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Valatabar N, Oroojalian F, Kazemzadeh M, Mokhtarzadeh AA, Safaralizadeh R, Sahebkar A. Recent advances in gene delivery nanoplatforms based on spherical nucleic acids. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:386. [PMID: 38951806 PMCID: PMC11218236 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02648-5] [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: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is a therapeutic option for mitigating diseases that do not respond well to pharmacological therapy. This type of therapy allows for correcting altered and defective genes by transferring nucleic acids to target cells. Notably, achieving a desirable outcome is possible by successfully delivering genetic materials into the cell. In-vivo gene transfer strategies use two major classes of vectors, namely viral and nonviral. Both of these systems have distinct pros and cons, and the choice of a delivery system depends on therapeutic objectives and other considerations. Safe and efficient gene transfer is the main feature of any delivery system. Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) are nanotechnology-based gene delivery systems (i.e., non-viral vectors). They are three-dimensional structures consisting of a hollow or solid spherical core nanoparticle that is functionalized with a dense and highly organized layer of oligonucleotides. The unique structural features of SNAs confer them a high potency in internalization into various types of tissue and cells, a high stability against nucleases, and efficay in penetrating through various biological barriers (such as the skin, blood-brain barrier, and blood-tumor barrier). SNAs also show negligible toxicity and trigger minimal immune response reactions. During the last two decades, all these favorable physicochemical and biological attributes have made them attractive vehicles for drug and nucleic acid delivery. This article discusses the unique structural properties, types of SNAs, and also optimization mechanisms of SNAs. We also focus on recent advances in the synthesis of gene delivery nanoplatforms based on the SNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fatemeh Oroojalian
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
- Natural Products and Medicinal Plants Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Mina Kazemzadeh
- Faculty of Natural Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Reza Safaralizadeh
- Department of Animal Biology Faculty of Natural Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Hwang J, Dittmar JW, Kang J, Ocampo T, Evangelopoulos M, Han Z, Kudruk S, Lorch J, Mirkin CA. DNA Anchoring Strength Directly Correlates with Spherical Nucleic Acid-Based HPV E7 Cancer Vaccine Potency. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:7629-7636. [PMID: 38874796 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c01392] [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: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Vaccination for cancers arising from human papillomavirus (HPV) infection holds immense potential, yet clinical success has been elusive. Herein, we describe vaccination studies involving spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) incorporating a CpG adjuvant and a peptide antigen (E711-19) from the HPV-E7 oncoprotein. Administering the vaccine to humanized mice induced immunity-dependent on the oligonucleotide anchor chemistry (cholesterol vs (C12)9). SNAs containing a (C12)9-anchor enhanced IFN-γ production >200-fold, doubled memory CD8+ T-cell formation, and delivered more than twice the amount of oligonucleotide to lymph nodes in vivo compared to a simple admixture. Importantly, the analogous construct with a weaker cholesterol anchor performed similar to admix. Moreover, (C12)9-SNAs activated 50% more dendritic cells and generated T-cells cytotoxic toward an HPV+ cancer cell line, UM-SCC-104, with near 2-fold greater efficiency. These observations highlight the pivotal role of structural design, and specifically oligonucleotide anchoring strength (which correlates with overall construct stability), in developing efficacious therapeutic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongmin Hwang
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Jasper Wilson Dittmar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Janice Kang
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Tonatiuh Ocampo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences, Northwestern University, 2 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Michael Evangelopoulos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Zhenyu Han
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Sergej Kudruk
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Jochen Lorch
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Division, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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Wang G, Han S, Lu Y. From Structure to Application: The Evolutionary Trajectory of Spherical Nucleic Acids. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2310026. [PMID: 38860348 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202310026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Since the proposal of the concept of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) in 1996, numerous studies have focused on this topic and have achieved great advances. As a new delivery system for nucleic acids, SNAs have advantages over conventional deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nanostructures, including independence from transfection reagents, tolerance to nucleases, and lower immune reactions. The flexible structure of SNAs proves that various inorganic or organic materials can be used as the core, and different types of nucleic acids can be conjugated to realize diverse functions and achieve surprising and exciting outcomes. The special DNA nanostructures have been employed for immunomodulation, gene regulation, drug delivery, biosensing, and bioimaging. Despite the lack of rational design strategies, potential cytotoxicity, and structural defects of this technology, various successful examples demonstrate the bright and convincing future of SNAs in fields such as new materials, clinical practice, and pharmacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guijia Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Sanyang Han
