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Cui Z, Jiao Y, Pu L, Chen J, Liu M, Tang JZ, Wang G. The Interaction Mechanism of Intramuscular Gene Delivery Materials with Cell Membranes. J Funct Biomater 2023; 14:jfb14040219. [PMID: 37103309 PMCID: PMC10144004 DOI: 10.3390/jfb14040219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been confirmed that skeletal muscle cells have the capability to receive foreign plasmid DNA (pDNA) and express functional proteins. This provides a promisingly applicable strategy for safe, convenient, and economical gene therapy. However, intramuscular pDNA delivery efficiency was not high enough for most therapeutic purposes. Some non-viral biomaterials, especially several amphiphilic triblock copolymers, have been shown to significantly improve intramuscular gene delivery efficiency, but the detailed process and mechanism are still not well understood. In this study, the molecular dynamics simulation method was applied to investigate the structure and energy changes of the material molecules, the cell membrane, and the DNA molecules at the atomic and molecular levels. From the results, the interaction process and mechanism of the material molecules with the cell membrane were revealed, and more importantly, the simulation results almost completely matched the previous experimental results. This study may help us design and optimize better intramuscular gene delivery materials for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanpeng Cui
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Yang Jiao
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Linyu Pu
- School of Materials and Chemistry, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Jianlin Chen
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology/Gastric Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - James Zhenggui Tang
- Research Institute of Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science & Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1SB, UK
| | - Gang Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
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The Progress of Non-Viral Materials and Methods for Gene Delivery to Skeletal Muscle. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14112428. [DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Since Jon A. Wolff found skeletal muscle cells being able to express foreign genes and Russell J. Mumper increased the gene transfection efficiency into the myocytes by adding polymers, skeletal muscles have become a potential gene delivery and expression target. Different methods have been developing to deliver transgene into skeletal muscles. Among them, viral vectors may achieve potent gene delivery efficiency. However, the potential for triggering biosafety risks limited their clinical applications. Therefore, non-viral biomaterial-mediated methods with reliable biocompatibility are promising tools for intramuscular gene delivery in situ. In recent years, a series of advanced non-viral gene delivery materials and related methods have been reported, such as polymers, liposomes, cell penetrating peptides, as well as physical delivery methods. In this review, we summarized the research progresses and challenges in non-viral intramuscular gene delivery materials and related methods, focusing on the achievements and future directions of polymers.
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Liu Y, He Y, Wang Y, Liu M, Jiang M, Gao R, Wang G. Synthetic promoter for efficient and muscle-specific expression of exogenous genes. Plasmid 2019; 106:102441. [PMID: 31676335 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2019.102441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic promoters (SPs) have many advantages over their natural counterparts, especially with regard to transcriptional activity and tissue specificity. Here, we report a new strategy to construct SPs for efficient and muscle-specific gene expression. First, 19 nucleic acid motifs classified to 3 kinds of transcriptional regulatory elements were rationally selected. A recombinant promoter library was constructed by randomly assembling these motifs. Second, the transcriptional activities of ~1200 SPs were screened by intramuscular expression of several reporter genes in different cell lines for activity higher than that of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, with SP-301 finally identified as the strongest. A single intramuscular injection of mice with an SP-301 plasmid expressing mouse growth hormone releasing hormone accelerated mouse growth significantly over 24 days. Third, the muscle specificity of SP-301 was confirmed in transgenic mice. Finally, in comparison with the CMV promoter, SP-301 accelerated translocation and increased the level of plasmid in the nuclei of myoblast cells to a greater extent than in non-muscle cells. Altogether, the study has provided a more rational strategy to construct efficient and tissue-specific promoters, with the promoter SP-301 exhibiting promising potential for establishing an intramuscular gene expression system for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yili Liu
- Key Laboratory for Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yutong He
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yong Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingfeng Jiang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rong Gao
- Key Laboratory for Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Gang Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Kahraman G, Wang DY, von Irmer J, Gallei M, Hey-Hawkins E, Eren T. Synthesis and Characterization of Phosphorus- and Carborane-Containing Polyoxanorbornene Block Copolymers. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:E613. [PMID: 30960597 PMCID: PMC6523416 DOI: 10.3390/polym11040613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Grubbs-catalyzed ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of carborane- and phosphonate-containing monomers has been used for the generation of hybrid block copolymers. Molecular weights with Mn of 50,000 g/mol were readily obtained with polydispersity index values, Đ, between 1.03⁻1.08. Reaction of the phospha ester and carborane substituted oxanorbornene block copolymer with trimethylsilyl bromide led to a new polymer with phosphonic acid functionalities. In application studies, the phospha-carborane functionalized block polymer was tested as heat resistance material. Thermal stability was investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) analysis. Thermal treatment and ceramic yield under air were directly correlated to the carborane content of the block copolymer. However, phosphorus content in the polymer was more crucial for the char residues when heated under nitrogen atmosphere. The peak heat release rate (PHRR) increased as the number of phosphonate functionalities increased. However, corresponding phosphonic acid derivatives featured a lower heat release rate and total heat release. Moreover, the phosphonic acid functionalities of the block copolymer offer efficient chelating capabilities for iron nanoparticles, which is of interest for applications in biomedicine in the future. The complexation with iron oxide nanoparticles was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP⁻MS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Kahraman
- Chemistry Department, Yildiz Technical University, 34220 Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - De-Yi Wang
- IMDEA Materials Institute, C/Eric Kandel, 2, Getafe, 28906 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jonas von Irmer
- Macromolecular Chemistry Department, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Markus Gallei
- Macromolecular Chemistry Department, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
- Organic Macromolecular Chemistry, Saarland University, Campus Saarbrücken C4 2, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
| | | | - Tarik Eren
- Chemistry Department, Yildiz Technical University, 34220 Istanbul, Turkey.
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Li F, Li Y, Zhou Z, Lv S, Deng Q, Xu X, Yin L. Engineering the Aromaticity of Cationic Helical Polypeptides toward "Self-Activated" DNA/siRNA Delivery. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:23586-23601. [PMID: 28657294 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b08534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of potent yet nontoxic membrane-penetrating materials is in high demand for effective intracellular gene delivery. We have recently developed α-helical polypeptides which afford potent membrane activities to facilitate intracellular DNA delivery via both endocytosis and the nonendocytic "pore formation" mechanism. Endocytosis will cause endosomal entrapment of the DNA cargo, while excessive "pore formation" would cause appreciable cytotoxicity. Additionally, helical polypeptides with stiff, rodlike structure suffer from low siRNA binding affinity. To address such critical issues, we herein incorporated various aromatic domains (benzyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, anthryl, and pyrenyl) into the side-chain terminals of guanidine-rich, helical polypeptides, wherein the flat-rigid shape, π-electronic structures of aromatic motifs "self-activated" the membrane-penetrating capabilities of polypeptides to promote intracellular gene delivery. Benzyl (Bn)- and naphthyl (Naph)-modified polypeptides demonstrated the highest DNA uptake level that outperformed the unmodified polypeptide, P2, by ∼4 fold. More importantly, compared with P2, Bn- and Naph-modified polypeptides allowed more DNA cargos to be internalized via the nonendocytic pathway, which significantly bypassed the endosomal entrapment and accordingly enhanced the transfection efficiency by up to 42 fold, outperforming PEI 25k as the commercial reagent by 3-4 orders of magnitude. The aromatic modification also improved the siRNA condensation capability of polypeptides, achieving notably enhanced gene-silencing efficiency against tumor necrosis factor-α to treat acute hepatic inflammation. Furthermore, we revealed that aromaticity-augmented membrane activity was accompanied by comparable or even significantly reduced "pore formation" capability, thus leading to diminished cytotoxicity at high concentrations. This study therefore provides a promising approach to manipulate the membrane activities and penetration mechanisms of polycations, which overcomes the multiple critical barriers preventing effective and safe gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yongjuan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zhuchao Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University , Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Shixian Lv
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Qiurong Deng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Lichen Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University , Suzhou 215123, China
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Recent development of synthetic nonviral systems for sustained gene delivery. Drug Discov Today 2017; 22:1318-1335. [PMID: 28428056 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Sustained gene delivery is of particular importance today because it circumvents the need for repeated therapeutic administration and provides spatial and temporal control of the release profile. Better understanding of the genetic basis of diseases and advances in gene therapy have propelled significant research on biocompatible gene carriers for therapeutic purposes. Varied biodegradable polymer-based architectures have been used to create new compositions with unique properties suitable for sustained gene delivery. This review presents the most recent advances in various polymeric systems: hydrogels, microspheres, nanospheres and scaffolds, having complex architectures to encapsulate and deliver functional genes. Through the recombination of different existing polymer systems, the multicomplex systems can be further endowed with new properties for better-targeted biomedical applications.
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