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Das R, Ge X, Fei F, Parvanian S, Weissleder R, Garris CS. Lipid Nanoparticle-mRNA Engineered Dendritic Cell Based Adoptive Cell Therapy Enhances Cancer Immune Response. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2400633. [PMID: 39039995 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202400633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles encapsulating mRNA (LNP-mRNA) revolutionized medicine over the past several years. While clinically approved indications currently focus on infectious disease vaccination, LNP-mRNA based treatments also hold promise for cancer immunotherapy. However, the route of dosing may impact treatment efficacy, safety, and dose. To minimize adverse effects, it is hypothesized that LNP-mRNA can be used to activate and engineer dendritic cells (DC) ex vivo before re-administration of these cells. Here, it is shown that LNP-mRNA engineered DCs can indeed vaccinate recipient mice. Vaccinated mice showed strong anti-tumor T cell responses, rejected tumor challenge, and displayed no evidence of toxicity. Further, it is found that DC specific ablation of the immune activating kinase NFkB inducing kinase (NIK) abrogated vaccination efficacy, demonstrating that adoptively transferred DCs can be functionally modified in addition to their antigen presentation capacity. Collectively, these studies show that ex vivo LNP-mRNA engineering of DCs is a feasible and robust therapeutic strategy for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riddha Das
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Xinying Ge
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Master's Program in Immunology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Fan Fei
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Master's Program in Immunology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Sepideh Parvanian
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Ralph Weissleder
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Brigham, 32 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Christopher S Garris
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
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2
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Li J, Xing H, Meng F, Liu T, Hong X, Han X, Dong Y, Li M, Wang Z, Zhang S, Cui C, Zheng A. Virus-Mimetic Extracellular-Vesicle Vaccine Boosts Systemic and Mucosal Immunity via Immune Recruitment. ACS NANO 2024. [PMID: 39013102 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c01277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Mucosal vaccines can prevent viruses from infecting the respiratory mucosa, rather than only curtailing infection and protecting against the development of disease symptoms. The SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) is a compelling vaccine target but is undermined by suboptimal mucosal immunogenicity. Here, we report a SARS-CoV-2-mimetic extracellular-vesicle vaccine developed using genetic engineering and dendritic cell membrane budding. After mucosal immunization, the vaccine recruits antigen-presenting cells rapidly initiating a strong innate immune response. Notably, it obviates the need for adjuvants and can induce germinal center formation through both intramuscular and intratracheal vaccination. It not only elicits high levels of RBD-specific antibodies but also stimulates extensive cellular immunity in the respiratory mucosa. A sequential immunization strategy, starting with an intramuscular injection followed by an intratracheal booster, significantly bolsters mucosal immunity with high levels of IgA and tissue-resident memory T cell responses, thereby establishing a formidable defense against pseudovirus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingru Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Beijing Area Major Laboratory of Peptide and Small Molecular Drugs, Beijing 100069, China
- Engineering Research Center of Endogenous Prophylactic of Ministry of Education of China, Beijing 100069, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Haonan Xing
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Fan Meng
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Beijing Area Major Laboratory of Peptide and Small Molecular Drugs, Beijing 100069, China
- Engineering Research Center of Endogenous Prophylactic of Ministry of Education of China, Beijing 100069, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Hong
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Beijing Area Major Laboratory of Peptide and Small Molecular Drugs, Beijing 100069, China
- Engineering Research Center of Endogenous Prophylactic of Ministry of Education of China, Beijing 100069, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xiaolu Han
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yuhan Dong
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Meng Li
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Zengming Wang
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Beijing Area Major Laboratory of Peptide and Small Molecular Drugs, Beijing 100069, China
- Engineering Research Center of Endogenous Prophylactic of Ministry of Education of China, Beijing 100069, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Chunying Cui
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Beijing Area Major Laboratory of Peptide and Small Molecular Drugs, Beijing 100069, China
- Engineering Research Center of Endogenous Prophylactic of Ministry of Education of China, Beijing 100069, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Aiping Zheng
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
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3
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Oude Egberink R, van Schie DM, Joosten B, de Muynck LTA, Jacobs W, van Oostrum J, Brock R. Unraveling mRNA delivery bottlenecks of ineffective delivery vectors by co-transfection with effective carriers. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024:114414. [PMID: 39009193 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114414] [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: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The messenger RNA (mRNA) SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of this novel drug modality. Protein expression is the consequence of a multistep delivery process that relies on proper packaging into nanoparticle carriers to protect the mRNA against degradation enabling effective cellular uptake and endosomal release and liberating the mRNA in the cytosol. Bottlenecks along this route remain challenging to pinpoint. Although methods to assess endosomal escape of carriers have been developed, versatile strategies to identify bottlenecks along the delivery trajectory are missing. Here, it is shown that co-incubating an inefficient nanoparticle formulation with an efficient one solves this problem. Cells were co-incubated with mRNA nanoparticles formed with either the efficient cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) PepFect14 or the inefficient CPP nona-arginine (R9). Co-transfection enhanced cellular uptake and endosomal escape of R9-formulated mRNA, resulting in protein expression, demonstrating that both vectors enter cells along the same route. In addition, cells were transfected with a galectin-9-mCherry fusion protein to detect endosomal rupture. Remarkably, despite endosomal release, mRNA remained confined to punctate structures, identifying mRNA liberation as a further bottleneck. In summary, co-transfection offers a rapid means to identify bottlenecks in cytosolic mRNA delivery, supporting the rational design and optimization of intracellular mRNA delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rik Oude Egberink
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Deni M van Schie
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Ben Joosten
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Lisa T A de Muynck
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Ward Jacobs
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jenny van Oostrum
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Roland Brock
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 329, Bahrain.
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4
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Zhu Y, Cai SS, Ma J, Cheng L, Wei C, Aggarwal A, Toh WH, Shin C, Shen R, Kong J, Mao SA, Lao YH, Leong KW, Mao HQ. Optimization of lipid nanoparticles for gene editing of the liver via intraduodenal delivery. Biomaterials 2024; 308:122559. [PMID: 38583366 PMCID: PMC11099935 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have recently emerged as successful gene delivery platforms for a diverse array of disease treatments. Efforts to optimize their design for common administration methods such as intravenous injection, intramuscular injection, or inhalation, revolve primarily around the addition of targeting ligands or the choice of ionizable lipid. Here, we employed a multi-step screening method to optimize the type of helper lipid and component ratios in a plasmid DNA (pDNA) LNP library to efficiently deliver pDNA through intraduodenal delivery as an indicative route for oral administration. By addressing different physiological barriers in a stepwise manner, we down-selected effective LNP candidates from a library of over 1000 formulations. Beyond reporter protein expression, we assessed the efficiency in non-viral gene editing in mouse liver mediated by LNPs to knockdown PCSK9 and ANGPTL3 expression, thereby lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Utilizing an all-in-one pDNA construct with Strep. pyogenes Cas9 and gRNAs, our results showcased that intraduodenal administration of selected LNPs facilitated targeted gene knockdown in the liver, resulting in a 27% reduction in the serum LDL cholesterol level. This LNP-based all-in-one pDNA-mediated gene editing strategy highlights its potential as an oral therapeutic approach for hypercholesterolemia, opening up new possibilities for DNA-based gene medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yining Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Shuting Sarah Cai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Jingyao Ma
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Leonardo Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Christine Wei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Ataes Aggarwal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Department of Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Wu Han Toh
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Department of Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Charles Shin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Ruochen Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Jiayuan Kong
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Shuming Alan Mao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Department of Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Yeh-Hsing Lao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Kam W Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Hai-Quan Mao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.
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5
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Khawar MB, Afzal A, Si Y, Sun H. Steering the course of CAR T cell therapy with lipid nanoparticles. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:380. [PMID: 38943167 PMCID: PMC11212433 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02630-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have proven themselves as transformative actors in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, surpassing traditional methods and addressing challenges like immunogenicity, reduced toxicity, and improved safety. Promising preclinical results signal a shift toward safer and more effective CAR T cell treatments. Ongoing research aims to validate these findings in clinical trials, marking a new era guided by LNPs utility in CAR therapy. Herein, we explore the preference for LNPs over traditional methods, highlighting the versatility of LNPs and their effective delivery of nucleic acids. Additionally, we address key challenges in clinical considerations, heralding a new era in CAR T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Babar Khawar
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
- Applied Molecular Biology and Biomedicine Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Narowal, Narowal, Pakistan
| | - Ali Afzal
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
- Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Yue Si
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China
| | - Haibo Sun
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou, China.