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yuan Lu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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Wang MM, Choi MR, Battistella C, Gattis B, Qiao B, Evangelopoulos M, Mirkin CA, Olvera de la Cruz M, Zhang B, Gianneschi NC. Proteomimetic Polymers Trigger Potent Antigen-Specific T Cell Responses to Limit Tumor Growth. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:14959-14971. [PMID: 38781575 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c05340] [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: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Elicitation of effective antitumor immunity following cancer vaccination requires the selective activation of distinct effector cell populations and pathways. Here we report a therapeutic approach for generating potent T cell responses using a modular vaccination platform technology capable of inducing directed immune activation, termed the Protein-like Polymer (PLP). PLPs demonstrate increased proteolytic resistance, high uptake by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and enhanced payload-specific T cell responses. Key design parameters, namely payload linkage chemistry, degree of polymerization, and side chain composition, were varied to optimize vaccine formulations. Linking antigens to the polymer backbone using an intracellularly cleaved disulfide bond copolymerized with a diluent amount of oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) resulted in the highest payload-specific potentiation of antigen immunogenicity, enhancing dendritic cell (DC) activation and antigen-specific T cell responses. Vaccination with PLPs carrying either gp100, E7, or adpgk peptides significantly increased the survival of mice inoculated with B16F10, TC-1, or MC38 tumors, respectively, without the need for adjuvants. B16F10-bearing mice immunized with gp100-carrying PLPs showed increased antitumor CD8+ T cell immunity, suppressed tumor growth, and treatment synergy when paired with two distinct stimulator of interferon gene (STING) agonists. In a human papillomavirus-associated TC-1 model, combination therapy with PLP and 2'3'-cGAMP resulted in 40% of mice completely eliminating implanted tumors while also displaying curative protection from rechallenge, consistent with conferment of lasting immunological memory. Finally, PLPs can be stored long-term in a lyophilized state and are highly tunable, underscoring the unique properties of the platform for use as generalizable cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max M Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Mi-Ran Choi
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine-Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Claudia Battistella
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Brayley Gattis
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Baofu Qiao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Natural Sciences, Baruch College, City University of New York, New York, New York 10010, United States
| | - Michael Evangelopoulos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Monica Olvera de la Cruz
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Bin Zhang
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine-Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Nathan C Gianneschi
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60208, United States
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Zhang Y, Jiang L, Huang S, Lian C, Liang H, Xing Y, Liu J, Tian X, Liu Z, Wang R, An Y, Lu F, Pan Y, Han W, Li Z, Yin F. Sulfonium-Stapled Peptides-Based Neoantigen Delivery System for Personalized Tumor Immunotherapy and Prevention. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307754. [PMID: 38605600 PMCID: PMC11200081 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307754] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Neoantigen peptides hold great potential as vaccine candidates for tumor immunotherapy. However, due to the limitation of antigen cellular uptake and cross-presentation, the progress with neoantigen peptide-based vaccines has obviously lagged in clinical trials. Here, a stapling peptide-based nano-vaccine is developed, comprising a self-assembly nanoparticle driven by the nucleic acid adjuvant-antigen conjugate. This nano-vaccine stimulates a strong tumor-specific T cell response by activating antigen presentation and toll-like receptor signaling pathways. By markedly improving the efficiency of antigen/adjuvant co-delivery to the draining lymph nodes, the nano-vaccine leads to 100% tumor prevention for up to 11 months and without tumor recurrence, heralding the generation of long-term anti-tumor memory. Moreover, the injection of nano-vaccine with signal neoantigen eliminates the established MC-38 tumor (a cell line of murine carcinoma of the colon without exogenous OVA protein expression) in 40% of the mice by inducing potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration in the tumor microenvironment without substantial systemic toxicity. These findings represent that stapling peptide-based nano-vaccine may serve as a facile, general, and safe strategy to stimulate a strong anti-tumor immune response for the neoantigen peptide-based personalized tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Zhang
