Role of Non-coding RNAs in the Response of Glioblastoma to Temozolomide

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are widely used in clinical practice across the globe as cancer treatments. Intrinsic or acquired chemoresistance poses a significant problem for medical practitioners and researchers, causing tumor recurrence and metastasis. The most dangerous kind of malignant brain tumor is called glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) that often recurs following surgery. The most often used medication for treating GBM is temozolomide chemotherapy; however, most patients eventually become resistant. Researchers are studying preclinical models that accurately reflect human disease and can be used to speed up drug development to overcome chemoresistance in GBM. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been shown to be substantial in regulating tumor development and facilitating treatment resistance in several cancers, such as GBM. In this work, we mentioned the mechanisms of how different ncRNAs (microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs) can regulate temozolomide chemosensitivity in GBM. We also address the role of these ncRNAs encapsulated inside secreted exosomes.

Recent Advances in Formulations for Long-Acting Delivery of Therapeutic Peptides

Recent preclinical and clinical studies have focused on the active area of therapeutic peptides due to their high potency, selectivity, and specificity in treating a broad range of diseases. However, therapeutic peptides suffer from multiple disadvantages, such as limited oral bioavailability, short half-life, rapid clearance from the body, and susceptibility to physiological conditions (e.g., acidic pH and enzymolysis). Therefore, high peptide dosages and dose frequencies are required for effective patient treatment. Recent innovations in pharmaceutical formulations have substantially improved therapeutic peptide administration by providing the following advantages: long-acting delivery, precise dose administration, retention of biological activity, and improvement of patient compliance. This review discusses therapeutic peptides and challenges in their delivery and explores recent peptide delivery formulations, including micro/nanoparticles (based on lipids, polymers, porous silicon, silica, and stimuli-responsive materials), (stimuli-responsive) hydrogels, particle/hydrogel composites, and (natural or synthetic) scaffolds. This review further covers the applications of these formulations for prolonged delivery and sustained release of therapeutic peptides and their impact on peptide bioactivity, loading efficiency, and (in vitro/in vivo) release parameters.

Effective treatment of retinal neovascular leakage with fusogenic porous silicon nanoparticles delivering VEGF-siRNA

Aim: To evaluate an intravitreally injected nanoparticle platform designed to deliver VEGF-A siRNA to inhibit retinal neovascular leakage as a new treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. Materials & methods: Fusogenic lipid-coated porous silicon nanoparticles loaded with VEGF-A siRNA, and pendant neovascular integrin-homing iRGD, were evaluated for efficacy by intravitreal injection in a rabbit model of retinal neovascularization. Results: For 12 weeks post-treatment, a reduction in vascular leakage was observed for treated diseased eyes versus control eyes (p = 0.0137), with a corresponding reduction in vitreous VEGF-A. Conclusion: Fusogenic lipid-coated porous silicon nanoparticles siRNA delivery provides persistent knockdown of VEGF-A and reduced leakage in a rabbit model of retinal neovascularization as a potential new intraocular therapeutic.

Delivering the Promise of Gene Therapy with Nanomedicines in Treating Central Nervous System Diseases

Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases, such as Alzheimer's diseases (AD), Parkinson's Diseases (PD), brain tumors, Huntington's disease (HD), and stroke, still remain difficult to treat by the conventional molecular drugs. In recent years, various gene therapies have come into the spotlight as versatile therapeutics providing the potential to prevent and treat these diseases. Despite the significant progress that has undoubtedly been achieved in terms of the design and modification of genetic modulators with desired potency and minimized unwanted immune responses, the efficient and safe in vivo delivery of gene therapies still poses major translational challenges. Various non-viral nanomedicines have been recently explored to circumvent this limitation. In this review, an overview of gene therapies for CNS diseases is provided and describes recent advances in the development of nanomedicines, including their unique characteristics, chemical modifications, bioconjugations, and the specific applications that those nanomedicines are harnessed to deliver gene therapies.

