1
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Zhao Y, Hou J, Guo L, Zhu S, Hou X, Cao S, Zhou M, Shi J, Li J, Liu K, Zhang H, Wang L, Fan C, Zhu Y. DNA-Engineered Degradable Invisibility Cloaking for Tumor-Targeting Nanoparticles. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 39196310 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c09479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Nanoparticle (NP) delivery systems have been actively exploited for cancer therapy and vaccine development. Nevertheless, the major obstacle to targeted delivery lies in the substantial liver sequestration of NPs. Here we report a DNA-engineered approach to circumvent liver phagocytosis for enhanced tumor-targeted delivery of nanoagents in vivo. We find that a monolayer of DNA molecules on the NP can preferentially adsorb a dysopsonin protein in the serum to induce functionally invisibility to livers; whereas the tumor-specific uptake is triggered by the subsequent degradation of the DNA shell in vivo. The degradation rate of DNA shells is readily tunable by the length of coated DNA molecules. This DNA-engineered invisibility cloaking (DEIC) is potentially generic as manifested in both Ag2S quantum dot- and nanoliposome-based tumor-targeted delivery in mice. Near-infrared-II imaging reveals a high tumor-to-liver ratio of up to ∼5.1, approximately 18-fold higher than those with conventional nanomaterials. This approach may provide a universal strategy for high-efficiency targeted delivery of theranostic agents in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Institute of Materiobiology, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Junjun Hou
- Zhangjiang Laboratory, 100 Haike Rd, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Linjie Guo
- Institute of Materiobiology, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Shitai Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Xiaoling Hou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | | | - Mo Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Jiye Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Jiang Li
- Institute of Materiobiology, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Hongjie Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Institute of Materiobiology, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- Zhangjiang Laboratory, 100 Haike Rd, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Chunhai Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Corner Stone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Institute of Materiobiology, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
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2
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Wang G, Han S, Lu Y. From Structure to Application: The Evolutionary Trajectory of Spherical Nucleic Acids. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2310026. [PMID: 38860348 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202310026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Since the proposal of the concept of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) in 1996, numerous studies have focused on this topic and have achieved great advances. As a new delivery system for nucleic acids, SNAs have advantages over conventional deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nanostructures, including independence from transfection reagents, tolerance to nucleases, and lower immune reactions. The flexible structure of SNAs proves that various inorganic or organic materials can be used as the core, and different types of nucleic acids can be conjugated to realize diverse functions and achieve surprising and exciting outcomes. The special DNA nanostructures have been employed for immunomodulation, gene regulation, drug delivery, biosensing, and bioimaging. Despite the lack of rational design strategies, potential cytotoxicity, and structural defects of this technology, various successful examples demonstrate the bright and convincing future of SNAs in fields such as new materials, clinical practice, and pharmacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guijia Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Sanyang Han
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yuan Lu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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3
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Tao Z, Zhang H, Wu S, Zhang J, Cheng Y, Lei L, Qin Y, Wei H, Yu CY. Spherical nucleic acids: emerging amplifiers for therapeutic nanoplatforms. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:4392-4406. [PMID: 38289178 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr05971e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy is a revolutionary treatment approach in the 21st century, offering significant potential for disease prevention and treatment. However, the efficacy of gene delivery is often compromised by the inherent challenges of gene properties and vector-related defects. It is crucial to explore ways to enhance the curative effect of gene drugs and achieve safer, more widespread, and more efficient utilization, which represents a significant challenge in amplification gene therapy advancements. Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), with their unique physicochemical properties, are considered an innovative solution for scalable gene therapy. This review aims to comprehensively explore the amplifying contributions of SNAs in gene therapy and emphasize the contribution of SNAs to the amplification effect of gene therapy from the aspects of structure, application, and recent clinical translation - an aspect that has been rarely reported or explored thus far. We begin by elucidating the fundamental characteristics and scaling-up properties of SNAs that distinguish them from traditional linear nucleic acids, followed by an analysis of combined therapy treatment strategies, theranostics, and clinical translation amplified by SNAs. We conclude by discussing the challenges of SNAs and provide a prospect on the amplification characteristics. This review seeks to update the current understanding of the use of SNAs in gene therapy amplification and promote further research into their clinical translation and amplification of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghao Tao
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001, Hengyang, P. R. China.
| | - Haitao Zhang
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001, Hengyang, P. R. China.
| | - Shang Wu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001, Hengyang, P. R. China.
| | - Jiaheng Zhang
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001, Hengyang, P. R. China.
| | - Yao Cheng
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001, Hengyang, P. R. China.
| | - Longtianyang Lei
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001, Hengyang, P. R. China.
| | - Yang Qin
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001, Hengyang, P. R. China.
| | - Hua Wei
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001, Hengyang, P. R. China.
| | - Cui-Yun Yu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001, Hengyang, P. R. China.