- Pingshan Translational Medicine CenterShenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Leying Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and BiotechnologyPeking University Shenzhen Graduate SchoolShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Siyong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and BiotechnologyPeking University Shenzhen Graduate SchoolShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Chenshan Lian
- Pingshan Translational Medicine CenterShenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Huiting Liang
- Pingshan Translational Medicine CenterShenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Yun Xing
- Pingshan Translational Medicine CenterShenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Jianbo Liu
- Pingshan Translational Medicine CenterShenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Xiaojing Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and BiotechnologyPeking University Shenzhen Graduate SchoolShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- Pingshan Translational Medicine CenterShenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Rui Wang
- Pingshan Translational Medicine CenterShenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Yuhao An
- Pingshan Translational Medicine CenterShenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Fei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and BiotechnologyPeking University Shenzhen Graduate SchoolShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Youdong Pan
- NeoCura Bio‐Medical Technology Co. Ltd.Shenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Wei Han
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and BiotechnologyPeking University Shenzhen Graduate SchoolShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Zigang Li
- Pingshan Translational Medicine CenterShenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhen518055P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and BiotechnologyPeking University Shenzhen Graduate SchoolShenzhen518055P. R. China
| | - Feng Yin
- Pingshan Translational Medicine CenterShenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhen518055P. R. China
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G Popova P, Chen SP, Liao S, Sadarangani M, Blakney AK. Clinical perspective on topical vaccination strategies. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 208:115292. [PMID: 38522725 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115292] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Vaccination is one of the most successful measures in modern medicine to combat diseases, especially infectious diseases, and saves millions of lives every year. Vaccine design and development remains critical and involves many aspects, including the choice of platform, antigen, adjuvant, and route of administration. Topical vaccination, defined herein as the introduction of a vaccine to any of the three layers of the human skin, has attracted interest in recent years as an alternative vaccination approach to the conventional intramuscular administration because of its potential to be needle-free and induce a superior immune response against pathogens. In this review, we describe recent progress in developing topical vaccines, highlight progress in the development of delivery technologies for topical vaccines, discuss potential factors that might impact the topical vaccine efficacy, and provide an overview of the current clinical landscape of topical vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petya G Popova
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2222 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B9, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Sunny P Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2222 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B9, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Suiyang Liao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2222 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B9, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada; Life Science Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Manish Sadarangani
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Ave, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 0B3, Canada
| | - Anna K Blakney
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2222 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B9, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada.
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Hatami H, Rahiman N, Mohammadi M. Oligonucleotide based nanogels for cancer therapeutics. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 267:131401. [PMID: 38582467 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131401] [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: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Oligonucleotide-based nanogels, as nascent biomaterials, possess several unique functional, structural, and physicochemical features with excellent drug-loading capacity and high potential for cancer gene therapy. Ongoing studies utilizing oligonucleotide-based nanogels hold great promise, as these cutting-edge nanoplatforms can be elegantly developed with predesigned oligonucleotide sequences and complementary strands which are self-assembled or chemically crosslinked leading to the development of nanogels with predictable shape and tunable size with the desired functional properties. Current paper provides a summary of the properties, preparation methods, and applications of oligonucleotide-based nanogels in cancer therapy. The review is focused on both conventional and modified forms of oligonucleotide-based nanogels, including targeted nanogels, smart release nanogels (responsive to stimuli such as pH, temperature, and enzymes), as well as nanogels used for gene delivery. Their application in cancer immunotherapy and vaccination, photodynamic therapy, and diagnostic applications when combined with other nanoparticles is further discussed. Despite emerging designs in the development of oligonucleotide based nanogels, this field of study is still in its infancy, and clinical translation of these versatile nano-vehicles might face challenges. Hence, extensive research must be performed on in vivo behavior of such platforms determining their biodistribution, biological fate, and acute/subacute toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hooman Hatami
