Enhancing subcutaneous injection and target tissue accumulation of nanoparticles via co-administration with macropinocytosis inhibitory nanoparticles (MiNP)

Synthesis of ionizable lipopolymers using split-Ugi reaction for pulmonary delivery of various size RNAs and gene editing

We present an efficient approach for synthesizing cationic poly(ethylene imine) derivatives using the multicomponent split-Ugi reaction to rapidly create a library of complex functional ionizable lipopolymers. We synthesized a diverse library of 155 polymers, formulated them into polyplexes to establish structure-activity relationships crucial for endosomal escape and efficient transfection. After discovering a lead structure, lipopolymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles are introduced to preferentially deliver to and elicit effective mRNA transfection in lung endothelium and immune cells, including T cells with low in vivo toxicity. The lipopolymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles showed 300-fold improvement in systemic mRNA delivery to the lung compared to in vivo -JetPEI ® . Lipopolymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles demonstrated efficient delivery of mRNA-based therapeutics for treatment of two different disease models. Lewis Lung cancer progression was significantly delayed after treatment with loaded IL-12 mRNA in U155@lipids after repeated i.v. administration. Systemic delivery of human CFTR (hCFTR) mRNA resulted in production of functional form of CFTR protein in the lungs. The functionality of hCFTR protein was confirmed by restoration of CFTR- mediated chloride secretion in conductive airway epithelia in CFTR knockout mice after nasal instillation of hCFTR mRNA loaded U155@lipids. We further showed that, U155@lipids nanoparticles can deliver complex CRISPR-Cas9 based RNA cargo to the lung, achieving 5.6 ± 2.4 % gene editing in lung tissue. Moreover, we demonstrated successful PD-1 gene knockout of T cells in vivo . Our results highlight a versatile delivery platform for systemic delivering of mRNA of various sizes for gene therapy for a variety of therapeutics.

Macrophage Membrane-Camouflaged Aggregation-Induced Emission Nanoparticles Enhance Photodynamic-Immunotherapy to Delay Postoperative Tumor Recurrence

Surgery is a traditional tumor treatment, and immunotherapy can reduce the postoperative recurrence of tumors. However, the intrinsic limits of low responsive rate and non-tumor specificity of immunotherapy agents are still insufficient to address therapeutic demands. Herein, the macrophages membrane camouflaged nanoparticles (NPs), named M@PFC, consisting of the aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer (PF3-PPh3 ) and immune adjuvant (CpG), are reported. As the protein on the membrane interacts with the vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) of cancer cells, M@PFC efficiently transports CpG to the tumor. Meanwhile, M@PFC can evade clearance by the immune system and prolong the circulation time in vivo; thus, enhancing their accumulation in tumors. PF3-PPh3 promotes high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and triggers immune cell death (ICD) in tumor cells under light exposure. Importantly, CpG enrichment in tumors can stimulate tumor cells to produce immune factors to assist in enhancing ICD effects. The synergistic effect combining the PDT properties of the aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active photosensitizer and immunotherapy properties of CpG significantly delays tumor recurrence after surgery. In conclusion, this strategy achieves the synergistic activation of the immune system for anti-tumor activity, providing a novel paradigm for the development of therapeutic nanodrugs to delay postoperative tumor recurrence.

Role of nanotechnology in the prolonged release of drugs by the subcutaneous route

INTRODUCTION

Subcutaneous physiology is distinct from other parenteral routes that benefit the administration of prolonged-release formulations. A prolonged-release effect is particularly convenient for treating chronic diseases because it is associated with complex and often prolonged posologies. Therefore, drug-delivery systems focused on nanotechnology are proposed as alternatives that can overcome the limitations of current therapeutic regimens and improve therapeutic efficacy.

AREAS COVERED

This review presents an updated systematization of nanosystems, focusing on their applications in highly prevalent chronic diseases. Subcutaneous-delivered nanosystem-based therapies comprehensively summarize nanosystems, drugs, and diseases and their advantages, limitations, and strategies to increase their translation into clinical applications. An outline of the potential contribution of quality-by-design (QbD) and artificial intelligence (AI) to the pharmaceutical development of nanosystems is presented.

EXPERT OPINION

Although recent academic research and development (R&D) advances in the subcutaneous delivery of nanosystems have exhibited promising results, pharmaceutical industries and regulatory agencies need to catch up. The lack of standardized methodologies for analyzing in vitro data from nanosystems for subcutaneous administration and subsequent in vivo correlation limits their access to clinical trials. There is an urgent need for regulatory agencies to develop methods that faithfully mimic subcutaneous administration and specific guidelines for evaluating nanosystems.

Dendritic peptide-conjugated polymeric nanovectors for non-toxic delivery of plasmid DNA and enhanced non-viral transfection of immune cells

Plasmid DNA (pDNA) transfection is advantageous for gene therapies requiring larger genetic elements, including "all-in-one" CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids, but is limited by toxicity as well as poor intracellular release and transfection efficiency in immune cell populations. Here, we developed a synthetic non-viral gene delivery platform composed of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(propylene sulfide) copolymers linked to a cationic dendritic peptide (DP) via a reduceable bond, PEG-b-PPS-ss-DP (PPDP). A library of self-assembling PPDP polymers was synthesized and screened to identify optimal constructs capable of transfecting macrophages with small (pCMV-DsRed, 4.6 kb) and large (pL-CRISPR.EFS.tRFP, 11.7 kb) plasmids. The optimized PPDP construct transfected macrophages, fibroblasts, dendritic cells, and T cells more efficiently and with less toxicity than a commercial Lipo2K reagent, regardless of pDNA size and under standard culture conditions in the presence of serum. The PPDP technology described herein is a stimuli-responsive polymeric nanovector that can be leveraged to meet diverse challenges in gene delivery.

Harnessing the Therapeutic Potential of Biomacromolecules through Intracellular Delivery of Nucleic Acids, Peptides, and Proteins

Biomacromolecules have long been at the leading edge of academic and pharmaceutical drug development and clinical translation. With the clinical advances of new therapeutics, such as monoclonal antibodies and nucleic acids, the array of medical applications of biomacromolecules has broadened considerably. A major on-going effort is to expand therapeutic targets within intracellular locations. Owing to their large sizes, abundant charges, and hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors, advanced delivery technologies are required to deliver biomacromolecules effectively inside cells. In this review, strategies used for the intracellular delivery of three major forms of biomacromolecules: nucleic acids, proteins, and peptides, are highlighted. An emphasis is placed on synthetic delivery approaches and the major hurdles needed to be overcome for their ultimate clinical translation.

Nanoparticle based medicines: approaches for evading and manipulating the mononuclear phagocyte system and potential for clinical translation

For decades, nanomedicines have been reported as a potential means to overcome the limitations of conventional drug delivery systems by reducing side effects, toxicity and the non-ideal pharmacokinetic behaviour typically exhibited by small molecule drugs. However, upon administration many nanoparticles prompt induction of host inflammatory responses due to recognition and uptake by macrophages, eliminating up to 95% of the administered dose. While significant advances in nanoparticle engineering and consequent therapeutic efficacy have been made, it is becoming clear that nanoparticle recognition by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) poses an impassable junction in the current framework of nanoparticle development. Hence, this has negative consequences on the clinical translation of nanotechnology with respect to therapeutic efficacy, systemic toxicity and economic benefit. In order to improve the translation of nanomedicines from bench-to-bedside, there is a requirement to either modify nanomedicines in terms of how they interact with intrinsic processes in the body, or modulate the body to be more accommodating for nanomedicine treatments. Here we provide an overview of the current standard for design elements of nanoparticles, as well as factors to consider when producing nanomedicines that have minimal MPS-nanoparticle interactions; we explore this landscape across the cellular to tissue and organ levels. Further, rather than designing materials to suit the body, a growing research niche involves modulating biological responses to administered nanomaterials. We here discuss how developing strategic methods of MPS 'pre-conditioning' with small molecule or biological drugs, as well as implementing strategic dosing regimens, such as 'decoy' nanoparticles, is essential to increasing nanoparticle therapeutic efficacy. By adopting such a perspective, we hope to highlight the increasing trends in research dedicated to improving nanomedicine translation, and subsequently making a positive clinical impact.

Leveraging self-assembled nanobiomaterials for improved cancer immunotherapy

Nanomaterials and targeted drug delivery vehicles improve the therapeutic index of drugs and permit greater control over their pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and bioavailability. Here, nanotechnologies applied to cancer immunotherapy are discussed with a focus on current and next generation self-assembling drug delivery systems composed of lipids and/or polymers. Topics covered include the fundamental design, suitability, and inherent properties of nanomaterials that induce anti-tumor immune responses and support anti-cancer vaccination. Established active and passive targeting strategies as well as newer "indirect" methods are presented together with insights into how nanocarrier structure and surface chemistry can be leveraged for controlled delivery to the tumor microenvironment while minimizing off-target effects.

Gold Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System: Principle and Application

In recent years, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have gradually become a major choice of drug delivery cargoes due to unique properties. Compared to traditional bulk solid gold, GNPs have basic physical and chemical advantages, such as a larger surface area-to-volume ratio and easier surface modification. Furthermore, these have excellent biocompatibility, can induce the directional adsorption and enrichment of biological macromolecules, help retain biological macromolecule activity, and cause low harm to the human body. All these make GNPs good drug delivery cargoes. The present study introduces the properties of GNPs, including factors that affect the properties and synthesis. Then, focus was given on the application in drug delivery, not only on the molecular mechanism, but also on the clinical application. Furthermore, the properties and applications of peptide GNPs were also introduced. Finally, the challenges and prospects of GNPs for drug delivery were summarized.

Just add water: hydratable, morphologically diverse nanocarrier powders for targeted delivery

Two major obstacles that limit the widespread usage of polymeric nanocarriers include the complexity of formulation methods and their stability during storage. To address both of these issues, here we present morphologically complex nanocarriers in a hydratable powder form, which bypasses the need for expensive, harsh, and/or time-consuming nanocarrier fabrication techniques. The powders are composed of carbohydrates and self-assembling polymer amphiphiles having a low glass transition temperature. Hydration requires less than one minute and only involves the addition of aqueous media (water or saline) to rapidly obtain self-assembled micelles, worm-like micelles (i.e. filomicelles), or polymersomes from poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(propylene sulfide) (PEG-b-PPS) polymers. The formulated powders are highly stable, achieving hydration into monodisperse nanocarriers following >6 months of storage. Diverse drug cargoes were efficiently encapsulated during hydration, including hydrophobic small molecules for micellar morphologies, as well as individual and concurrent loading of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules for vesicular morphologies. Hydrated polymersomes are shown to load hydrophilic biological macromolecules, and encapsulated enzymes retain bioactivity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that inclusion of lipid-anchored ligands in powder form permits the surface-display of targeting ligands and enhances target cell uptake, thereby extending this technology to targeted drug delivery applications. Our powder-based formulation strategy was extendable to commercially available polymer amphiphiles, including PEG-b-polystyrene and PEG-b-polycaprolactone. The formulated nanotechnologies described herein are highly modular, require minimal preparation, and remain stable in ambient long-term storage (bypassing cold chain requirements), which will enable their use in medicine (human and veterinary), research, and commercial applications from cosmetics to agriculture.