Functional Allele Validation by Gene Editing to Leverage the Wealth of Genetic Resources for Crop Improvement

Advances in molecular technologies over the past few decades, such as high-throughput DNA marker genotyping, have provided more powerful plant breeding approaches, including marker-assisted selection and genomic selection. At the same time, massive investments in plant genetics and genomics, led by whole genome sequencing, have led to greater knowledge of genes and genetic pathways across plant genomes. However, there remains a gap between approaches focused on forward genetics, which start with a phenotype to map a mutant locus or QTL with the goal of cloning the causal gene, and approaches using reverse genetics, which start with large-scale sequence data and work back to the gene function. The recent establishment of efficient CRISPR-Cas-based gene editing promises to bridge this gap and provide a rapid method to functionally validate genes and alleles identified through studies of natural variation. CRISPR-Cas techniques can be used to knock out single or multiple genes, precisely modify genes through base and prime editing, and replace alleles. Moreover, technologies such as protoplast isolation, in planta transformation, and the use of developmental regulatory genes promise to enable high-throughput gene editing to accelerate crop improvement.

RUNX1 (RUNX family transcription factor 1), a target of microRNA miR-128-3p, promotes temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma multiform by upregulating multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1)

Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is the most frequent type of malignant brain tumor with a poor prognosis. After optimal surgery, radiotherapy plus temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard treatment for GBM patients. However, the development of TMZ resistance limits its efficacy in GBM management. Runt Related Transcription Factor 1 (RUNX1) and microRNAs have been implicated in drug resistance of TMZ in GBM. In this study, we revealed the underlying mechanism of TMZ resistance and identified miR-128-3p/RUNX1 axis as a novel target for TMZ resistance in GBM. RUNX1 expression was significantly upregulated in GBM tissues as compared to normal tissues, and its expression was even higher in recurrent GBM tissues and TMZ-resistant GBM cells. RUNX1 depletion inhibited the viability, proliferation, migration, invasion and TMZ resistance of GBM cells, which could be rescued by RUNX1 overexpression. We further identified miR-128-3p as a tumor-suppressor whose overexpression restored the sensitivity of TMZ in GBM cells. miR-128-3p negatively regulated RUNX1 and subsequently downregulated multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1). Together, the present study indicates that RUNX1 confers TMZ resistance in GBM by upregulating MRP1, which is negatively regulated by miR-128-3p. Targeting miR-128-3p/RUNX1/MRP1 axis provides a potential strategy to overcome TMZ resistance in GBM.

Construction of Hyaluronic Acid-CeO₂ Conjugated Composite Nanoparticles and Their Activity Efficiency in Diabetic Retinopathy Alleviation

We developed an effective nanoparticle-biomaterial in alleviating diabetic retinopathy (DR), hyaluronic acid (HA)-CeO₂, composed mainly of CeO₂ and HA. To demonstrate its anti-DR capacity, retinal cells from a B6/J mouse model were used to compare the efficiency of PEI-CeO₂ and HA-CeO₂. We investigated the transport performance, histolysis, immune cell infiltration, angiogenesis, and hyperemia induced by the transport system. The structural integrity, microvascular apoptosis, and superoxide and peroxide concentrations in the retina were measured to evaluate the clinical efficacy of CeO₂. The infiltration efficiency of HA-CeO₂ was higher than that of PEI-CeO₂. Lower levels of foreign body reaction were evident for HA-CeO₂ with less histolysis, immune cell infiltration, angiogenesis, and hyperemia. The clinical efficacy of HA-CeO₂ in terms of preservation of retinal structure and lowering of microvascular apoptosis and superoxide and peroxide concentrations was superior to those of PEI-CP. HA-CeO₂ was shown to have significant antioxidation and anti-vascular injury capacity in a mouse model, and may be a potential compound nanodrug for DR treatment in the future.

Advantage of Nanotechnology-Based Genome Editing System and Its Application in Crop Improvement

Agriculture is an important source of human food. However, current agricultural practices need modernizing and strengthening to fulfill the increasing food requirements of the growing worldwide population. Genome editing (GE) technology has been used to produce plants with improved yields and nutritional value as well as with higher resilience to herbicides, insects, and diseases. Several GE tools have been developed recently, including clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) with nucleases, a customizable and successful method. The main steps of the GE process involve introducing transgenes or CRISPR into plants via specific gene delivery systems. However, GE tools have certain limitations, including time-consuming and complicated protocols, potential tissue damage, DNA incorporation in the host genome, and low transformation efficiency. To overcome these issues, nanotechnology has emerged as a groundbreaking and modern technique. Nanoparticle-mediated gene delivery is superior to conventional biomolecular approaches because it enhances the transformation efficiency for both temporal (transient) and permanent (stable) genetic modifications in various plant species. However, with the discoveries of various advanced technologies, certain challenges in developing a short-term breeding strategy in plants remain. Thus, in this review, nanobased delivery systems and plant genetic engineering challenges are discussed in detail. Moreover, we have suggested an effective method to hasten crop improvement programs by combining current technologies, such as speed breeding and CRISPR/Cas, with nanotechnology. The overall aim of this review is to provide a detailed overview of nanotechnology-based CRISPR techniques for plant transformation and suggest applications for possible crop enhancement.