- Department of pharmaceutics, School of pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Niloufar Rahiman
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Marzieh Mohammadi
- Department of pharmaceutics, School of pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Tan M, Makiguchi N, Kusamori K, Itakura S, Takahashi Y, Takakura Y, Nishikawa M. Tuning CpG motif position in nanostructured DNA for efficient immune stimulation. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300308. [PMID: 38651249 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300308] [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: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
It was previously demonstrated that polypod-like nanostructured DNA (polypodna) comprising three or more oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) were useful for the delivery of ODNs containing cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) motifs, or CpG ODNs, to immune cells. Although the immunostimulatory activity of single-stranded CpG ODNs is highly dependent on CpG motif sequence and position, little is known about how the position of the motif affects the immunostimulatory activity of CpG motif-containing nanostructured DNAs. In the present study, four series of polypodna were designed, each comprising a CpG ODN with one potent CpG motif at varying positions and 2-5 CpG-free ODNs, and investigated their immunostimulatory activity using Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9)-positive murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells. Polypodnas with the CpG motif in the 5'-overhang induced more tumor necrosis factor-α release than those with the motif in the double-stranded region, even though their cellular uptake were similar. Importantly, the rank order of the immunostimulatory activity of single-stranded CpG ODNs changed after their incorporation into polypodna. These results indicate that the CpG ODN sequence as well as the motif location in nanostructured DNAs should be considered for designing the CpG motif-containing nanostructured DNAs for immune stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Tan
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Natsuki Makiguchi
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kusamori
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shoko Itakura
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuki Takahashi
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Takakura
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Makiya Nishikawa
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
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Davis MA, Cho E, Teplensky MH. Harnessing biomaterial architecture to drive anticancer innate immunity. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:10982-11005. [PMID: 37955201 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01677c] [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] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Immunomodulation is a powerful therapeutic approach that harnesses the body's own immune system and reprograms it to treat diseases, such as cancer. Innate immunity is key in mobilizing the rest of the immune system to respond to disease and is thus an attractive target for immunomodulation. Biomaterials have widely been employed as vehicles to deliver immunomodulatory therapeutic cargo to immune cells and raise robust antitumor immunity. However, it is key to consider the design of biomaterial chemical and physical structure, as it has direct impacts on innate immune activation and antigen presentation to stimulate downstream adaptive immunity. Herein, we highlight the widespread importance of structure-driven biomaterial design for the delivery of immunomodulatory cargo to innate immune cells. The incorporation of precise structural elements can be harnessed to improve delivery kinetics, uptake, and the targeting of biomaterials into innate immune cells, and enhance immune activation against cancer through temporal and spatial processing of cargo to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Structural design of immunomodulatory biomaterials will profoundly improve the efficacy of current cancer immunotherapies by maximizing the impact of the innate immune system and thus has far-reaching translational potential against other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith A Davis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA.
| | - Ezra Cho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA.
| | - Michelle H Teplensky
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
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10
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Paranandi KS, Lee A, Stanic N, Mirkin CA. Cellular Export Fate of Liposomal Spherical Nucleic Acids. ACS NANO 2023; 17:19000-19010. [PMID: 37738539 PMCID: PMC10801820 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c04608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Liposomal spherical nucleic acids (LSNAs) are useful structures for oligonucleotide-based cell modulation because of their biocompatibility and ability to readily enter cells without transfection agents. Understanding LSNA trafficking is key to developing applications, but while much is understood about LSNA cell uptake, little is known about their export fate. Here, we study LSNA export through pulse-chase studies with fluorophore-labeled LSNAs. Our findings show that the components of LSNAs are differentially exported by cells, with the phospholipids showing 90-100% export and the oligonucleotides showing 30-45% export over 24 h in RAW264.7 macrophages. Despite the increase in the level of