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6
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Yang XD, Gong B, Chen W, Chen JJ, Qian C, Lu R, Min Y, Jiang T, Li L, Yu HQ. In Situ Quantitative Monitoring of Adsorption from Aqueous Phase by UV-vis Spectroscopy: Implication for Understanding of Heterogeneous Processes. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2402732. [PMID: 38923364 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202402732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The development of in situ techniques to quantitatively characterize the heterogeneous reactions is essential for understanding physicochemical processes in aqueous phase. In this work, a new approach coupling in situ UV-vis spectroscopy with a two-step algorithm strategy is developed to quantitatively monitor heterogeneous reactions in a compact closed-loop incorporation. The algorithm involves the inverse adding-doubling method for light scattering correction and the multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) method for spectral deconvolution. Innovatively, theoretical spectral simulations are employed to connect MCR-ALS solutions with chemical molecular structural evolution without prior information for reference spectra. As a model case study, the aqueous adsorption kinetics of bisphenol A onto polyamide microparticles are successfully quantified in a one-step UV-vis spectroscopic measurement. The practical applicability of this approach is confirmed by rapidly screening a superior adsorbent from commercial materials for antibiotic wastewater adsorption treatment. The demonstrated capabilities are expected to extend beyond monitoring adsorption systems to other heterogeneous reactions, significantly advancing UV-vis spectroscopic techniques toward practical integration into automated experimental platforms for probing aqueous chemical processes and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Dan Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Bo Gong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Wei Chen
- School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Jie-Jie Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Chen Qian
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Rui Lu
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China
| | - Yuan Min
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Ting Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Liang Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Han-Qing Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
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7
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Li S, Hu Y, Lin J, Schneiderman Z, Shao F, Wei L, Li A, Hsieh K, Kokkoli E, Curk T, Mao HQ, Wang TH. Single-Particle Spectroscopic Chromatography Reveals Heterogeneous RNA Loading and Size Correlations in Lipid Nanoparticles. ACS NANO 2024; 18:15729-15743. [PMID: 38839059 PMCID: PMC11191693 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c02341] [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] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) have emerged as pivotal delivery vehicles for RNA therapeutics. Previous research and development usually assumed that LNPs are homogeneous in population, loading density, and composition. Such perspectives are difficult to examine due to the lack of suitable tools to characterize these physicochemical properties at the single-nanoparticle level. Here, we report an integrated spectroscopy-chromatography approach as a generalizable strategy to dissect the complexities of multicomponent LNP assembly. Our platform couples cylindrical illumination confocal spectroscopy (CICS) with single-nanoparticle free solution hydrodynamic separation (SN-FSHS) to simultaneously profile population identity, hydrodynamic size, RNA loading levels, and distributions of helper lipid and PEGylated lipid of LNPs at the single-particle level and in a high-throughput manner. Using a benchmark siRNA LNP formulation, we demonstrate the capability of this platform by distinguishing seven distinct LNP populations, quantitatively characterizing size distribution and RNA loading level in wide ranges, and more importantly, resolving composition-size correlations. This SN-FSHS-CICS analysis provides critical insights into a substantial degree of heterogeneity in the packing density of RNA in LNPs and size-dependent loading-size correlations, explained by kinetics-driven assembly mechanisms of RNA LNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sixuan Li
- Institute
for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Yizong Hu
- Institute
for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Translational
Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Jinghan Lin
- Institute
for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Translational
Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns
Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Zachary Schneiderman
- Institute
for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Fangchi Shao
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Lai Wei
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Andrew Li
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Kuangwen Hsieh
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Efrosini Kokkoli
- Institute
for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Tine Curk
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns
Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Hai-Quan Mao
- Institute
for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Translational
Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns
Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Tza-Huei Wang
- Institute
for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
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8
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Huang X, Ma Y, Ma G, Xia Y. Unlocking the Therapeutic Applicability of LNP-mRNA: Chemistry, Formulation, and Clinical Strategies. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2024; 7:0370. [PMID: 38894715 PMCID: PMC11185168 DOI: 10.34133/research.0370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) has emerged as an innovative therapeutic modality, offering promising avenues for the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases. The tremendous success of mRNA vaccines in effectively combatting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) evidences the unlimited medical and therapeutic potential of mRNA technology. Overcoming challenges related to mRNA stability, immunogenicity, and precision targeting has been made possible by recent advancements in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). This review summarizes state-of-the-art LNP-mRNA-based therapeutics, including their structure, material compositions, design guidelines, and screening principles. Additionally, we highlight current preclinical and clinical trends in LNP-mRNA therapeutics in a broad range of treatments in ophthalmological conditions, cancer immunotherapy, gene editing, and rare-disease medicine. Particular attention is given to the translation and evolution of LNP-mRNA vaccines into a broader spectrum of therapeutics. We explore concerns in the aspects of inadequate extrahepatic targeting efficacy, elevated doses, safety concerns, and challenges of large-scale production procedures. This discussion may offer insights and perspectives on near- and long-term clinical development prospects for LNP-mRNA therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yishan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Guanghui Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
- School of Chemical Engineering,
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yufei Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
- School of Chemical Engineering,
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
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9
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Doan TNK, Davis MM, Croyle MA. Identification of film-based formulations that move mRNA lipid nanoparticles out of the freezer. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102179. [PMID: 38606144 PMCID: PMC11007537 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102179] [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] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccines consisting of mRNA lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) encoding the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein antigen protected millions of people from severe disease; however, they must be stored frozen prior to use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the compatibility and stability of mRNA LNPs within a polymer-based film matrix. An optimized formulation of polymer base, glycerol, surfactants, and PEGylated lipid that prevents damage to the LNP due to physical changes during the film-forming process (osmotic stress, surface tension, spatial stress, and water loss) was identified. Surfactants added to LNP stock prior to mixing with other film components contributed to this effect. Formulations prepared at pH ≥ 8.5 extended transfection efficiency beyond 4 weeks at 4°C when combined with known nucleic acid stabilizers. mRNA LNPs were most stable in films when manufactured in an environment of ∼50% relative humidity. The optimized formulation offers 16-week stability at 4°C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang Nguyen Kieu Doan
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Madison M. Davis
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Maria A. Croyle
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- John R. LaMontagne Center for Infectious Disease, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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10
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Turuvekere Vittala Murthy N, Vlasova K, Renner J, Jozic A, Sahay G. A new era of targeting cystic fibrosis with non-viral delivery of genomic medicines. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 209:115305. [PMID: 38626860 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a complex genetic respiratory disorder that necessitates innovative gene delivery strategies to address the mutations in the gene. This review delves into the promises and challenges of non-viral gene delivery for CF therapy and explores strategies to overcome these hurdles. Several emerging technologies and nucleic acid cargos for CF gene therapy are discussed. Novel formulation approaches including lipid and polymeric nanoparticles promise enhanced delivery through the CF mucus barrier, augmenting the potential of non-viral strategies. Additionally, safety considerations and regulatory perspectives play a crucial role in navigating the path toward clinical translation of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kseniia Vlasova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Jonas Renner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Antony Jozic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Gaurav Sahay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Robertson Life Sciences Building, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA.
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11
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Liau B, Zhang L, Ang MJY, Ng JY, C V SB, Schneider S, Gudihal R, Bae KH, Yang YY. Quantitative analysis of mRNA-lipid nanoparticle stability in human plasma and serum by size-exclusion chromatography coupled with dual-angle light scattering. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2024; 58:102745. [PMID: 38499167 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2024.102745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the stability of mRNA loaded lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNPs) is imperative for their clinical development. Herein, we propose the use of size-exclusion chromatography coupled with dual-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS) as a new approach to assessing mRNA-LNP stability in pure human serum and plasma. By applying a dual-column configuration to attenuate interference from plasma components, SEC-MALS was able to elucidate the degradation kinetics and physical property changes of mRNA-LNPs, which have not been observed accurately by conventional dynamic light scattering techniques. Interestingly, both serum and plasma had significantly different impacts on the molecular weight and radius of gyration of mRNA-LNPs, suggesting the involvement of clotting factors in desorption of lipids from mRNA-LNPs. We also discovered that a trace impurity (~1 %) in ALC-0315, identified as its O-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-protected form, greatly diminished mRNA-LNP stability in serum. These results demonstrated the potential utility of SEC-MALS for optimization and quality control of LNP formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Liau
- Agilent Technologies, 1 Yishun Avenue 7, Singapore 768923, Republic of Singapore.
| | - Li Zhang
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 20 Biopolis Way, Centros #06-01, Singapore 138668, Republic of Singapore
| | - Melgious Jin Yan Ang
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 20 Biopolis Way, Centros #06-01, Singapore 138668, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jian Yao Ng
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 20 Biopolis Way, Centros #06-01, Singapore 138668, Republic of Singapore
| | - Suresh Babu C V
- Agilent Technologies, 1 Yishun Avenue 7, Singapore 768923, Republic of Singapore
| | - Sonja Schneider
- Agilent Technologies Deutschland GmbH, Hewlett-Packard Strasse 8, 76337 Waldbronn, Germany
| | - Ravindra Gudihal
- Agilent Technologies, 1 Yishun Avenue 7, Singapore 768923, Republic of Singapore
| | - Ki Hyun Bae
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 20 Biopolis Way, Centros #06-01, Singapore 138668, Republic of Singapore
| | - Yi Yan Yang
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 20 Biopolis Way, Centros #06-01, Singapore 138668, Republic of Singapore.
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12
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Gong L, Zhang Y, Wang L, Zhao X, Wang L, Qiu X, Yang X, Zhu W, Lv L, Kang Y, Wu Y, Zhang A, Du Y, Wang X, Zhang G, Sun A, Zhuang G. Advancing vaccine development: Evaluation of a mannose-modified lipid nanoparticle-based candidate for African swine fever p30 mRNA vaccine eliciting robust immune response in mice. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132432. [PMID: 38761609 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132432] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
The African swine fever virus (ASFV) continues to pose significant economic and pandemic risks. Consequently, discovering new, efficient vaccines is crucial. Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have emerged as promising candidates, providing minimal risk of insertional mutagenesis, high safety profiles, effectiveness, rapid scalability in production, and cost-effectiveness. In this study, we have developed an ASF p30 mRNA vaccine candidate (mRNA/Man-LNP) employing mannose-modified lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The mRNA/Man-LNP exhibited effective antigen presentation and facilitated dendritic cells (DCs) maturation. Notably, it elicited strong IgG titers and activated CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in immunized mice, all while adhering to stringent biosafety standards. This investigation demonstrates that mRNA/Man-LNP can trigger both humoral and cellular immune responses, suggesting its potential as a potent and promising vaccine candidate for controlling African swine fever (ASF).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lele Gong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Lele Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Xuyang Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Lucai Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Xiangqi Qiu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Xilong Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Wenhui Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Lijie Lv
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yunzhe Kang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yanan Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Angke Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yongkun Du
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Xuannian Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Gaiping Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; Longhu Laboratory of Advanced Immunology, Zhengzhou 450046, China; School of Advanced Agriculture Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Aijun Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
| | - Guoqing Zhuang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; International Joint Research Center of National Animal Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
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13
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Huayamares SG, Loughrey D, Kim H, Dahlman JE, Sorscher EJ. Nucleic acid-based drugs for patients with solid tumours. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:407-427. [PMID: 38589512 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-024-00883-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The treatment of patients with advanced-stage solid tumours typically involves a multimodality approach (including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy), which is often ultimately ineffective. Nucleic acid-based drugs, either as monotherapies or in combination with standard-of-care therapies, are rapidly emerging as novel treatments capable of generating responses in otherwise refractory tumours. These therapies include those using viral vectors (also referred to as gene therapies), several of which have now been approved by regulatory agencies, and nanoparticles containing mRNAs and a range of other nucleotides. In this Review, we describe the development and clinical activity of viral and non-viral nucleic acid-based treatments, including their mechanisms of action, tolerability and available efficacy data from patients with solid tumours. We also describe the effects of the tumour microenvironment on drug delivery for both systemically administered and locally administered agents. Finally, we discuss important trends resulting from ongoing clinical trials and preclinical testing, and manufacturing and/or stability considerations that are expected to underpin the next generation of nucleic acid agents for patients with solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian G Huayamares
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David Loughrey
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hyejin Kim
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - James E Dahlman
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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14
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De Peña AC, Zimmer D, Gutterman-Johns E, Chen NM, Tripathi A, Bailey-Hytholt CM. Electrophoretic Microfluidic Characterization of mRNA- and pDNA-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:26984-26997. [PMID: 38753459 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c00208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are clinically advanced nonviral gene delivery vehicles with a demonstrated ability to address viral, oncological, and genetic diseases. However, the further development of LNP therapies requires rapid analytical techniques to support their development and manufacturing. The method developed and described in this paper presents an approach to rapidly and accurately analyze LNPs for optimized therapeutic loading by utilizing an electrophoresis microfluidic platform to analyze the composition of LNPs with different clinical lipid compositions (Onpattro, Comirnaty, and Spikevax) and nucleic acid (plasmid DNA (pDNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA)) formulations. This method enables the high-throughput screening of LNPs using a 96- or 384-well plate with approximate times of 2-4 min per sample using a total volume of 11 μL. The lipid analysis requires concentrations approximately between 109 and 1010 particles/mL and has an average precision error of 10.4% and a prediction error of 19.1% when compared to using a NanoSight, while the nucleic acid analysis requires low concentrations of 1.17 ng/μL for pDNA and 0.17 ng/μL for mRNA and has an average precision error of 4.8% and a prediction error of 9.4% when compared to using a PicoGreen and RiboGreen assay. In addition, our method quantifies the relative concentration of nucleic acid per LNP. Utilizing this approach, we observed an average of 263 ± 62.2 mRNA per LNP and 126.3 ± 21.2 pDNA per LNP for the LNP formulations used in this study, where the accuracy of these estimations is dependent on reference standards. We foresee the utility of this technique in the high-throughput characterization of LNPs during manufacturing and formulation research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Coll De Peña
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Daniel Zimmer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, United States
| | - Everett Gutterman-Johns
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Nicole M Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Anubhav Tripathi
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Christina M Bailey-Hytholt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, United States
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15
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Chu R, Wang Y, Kong J, Pan T, Yang Y, He J. Lipid nanoparticles as the drug carrier for targeted therapy of hepatic disorders. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:4759-4784. [PMID: 38682294 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02766j] [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: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The liver, a complex and vital organ in the human body, is susceptible to various diseases, including metabolic disorders, acute hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In recent decades, these diseases have significantly contributed to global morbidity and mortality. Currently, liver transplantation remains the most effective treatment for hepatic disorders. Nucleic acid therapeutics offer a selective approach to disease treatment through diverse mechanisms, enabling the regulation of relevant genes and providing a novel therapeutic avenue for hepatic disorders. It is expected that nucleic acid drugs will emerge as the third generation of pharmaceuticals, succeeding small molecule drugs and antibody drugs. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) represent a crucial technology in the field of drug delivery and constitute a significant advancement in gene therapies. Nucleic acids encapsulated in LNPs are shielded from the degradation of enzymes and effectively delivered to cells, where they are released and regulate specific genes. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the structure, composition, and applications of LNPs in the treatment of hepatic disorders and offers insights into prospects and challenges in the future development of LNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runxuan Chu
- National Advanced Medical Engineering Research Center, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 285 Gebaini Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tung, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China.