Nanobody-displaying porous silicon nanoparticles for the co-delivery of siRNA and doxorubicin

Targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics to cancer cells has the potential to yield high drug concentrations in cancer cells while minimizing any unwanted side effects.

Genetic recombination of poly(l-lysine) functionalized apoferritin nanocages that resemble viral capsid nanometer-sized platforms for gene therapy

Currently, bioengineered apoferritin nanocages with flexible protein shells and functionalized modifications have become an attractive approach for efficient anti-tumor therapy. Here, we modified the N-terminus of H-chain subunits in apoferritin with different amounts of lysine via genetic recombination to obtain a poly(l-lysine) modified H-chain apoferritin (nL-HFn) nanocage for siRNA delivery and gene therapy. To achieve excellent cellular affinity and uptake, the nanocarriers were internalized through transferrin receptor-mediated endocytosis, then escaped from the endosome for cytoplasmic transport. Compared with natural apoferritin, the siRNA-loaded genetic recombination NPs modified with lysine exhibit stronger RNA-interference and antitumor efficiency both in vitro and in 4T1 tumor model mice. Therefore, bioengineered apoferritin nanocages modified with lysine might be a promising platform for nucleic acid drug delivery.

Hybrid polymer/porous silicon nanofibers for loading and sustained release of synthetic DNA-based responsive devices

Synthetic DNA-based oligonucleotides are loaded into porous silicon nanoparticles (pSiNPs) and incorporated into nanofibers of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), poly-l-lactic acid (PLA), or polycaprolactone (PCL). The resulting hybrid nanofibers are characterized for their ability to release the functional oligonucleotide payload under physiologic conditions. Under temperature and pH conditions mimicking physiological values, the PLGA-based nanofibers release >80% of their DNA cargo within 5 days, whereas the PLA and PCL-based fibers require 15 days to release >80% of their cargo. The quantity of DNA released scales with the quantity of DNA-loaded pSiNPs embedded in the nanofibers; mass loadings of between 2.4 and 9.1% (based on mass of DNA-pSiNP construct relative to mass of polymer composite) are investigated. When a responsive DNA-based nanodevice (i.e. molecular beacon) is used as a payload, it retains its functionality during the release period, independent of the polymer used for the formation of the nanofibers.

Insights into Theranostic Properties of Titanium Dioxide for Nanomedicine

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanostructures exhibit a broad range of theranostic properties that make them attractive for biomedical applications. TiO2 nanostructures promise to improve current theranostic strategies by leveraging the enhanced quantum confinement, thermal conversion, specific surface area, and surface activity. This review highlights certain important aspects of fabrication strategies, which are employed to generate multifunctional TiO2 nanostructures, while outlining post-fabrication techniques with an emphasis on their suitability for nanomedicine. The biodistribution, toxicity, biocompatibility, cellular adhesion, and endocytosis of these nanostructures, when exposed to biological microenvironments, are examined in regard to their geometry, size, and surface chemistry. The final section focuses on recent biomedical applications of TiO2 nanostructures, specifically evaluating therapeutic delivery, photodynamic and sonodynamic therapy, bioimaging, biosensing, tissue regeneration, as well as chronic wound healing.

Rekindling RNAi Therapy: Materials Design Requirements for In Vivo siRNA Delivery

With the recent FDA approval of the first siRNA-derived therapeutic, RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene therapy is undergoing a transition from research to the clinical space. The primary obstacle to realization of RNAi therapy has been the delivery of oligonucleotide payloads. Therefore, the main aims is to identify and describe key design features needed for nanoscale vehicles to achieve effective delivery of siRNA-mediated gene silencing agents in vivo. The problem is broken into three elements: 1) protection of siRNA from degradation and clearance; 2) selective homing to target cell types; and 3) cytoplasmic release of the siRNA payload by escaping or bypassing endocytic uptake. The in vitro and in vivo gene silencing efficiency values that have been reported in publications over the past decade are quantitatively summarized by material type (lipid, polymer, metal, mesoporous silica, and porous silicon), and the overall trends in research publication and in clinical translation are discussed to reflect on the direction of the RNAi therapeutics field.

Tumor-Targeting, MicroRNA-Silencing Porous Silicon Nanoparticles for Ovarian Cancer Therapy

Silencing of aberrantly expressed microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) has emerged as one of the strategies for molecular targeted cancer therapeutics. In particular, miR-21 is an oncogenic miRNA overexpressed in many tumors, including ovarian cancer. To achieve efficient administration of anti-miR therapeutics, delivery systems are needed that can ensure local accumulation in the tumor environment, low systemic toxicity, and reduced adverse side effects. In order to develop an improved anti-miR therapeutic agent for the treatment of ovarian cancer, a nanoformulation is engineered that leverages biodegradable porous silicon nanoparticles (pSiNPs) encapsulating an anti-miR-21 locked nucleic acid payload and displaying a tumor-homing peptide for targeted distribution. Targeting efficacy, miR-21 silencing, and anticancer activity are optimized in vitro on a panel of ovarian cancer cell lines, and a formulation of anti-miR-21 in a pSiNP displaying the targeting peptide CGKRK is identified for in vivo evaluation. When this nanoparticulate agent is delivered to mice bearing tumor xenografts, a substantial inhibition of tumor growth is achieved through silencing of miR-21. This study presents the first successful application of tumor-targeted anti-miR porous silicon nanoparticles for the treatment of ovarian cancer in a mouse xenograft model.

Maximizing RNA Loading for Gene Silencing Using Porous Silicon Nanoparticles

Gene silencing by RNA interference is a powerful technology with broad applications. However, this technology has been hampered by the instability of small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules in physiological conditions and their inefficient delivery into the cytoplasm of target cells. Porous silicon nanoparticles have emerged as a potential delivery vehicle to overcome these limitations-being able to encapsulate RNA molecules within the porous matrix and protect them from degradation. Here, key variables were investigated that influence siRNA loading into porous silicon nanoparticles. The effect of modifying the surface of porous silicon nanoparticles with various amino-functional molecules as well as the effects of salt and chaotropic agents in facilitating siRNA loading was examined. Maximum siRNA loading of 413 μg/(mg of porous silicon nanoparticles) was found when the nanoparticles were modified by a fourth generation polyamidoamine dendrimer. Low concentrations of urea or salt increased loading capacity: an increase in RNA loading by 19% at a concentration of 0.05 M NaCl or 21% at a concentration of 0.25 M urea was observed when compared to loading in water. Lastly, it was demonstrated that dendrimer-functionalized nanocarriers are able to deliver siRNA against ELOVL5, a target for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Tailoring Porous Silicon for Biomedical Applications: From Drug Delivery to Cancer Immunotherapy

In the past two decades, porous silicon (PSi) has attracted increasing attention for its potential biomedical applications. With its controllable geometry, tunable nanoporous structure, large pore volume/high specific surface area, and versatile surface chemistry, PSi shows significant advantages over conventional drug carriers. Here, an overview of recent progress in the use of PSi in drug delivery and cancer immunotherapy is presented. First, an overview of the fabrication of PSi with various geometric structures is provided, with particular focus on how the unique geometry of PSi facilitates its biomedical applications, especially for drug delivery. Second, surface chemistry and modification of PSi are discussed in relation to the strengthening of its performance in drug delivery and bioimaging. Emerging technologies for engineering PSi-based composites are then summarized. Emerging PSi advances in the context of cancer immunotherapy are also highlighted. Overall, very promising research results encourage further exploration of PSi for biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery and cancer immunotherapy, and future translation of PSi into clinical applications.

Delivery of siRNA in vitro and in vivo using PEI-capped porous silicon nanoparticles to silence MRP1 and inhibit proliferation in glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) overexpression plays a major role in chemoresistance in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) contributing to its notorious deadly nature. Although MRP1-siRNA transfection to GBM in vitro has been shown to sensitise the cells to drug, MRP1 silencing in vivo and the phenotypic influence on the tumour and normal tissues upon MRP1 down-regulation have not been established. Here, porous silicon nanoparticles (pSiNPs) that enable high-capacity loading and delivery of siRNA are applied in vitro and in vivo.

RESULT

We established pSiNPs with polyethyleneimine (PEI) capping that enables high-capacity loading of siRNA (92 µg of siRNA/mg PEI-pSiNPs), and optimised release profile (70% released between 24 and 48 h). These pSiNPs are biocompatible, and demonstrate cellular uptake and effective knockdown of MRP1 expression in GBM by 30%. Also, siRNA delivery was found to significantly reduce GBM proliferation as an associated effect. This effect is likely mediated by the attenuation of MRP1 transmembrane transport, followed by cell cycle arrest. MRP1 silencing in GBM tumour using MRP1-siRNA loaded pSiNPs was demonstrated in mice (82% reduction at the protein level 48 h post-injection), and it also produced antiproliferative effect in GBM by reducing the population of proliferative cells. These results indicate that in vitro observations are translatable in vivo. No histopathological signs of acute damage were observed in other MRP1-expressing organs despite collateral downregulations.

CONCLUSIONS

This study proposes the potential of efficient MRP1-siRNA delivery by using PEI-capped pSiNPs in achieving a dual therapeutic role of directly attenuating the growth of GBM while sensitising residual tumour cells to the effects of chemotherapy post-resection.

Stabilized calcium phosphate hybrid nanocomposite using a benzoxaborole-containing polymer for pH-responsive siRNA delivery

Herein, we developed a PEG-PBO/siRNA/CaP hybrid nanocomposite with excellent stability and high siRNA loading content for effective pH-responsive siRNA delivery.

Use of nanoparticles for glioblastoma treatment: a new approach

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a very aggressive CNS tumor with poor prognosis. Current treatment lacks efficacy indicating that new therapeutic approaches are needed. One of these new approaches is based on the use of nanoparticles (NPs) to deliver different cargos (antitumoral drugs or genetic materials) to tumoral cells. This review covers the signaling pathways altered in GBM cells to understand the rationale behind choosing new therapeutic targets and recent advances in the use of different NPs to deliver to GBM cells, both in vitro and in vivo, different therapeutic molecules. A special focus is placed on the effect of NPs on orthotopic brain tumors since this animal model represents the optimal model for translational purposes.

In Vitro Gene Delivery with Large Porous Silicon Nanoparticles Fabricated Using Cost-Effective, Metal-Assisted Chemical Etching

The cytocompatibility, cell membrane affinity, and plasmid DNA delivery from surface oxidized, metal-assisted stain-etched mesoporous silicon nanoscale particles (pSiNPs) to human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells is demonstrated, suggesting the possibility of using such material for targeted transfection and drug delivery.

Combined bortezomib-based chemotherapy and p53 gene therapy using hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres for p53 mutant non-small cell lung cancer treatment

Hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres (HMSN)-based co-delivery of bortezomib (BTZ) and the tumor suppressor gene p53 was developed for p53 signal impaired NSCLC therapy.

Shape matters when engineering mesoporous silica-based nanomedicines

This review introduces various fabrication methods for non-spherical mesoporous silica nanomaterials and the roles of particle shape in nanomedicine applications.

Powering up the molecular therapy of RNA interference by novel nanoparticles

With more suitable for disease treatment due to reduced cellular toxicity, higher loading capacity, and better biocompatibility, nanoparticle-based siRNA delivery systems have proved to be more potent, higher specific and less toxic than the traditional drug therapy.

Potential of porous silicon nanoparticles as an emerging platform for cancer theranostics

Currently, nanoscience is a major part of biomedical research, due to material advances that aid the development of new tools and techniques to replace traditional methods. Here we describe the theranostic potential of multifunctional porous silicon nanoparticles to target, image and treat cancer.

Micro-optical coherence tomography tracking of magnetic gene transfection via Au-Fe3O4 dumbbell nanoparticles

Heterogeneous Au-Fe3O4 dumbbell nanoparticles (NPs) are composed of Au NPs and Fe3O4 NPs that bring in optical and magnetic properties respectively. This article reports the engineering of Au-Fe3O4 NPs as gene carriers for magnetic gene transfection as well as contrast agents for micro-optical coherence tomography (μOCT). As a proof-of-concept, Au-Fe3O4 NPs are used to deliver the green fluorescent protein to HEK 293T cells and their entrance into the cells is monitored through μOCT.