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4
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Kudruk S, Forsyth CM, Dion MZ, Hedlund Orbeck JK, Luo J, Klein RS, Kim AH, Heimberger AB, Mirkin CA, Stegh AH, Artzi N. Multimodal neuro-nanotechnology: Challenging the existing paradigm in glioblastoma therapy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2306973121. [PMID: 38346200 PMCID: PMC10895370 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306973121] [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] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Integrating multimodal neuro- and nanotechnology-enabled precision immunotherapies with extant systemic immunotherapies may finally provide a significant breakthrough for combatting glioblastoma (GBM). The potency of this approach lies in its ability to train the immune system to efficiently identify and eradicate cancer cells, thereby creating anti-tumor immune memory while minimizing multi-mechanistic immune suppression. A critical aspect of these therapies is the controlled, spatiotemporal delivery of structurally defined nanotherapeutics into the GBM tumor microenvironment (TME). Architectures such as spherical nucleic acids or poly(beta-amino ester)/dendrimer-based nanoparticles have shown promising results in preclinical models due to their multivalency and abilities to activate antigen-presenting cells and prime antigen-specific T cells. These nanostructures also permit systematic variation to optimize their distribution, TME accumulation, cellular uptake, and overall immunostimulatory effects. Delving deeper into the relationships between nanotherapeutic structures and their performance will accelerate nano-drug development and pave the way for the rapid clinical translation of advanced nanomedicines. In addition, the efficacy of nanotechnology-based immunotherapies may be enhanced when integrated with emerging precision surgical techniques, such as laser interstitial thermal therapy, and when combined with systemic immunotherapies, particularly inhibitors of immune-mediated checkpoints and immunosuppressive adenosine signaling. In this perspective, we highlight the potential of emerging treatment modalities, combining advances in biomedical engineering and neurotechnology development with existing immunotherapies to overcome treatment resistance and transform the management of GBM. We conclude with a call to action for researchers to leverage these technologies and accelerate their translation into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergej Kudruk
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
| | - Connor M. Forsyth
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
| | - Michelle Z. Dion
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA02115
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Jenny K. Hedlund Orbeck
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
| | - Jingqin Luo
- The Brain Tumor Center, Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Robyn S. Klein
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
- Center for Neuroimmunology and Neuroinfectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Albert H. Kim
- The Brain Tumor Center, Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Amy B. Heimberger
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Chad A. Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL60208
| | - Alexander H. Stegh
- The Brain Tumor Center, Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Natalie Artzi
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Department of Medicine, Engineering in Medicine Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA02115
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5
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Zhang Y, Yang C, He J, Li M, Yuan R, Xu W. Ratiometric Fluorescence Biosensing of Tandem Biemissive Ag Clusters Boosted by Confined Catalytic DNA Assembly. Anal Chem 2023; 95:17928-17936. [PMID: 37971735 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04388] [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: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The reaction kinetics and yield of traditional DNA assembly with a low local concentration in homogeneous solution remain challenging. Exploring confined catalytic DNA assembly (CCDA) is intriguing to boost the reaction rate and efficacy for creating rapid and sensitive biosensing platforms. A rolling circle amplification (RCA) product containing multiple tandem repeats is a natural scaffold capable of guiding the periodic assembly of customized functional probes at precise sites. Here, we present a RCA-confined CCDA strategy to speed up amplifiable conversion for ratiometric fluorescent sensing of a sequence-specific inducer (I*) by using string green-/red-Ag clusters (sgAgCs and srAgCs) as two counterbalance emitters. Upon recognition of I*, CCDA events are operated by two toehold-mediated strand displacements and localized in repetitive units, thereby releasing I* for recycled signal amplification in the as-grown RCA concatemer. The local concentration of reactive species is increased to facilitate rapider dsDNA complex assembly and more efficient input-output conversion, on which the clustering template sequences of sgAgCs and srAgCs are blocked and opened, enabling srAgCs synthesis but opposite to sgAgCs. Thus, the fluorescence emission of srAgCs goes up, while sgAgCs go down. With the resultant ratio featuring inherent built-in correction, rapid, sensitive, and accurate quantification of I* at the picomolar level is achieved. Benefiting from efficient RCA confinement to enhance reaction kinetics and conversion yield, this CCDA-based strategy provides a new paradigm for developing simple and diverse biosensing methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Chunli Yang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Jiayang He