uptake of LSNAs, these percentages are not significantly influenced by whether the materials are taken up as LSNAs or as the individual components. The exported oligonucleotide material consists of a full-length oligonucleotide with the phospholipid anchor modified by loss of a fatty acid. The exported liposome-derived phospholipids also had a fatty acid removed. Moreover, the exported oligonucleotide-lysophospholipid conjugates retain immunostimulatory potential. These findings indicate that after cellular entry LSNAs are degraded into lysophospholipids, something to which they are susceptible due to the presence of hydrolyzable ester bonds. The export percentage of the resultant materials over 24 h is independent of the amount imported, such that greater initial import leads to a similar fold increase in exported material. This work therefore reveals an intracellular feature of LSNAs and shows that the enhanced uptake achieved with LSNAs can be exploited to maximize the amount of material subsequently exported, suggesting avenues for leveraging pharmacologic effects from exported LSNA components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna S. Paranandi
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Andrew Lee
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Nikola Stanic
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chad A. Mirkin
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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Liu S, Yu CY, Wei H. Spherical nucleic acids-based nanoplatforms for tumor precision medicine and immunotherapy. Mater Today Bio 2023; 22:100750. [PMID: 37545568 PMCID: PMC10400933 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise diagnosis and treatment of tumors currently still face considerable challenges due to the development of highly degreed heterogeneity in the dynamic evolution of tumors. With the rapid development of genomics, personalized diagnosis and treatment using specific genes may be a robust strategy to break through the bottleneck of traditional tumor treatment. Nevertheless, efficient in vivo gene delivery has been frequently hampered by the inherent defects of vectors and various biological barriers. Encouragingly, spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) with good modularity and programmability are excellent candidates capable of addressing traditional gene transfer-associated issues, which enables SNAs a precision nanoplatform with great potential for diverse biomedical applications. In this regard, there have been detailed reviews of SNA in drug delivery, gene regulation, and dermatology treatment. Still, to the best of our knowledge, there is no published systematic review summarizing the use of SNAs in oncology precision medicine and immunotherapy, which are considered new guidelines for oncology treatment. To this end, we summarized the notable advances in SNAs-based precision therapy and immunotherapy for tumors following a classification standard of different types of precise spatiotemporal control on active species by SNAs. Specifically, we focus on the structural diversity and programmability of SNAs. Finally, the challenges and possible solutions were discussed in the concluding remarks. This review will promote the rational design and development of SNAs for tumor-precise medicine and immunotherapy.
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Dittmar JW, Teplensky MH, Evangelopoulos M, Qin L, Zhang B, Mirkin CA. Tuning DNA Dissociation from Spherical Nucleic Acids for Enhanced Immunostimulation. ACS NANO 2023; 17:17996-18007. [PMID: 37713675 PMCID: PMC10801821 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c04333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
The stability of the core can significantly impact the therapeutic effectiveness of liposome-based drugs. While the spherical nucleic acid (SNA) architecture has elevated liposomal stability to increase therapeutic efficacy, the chemistry used to anchor the DNA to the liposome core is an underexplored design parameter with a potentially widespread biological impact. Herein, we explore the impact of SNA anchoring chemistry on immunotherapeutic function by systematically studying the importance of hydrophobic dodecane anchoring groups in attaching DNA strands to the liposome core. By deliberately modulating the size of the oligomer that defines the anchor, a library of structures has been established. These structures, combined with in vitro and in vivo immune stimulation analyses, elucidate the relationships between and importance of anchoring strength and dissociation of DNA from the SNA shell on its biological properties. Importantly, the most stable dodecane anchor, (C12)9, is superior to the n = 4-8 and 10 structures and quadruples immune stimulation compared to conventional cholesterol-anchored SNAs. When the OVA1 peptide antigen is encapsulated by the (C12)9 SNA and used as a therapeutic vaccine in an E.G7-OVA tumor model, 50% of the mice survived the initial tumor, and all of those survived tumor rechallenge. Importantly, the strong innate immune stimulation does not cause a cytokine storm compared to linear immunostimulatory DNA. Moreover, a (C12)9 SNA that encapsulates a peptide targeting SARS-CoV-2 generates a robust T cell response; T cells raised from SNA treatment kill >40% of target cells pulsed with the same peptide and ca. 45% of target cells expressing the entire spike protein. This work highlights the importance of using anchor chemistry to elevate SNA stability to achieve more potent and safer immunotherapeutics in the context of both cancer and infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper W Dittmar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Michelle H Teplensky
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Michael Evangelopoulos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Lei Qin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University, 420 E Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University, 420 E Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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13
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Vasher MK, Evangelopoulos M, Mirkin CA. Transforming Hairpin-like siRNA-Based Spherical Nucleic Acids into Biocompatible Constructs. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:3912-3918. [PMID: 37567247 PMCID: PMC10797607 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
The design and synthesis of hairpin-like small interfering RNA spherical nucleic acids (siRNA-SNAs) based upon biocompatible liposome nanoparticle cores are described. The constructs were characterized by gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering, and OliGreen-based oligonucleotide quantification. These siRNA-SNA nanoconstructs enter cells 20-times more efficiently than linear siRNA in as little as 4 h, while exhibiting a 4-fold reduction in cytotoxicity compared with conventional siRNA-SNAs composed of gold nanoparticle cores. Importantly, these siRNA-SNA constructs effectively inhibit angiogenesis in vitro by silencing vascular endothelial growth factor, a key mediator of angiogenesis in a multitude of diseases, in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. This work shows how hairpin architectures can be chemically incorporated into biocompatible SNAs in a way that retains advantageous SNA properties and maximizes gene regulation capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew K. Vasher
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Michael Evangelopoulos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chad A. Mirkin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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14
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Mirkin CA, Petrosko SH. Inspired Beyond Nature: Three Decades of Spherical Nucleic Acids and Colloidal Crystal Engineering with DNA. ACS NANO 2023; 17:16291-16307. [PMID: 37584399 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
The conception, synthesis, and invention of a nanostructure, now known as the spherical nucleic acid, or SNA, in 1996 marked the advent of a new field of chemistry. Over the past three decades, the SNA and its analogous anisotropic equivalents have provided an avenue for us to think about some of the most fundamental concepts in chemistry in new ways and led to technologies that are significantly impacting fields from medicine to materials science. A prime example is colloidal crystal engineering with DNA, the framework for using SNAs and related structures to synthesize programmable matter. Herein, we document the evolution of this framework, which was initially inspired by nature, and describe how it now allows researchers to chart paths to move beyond it, as programmable matter with real-world significance is envisioned and created.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Sarah Hurst Petrosko
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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15
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Dai K, Xu Y, Yang Y, Shen J, Liu X, Tu X, Yu L, Qi X, Li J, Wang L, Zuo X, Liu Y, Yan H, Fan C, Yao G. Edge Length-Programmed Single-Stranded RNA Origami for Predictive Innate Immune Activation and Therapy. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:17112-17124. [PMID: 37498993 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03477] [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: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Ligands targeting nucleic acid-sensing receptors activate the innate immune system and play a critical role in antiviral and antitumoral therapy. However, ligand design for in situ stability, targeted delivery, and predictive immunogenicity is largely hampered by the sophisticated mechanism of the nucleic acid-sensing process. Here, we utilize single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) origami with precise structural designability as nucleic acid sensor-based ligands to achieve improved biostability, organelle-level targeting, and predictive immunogenicity. The natural ssRNAs self-fold into compact nanoparticles with defined shapes and morphologies and exhibit resistance against RNase digestion in vitro and prolonged retention in macrophage endolysosomes. We find that programming the edge length of ssRNA origami can precisely regulate the degree of macrophage activation via a toll-like receptor-dependent pathway. Further, we demonstrate that the ssRNA origami-based ligand elicits an anti-tumoral immune response of macrophages and neutrophils in the tumor microenvironment and retards tumor growth in the mouse pancreatic tumor model. Our ssRNA origami strategy utilizes structured RNA ligands to achieve predictive immune activation, providing a new solution for nucleic acid sensor-based ligand design and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Dai
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yang Xu
- School of Molecular Sciences and Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jianfeng Shen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xiaoguo Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xinyi Tu
- School of Molecular Sciences and Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Lu Yu
- School of Molecular Sciences and Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Xiaodong Qi
- School of Molecular Sciences and Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Jiang Li
- Institute of Materiobiology, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Institute of Materiobiology, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xiaolei Zuo
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acids Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yingbin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Hao Yan
- School of Molecular Sciences and Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Chunhai Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Guangbao Yao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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16
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Teplensky MH, Evangelopoulos M, Dittmar JW, Forsyth CM, Sinegra AJ, Wang S, Mirkin CA. Multi-antigen spherical nucleic acid cancer vaccines. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:911-927. [PMID: 36717738 PMCID: PMC10424220 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-022-01000-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Cancer vaccines must activate multiple immune cell types to be effective against aggressive tumours. Here we report the impact of the structural presentation of two antigenic peptides on immune responses at the transcriptomic, cellular and organismal levels. We used spherical nucleic acid (SNA) nanoparticles to investigate how the spatial distribution and placement of two antigen classes affect antigen processing, cytokine production and the induction of memory. Compared with single-antigen SNAs, a single dual-antigen SNA elicited a 30% increase in antigen-specific T cell activation and a two-fold increase in T cell proliferation. Antigen placement within dual-antigen SNAs altered the gene expression of T cells and tumour growth. Specifically, dual-antigen SNAs encapsulating antigens targeting helper T cells and with externally conjugated antigens targeting cytotoxic T cells elevated antitumour genetic pathways, stalling lymphoma tumours in mice. Additionally, when combined with the checkpoint inhibitor anti-programmed-cell-death protein-1 in a mouse model of melanoma, a specific antigen arrangement within dual-antigen SNAs suppressed tumour growth and increased the levels of circulating memory T cells. The structural design of multi-antigen vaccines substantially impacts their efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H Teplensky
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | | | - Jasper W Dittmar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Connor M Forsyth
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Andrew J Sinegra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Shuya Wang
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
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17
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Baker A, Lorch J, VanderWeele D, Zhang B. Smart Nanocarriers for the Targeted Delivery of Therapeutic Nucleic Acid for Cancer Immunotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1743. [PMID: 37376190 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A wide variety of therapeutic approaches and technologies for delivering therapeutic agents have been investigated for treating cancer. Recently, immunotherapy has achieved success in cancer treatment. Successful clinical results of immunotherapeutic approaches for cancer treatment were led by antibodies targeting immune checkpoints, and many have advanced through clinical trials and obtained FDA approval. A major opportunity remains for the development of nucleic acid technology for cancer immunotherapy in the form of cancer vaccines, adoptive T-cell therapies, and gene regulation. However, these therapeutic approaches face many challenges related to their delivery to target cells, including their in vivo decay, the limited uptake by target cells, the requirements for nuclear penetration (in some cases), and the damage caused to healthy cells. These barriers can be avoided and resolved by utilizing advanced smart nanocarriers (e.g., lipids, polymers, spherical nucleic acids, metallic nanoparticles) that enable the efficient and selective delivery of nucleic acids to the target cells and/or tissues. Here, we review studies that have developed nanoparticle-mediated cancer immunotherapy as a technology for cancer patients. Moreover, we also investigate the crosstalk between the function of nucleic acid therapeutics in cancer immunotherapy, and we discuss how nanoparticles can be functionalized and designed to target the delivery and thus improve the efficacy, toxicity, and stability of these therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu Baker
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Division, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jochen Lorch
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Division, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - David VanderWeele
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Division, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Division, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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18
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Callmann CE, Vasher MK, Das A, Kusmierz CD, Mirkin CA. In Vivo Behavior of Ultrasmall Spherical Nucleic Acids. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2300097. [PMID: 36905236 PMCID: PMC10272074 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202300097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The biological properties of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) are largely independent of nanoparticle core identity but significantly affected by oligonucleotide surface density. Additionally, the payload-to-carrier (i.e., DNA-to-nanoparticle) mass ratio of SNAs is inversely proportional to core size. While SNAs with many core types and sizes have been developed, all in vivo analyses of SNA behavior have been limited to cores >10 nm in diameter. However, "ultrasmall" nanoparticle constructs (<10 nm diameter) can exhibit increased payload-to-carrier ratios, reduced liver accumulation, renal clearance, and enhanced tumor infiltration. Therefore, we hypothesized that SNAs with ultrasmall cores exhibit SNA-like properties, but with in vivo behavior akin to traditional ultrasmall nanoparticles. To investigate, we compared the behavior of SNAs with 1.4-nm Au102 nanocluster cores (AuNC-SNAs) and SNAs with 10-nm gold nanoparticle cores (AuNP-SNAs). