delivery issues focusing on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) on the other side. Throughout, a screening of the ongoing clinical trials involving ASOs is given, as well as a take on the versatility and challenges of using LNAs. Finally, we highlight the potential of LNPs as carriers for the successful delivery of LNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shahd Qassem
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Dor Breier
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Gonna Somu Naidu
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Inbal Hazan-Halevy
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Dan Peer
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Eygeris Y, Henderson MI, Curtis AG, Jozić A, Stoddard J, Reynaga R, Chirco KR, Su GLN, Neuringer M, Lauer AK, Ryals RC, Sahay G. Preformed Vesicle Approach to LNP Manufacturing Enhances Retinal mRNA Delivery. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2400815. [PMID: 38738752 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Complete encapsulation of nucleic acids by lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) is often thought to be one of the main prerequisites for successful nucleic acid delivery, as the lipid environment protects mRNA from degradation by external nucleases and assists in initiating delivery processes. However, delivery of mRNA via a preformed vesicle approach (PFV-LNPs) defies this precondition. Unlike traditional LNPs, PFV-LNPs are formed via a solvent-free mixing process, leading to a superficial mRNA localization. While demonstrating low encapsulation efficiency in the RiboGreen assay, PFV-LNPs improved delivery of mRNA to the retina by up to 50% compared to the LNP analogs across several benchmark formulations, suggesting the utility of this approach regardless of the lipid composition. Successful mRNA and gene editors' delivery is observed in the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors and validated in mice, non-human primates, and human retinal organoids. Deploying PFV-LNPs in gene editing experiments result in a similar extent of gene editing compared to analogous LNP (up to 3% on genomic level) in the Ai9 reporter mouse model; but, remarkably, retinal tolerability is significantly improved for PFV-LNP treatment. The study findings indicate that the LNP formulation process can greatly influence mRNA transfection and gene editing outcomes, improving LNP treatment safety without sacrificing efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Eygeris
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Michael I Henderson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Allison G Curtis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Antony Jozić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Jonathan Stoddard
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Rene Reynaga
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Kathleen R Chirco
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Grace Li-Na Su
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Martha Neuringer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Andreas K Lauer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Renee C Ryals
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Gaurav Sahay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hsia T, Chen Y. RNA-encapsulating lipid nanoparticles in cancer immunotherapy: From pre-clinical studies to clinical trials. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 197:114234. [PMID: 38401743 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Nanoparticle-based delivery systems such as RNA-encapsulating lipid nanoparticles (RNA LNPs) have dramatically advanced in function and capacity over the last few decades. RNA LNPs boast of a diverse array of external and core configurations that enhance targeted delivery and prolong circulatory retention, advancing therapeutic outcomes. Particularly within the realm of cancer immunotherapies, RNA LNPs are increasingly gaining prominence. Pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo studies have laid a robust foundation for new and ongoing clinical trials that are actively enrolling patients for RNA LNP cancer immunotherapy. This review explores RNA LNPs, starting from their core composition to their external membrane formulation, set against a backdrop of recent clinical breakthroughs. We further elucidate the LNP delivery avenues, broach the prevailing challenges, and contemplate the future perspectives of RNA LNP-mediated immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiffaney Hsia
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Yunching Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Settanni G. Computational approaches to lipid-based nucleic acid delivery systems. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2023; 46:127. [PMID: 38097823 PMCID: PMC10721673 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-023-00385-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid-based therapies have shown enormous effectiveness as vaccines against the recent COVID19 pandemics and hold great promises in the fight of a broad spectrum of diseases ranging from viral infections to cancer up to genetically transmitted pathologies. Due to their highly degradable polyanionic nature, nucleic acids need to be packed in sophisticate delivery vehicles which compact them up, protect them from early degradation and help delivery them to the right tissue/cells. Lipid-based nanoparticles (LNP) represent, at present, the main solution for nucleic acid delivery. They are made of a mixture of lipids whose key ingredient is an ionizable cationic lipid. Indeed, the interactions between the polyanionic nucleic acids and the ionizable cationic lipids, and their pH-dependent regulation in the life cycle of the nanoparticle, from production to cargo delivery, mostly determine the effectiveness of the therapeutic approach. Notwithstanding the large improvements in the delivery efficiency of LNPs in the last two decades, it is estimated that only a small fraction of the cargo is actually delivered, stimulating further research for the design of more effective LNP formulations. A rationally driven design would profit from the knowledge of the precise molecular structure of these materials, which is however still either missing or characterized by poor spatial resolution. Computational approaches have often been used as a molecular microscope either to enrich the available experimental data and provide a molecular-level picture of the LNPs or even simulate specific processes involving the formation and/or the molecular mechanisms of action of the LNP. Here, I review the recent literature in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Settanni
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätstrasse 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
- Department of Physics, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 7, 55099, Mainz, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pradyuth KS, Salunkhe SA, Singh AK, Chitkara D, Mittal A. Belinostat loaded lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticulate delivery system for breast cancer: improved pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in a tumor model. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:10859-10872. [PMID: 37938124 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01317k] [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: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Despite various treatment modalities for breast cancer, it still persists as one of the most diagnosed types of cancer in females. The recent investigations in the epigenetics of breast cancer reveal several aberrations in the expression levels of various HDAC enzymes. Henceforth, the present work entails the formulation and characterization of a lipid polymer-based hybrid nanoparticulate (LPN) system for delivery of an epigenetic modulator drug, Belinostat, for its clinical application in breast cancer. The size of Belinostat nanoparticles prepared using a modified hot homogenization method was found to be 166.6 ± 19.95 nm with an encapsulation efficiency of 94.5 ± 5.1%. In vitro characterization for cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and protein expression in two different breast cancer cells, 4T1 and MCF 7, revealed the superiority of the formulation in comparison with the free drug in MCF 7 cells. Subsequently, the behaviour of the formulation in in vivo settings of healthy and breast cancer xenograft bearing animals was analyzed using pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies. The results revealed that the formulation demonstrated multi-fold improvement in the pharmacokinetic parameters in tumor bearing animals when compared with the free drug while no difference in pharmacokinetic behaviour was observed in healthy animals indicating the altered biodistribution and specificity of the formulation in breast tumor. This was confirmed by the biodistribution studies exhibiting 20-fold improved uptake and retention of the nanoparticulate formulation in tumor tissues of the animal model at the end of 4 h. Thus, the developed LPN system holds potential to act as a novel drug delivery system for Belinostat with several advantages over the free drug.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kommera Sai Pradyuth
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS PILANI), Pilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India.
| | - Shubham A Salunkhe
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS PILANI), Pilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India.
| | - Arihant Kumar Singh
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS PILANI), Pilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India.
| | - Deepak Chitkara
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS PILANI), Pilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India.
| | - Anupama Mittal
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS PILANI), Pilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abla KK, Mehanna MM. Lipid-based nanocarriers challenging the ocular biological barriers: Current paradigm and future perspectives. J Control Release 2023; 362:70-96. [PMID: 37591463 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Eye is the most specialized and sensory body organ and treating eye diseases efficiently is necessary. Despite various attempts, the design of a consummate ophthalmic drug delivery system remains unsolved because of anatomical and physiological barriers that hinder drug transport into the desired ocular tissues. It is important to advance new platforms to manage ocular disorders, whether they exist in the anterior or posterior cavities. Nanotechnology has piqued the interest of formulation scientists because of its capability to augment ocular bioavailability, control drug release, and minimize inefficacious drug absorption, with special attention to lipid-based nanocarriers (LBNs) because of their cellular safety profiles. LBNs have greatly improved medication availability at the targeted ocular site in the required concentration while causing minimal adverse effects on the eye tissues. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms by which lipid-based nanocarriers can bypass different ocular barriers are still unclear and have not been discussed. Thus, to bridge this gap, the current work aims to highlight the applications of LBNs in the ocular drug delivery exploring the different ocular barriers and the mechanisms viz. adhesion, fusion, endocytosis, and lipid exchange, through which these platforms can overcome the barrier characteristics challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kawthar K Abla
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mohammed M Mehanna
- Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abla KK, Mehanna MM. The battle of lipid-based nanocarriers against blood-brain barrier: a critical review. J Drug Target 2023; 31:832-857. [PMID: 37577919 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2023.2247583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Central nervous system integrity is the state of brain functioning across sensory, cognitive, emotional-social behaviors, and motor domains, allowing a person to realise his full potential. Thus, brain disorders seriously affect patients' quality of life. Efficient drug delivery to treat brain disorders remains a crucial challenge due to numerous brain barriers, particularly the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which greatly impacts the ultimate drug therapeutic efficacy. Lately, nanocarrier technology has made huge progress in overcoming these barriers by improving drug solubility, ameliorating its retention, reducing its toxicity, and targeting the encapsulated agents to different brain tissues. The current review primarily offers an overview of the different components of BBB and the progress, strategies, and contemporary applications of the nanocarriers, specifically lipid-based nanocarriers (LBNs), in treating various brain disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kawthar K Abla
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mohammed M Mehanna
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Industrial Pharmacy Department, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Qiu C, Xia F, Zhang J, Shi Q, Meng Y, Wang C, Pang H, Gu L, Xu C, Guo Q, Wang J. Advanced Strategies for Overcoming Endosomal/Lysosomal Barrier in Nanodrug Delivery. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0148. [PMID: 37250954 PMCID: PMC10208951 DOI: 10.34133/research.0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Nanocarriers have therapeutic potential to facilitate drug delivery, including biological agents, small-molecule drugs, and nucleic acids. However, their efficiency is limited by several factors; among which, endosomal/lysosomal degradation after endocytosis is the most important. This review summarizes advanced strategies for overcoming endosomal/lysosomal barriers to efficient nanodrug delivery based on the perspective of cellular uptake and intracellular transport mechanisms. These strategies include promoting endosomal/lysosomal escape, using non-endocytic methods of delivery to directly cross the cell membrane to evade endosomes/lysosomes and making a detour pathway to evade endosomes/lysosomes. On the basis of the findings of this review, we proposed several promising strategies for overcoming endosomal/lysosomal barriers through the smarter and more efficient design of nanodrug delivery systems for future clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chong Qiu
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica,
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Fei Xia
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica,
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Junzhe Zhang
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica,
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Qiaoli Shi
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica,
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yuqing Meng
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica,
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica,
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Huanhuan Pang
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica,
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Liwei Gu
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica,
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Chengchao Xu
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica,
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Qiuyan Guo
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica,
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jigang Wang
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica,
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
- Department of Nephrology, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital,
Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Xia D, Hu C, Hou Y. Regorafenib loaded self-assembled lipid-based nanocarrier for colorectal cancer treatment via lymphatic absorption. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2023; 185:165-176. [PMID: 36870399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Oral chemotherapy can improve the life quality of patients; however, the therapeutic effects are limited by low bioavailability and rapid in vivo elimination of anticancer drugs. Here, we developed a regorafenib (REG)-loaded self-assembled lipid-based nanocarrier (SALN) to improve oral absorption and anti-colorectal cancer efficacy of REG through lymphatic absorption. SALN was prepared with lipid-based excipients to utilize lipid transport in the enterocytes and enhance lymphatic absorption of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract. The particle size of SALN was 106 ± 10 nm. SALNs were internalized by the intestinal epithelium via the clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and then transported across the epithelium via the chylomicron secretion pathway, resulting in a 3.76-fold increase in drug epithelial permeability (Papp) compared to the solid dispersion (SD). After oral administration to rats, SALNs were transported by the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and secretory vesicles of enterocytes and were found in the lamina propria of intestinal villi, abdominal mesenteric lymph, and plasma. The oral bioavailability of SALN was 65.9-fold and 1.70-fold greater than that of the coarse powder suspension and SD, respectively, and was highly dependent on the lymphatic route of absorption. Notably, SALN prolonged the elimination half-life of the drug (9.34 ± 2.51 h) compared to the solid dispersion (3.51 ± 0.46 h), increased the biodistribution of REG in the tumor and gastrointestinal (GI) tract, decreased biodistribution in the liver, and showed better therapeutic efficacy than the solid dispersion in colorectal tumor-bearing mice. These results demonstrated that SALN is promising for the treatment of colorectal cancer via lymphatic transport and has potential for clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dengning Xia
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
| | - Cunde Hu
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; Nano Science and Technology Institute, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yulin Hou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Seo H, Jeon L, Kwon J, Lee H. High-Precision Synthesis of RNA-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2203033. [PMID: 36737864 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202203033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The recent development of RNA-based therapeutics in delivering nucleic acids for gene editing and regulating protein translation has led to the effective treatment of various diseases including cancer, inflammatory and genetic disorder, as well as infectious diseases. Among these, lipid nanoparticles (LNP) have emerged as a promising platform for RNA delivery and have shed light by resolving the inherent instability issues of naked RNA and thereby enhancing the therapeutic potency. These LNP consisting of ionizable lipid, helper lipid, cholesterol, and poly(ethylene glycol)-anchored lipid can stably enclose RNA and help them release into the cells' cytosol. Herein, the significant progress made in LNP research starting from the LNP constituents, formulation, and their diverse applications is summarized first. Moreover, the microfluidic methodologies which allow precise assembly of these newly developed constituents to achieve LNP with controllable composition and size, high encapsulation efficiency as well as scalable production are highlighted. Furthermore, a short discussion on current challenges as well as an outlook will be given on emerging approaches to resolving these issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanjin Seo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Korea
| | - Leekang Jeon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Korea
| | - Jaeyeong Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Korea
| | - Hyomin Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Law LH, Huang J, Xiao P, Liu Y, Chen Z, Lai JHC, Han X, Cheng GWY, Tse KH, Chan KWY. Multiple CEST contrast imaging of nose-to-brain drug delivery using iohexol liposomes at 3T MRI. J Control Release 2023; 354:208-220. [PMID: 36623695 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Image guided nose-to-brain drug delivery provides a non-invasive way to monitor drug delivered to the brain, and the intranasal administration could increase effective dose via bypassing Blood Brain Barrier (BBB). Here, we investigated the imaging of liposome-based drug delivery to the brain via intranasal administration, in which the liposome could penetrate mucus and could be detected by chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3T field strength. Liposomes were loaded with a computed tomography (CT) contrast agent, iohexol (Ioh-Lipo), which has specific amide protons exchanging at 4.3 ppm of Z-spectrum (or CEST spectrum). Ioh-Lipo generated CEST contrasts of 35.4% at 4.3 ppm, 1.8% at -3.4 ppm and 20.6% at 1.2 ppm in vitro. After intranasal administration, these specific CEST contrasts were observed in both olfactory bulb (OB) and frontal lobe (FL) in the case of 10% polyethylene glycol (PEG) Ioh-Lipo. We observed obvious increases in CEST contrast in OB half an hour after the injection of 10% PEG Ioh-Lipo, with a percentage increase of 62.0% at 4.3 ppm, 10.9% at -3.4 ppm and 25.7% at 1.2 ppm. Interestingly, the CEST map at 4.3 ppm was distinctive from that at -3.4 pm and 1.2 ppm. The highest contrast of 4.3 ppm was at the external plexiform layer (EPL) and the region between left and right OB (LROB), while the CEST contrast at -3.4 ppm had no significant difference among all investigated regions with slightly higher signal in olfactory limbus (OL, between OB and FL) and FL, as validated with histology. While no substantial increase of CEST contrast at 4.3 ppm, -3.4 ppm or 1.2 ppm was observed in OB and FL when 1% PEG Ioh-Lipo was administered. We demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of non-invasively detecting the nose-to-brain delivery of liposomes using CEST MRI. This multiple-contrast approach is necessary to image the specific distribution of iohexol and liposome simultaneously and independently, especially when designing drug carriers for nose-to-brain drug delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lok Hin Law
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jianpan Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Peng Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zilin Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Joseph H C Lai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiongqi Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gerald W Y Cheng
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kai-Hei Tse
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kannie W Y Chan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China; Tung Biomedical Science Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Hong Kong Centre for Cerebro-cardiovascular Health Engineering, Hong Kong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sun D, Lu ZR. Structure and Function of Cationic and Ionizable Lipids for Nucleic Acid Delivery. Pharm Res 2023; 40:27-46. [PMID: 36600047 PMCID: PMC9812548 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03460-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Hereditary genetic diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases are affecting global health and become major health issues, but the treatment development remains challenging. Gene therapies using DNA plasmid, RNAi, miRNA, mRNA, and gene editing hold great promise. Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology has been a revolutionary development, which has been granted for clinical applications, including mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infections. Due to the success of LNP systems, understanding the structure, formulation, and function relationship of the lipid components in LNP systems is crucial for design more effective LNP. Here, we highlight the key considerations for developing an LNP system. The evolution of structure and function of lipids as well as their LNP formulation from the early-stage simple formulations to multi-components LNP and multifunctional ionizable lipids have been discussed. The flexibility and platform nature of LNP enable efficient intracellular delivery of a variety of therapeutic nucleic acids and provide many novel treatment options for the diseases that are previously untreatable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Da Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Wickenden 427, Mail Stop 7207, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Zheng-Rong Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Wickenden 427, Mail Stop 7207, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
| |
Collapse
|