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Mengdie Li
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Ruo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Wenju Xu
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
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6
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Paranandi KS, Lee A, Stanic N, Mirkin CA. Cellular Export Fate of Liposomal Spherical Nucleic Acids. ACS NANO 2023; 17:19000-19010. [PMID: 37738539 PMCID: PMC10801820 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c04608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Liposomal spherical nucleic acids (LSNAs) are useful structures for oligonucleotide-based cell modulation because of their biocompatibility and ability to readily enter cells without transfection agents. Understanding LSNA trafficking is key to developing applications, but while much is understood about LSNA cell uptake, little is known about their export fate. Here, we study LSNA export through pulse-chase studies with fluorophore-labeled LSNAs. Our findings show that the components of LSNAs are differentially exported by cells, with the phospholipids showing 90-100% export and the oligonucleotides showing 30-45% export over 24 h in RAW264.7 macrophages. Despite the increase in the level of uptake of LSNAs, these percentages are not significantly influenced by whether the materials are taken up as LSNAs or as the individual components. The exported oligonucleotide material consists of a full-length oligonucleotide with the phospholipid anchor modified by loss of a fatty acid. The exported liposome-derived phospholipids also had a fatty acid removed. Moreover, the exported oligonucleotide-lysophospholipid conjugates retain immunostimulatory potential. These findings indicate that after cellular entry LSNAs are degraded into lysophospholipids, something to which they are susceptible due to the presence of hydrolyzable ester bonds. The export percentage of the resultant materials over 24 h is independent of the amount imported, such that greater initial import leads to a similar fold increase in exported material. This work therefore reveals an intracellular feature of LSNAs and shows that the enhanced uptake achieved with LSNAs can be exploited to maximize the amount of material subsequently exported, suggesting avenues for leveraging pharmacologic effects from exported LSNA components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna S. Paranandi
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Andrew Lee
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Nikola Stanic
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chad A. Mirkin
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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7
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Liu S, Yu CY, Wei H. Spherical nucleic acids-based nanoplatforms for tumor precision medicine and immunotherapy. Mater Today Bio 2023; 22:100750. [PMID: 37545568 PMCID: PMC10400933 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise diagnosis and treatment of tumors currently still face considerable challenges due to the development of highly degreed heterogeneity in the dynamic evolution of tumors. With the rapid development of genomics, personalized diagnosis and treatment using specific genes may be a robust strategy to break through the bottleneck of traditional tumor treatment. Nevertheless, efficient in vivo gene delivery has been frequently hampered by the inherent defects of vectors and various biological barriers. Encouragingly, spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) with good modularity and programmability are excellent candidates capable of addressing traditional gene transfer-associated issues, which enables SNAs a precision nanoplatform with great potential for diverse biomedical applications. In this regard, there have been detailed reviews of SNA in drug delivery, gene regulation, and dermatology treatment. Still, to the best of our knowledge, there is no published systematic review summarizing the use of SNAs in oncology precision medicine and immunotherapy, which are considered new guidelines for oncology treatment. To this end, we summarized the notable advances in SNAs-based precision therapy and immunotherapy for tumors following a classification standard of different types of precise spatiotemporal control on active species by SNAs. Specifically, we focus on the structural diversity and programmability of SNAs. Finally, the challenges and possible solutions were discussed in the concluding remarks. This review will promote the rational design and development of SNAs for tumor-precise medicine and immunotherapy.
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8
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Ji X, Li Q, Song H, Fan C. Protein-Mimicking Nanoparticles in Biosystems. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2201562. [PMID: 35576606 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202201562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Proteins are essential elements for almost all life activities. The emergence of nanotechnology offers innovative strategies to create a diversity of nanoparticles (NPs) with intrinsic capacities of mimicking the functions of proteins. These artificial mimics are produced in a cost-efficient and controllable manner, with their protein-mimicking performances comparable or superior to those of natural proteins. Moreover, they can be endowed with additional functionalities that are absent in natural proteins, such as cargo loading, active targeting, membrane penetrating, and multistimuli responding. Therefore, protein-mimicking NPs have been utilized more and more often in biosystems for a wide range of applications including detection, imaging, diagnosis, and therapy. To highlight recent progress in this broad field, herein, representative protein-mimicking NPs that fall into one of the four distinct categories are summarized: mimics of enzymes (nanozymes), mimics of fluorescent proteins, NPs with high affinity binding to specific proteins or DNA sequences, and mimics of protein scaffolds. This review covers their subclassifications, characteristic features, functioning mechanisms, as well as the extensive exploitation of their great potential for biological and biomedical purposes. Finally, the challenges and prospects in future development of protein-mimicking NPs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Qian Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Haiyun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Chunhai Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
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9
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Huang Z, Callmann CE, Wang S, Vasher MK, Evangelopoulos M, Petrosko SH, Mirkin CA. Rational Vaccinology: Harnessing Nanoscale Chemical Design for Cancer Immunotherapy. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:692-704. [PMID: 35756370 PMCID: PMC9228553 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a powerful treatment strategy that mobilizes the immune system to fight disease. Cancer vaccination is one form of cancer immunotherapy, where spatiotemporal control of the delivery of tumor-specific antigens, adjuvants, and/or cytokines has been key to successfully activating the immune system. Nanoscale materials that take advantage of chemistry to control the nanoscale structural arrangement, composition, and release of immunostimulatory components have shown significant promise in this regard. In this Outlook, we examine how the nanoscale structure, chemistry, and composition of immunostimulatory compounds can be modulated to maximize immune response and mitigate off-target effects, focusing on spherical nucleic acids as a model system. Furthermore, we emphasize how chemistry and materials science are driving the rational design and development of next-generation cancer vaccines. Finally, we identify gaps in the field that should be addressed moving forward and outline future directions to galvanize researchers from multiple disciplines to help realize the full potential of this form of cancer immunotherapy through chemistry and rational vaccinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyin Huang
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Cassandra E. Callmann
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Shuya Wang
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Matthew K. Vasher
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Michael Evangelopoulos
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Sarah Hurst Petrosko
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chad A. Mirkin
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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10
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Mahajan AS, Stegh AH. Spherical Nucleic Acids as Precision Therapeutics for the Treatment of Cancer-From Bench to Bedside. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071615. [PMID: 35406387 PMCID: PMC8996871 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spherical Nucleic Acids (SNAs) emerged as a new class of nanotherapeutics consisting of a nanoparticle core densely functionalized with a shell of radially oriented synthetic oligonucleotides. The unique three-dimensional architecture of SNAs protects the oligonucleotides from nuclease-mediated degradation, increases oligonucleotide bioavailability, and in the absence of auxiliary transfection agents, enables robust uptake into tumor and immune cells through polyvalent association with cell surface pattern recognition receptors. When composed of gene-regulatory small interfering (si)RNA or immunostimulatory DNA or RNA oligonucleotides, SNAs silence gene expression and induce immune responses superior to those raised by the oligonucleotides in their "free" form. Early phase clinical trials of gene-regulatory siRNA-based SNAs in glioblastoma (NCT03020017) and immunostimulatory Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9)-agonistic SNAs carrying unmethylated CpG-rich oligonucleotides in solid tumors (NCT03086278) have shown that SNAs represent a safe, brain-penetrant therapy for inhibiting oncogene expression and stimulating immune responses against tumors. This review focuses on the application of SNAs as precision cancer therapeutics, summarizes the findings from first-in-human clinical trials of SNAs in solid tumors, describes the most recent preclinical efforts to rationally design next-generation multimodal SNA architectures, and provides an outlook on future efforts to maximize the anti-neoplastic activity of the SNA platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha S. Mahajan
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, The International Institute for Nanotechnology, The Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
| | - Alexander H. Stegh
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, The International Institute for Nanotechnology, The Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Brain Tumor Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Correspondence:
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11
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Huang ZN, Callmann CE, Cole LE, Wang S, Mirkin CA. Synergistic Immunostimulation through the Dual Activation of Toll-like Receptor 3/9 with Spherical Nucleic Acids. ACS NANO 2021; 15:13329-13338. [PMID: 34278782 PMCID: PMC8766625 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c03093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of proteins that modulate the innate immune system and control the initiation of downstream immune responses. Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) designed to stimulate single members of the TLR family (e.g., TLR7 or TLR9) have shown utility in cancer immunotherapy. We hypothesized that SNAs synthesized with multiple TLR agonists would enable the simultaneous activation of multiple TLR pathways for maximally synergistic immune activation. Here, we describe the synthesis of SNAs that incorporate both a TLR3 agonist (polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, poly(I:C)) and TLR9 agonist (CpG oligonucleotide) on the same liposomal scaffold. In this design, CpG comprises the SNA oligonucleotide shell, and poly(I:C) is encapsulated in the liposome core. These dual-TLR activating SNAs efficiently codeliver high quantities of both agonists to the same target cell, yielding enhanced immunostimulation in various murine and human antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Moreover, codelivery of TLR agonists using the SNA both synchronizes and prolongs the duration of costimulatory molecule and major histocompatibility complex class II expression in APCs, which has been shown to be important for efficient downstream immune responses. Taken together, this SNA design provides a strategy for potently activating immune cells and increasing the efficiency of their activation, which likely will inform the preparation of nanomaterials for highly potent immunotherapies.