| | - Jianglong Kong
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tung, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China.
| | - Ting Pan
- National Advanced Medical Engineering Research Center, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 285 Gebaini Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.
- Department of Pharmaceutics School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Yani Yang
- National Advanced Medical Engineering Research Center, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 285 Gebaini Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.
| | - Jun He
- National Advanced Medical Engineering Research Center, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 285 Gebaini Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.
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16
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Malle M, Song P, Löffler PMG, Kalisi N, Yan Y, Valero J, Vogel S, Kjems J. Programmable RNA Loading of Extracellular Vesicles with Toehold-Release Purification. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:12410-12422. [PMID: 38669207 PMCID: PMC11082903 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c13123] [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] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic nanoparticles as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are widely used as drug delivery vesicles. However, they hold several drawbacks, including low biocompatibility and unfavorable immune responses. Naturally occurring extracellular vesicles (EVs) hold the potential as native, safe, and multifunctional nanovesicle carriers. However, loading of EVs with large biomolecules remains a challenge. Here, we present a controlled loading methodology using DNA-mediated and programmed fusion between EVs and messenger RNA (mRNA)-loaded liposomes. The fusion efficiency is characterized at the single-particle level by real-time microscopy through EV surface immobilization via lipidated biotin-DNA handles. Subsequently, fused EV-liposome particles (EVLs) can be collected by employing a DNA strand-replacement reaction. Transferring the fusion reaction to magnetic beads enables us to scale up the production of EVLs one million times. Finally, we demonstrated encapsulation of mCherry mRNA, transfection, and improved translation using the EVLs compared to liposomes or LNPs in HEK293-H cells. We envision this as an important tool for the EV-mediated delivery of RNA therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ping Song
- Interdiscilinary
Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Philipp M. G. Löffler
- Department
of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University
of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Nazmie Kalisi
- Department
of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University
of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Yan Yan
- Interdiscilinary
Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Omiics
ApS, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Julián Valero
- Interdiscilinary
Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus
University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Stefan Vogel
- Department
of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University
of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Kjems
- Interdiscilinary
Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus
University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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17
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Jürgens DC, Müller JT, Nguyen A, Merkel OM. Tailoring lipid nanoparticles for T-cell targeting in allergic asthma: Insights into efficacy and specificity. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 198:114242. [PMID: 38442794 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114242] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Asthma impacts over 300 million patients globally, with significant health implications, especially in cases of its allergic subtype. The disease is characterized by a complex interplay of airway inflammation and immune responses, often mediated by Th2 cell-related cytokines. In this study, we engineered lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to specifically deliver therapeutic siRNA via the transferrin receptor to T cells. Strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) was employed for the conjugation of transferrin ligands to PEGylated lipids in the LNPs, with the goal of enhancing cellular uptake and gene knockdown. The obtained LNPs exhibited characteristics that make them suitable for pulmonary delivery. Using methods such as nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we determined the average number of transferrin molecules bound to individual LNPs. Additionally, we found that cellular uptake was ligand-dependent, achieving a GATA3 knockdown of more than 50% in relevant in vitro and ex vivo models. Notably, our findings highlight the limitations inherent to modifying the surface of LNPs, particularly with regard to their targeting capabilities. This work paves the way for future research aimed at optimizing targeted LNPs for the treatment of immunologic diseases such as allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Jürgens
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Haus B, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Joschka T Müller
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Haus B, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Anny Nguyen
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Haus B, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Olivia M Merkel
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Haus B, 81377 Munich, Germany; Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany; Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Germany
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18
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Nogueira SS, Samaridou E, Simon J, Frank S, Beck-Broichsitter M, Mehta A. Analytical techniques for the characterization of nanoparticles for mRNA delivery. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 198:114235. [PMID: 38401742 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114235] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Nanotechnology-assisted RNA delivery has gotten a tremendous boost over the last decade and made a significant impact in the development of life-changing vaccines and therapeutics. With increasing numbers of emerging lipid- and polymer-based RNA nanoparticles progressing towards the clinic, it has become apparent that the safety and efficacy of these medications depend on the comprehensive understanding of their critical quality attributes (CQAs). However, despite the rapid advancements in the field, the identification and reliable quantification of CQAs remain a significant challenge. To support these efforts, this review aims to summarize the present knowledge on CQAs based on the regulatory guidelines and to provide insights into the available analytical characterization techniques for RNA-loaded nanoparticles. In this context, routine and emerging analytical techniques are categorized and discussed, focusing on the operation principle, strengths, and potential limitations. Furthermore, the importance of complementary and orthogonal techniques for the measurement of CQAs is discussed in order to ensure the quality and consistency of analytical methods used, and address potential technique-based differences.
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19
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Zhang D, Zhao H, Li P, Wu X, Liang Y. Research Progress on Liposome Pulmonary Delivery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Nucleic Acid Vaccine and Its Mechanism of Action. J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv 2024. [PMID: 38669118 DOI: 10.1089/jamp.2023.0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Traditional vaccines have played an important role in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, but they still have problems such as low immunogenicity, poor stability, and difficulty in inducing lasting immune responses. In recent years, the nucleic acid vaccine has emerged as a relatively cheap and safe new vaccine. Compared with traditional vaccines, nucleic acid vaccine has some unique advantages, such as easy production and storage, scalability, and consistency between batches. However, the direct administration of naked nucleic acid vaccine is not ideal, and safer and more effective vaccine delivery systems are needed. With the rapid development of nanocarrier technology, the combination of gene therapy and nanodelivery systems has broadened the therapeutic application of molecular biology and the medical application of biological nanomaterials. Nanoparticles can be used as potential drug-delivery vehicles for the treatment of hereditary and infectious diseases. In addition, due to the advantages of lung immunity, such as rapid onset of action, good efficacy, and reduced adverse reactions, pulmonary delivery of nucleic acid vaccine has become a hot spot in the field of research. In recent years, lipid nanocarriers have become safe, efficient, and ideal materials for vaccine delivery due to their unique physical and chemical properties, which can effectively reduce the toxic side effects of drugs and achieve the effect of slow release and controlled release, and there have been a large number of studies using lipid nanocarriers to efficiently deliver target components into the body. Based on the delivery of tuberculosis (TB) nucleic acid vaccine by lipid carrier, this article systematically reviews the advantages and mechanism of liposomes as a nucleic acid vaccine delivery carrier, so as to lay a solid foundation for the faster and more effective development of new anti-TB vaccine delivery systems in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The Eighth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Postgraduate Department of Heibei North University, Zhangjiakou, China
| | - Haimei Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The Eighth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Postgraduate Department of Heibei North University, Zhangjiakou, China
| | - Ping Li
- Postgraduate Department of Heibei North University, Zhangjiakou, China
| | - Xueqiong Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The Eighth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The Eighth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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20
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Park S, Kim M, Lee JW. Optimizing Nucleic Acid Delivery Systems through Barcode Technology. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:1006-1018. [PMID: 38526308 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00602] [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] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Conventional biological experiments often focus on in vitro assays because of the inherent limitations when handling multiple variables in vivo, including labor-intensive and time-consuming procedures. Often only a subset of samples demonstrating significant efficacy in the in vitro assays can be evaluated in vivo. Nonetheless, because of the low correlation between the in vitro and in vivo tests, evaluation of the variables under examination in vivo and not solely in vitro is critical. An emerging approach to achieve high-throughput in vivo tests involves using a barcode system consisting of various nucleotide combinations. Unique barcodes for each variant enable the simultaneous testing of multiple entities, eliminating the need for separate individual tests. Subsequently, to identify crucial parameters, samples were collected and analyzed using barcode sequencing. This review explores the development of barcode design and its applications, including the evaluation of nucleic acid delivery systems and the optimization of gene expression in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soan Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 CheongamRo, Gyeongbuk, 37673 NamGu, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Mibang Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 CheongamRo, Gyeongbuk, 37673 NamGu, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Wook Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 CheongamRo, Gyeongbuk, 37673 NamGu, Pohang, Republic of Korea
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 CheongamRo, Gyeongbuk, 37673 NamGu, Pohang, Republic of Korea
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21
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Gilbert J, Sebastiani F, Arteta MY, Terry A, Fornell A, Russell R, Mahmoudi N, Nylander T. Evolution of the structure of lipid nanoparticles for nucleic acid delivery: From in situ studies of formulation to colloidal stability. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 660:66-76. [PMID: 38241872 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.12.165] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
The development of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) based therapeutics for delivery of RNA has triggered the advance of new strategies for formulation, such as high throughput microfluidics for precise mixing of components into well-defined particles. In this study, we have characterised the structure of LNPs throughout the formulation process using in situ small angle x-ray scattering in the microfluidic chip, then by sampling in the subsequent dialysis process. The final formulation was investigated with small angle x-ray (SAXS) and neutron (SANS) scattering, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and cryo-TEM. The effect on structure was investigated for LNPs with a benchmark lipid composition and containing different cargos: calf thymus DNA (DNA) and two model mRNAs, polyadenylic acid (polyA) and polyuridylic acid (polyU). The LNP structure evolved during mixing in the microfluidic channel, however was only fully developed during the dialysis. The colloidal stability of the final formulation was affected by the type of incorporated nucleic acids (NAs) and decreased with the degree of base-pairing, as polyU induced extensive particle aggregation. The main NA LNP peak in the SAXS data for the final formulation were similar, with the repeat distance increasing from polyU