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12
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Callmann C, Kusmierz CD, Dittmar JW, Broger L, Mirkin CA. Impact of Liposomal Spherical Nucleic Acid Structure on Immunotherapeutic Function. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:892-899. [PMID: 34079904 PMCID: PMC8161491 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Liposomal spherical nucleic acids (L-SNAs) show significant promise as cancer immunotherapeutics. L-SNAs are highly modular nanoscale assemblies defined by a dense, upright radial arrangement of oligonucleotides around a liposomal core. Herein, we establish a set of L-SNA design rules by studying the biological and immunological properties of L-SNAs as a function of liposome composition. To achieve this, we synthesized liposomes where the lipid phosphatidylcholine headgroup was held constant, while the diacyl lipid tail chain length and degree of saturation were varied, using either 1,2-dioleylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC), 1,2-dimyristoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC), 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), or 1,2-distearoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DSPC). These studies show that the identity of the constituent lipid dictates the DNA loading, cellular uptake, serum stability, in vitro immunostimulatory activity, and in vivo lymph node accumulation of the L-SNA. Furthermore, in the 4T1 mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the subcutaneous administration of immunostimulatory L-SNAs synthesized with DPPC significantly decreases the production of lung metastases and delays tumor growth as compared to L-SNAs synthesized using DOPC, due to the enhanced stability of L-SNAs synthesized with DPPC over those synthesized with DOPC. Moreover, the inclusion of cell lysates derived from Py8119 TNBC cells as antigen sources in L-SNAs leads to a significant increase in antitumor efficacy in the Py8119 model when lysates are encapsulated in the cores of L-SNAs synthesized with DPPC rather than DOPC, presumably due to increased codelivery of adjuvant and antigen to dendritic cells in vivo. This difference is further amplified when using lysates from oxidized Py8119 cells as a more potent antigen source, revealing synergy between the lysate preparation method and liposome composition in synthesizing immunotherapeutic L-SNAs. Together, this work shows that the biological properties and immunomodulatory activity of L-SNAs can be modulated by exchanging liposome components, providing another handle for the rational design of nanoscale immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra
E. Callmann
- Department
of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Caroline D. Kusmierz
- Department
of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Jasper W. Dittmar
- Department
of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Leah Broger
- Department
of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chad A. Mirkin
- Department
of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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13
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Brouillard A, Deshpande N, Kulkarni AA. Engineered Multifunctional Nano- and Biological Materials for Cancer Immunotherapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001680. [PMID: 33448159 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is set to emerge as the future of cancer therapy. However, recent immunotherapy trials in different cancers have yielded sub-optimal results, with durable responses seen in only a small fraction of patients. Engineered multifunctional nanomaterials and biological materials are versatile platforms that can elicit strong immune responses and improve anti-cancer efficacy when applied to cancer immunotherapy. While there are traditional systems such as polymer- and lipid-based nanoparticles, there is a wide variety of other materials with inherent and additive properties that can allow for more potent activation of the immune system. By synthesizing and applying multifunctional strategies, it allows for a more extensive and more effective repertoire of tools to use in the wide variety of situations that cancer presents itself. Here, several types of nanoscale and biological material strategies and platforms that provide their inherent benefits for targeting and activating multiple aspects of the immune system are discussed. Overall, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of recent advances in the field of multifunctional cancer immunotherapy and trends that pave the way for more diverse and tactical regression of tumors through soliciting responses by either the adaptive or innate immune system, and even both simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Brouillard
- Department of Chemical Engineering University of Massachusetts Amherst MA 01003 USA
| | - Nilesh Deshpande
- Department of Chemical Engineering University of Massachusetts Amherst MA 01003 USA
| | - Ashish A. Kulkarni
- Department of Chemical Engineering University of Massachusetts Amherst MA 01003 USA
- Center for Bioactive Delivery Institute for Applied Life Sciences University of Massachusetts Amherst MA 01003 USA
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14
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Zhu M, Wang S. Functional Nucleic‐Acid‐Decorated Spherical Nanoparticles: Preparation Strategies and Current Applications in Cancer Therapy. SMALL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202000056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Central South University No. 932 South Lushan Rd Changsha Hunan 410083 P. R. China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Central South University No. 932 South Lushan Rd Changsha Hunan 410083 P. R. China