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Gilbert
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden; NanoLund, Lund University, Professorsgatan 1, 223 63 Lund, Sweden
| | - Federica Sebastiani
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden; Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 København Ø, Denmark
| | - Marianna Yanez Arteta
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, 431 83, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ann Terry
- MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University, Fotongatan 2, 224 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Fornell
- MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University, Fotongatan 2, 224 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Robert Russell
- National Deuteration Facility (NDF), Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, 2232 Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Najet Mahmoudi
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Tommy Nylander
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden; NanoLund, Lund University, Professorsgatan 1, 223 63 Lund, Sweden; LINXS Institute of Advanced Neutron and X-Ray Science, Lund, Sweden; School of Chemical Engineering and Translational Nanobioscience Research Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
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22
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Vaidya A, Parande D, Khadse N, Vargas-Montoya N, Agarwal V, Ortiz C, Ellis G, Kaushal N, Sarode A, Karve S, DeRosa F. Analytical Characterization of Heterogeneities in mRNA-Lipid Nanoparticles Using Sucrose Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation. Anal Chem 2024; 96:5570-5579. [PMID: 38529613 PMCID: PMC11007679 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00031] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Rational design and robust formulation processes are critical for optimal delivery of mRNA by lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Varying degrees of heterogeneity in mRNA-LNPs can affect their biophysical and functional properties. Given the profound complexity of mRNA-LNPs, it is critical to develop comprehensive and orthogonal analytical techniques for a better understanding of these formulations. To this end, we developed a robust ultracentrifugation method for density-based separation of subpopulations of mRNA-LNPs. Four LNP formulations encapsulating human erythropoietin (hEPO) with varying functionalities were synthesized using two ionizable lipids, A and B, and two helper lipids, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) and 1,2-dierucoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DEPE), along with cholesterol and DMG-PEG-2K. Upon ultracentrifugation on a sucrose gradient, a distinct pattern of "fractions" was observed across the gradient, from the less dense topmost fraction to the increasingly denser bottom fractions, which were harvested for comprehensive analyses. Parent LNPs, A-DOPE and B-DOPE, were resolved into three density-based fractions, each differing significantly in the hEPO expression following intravenous and intramuscular routes of administration. Parent B-DEPE LNPs resolved into two density-based fractions, with most of the payload and lipid content being attributed to the topmost fraction compared to the lower one, indicating some degree of heterogeneity, while parent A-DEPE LNPs showed remarkable homogeneity, as indicated by comparable in vivo potency, lipid numbers, and particle count among the three density-based fractions. This study is the first to demonstrate the application of density gradient-based ultracentrifugation (DGC) for a head-to-head comparison of heterogeneity as a function of biological performance and biophysical characteristics of parent mRNA-LNPs and their subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amita Vaidya
- mRNA Center of Excellence,
Sanofi, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Dipen Parande
- mRNA Center of Excellence,
Sanofi, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Nikita Khadse
- mRNA Center of Excellence,
Sanofi, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | | | - Vikram Agarwal
- mRNA Center of Excellence,
Sanofi, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Christian Ortiz
- mRNA Center of Excellence,
Sanofi, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Gordon Ellis
- mRNA Center of Excellence,
Sanofi, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Neha Kaushal
- mRNA Center of Excellence,
Sanofi, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Ashish Sarode
- mRNA Center of Excellence,
Sanofi, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Shrirang Karve
- mRNA Center of Excellence,
Sanofi, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Frank DeRosa
- mRNA Center of Excellence,
Sanofi, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
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23
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Unruh T, Götz K, Vogel C, Fröhlich E, Scheurer A, Porcar L, Steiniger F. Mesoscopic Structure of Lipid Nanoparticle Formulations for mRNA Drug Delivery: Comirnaty and Drug-Free Dispersions. ACS NANO 2024; 18:9746-9764. [PMID: 38514237 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c02610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) produced by antisolvent precipitation (ASP) are used in formulations for mRNA drug delivery. The mesoscopic structure of such complex multicomponent and polydisperse nanoparticulate systems is most relevant for their drug delivery properties, medical efficiency, shelf life, and possible side effects. However, the knowledge on the structural details of such formulations is very limited. Essentially no such information is publicly available for pharmaceutical dispersions approved by numerous medicine agencies for the use in humans and loaded with mRNA encoding a mimic of the spike protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as, e.g., the Comirnaty formulation (BioNTech/Pfizer). Here, we present a simple preparation method to mimic the Comirnaty drug-free LNPs including a comparison of their structural properties with those of Comirnaty. Strong evidence for the liquid state of the LNPs in both systems is found in contrast to the designation of the LNPs as solid lipid nanoparticles by BioNTech. An exceptionally detailed and reliable structural model for the LNPs i.a. revealing their unexpected narrow size distribution will be presented based on a combined small-angle X-ray scattering and photon correlation spectroscopy (SAXS/PCS) evaluation method. The results from this experimental approach are supported by light microscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoTEM), and simultaneous SAXS/SANS studies. The presented results do not provide direct insights on particle formation or dispersion stability but should contribute significantly to better understanding the LNP drug delivery process, enhancing their medical benefit, and reducing side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Unruh
- Institute for Crystallography and Structural Physics, Physics Department, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstraße 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Nanostructured Films (IZNF) and Center for Nanoanalysis and Electron Microscopy (CENEM), Cauerstraße 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Götz
- Institute for Crystallography and Structural Physics, Physics Department, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstraße 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Nanostructured Films (IZNF) and Center for Nanoanalysis and Electron Microscopy (CENEM), Cauerstraße 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carola Vogel
- Institute for Crystallography and Structural Physics, Physics Department, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstraße 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Nanostructured Films (IZNF) and Center for Nanoanalysis and Electron Microscopy (CENEM), Cauerstraße 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Erik Fröhlich
- Institute for Crystallography and Structural Physics, Physics Department, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstraße 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Scheurer
- Lehrstuhl für Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie, Department Chemie und Pharmazie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstraße 1, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lionel Porcar
- Large Scale Structures Group, Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Frank Steiniger
- Electron Microscopy Center, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
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24
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Morla-Folch J, Ranzenigo A, Fayad ZA, Teunissen AJP. Nanotherapeutic Heterogeneity: Sources, Effects, and Solutions. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2307502. [PMID: 38050951 PMCID: PMC11045328 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202307502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Nanomaterials have revolutionized medicine by enabling control over drugs' pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and biocompatibility. However, most nanotherapeutic batches are highly heterogeneous, meaning they comprise nanoparticles that vary in size, shape, charge, composition, and ligand functionalization. Similarly, individual nanotherapeutics often have heterogeneously distributed components, ligands, and charges. This review discusses nanotherapeutic heterogeneity's sources and effects on experimental readouts and therapeutic efficacy. Among other topics, it demonstrates that heterogeneity exists in nearly all nanotherapeutic types, examines how nanotherapeutic heterogeneity arises, and discusses how heterogeneity impacts nanomaterials' in vitro and in vivo behavior. How nanotherapeutic heterogeneity skews experimental readouts and complicates their optimization and clinical translation is also shown. Lastly, strategies for limiting nanotherapeutic heterogeneity are reviewed and recommendations for developing more reproducible and effective nanotherapeutics provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Morla-Folch
- Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Anna Ranzenigo
- Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Zahi Adel Fayad
- Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Abraham Jozef Petrus Teunissen
- Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
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25
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Zhou F, Huang L, Li S, Yang W, Chen F, Cai Z, Liu X, Xu W, Lehto V, Lächelt U, Huang R, Shi Y, Lammers T, Tao W, Xu ZP, Wagner E, Xu Z, Yu H. From structural design to delivery: mRNA therapeutics for cancer immunotherapy. EXPLORATION (BEIJING, CHINA) 2024; 4:20210146. [PMID: 38855617 PMCID: PMC11022630 DOI: 10.1002/exp.20210146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
mRNA therapeutics have emerged as powerful tools for cancer immunotherapy in accordance with their superiority in expressing all sequence-known proteins in vivo. In particular, with a small dosage of delivered mRNA, antigen-presenting cells (APCs) can synthesize mutant neo-antigens and multi-antigens and present epitopes to T lymphocytes to elicit antitumor effects. In addition, expressing receptors like chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), T-cell receptor (TCR), CD134, and immune-modulating factors including cytokines, interferons, and antibodies in specific cells can enhance immunological response against tumors. With the maturation of in vitro transcription (IVT) technology, large-scale and pure mRNA encoding specific proteins can be synthesized quickly. However, the clinical translation of mRNA-based anticancer strategies is restricted by delivering mRNA into target organs or cells and the inadequate endosomal escape efficiency of mRNA. Recently, there have been some advances in mRNA-based cancer immunotherapy, which can be roughly classified as modifications of the mRNA structure and the development of delivery systems, especially the lipid nanoparticle platforms. In this review, the latest strategies for overcoming the limitations of mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies and the recent advances in delivering mRNA into specific organs and cells are summarized. Challenges and opportunities for clinical applications of mRNA-based cancer immunotherapy are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia MedicaChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Lujia Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia MedicaChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Shiqin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia MedicaChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Wenfang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia MedicaChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Fangmin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia MedicaChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Zhixiong Cai
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian ProvinceMengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian ProvinceMengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Wujun Xu
- Department of Applied PhysicsUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
| | - Vesa‐Pekka Lehto
- Department of Applied PhysicsUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
| | - Ulrich Lächelt
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Rongqin Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Smart Drug DeliveryMinistry of Education, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yang Shi
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular ImagingRWTH Aachen University ClinicAachenGermany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular ImagingRWTH Aachen University ClinicAachenGermany
| | - Wei Tao
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Zhi Ping Xu
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering and Institute of Systems and Physical BiologyShenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhenChina
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for NanoscienceLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversitätMunichGermany
| | - Zhiai Xu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringEast China Normal UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Haijun Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia MedicaChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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26
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Roh EH, Sullivan MO, Epps TH. Which Lipid Nanoparticle (LNP) Designs Work? A Simple Kinetic Model Linking LNP Chemical Structure to In Vivo Delivery Performance. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:13399-13410. [PMID: 38466900 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c15424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Although lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the predominant nanocarriers for short-interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery, most therapies use nearly identical formulations that have taken 30 years to design but lack the diverse property ranges necessary for versatile application. This dearth in variety and the extended timeline for implementation are attributed to a limited understanding of how LNP properties facilitate overcoming biological barriers. Herein, a simple kinetic model was developed by using major rate-limiting steps for siRNA delivery, and this model enabled the identification of a critical parameter to predict LNP efficacy without extensive experimental testing. A volume-averaged log D, the "solubility" of charged molecules as a function of pH weighted by component volume fractions, resulted in a good correlation between LNP composition and siRNA delivery. Both the effects of modifying the structures of ionizable lipids and LNP composition on gene silencing were easily captured in the model predictions. Thus, this approach provides a robust LNP structure-activity relationship to dramatically accelerate the realization of effective LNP formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther H Roh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Millicent O Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Thomas H Epps
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Center for Research in Soft matter and Polymers (CRiSP), University of Delaware, Newark Delaware 19716, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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27
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Zhang H, Meng C, Yi X, Han J, Wang J, Liu F, Ling Q, Li H, Gu Z. Fluorinated Lipid Nanoparticles for Enhancing mRNA Delivery Efficiency. ACS NANO 2024; 18:7825-7836. [PMID: 38452271 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c04507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), a nonviral nucleic acid delivery system, have shown vast potential for vaccine development and disease treatment. LNPs assist mRNA to cross physiological barriers such as cell membranes and endosomes/lysosomes, promoting the intracellular presentation of mRNA. However, the endosome escape efficiency and biosafety of currently commercialized LNPs are still unsatisfactory, resulting in underutilization of mRNA. Herein, we report that fluorinated modification of the 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-poly(ethylene glycol)-2000 (PEG-DSPE), termed as FPD, in the LNPs can improve the delivery efficiency of mRNA. FPD accounts for only 1.5% of lipids in LNPs but could mediate a 5-fold and nearly 2-fold enhancement of mRNA expression efficiency in B16F10 tumor cells and primary dendritic cells, respectively. Mechanism studies reveal that FPD promotes the cellular internalization of LNPs as well as endosome escape. In vivo studies substantiate that FPD can augment overall mRNA expression at least 3-fold, either by intravenous or intraperitoneal injection, compared to LNPs prepared with nonfluorinated PEG-lipids at a relatively low mRNA dose. Besides, with the introduction of FPD, mRNA expression in the spleen augmented compared to that of the DMG-PEG commercial formulations. Benefiting from a prudent dosage of fluorine, the fluorinated LNPs display favorable biosafety profiles at cellular and zoological levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huipeng Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chaoyang Meng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Xuewen Yi
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Jinpeng Han
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Junxia Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Feng Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qi Ling
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Hongjun Li
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299 China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Zhen Gu
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299 China
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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28
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Hu Y, Eder BA, Lin J, Li S, Zhu Y, Wang TH, Guo T, Mao HQ. Liter-scale manufacturing of shelf-stable plasmid DNA/PEI transfection particles for viral vector production. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101194. [PMID: 38352269 PMCID: PMC10863326 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The transfection efficiency and stability of the delivery vehicles of plasmid DNA (pDNA) are critical metrics to ensure high-quality and high-yield production of viral vectors. We previously identified that the optimal size of pDNA/poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) transfection particles is 400-500 nm and developed a bottom-up assembly method to construct stable 400-nm pDNA/PEI particles and benchmarked their transfection efficiency in producing lentiviral vectors (LVVs). Here, we report scale-up production protocols for such transfection particles. Using a two-inlet confined impinging jet (CIJ) mixer with a dual syringe pump set-up, we produced a 1-L batch at a flow rate of 100 mL/min, and further scaled up this process with a larger CIJ mixer and a dual peristaltic pump array, allowing for continuous production at a flow rate of 1 L/min without a lot size limit. We demonstrated the scalability of this process with a 5-L lot and validated the quality of these 400-nm transfection particles against the target product profile, including physical properties, shelf and on-bench stability, transfection efficiency, and LVV production yield in both 15-mL bench culture and 2-L bioreactor runs. These results confirm the potential of this particle assembly process as a scalable manufacturing platform for viral vector production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizong Hu
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | | | - Jinghan Lin
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Sixuan Li
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Yining Zhu
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Tza-Huei Wang
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Ting Guo
- 2seventy bio, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Hai-Quan Mao
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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29
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Witten J, Hu Y, Langer R, Anderson DG. Recent advances in nanoparticulate RNA delivery systems. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2307798120. [PMID: 38437569 PMCID: PMC10945842 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307798120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanoparticle-based RNA delivery has shown great progress in recent years with the approval of two mRNA vaccines for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and a liver-targeted siRNA therapy. Here, we discuss the preclinical and clinical advancement of new generations of RNA delivery therapies along multiple axes. Improvements in cargo design such as RNA circularization and data-driven untranslated region optimization can drive better mRNA expression. New materials discovery research has driven improved delivery to extrahepatic targets such as the lung and splenic immune cells, which could lead to pulmonary gene therapy and better cancer vaccines, respectively. Other organs and even specific cell types can be targeted for delivery via conjugation of small molecule ligands, antibodies, or peptides to RNA delivery nanoparticles. Moreover, the immune response to any RNA delivery nanoparticle plays a crucial role in determining efficacy. Targeting increased immunogenicity without induction of reactogenic side effects is crucial for vaccines, while minimization of immune response is important for gene therapies. New developments have addressed each of these priorities. Last, we discuss the range of RNA delivery clinical trials targeting diverse organs, cell types, and diseases and suggest some key advances that may play a role in the next wave of therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Witten
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Yizong Hu
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Robert Langer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Department of Anesthesiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Daniel G. Anderson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Department of Anesthesiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
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30
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Tang Z, Yu F, Hsu JC, Shi J, Cai W. Soybean Oil-Derived Lipids for Efficient mRNA Delivery. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2302901. [PMID: 38113460 PMCID: PMC10996393 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202302901] [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] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The rapid progress in the development of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines during the initial year of the pandemic has highlighted the significance of lipid nanoparticles in therapeutic delivery. Various lipid types have been investigated for the effective delivery of mRNA, each with unique functions and versatile applications. These range from their use in cancer immunotherapy and gene editing to their role in developing vaccines against infectious diseases. Nonetheless, continued exploration of novel lipids and synthetic approaches is necessary to further advance the understanding and expand the techniques for optimizing mRNA delivery. In this work, new lipids derived from FDA-approved soybean oil are facilely synthesized and these are employed for efficient mRNA delivery. EGFP and Fluc mRNA are used to evaluate the delivery efficacy of the lipid formulations both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, organ-specific targeting capabilities are observed in certain formulations, and their outstanding performance is demonstrated in delivering Cre mRNA for gene editing. These results showcase the potential of soybean oil-derived lipids in mRNA delivery, offering utility across a broad spectrum of bioapplications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongmin Tang
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, P. R. China
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Fan Yu
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, P. R. China
| | - Jessica C Hsu
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Jianlin Shi
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructures, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Research Unit of Nanocatalytic Medicine in Specific Therapy for Serious Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU012), Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
| | - Weibo Cai
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
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31
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Manske K, Dreßler L, Fräßle SP, Effenberger M, Tschulik C, Cletiu V, Benke E, Wagner M, Schober K, Müller TR, Stemberger C, Germeroth L, Busch DH, Poltorak MP. Miniaturized CAR knocked onto CD3ε extends TCR function with CAR specificity under control of endogenous TCR signaling cascade. J Immunol Methods 2024; 526:113617. [PMID: 38215900 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2024.113617] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy using TCR and especially CAR transgenic T cells is a rapidly advancing field with the potential to become standard of care for the treatment of multiple diseases. While all current FDA approved CAR T cell products are generated using lentiviral gene transfer, extensive work is put into CRISPR/Cas mediated gene delivery to develop the next generation of safer and more potent cell products. One limitation of all editing systems is the size restriction of the knock-in cargo. Targeted integration under control of an endogenous promotor and/or signaling cascades opens the possibility to reduce CAR gene size to absolute minimum. Here we demonstrate that a first-generation CAR payload can be reduced to its minimum component - the antigen-binding domain - by targeted integration under control of the CD3ε promoter generating a CAR-CD3ε fusion protein that exploits the endogenous TCR signaling cascade. Miniaturizing CAR payload in this way results in potent CAR activity while simultaneously retaining the primary antigen recognition function of the TCR. Introducing CAR-specificity using a CAR binder only while maintaining endogenous TCR function may be an appealing design for future autologous CAR T cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Manske
- Juno Therapeutics GmbH, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Grillparzerstr. 10, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Lisa Dreßler
- Juno Therapeutics GmbH, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Grillparzerstr. 10, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Simon P Fräßle
- Juno Therapeutics GmbH, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Grillparzerstr. 10, Munich 81675, Germany.