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15
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Liu M, Wang F, Zhang X, Mao X, Wang L, Tian Y, Fan C, Li Q. Tracking endocytosis and intracellular distribution of spherical nucleic acids with correlative single-cell imaging. Nat Protoc 2020; 16:383-404. [PMID: 33288954 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-020-00420-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of interactions between nanoparticles (NPs) and biological components is critical to the clinical application of NPs and nanomedicine. Here we provide a step-by-step correlative imaging approach to investigate plasmonic NPs of different aggregation states at the single-cell level. Traceable spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) are fabricated by decorating 50-nm spherical gold NPs with fluorophore-labeled DNA, serving as dually emissive (fluorescent and plasmonic) NPs. The in situ correlative imaging with dark-field microscopy (DFM) and fluorescence microscopy (FM) reveals intracellular distribution of SNAs, whereas DFM combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allows semi-quantification of SNA clustering states in solution. The imaging data are analyzed by ImageJ and a colorimetry-based algorithm written in Python. The clustering states of SNAs in a single cell can be efficiently distinguished within 20 s. This method can be readily installed to monitor real-time endocytosis and cellular distribution of plasmonic NPs of different aggregation states and to quantitatively image targets of interest (e.g., specific DNA, messenger RNA, peptides or proteins) in living cells. The entire procedure can be completed in 3-5 d and requires standard DFM, FM and SEM imaging and data analysis skills and equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Joint Research Center for Precision Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital South Campus, Southern Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai, China.,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueli Zhang
- Joint Research Center for Precision Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital South Campus, Southern Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuhai Mao
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acids Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Bioimaging Center, Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Tian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunhai Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acids Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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16
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Callmann CE, Cole LE, Kusmierz CD, Huang Z, Horiuchi D, Mirkin CA. Tumor cell lysate-loaded immunostimulatory spherical nucleic acids as therapeutics for triple-negative breast cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:17543-17550. [PMID: 32669433 PMCID: PMC7395518 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2005794117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly heterogenous cancers, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), remain challenging immunotherapeutic targets. Herein, we describe the synthesis and evaluation of immunotherapeutic liposomal spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) for TNBC therapy. The SNAs comprise immunostimulatory oligonucleotides (CpG-1826) as adjuvants and encapsulate lysates derived from TNBC cell lines as antigens. The resulting nanostructures (Lys-SNAs) enhance the codelivery of adjuvant and antigen to immune cells when compared to simple mixtures of lysates with linear oligonucleotides both in vitro and in vivo, and reduce tumor growth relative to simple mixtures of lysate and CpG-1826 (Lys-Mix) in both Py230 and Py8119 orthotopic syngeneic mouse models of TNBC. Furthermore, oxidizing TNBC cells prior to lysis and incorporation into SNAs (OxLys-SNAs) significantly increases the activation of dendritic cells relative to their nonoxidized counterparts. When administered peritumorally in vivo in the EMT6 mouse mammary carcinoma model, OxLys-SNAs significantly increase the population of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and simultaneously decrease the population of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) within the tumor microenvironment, when compared with Lys-SNAs and simple mixtures of oxidized lysates with CpG-1826. Importantly, animals administered OxLys-SNAs exhibit significant antitumor activity and prolonged survival relative to all other treatment groups, and resist tumor rechallenge. Together, these results show that the way lysates are processed and packaged has a profound impact on their immunogenicity and therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, this work points toward the potential of oxidized tumor cell lysate-loaded SNAs as a potent class of immunotherapeutics for cancers lacking common therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra E Callmann
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Lisa E Cole
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Caroline D Kusmierz
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Ziyin Huang
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Dai Horiuchi
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208;
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
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