| | - Manuel Effenberger
- Juno Therapeutics GmbH, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Grillparzerstr. 10, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Claudia Tschulik
- Juno Therapeutics GmbH, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Grillparzerstr. 10, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Vlad Cletiu
- Juno Therapeutics GmbH, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Grillparzerstr. 10, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Eileen Benke
- Juno Therapeutics GmbH, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Grillparzerstr. 10, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Michaela Wagner
- Juno Therapeutics GmbH, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Grillparzerstr. 10, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Kilian Schober
- Institute for Medical Microbiology Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas R Müller
- Institute for Medical Microbiology Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Stemberger
- Juno Therapeutics GmbH, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Grillparzerstr. 10, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Lothar Germeroth
- Juno Therapeutics GmbH, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Grillparzerstr. 10, Munich 81675, Germany
| | - Dirk H Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mateusz P Poltorak
- Juno Therapeutics GmbH, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Grillparzerstr. 10, Munich 81675, Germany; Institute for Medical Microbiology Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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32
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Jiang AY, Witten J, Raji IO, Eweje F, MacIsaac C, Meng S, Oladimeji FA, Hu Y, Manan RS, Langer R, Anderson DG. Combinatorial development of nebulized mRNA delivery formulations for the lungs. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:364-375. [PMID: 37985700 PMCID: PMC10954414 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01548-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Inhaled delivery of mRNA has the potential to treat a wide variety of diseases. However, nebulized mRNA lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) face several unique challenges including stability during nebulization and penetration through both cellular and extracellular barriers. Here we develop a combinatorial approach addressing these barriers. First, we observe that LNP formulations can be stabilized to resist nebulization-induced aggregation by altering the nebulization buffer to increase the LNP charge during nebulization, and by the addition of a branched polymeric excipient. Next, we synthesize a combinatorial library of ionizable, degradable lipids using reductive amination, and evaluate their delivery potential using fully differentiated air-liquid interface cultured primary lung epithelial cells. The final combination of ionizable lipid, charge-stabilized formulation and stability-enhancing excipient yields a significant improvement in lung mRNA delivery over current state-of-the-art LNPs and polymeric nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen Y Jiang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jacob Witten
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Idris O Raji
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Feyisayo Eweje
- Harvard and MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Corina MacIsaac
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard and MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sabrina Meng
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Favour A Oladimeji
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yizong Hu
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rajith S Manan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert Langer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard and MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel G Anderson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard and MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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33
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Dao HM, AboulFotouh K, Hussain AF, Marras AE, Johnston KP, Cui Z, Williams RO. Characterization of mRNA Lipid Nanoparticles by Electron Density Mapping Reconstruction: X-ray Scattering with Density from Solution Scattering (DENSS) Algorithm. Pharm Res 2024; 41:501-512. [PMID: 38326530 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-024-03671-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to test the feasibility of using Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) coupled with Density from Solution Scattering (DENSS) algorithm to characterize the internal architecture of messenger RNA-containing lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNPs). METHODS The DENSS algorithm was employed to construct a three-dimensional model of average individual mRNA-LNP. The reconstructed models were cross validated with cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) to assess size, morphology, and internal structure. RESULTS Cryo-TEM and DLS complemented SAXS, revealed a core-shell mRNA-LNP structure with electron-rich mRNA-rich region at the core, surrounded by lipids. The reconstructed model, utilizing the DENSS algorithm, effectively distinguishes mRNA and lipids via electron density mapping. Notably, DENSS accurately models the morphology of the mRNA-LNPs as an ellipsoidal shape with a "bleb" architecture or a two-compartment structure with contrasting electron densities, corresponding to mRNA-filled and empty lipid compartments, respectively. Finally, subtle changes in the LNP structure after three freeze-thaw cycles were detected by SAXS, demonstrating an increase in radius of gyration (Rg) associated with mRNA leakage. CONCLUSION Analyzing SAXS profiles based on DENSS algorithm to yield a reconstructed electron density based three-dimensional model can be a useful physicochemical characterization method in the toolbox to study mRNA-LNPs and facilitate their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huy M Dao
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Khaled AboulFotouh
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Aasim Faheem Hussain
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Alexander E Marras
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program, Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Keith P Johnston
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Zhengrong Cui
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| | - Robert O Williams
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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34
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Pattipeiluhu R, Zeng Y, Hendrix MMRM, Voets IK, Kros A, Sharp TH. Liquid crystalline inverted lipid phases encapsulating siRNA enhance lipid nanoparticle mediated transfection. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1303. [PMID: 38347001 PMCID: PMC10861598 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45666-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Efficient cytosolic delivery of RNA molecules remains a formidable barrier for RNA therapeutic strategies. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) serve as state-of-the-art carriers that can deliver RNA molecules intracellularly, as exemplified by the recent implementation of several vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Using a bottom-up rational design approach, we assemble LNPs that contain programmable lipid phases encapsulating small interfering RNA (siRNA). A combination of cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, cryogenic electron tomography and small-angle X-ray scattering reveals that we can form inverse hexagonal structures, which are present in a liquid crystalline nature within the LNP core. Comparison with lamellar LNPs reveals that the presence of inverse hexagonal phases enhances the intracellular silencing efficiency over lamellar structures. We then demonstrate that lamellar LNPs exhibit an in situ transition from a lamellar to inverse hexagonal phase upon interaction with anionic membranes, whereas LNPs containing pre-programmed liquid crystalline hexagonal phases bypass this transition for a more efficient one-step delivery mechanism, explaining the increased silencing effect. This rational design of LNPs with defined lipid structures aids in the understanding of the nano-bio interface and adds substantial value for LNP design, optimization and use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Pattipeiluhu
- Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- BioNTech SE, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ye Zeng
- Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marco M R M Hendrix
- Self-Organizing Soft Matter, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry & Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ilja K Voets
- Self-Organizing Soft Matter, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry & Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Kros
- Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Thomas H Sharp
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom.
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35
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Sharma P, Hoorn D, Aitha A, Breier D, Peer D. The immunostimulatory nature of mRNA lipid nanoparticles. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 205:115175. [PMID: 38218350 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115175] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
mRNA-Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are at the forefront of global medical research. With the development of mRNA-LNP vaccines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinical potential of this platform was unleashed. Upon administering 16 billion doses that protected billions of people, it became clear that a fraction of them witnessed mild and in some cases even severe adverse effects. Therefore, it is paramount to define the safety along with the therapeutic efficacy of the mRNA-LNP platform for the successful translation of new genetic medicines based on this technology. While mRNA was the effector molecule of this platform, the ionizable lipid component of the LNPs played an indispensable role in its success. However, both of these components possess the ability to induce undesired immunostimulation, which is an area that needs to be addressed systematically. The immune cell agitation caused by this platform is a two-edged sword as it may prove beneficial for vaccination but detrimental to other applications. Therefore, a key challenge in advancing the mRNA-LNP drug delivery platform from bench to bedside is understanding the immunostimulatory behavior of these components. Herein, we provide a detailed overview of the structural modifications and immunogenicity of synthetic mRNA. We discuss the effect of ionizable lipid structure on LNP functionality and offer a mechanistic overview of the ability of LNPs to elicit an immune response. Finally, we shed some light on the current status of this technology in clinical trials and discuss a few challenges to be addressed to advance the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Sharma
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Daniek Hoorn
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Anjaiah Aitha
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dor Breier
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dan Peer
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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36
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Gilbert J, Ermilova I, Fornasier M, Skoda M, Fragneto G, Swenson J, Nylander T. On the interactions between RNA and titrateable lipid layers: implications for RNA delivery with lipid nanoparticles. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:777-794. [PMID: 38088740 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr03308b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Characterising the interaction between cationic ionisable lipids (CIL) and nucleic acids (NAs) is key to understanding the process of RNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formation and release of NAs from LNPs. Here, we have used different surface techniques to reveal the effect of pH and NA type on the interaction with a model system of DOPC and the CIL DLin-MC3-DMA (MC3). At only 5% MC3, differences in the structure and dynamics of the lipid layer were observed. Both pH and %MC3 were shown to affect the absorption behaviour of erythropoietin mRNA, polyadenylic acid (polyA) and polyuridylic acid (polyU). The adsorbed amount of all studied NAs was found to increase with decreasing pH and increasing %MC3 but with different effects on the lipid layer, which could be linked to the NA secondary structure. For polyA at pH 6, adsorption to the surface of the layer was observed, whereas for other conditions and NAs, penetration of the NA into the layer resulted in the formation of a multilayer structure. By comparison to simulations excluding the secondary structure, differences in adsorption behaviours between polyA and polyU could be observed, indicating that the NA's secondary structure also affected the MC3-NA interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Gilbert
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Naturvetarvägen 14, Lund University, 22362 Lund, Sweden.
- NanoLund, Lund University, Professorsgatan 1, 223 63 Lund, Sweden
| | - Inna Ermilova
- Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marco Fornasier
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Naturvetarvägen 14, Lund University, 22362 Lund, Sweden.
| | - Maximilian Skoda
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxford OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Giovanna Fragneto
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble, France
- European Spallation Source ERIC, P.O. Box 176, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jan Swenson
- Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tommy Nylander
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Naturvetarvägen 14, Lund University, 22362 Lund, Sweden.
- NanoLund, Lund University, Professorsgatan 1, 223 63 Lund, Sweden
- Lund Institute of Advanced Neutron and X-Ray Science, Scheelevägen 19, 223 70 Lund, Sweden
- School of Chemical Engineering and Translational Nanobioscience Research Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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37
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Jackman MJ, Li W, Smith A, Workman D, Treacher KE, Corrigan A, Abdulrazzaq F, Sonzini S, Nazir Z, Lawrence MJ, Mahmoudi N, Cant D, Counsell J, Cairns J, Ferguson D, Lenz E, Baquain S, Madla CM, van Pelt S, Moss J, Peter A, Puri S, Ashford M, Mazza M. Impact of the physical-chemical properties of poly(lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol) polymeric nanoparticles on biodistribution. J Control Release 2024; 365:491-506. [PMID: 38030083 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.11.043] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticle (NP) formulations are inherently polydisperse making their structural characterization and justification of specifications complex. It is essential, however, to gain an understanding of the physico-chemical properties that drive performance in vivo. To elucidate these properties, drug-containing poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block polymeric NP formulations (or PNPs) were sub-divided into discrete size fractions and analyzed using a combination of advanced techniques, namely cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance, and hard-energy X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Together, these techniques revealed a uniquely detailed picture of PNP size, surface structure, internal molecular architecture and the preferred site(s) of incorporation of the hydrophobic drug, AZD5991, properties which cannot be accessed via conventional characterization methodologies. Within the PNP size distribution, it was shown that the smallest PNPs contained significantly less drug than their larger sized counterparts, reducing overall drug loading, while PNP molecular architecture was critical in understanding the nature of in vitro drug release. The effect of PNP size and structure on drug biodistribution was determined by administrating selected PNP size fractions to mice, with the smaller sized NP fractions increasing the total drug-plasma concentration area under the curve and reducing drug concentrations in liver and spleen, due to greater avoidance of the reticuloendothelial system. In contrast, administration of unfractionated PNPs, containing a large population of NPs with extremely low drug load, did not significantly impact the drug's pharmacokinetic behavior - a significant result for nanomedicine development where a uniform formulation is usually an important driver. We also demonstrate how, in this study, it is not practicable to validate the bioanalytical methodology for drug released in vivo due to the NP formulation properties, a process which is applicable for most small molecule-releasing nanomedicines. In conclusion, this work details a strategy for determining the effect of formulation variability on in vivo performance, thereby informing the translation of PNPs, and other NPs, from the laboratory to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Jackman
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Weimin Li
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Aaron Smith
- DMPK, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Workman
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kevin E Treacher
- New Modalities & Parenteral Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Adam Corrigan
- Data Sciences and Quantitative Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fadi Abdulrazzaq
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Silvia Sonzini
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Zahid Nazir
- New Modalities & Parenteral Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, UK
| | - M Jayne Lawrence
- Division of Pharmacy & Optometry and the North West Centre for Advanced Drug Delivery (NoWCADD), School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Najet Mahmoudi
- ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, UK
| | - David Cant
- National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK
| | | | - Jonathan Cairns
- Data Sciences and Quantitative Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Doug Ferguson
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Early Oncology Research and Development, AstraZeneca, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Eva Lenz
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Saif Baquain
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christine M Madla
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sally van Pelt
- Business, Planning & Operations, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jennifer Moss
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alison Peter
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sanyogitta Puri
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marianne Ashford
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Mariarosa Mazza
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK.
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Jia Y, Wang X, Li L, Li F, Zhang J, Liang XJ. Lipid Nanoparticles Optimized for Targeting and Release of Nucleic Acid. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2305300. [PMID: 37547955 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are currently the most promising clinical nucleic acids drug delivery vehicles. LNPs prevent the degradation of cargo nucleic acids during blood circulation. Upon entry into the cell, specific components of the lipid nanoparticles can promote the endosomal escape of nucleic acids. These are the basic properties of lipid nanoparticles as nucleic acid carriers. As LNPs exhibit hepatic aggregation characteristics, enhancing targeting out of the liver is a crucial way to improve LNPs administrated in vivo. Meanwhile, endosomal escape of nucleic acids loaded in LNPs is often considered inadequate, and therefore, much effort is devoted to enhancing the intracellular release efficiency of nucleic acids. Here, different strategies to efficiently deliver nucleic acid delivery from LNPs are concluded and their mechanisms are investigated. In addition, based on the information on LNPs that are in clinical trials or have completed clinical trials, the issues that are necessary to be approached in the clinical translation of LNPs are discussed, which it is hoped will shed light on the development of LNP nucleic acid drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaru Jia
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of HeBei University, Baoding, 071002, P. R. China
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, No. 11, First North Road, Zhongguancun, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Xiuguang Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of HeBei University, Baoding, 071002, P. R. China
| | - Luwei Li
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of HeBei University, Baoding, 071002, P. R. China
| | - Fangzhou Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, No. 11, First North Road, Zhongguancun, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Jinchao Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of HeBei University, Baoding, 071002, P. R. China
| | - Xing-Jie Liang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of HeBei University, Baoding, 071002, P. R. China
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, No. 11, First North Road, Zhongguancun, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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Takechi-Haraya Y. [Atomic Force Microscopy to Measure the Mechanical Property of Nanosized Lipid Vesicles and Its Applications]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2024; 144:511-519. [PMID: 38692926 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.23-00178-2] [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] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Nanoparticles, including liposomes and lipid nanoparticles, have garnered global attention due to their potential applications in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and gene therapies. These particles enable targeted delivery of new drug modalities such as highly active small molecules and nucleic acids. However, for widespread use of nanoparticle-based formulations, it is crucial to comprehensively analyze their characteristics to ensure both efficacy and safety, as well as enable consistent production. In this context, this review focuses on our research using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study liposomes and lipid nanoparticles. Our work significantly contributes to the capability of AFM to measure various types of liposomes in an aqueous medium, providing valuable insights into the mechanical properties of these nanoparticles. We discuss the applications of this AFM technique in assessing the quality of nanoparticle-based pharmaceuticals and developing membrane-active peptides.
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40
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Cheng L, Zhu Y, Ma J, Aggarwal A, Toh WH, Shin C, Sangpachatanaruk W, Weng G, Kumar R, Mao HQ. Machine Learning Elucidates Design Features of Plasmid DNA Lipid Nanoparticles for Cell Type-Preferential Transfection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.07.570602. [PMID: 38106206 PMCID: PMC10723465 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.07.570602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
For cell and gene therapies to become more broadly accessible, it is critical to develop and optimize non-viral cell type-preferential gene carriers such as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Despite the effectiveness of high throughput screening (HTS) approaches in expediting LNP discovery, they are often costly, labor-intensive, and often do not provide actionable LNP design rules that focus screening efforts on the most relevant chemical and formulation parameters. Here we employed a machine learning (ML) workflow using well-curated plasmid DNA LNP transfection datasets across six cell types to maximize chemical insights from HTS studies and has achieved predictions with 5-9% error on average depending on cell type. By applying Shapley additive explanations to our ML models, we unveiled composition-function relationships dictating cell type-preferential LNP transfection efficiency. Notably, we identified consistent LNP composition parameters that enhance in vitro transfection efficiency across diverse cell types, such as ionizable to helper lipid ratios near 1:1 or 10:1 and the incorporation of cationic/zwitterionic helper lipids. In addition, several parameters were found to modulate cell type-preferentiality, including the ionizable and helper lipid total molar percentage, N/P ratio, cholesterol to PEGylated lipid ratio, and the chemical identity of the helper lipid. This study leverages HTS of compositionally diverse LNP libraries and ML analysis to understand the interactions between lipid components in LNP formulations; and offers fundamental insights that contribute to the establishment of unique sets of LNP compositions tailored for cell type-preferential transfection.
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41
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Madigan V, Zhang F, Dahlman JE. Drug delivery systems for CRISPR-based genome editors. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:875-894. [PMID: 37723222 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00762-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-based drugs can theoretically manipulate any genetic target. In practice, however, these drugs must enter the desired cell without eliciting an unwanted immune response, so a delivery system is often required. Here, we review drug delivery systems for CRISPR-based genome editors, focusing on adeno-associated viruses and lipid nanoparticles. After describing how these systems are engineered and their subsequent characterization in preclinical animal models, we highlight data from recent clinical trials. Preclinical targeting mediated by polymers, proteins, including virus-like particles, and other vehicles that may deliver CRISPR systems in the future is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Madigan
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Feng Zhang
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - James E Dahlman
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Yu H, Iscaro J, Dyett B, Zhang Y, Seibt S, Martinez N, White J, Drummond CJ, Bozinovski S, Zhai J. Inverse Cubic and Hexagonal Mesophase Evolution within Ionizable Lipid Nanoparticles Correlates with mRNA Transfection in Macrophages. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37870621 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology presents enormous opportunities to prevent and treat various diseases. Here, we developed a novel series of LNPs containing ionizable amino-lipids showing a remarkable array of tunable and pH-sensitive lyotropic liquid crystalline mesophases including the inverse bicontinuous cubic and hexagonal phases characterized by high-throughput synchrotron radiation X-ray scattering. Furthermore, with an interest in developing mRNA therapeutics for lung macrophage targeting, we discovered that there is a strong correlation between the mesophase transition of the LNPs during acidification and the macrophage association/transfection efficiency of mRNAs. The slight molecular structural differences between the SM-102 and ALC-0315 ionizable lipids are linked to the LNP's ability to transform their internal structures from an amorphous state to the inverse micellar, hexagonal, and finally cubic structures during endosomal maturation. SM-102 LNPs showed exceptionally improved transfection efficiency due to their ability to form a cubic structure at a lower pH than the ALC-0315 analogues, which remained within the hexagonal structure, previously attributed to promoting endosomal escape of the ionizable LNPs. Overall, the new knowledge draws our attention to the important role of mesophase transition in endosomal escape, and the novel LNP libraries reported herein have broad prospects for advancing mRNA therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Yu
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Joshua Iscaro
- Centre for Respiratory Science & Health, School of Health & Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Brendan Dyett
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Yiran Zhang
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Susanne Seibt
- SAXS/WAXS Beamline, Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, 800 Blackburn Rd, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Natalia Martinez
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Jacinta White
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Bayview Avenue,Clayton, Victoria 3169, Australia
| | - Calum J Drummond
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Steven Bozinovski
- Centre for Respiratory Science & Health, School of Health & Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Jiali Zhai
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
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Zhao Y, Ye Z, Song D, Wich D, Gao S, Khirallah J, Xu Q. Nanomechanical action opens endo-lysosomal compartments. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6645. [PMID: 37863882 PMCID: PMC10589329 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42280-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Endo-lysosomal escape is a highly inefficient process, which is a bottleneck for intracellular delivery of biologics, including proteins and nucleic acids. Herein, we demonstrate the design of a lipid-based nanoscale molecular machine, which achieves efficient cytosolic transport of biologics by destabilizing endo-lysosomal compartments through nanomechanical action upon light irradiation. We fabricate lipid-based nanoscale molecular machines, which are designed to perform mechanical movement by consuming photons, by co-assembling azobenzene lipidoids with helper lipids. We show that lipid-based nanoscale molecular machines adhere onto the endo-lysosomal membrane after entering cells. We demonstrate that continuous rotation-inversion movement of Azo lipidoids triggered by ultraviolet/visible irradiation results in the destabilization of the membranes, thereby transporting cargoes, such as mRNAs and Cre proteins, to the cytoplasm. We find that the efficiency of cytosolic transport is improved about 2.1-fold, compared to conventional intracellular delivery systems. Finally, we show that lipid-based nanoscale molecular machines are competent for cytosolic transport of tumour antigens into dendritic cells, which induce robust antitumour activity in a melanoma mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Zhongfeng Ye
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Donghui Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Douglas Wich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Shuliang Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Jennifer Khirallah
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Qiaobing Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.
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44
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Zeng T, Zang W, Xiao H, Jiang Y, Lin S, Wang M, Li S, Li L, Li C, Lu C, Yang H. Carrier-Free Nanovaccine: An Innovative Strategy for Ultrahigh Melanoma Neoantigen Loading. ACS NANO 2023; 17:18114-18127. [PMID: 37695697 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c04887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
In personalized cancer immunotherapy, developing an effective neoantigen nanovaccine with high immunogenicity is a significant challenge. Traditional nanovaccine delivery systems often require nanocarriers, which can hinder the delivery of the neoantigen and cause significant toxicity. In this study, we present an innovative strategy of carrier-free nanovaccine achieved through direct self-assembly of 2'-fluorinated CpG (2'F-CpG) with melanoma neoantigen peptide (Obsl1). Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that the introduction of a fluorine atom into CpG increases the noncovalent interaction between 2'F-CpG and Obsl1, which enhanced the loading of Obsl1 on 2'F-CpG, resulting in the spontaneous formation of a hybrid 2'F-CpG/Obsl1 nanovaccine. This nanovaccine without extra nanocarriers showed ultrahigh Obsl1 loading up to 83.19 wt %, increasing the neoantigen peptide uptake by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In C57BL/6 mice models, we demonstrated the long-term preventive and therapeutic effects of the prepared 2'F-CpG/Obsl1 nanovaccine against B16F10 melanoma. Immunocellular analysis revealed that the nanovaccine activated innate and adaptive immune responses to cancer cells. Hence, this study established a simple, safe, and effective preparation strategy for a carrier-free neoantigen nanovaccine, which could be adapted for the future design of personalized cancer vaccines in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zeng
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijie Zang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Structure of Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifan Jiang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People's Republic of China
| | - Sang Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiqing Li
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People's Republic of China
| | - Liannishang Li
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunsen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Structure of Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhua Lu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People's Republic of China
| | - Huanghao Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People's Republic of China
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45
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Mao X, Wang G, Wang Z, Duan C, Wu X, Xu H. Theranostic Lipid Nanoparticles for Renal Cell Carcinoma. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023:e2306246. [PMID: 37747365 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202306246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common urological malignancy and represents a leading threat to healthcare. Recent years have seen a series of progresses in the early diagnosis and management of RCC. Theranostic lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are increasingly becoming one of the focuses in this field, because of their suitability for tumor targeting and multimodal therapy. LNPs can be precisely fabricated with desirable chemical compositions and biomedical properties, which closely match the physiological characteristics and clinical needs of RCC. Herein, a comprehensive review of theranostic LNPs is presented, emphasizing the generic tool nature of LNPs in developing advanced micro-nano biomaterials. It begins with a brief overview of the compositions and formation mechanism of LNPs, followed with an introduction to kidney-targeting approaches, such as passive, active, and stimulus responsive targeting. With examples provided, a series of modification strategies for enhancing the tumor targeting and functionality of LNPs are discussed. Thereafter, research advances on applications of these LNPs for RCC including bioimaging, liquid biopsy, drug delivery, physical therapy, and gene therapy are summarized and discussed from an interdisciplinary perspective. The final part highlights the milestone achievements of translation medicine, current challenges as well as future development directions of LNPs for the diagnosis and treatment of RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiongmin Mao
- Department of Urology, Cancer Precision Diagnosis and Treatment and Translational Medicine Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Guanyi Wang
- Department of Urology, Cancer Precision Diagnosis and Treatment and Translational Medicine Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zijian Wang
- Department of Urology, Cancer Precision Diagnosis and Treatment and Translational Medicine Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Chen Duan
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoliang Wu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hua Xu
- Department of Urology, Cancer Precision Diagnosis and Treatment and Translational Medicine Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
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46
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Graewert MA, Wilhelmy C, Bacic T, Schumacher J, Blanchet C, Meier F, Drexel R, Welz R, Kolb B, Bartels K, Nawroth T, Klein T, Svergun D, Langguth P, Haas H. Quantitative size-resolved characterization of mRNA nanoparticles by in-line coupling of asymmetrical-flow field-flow fractionation with small angle X-ray scattering. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15764. [PMID: 37737457 PMCID: PMC10516866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42274-z] [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: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a generically applicable approach to determine an extensive set of size-dependent critical quality attributes inside nanoparticulate pharmaceutical products. By coupling asymmetrical-flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) measurements directly in-line with solution small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), vital information such as (i) quantitative, absolute size distribution profiles, (ii) drug loading, (iii) size-dependent internal structures, and (iv) quantitative information on free drug is obtained. Here the validity of the method was demonstrated by characterizing complex mRNA-based lipid nanoparticle products. The approach is particularly applicable to particles in the size range of 100 nm and below, which is highly relevant for pharmaceutical products-both biologics and nanoparticles. The method can be applied as well in other fields, including structural biology and environmental sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christoph Wilhelmy
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | | | | | - Clement Blanchet
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Roland Welz
- Postnova Analytics GmbH, Landsberg am Lech, Germany
| | - Bastian Kolb
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Kim Bartels
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Nawroth
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Dmitri Svergun
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg, Germany
- BIOSAXS GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Langguth
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Heinrich Haas
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
- BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany.
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47
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Chander N, Basha G, Yan Cheng MH, Witzigmann D, Cullis PR. Lipid nanoparticle mRNA systems containing high levels of sphingomyelin engender higher protein expression in hepatic and extra-hepatic tissues. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 30:235-245. [PMID: 37564393 PMCID: PMC10410000 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for delivery of mRNA usually contain ionizable lipid/helper lipid/cholesterol/PEG-lipid in molar ratios of 50:10:38.5:1.5, respectively. These LNPs are rapidly cleared from the circulation following intravenous (i.v.) administration, limiting uptake into other tissues. Here, we investigate the properties of LNP mRNA systems prepared with high levels of "helper" lipids such as 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (DSPC) or N-(hexadecanoyl)-sphing-4-enine-1-phosphocholine (egg sphingomyelin [ESM]). We show that LNP mRNAs containing 40 mol % DSPC or ESM have a unique morphology with a small interior "solid" core situated in an aqueous compartment that is bounded by a lipid bilayer. The encapsulated mRNA exhibits enhanced stability in the presence of serum. LNP mRNA systems containing 40 mol % DSPC or ESM exhibit significantly improved transfection properties in vitro compared with systems containing 10 mol % DSPC or ESM. When injected i.v., LNP mRNAs containing 40 mol % ESM exhibit extended circulation lifetimes compared with LNP mRNA systems containing 10 mol % DSPC, resulting in improved accumulation in extrahepatic tissues. Systems containing 40 mol % ESM result in significantly improved gene expression in spleen and bone marrow as well as liver post i.v. injection compared with 10 mol % DSPC LNP mRNAs. We conclude that LNP mRNAs containing high levels of helper lipid provide a new approach for transfecting hepatic and extrahepatic tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Chander
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Genc Basha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Miffy Hok Yan Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Dominik Witzigmann
- NanoVation Therapeutics, 2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Pieter R. Cullis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- NanoVation Therapeutics, 2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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48
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Sun B, Wu W, Narasipura EA, Ma Y, Yu C, Fenton OS, Song H. Engineering nanoparticle toolkits for mRNA delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 200:115042. [PMID: 37536506 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
The concept of using mRNA to produce its own medicine in situ in the body makes it an ideal drug candidate, holding great potential to revolutionize the way we approach medicine. The unique characteristics of mRNA, as well as its customizable biomedical functions, call for the rational design of delivery systems to protect and transport mRNA molecules. In this review, a nanoparticle toolkit is presented for the development of mRNA-based therapeutics from a drug delivery perspective. Nano-delivery systems derived from either natural systems or chemical synthesis, in the nature of organic or inorganic materials, are summarised. Delivery strategies in controlling the tissue targeting and mRNA release, as well as the role of nanoparticles in building and boosting the activity of mRNA drugs, have also been introduced. In the end, our insights into the clinical and translational development of mRNA nano-drugs are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Sun
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Weixi Wu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - 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
| | - Yutian Ma
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Chengzhong Yu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - 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.
| | - Hao Song
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Yu H, Angelova A, Angelov B, Dyett B, Matthews L, Zhang Y, El Mohamad M, Cai X, Valimehr S, Drummond CJ, Zhai J. Real-Time pH-Dependent Self-Assembly of Ionisable Lipids from COVID-19 Vaccines and In Situ Nucleic Acid Complexation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202304977. [PMID: 37391876 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202304977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Ionisable amino-lipid is a key component in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which plays a crucial role in the encapsulation of RNA molecules, allowing efficient cellular uptake and then releasing RNA from acidic endosomes. Herein, we present direct evidence for the remarkable structural transitions, with decreasing membrane curvature, including from inverse micellar, to inverse hexagonal, to two distinct inverse bicontinuous cubic, and finally to a lamellar phase for the two mainstream COVID-19 vaccine ionisable ALC-0315 and SM-102 lipids, occurring upon gradual acidification as encountered in endosomes. The millisecond kinetic growth of the inverse cubic and hexagonal structures and the evolution of the ordered structural formation upon ionisable lipid-RNA/DNA complexation are quantitatively revealed by in situ synchrotron radiation time-resolved small angle X-ray scattering coupled with rapid flow mixing. We found that the final self-assembled structural identity, and the formation kinetics, were controlled by the ionisable lipid molecular structure, acidic bulk environment, lipid compositions, and nucleic acid molecular structure/size. The implicated link between the inverse membrane curvature of LNP and LNP endosomal escape helps future optimisation of ionisable lipids and LNP engineering for RNA and gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Yu
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Angelina Angelova
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 91400, Orsay, France
| | - Borislav Angelov
- Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, Za Radnici 835, 25241, Dolni Brezany, Czech Republic
| | - Brendan Dyett
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Lauren Matthews
- ESRF, The European Synchrotron, 71 avenue des Martyrs, 38043, Grenoble, France
| | - Yiran Zhang
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Mohamad El Mohamad
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Xudong Cai
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Sepideh Valimehr
- Ian Holmes Imaging Center, Bio21 Molecular Science & Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Calum J Drummond
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Jiali Zhai
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
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50
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Suberi A, Grun MK, Mao T, Israelow B, Reschke M, Grundler J, Akhtar L, Lee T, Shin K, Piotrowski-Daspit AS, Homer RJ, Iwasaki A, Suh HW, Saltzman WM. Polymer nanoparticles deliver mRNA to the lung for mucosal vaccination. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabq0603. [PMID: 37585505 PMCID: PMC11137749 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abq0603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
An inhalable platform for messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics would enable minimally invasive and lung-targeted delivery for a host of pulmonary diseases. Development of lung-targeted mRNA therapeutics has been limited by poor transfection efficiency and risk of vehicle-induced pathology. Here, we report an inhalable polymer-based vehicle for delivery of therapeutic mRNAs to the lung. We optimized biodegradable poly(amine-co-ester) (PACE) polyplexes for mRNA delivery using end-group modifications and polyethylene glycol. These polyplexes achieved high transfection of mRNA throughout the lung, particularly in epithelial and antigen-presenting cells. We applied this technology to develop a mucosal vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and found that intranasal vaccination with spike protein-encoding mRNA polyplexes induced potent cellular and humoral adaptive immunity and protected susceptible mice from lethal viral challenge. Together, these results demonstrate the translational potential of PACE polyplexes for therapeutic delivery of mRNA to the lungs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Suberi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Molly K Grun
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Tianyang Mao
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Benjamin Israelow
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Melanie Reschke
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Julian Grundler
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Laiba Akhtar
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Teresa Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Kwangsoo Shin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | | | - Robert J Homer
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, CT 06510, USA
| | - Akiko Iwasaki
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Hee-Won Suh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - W Mark Saltzman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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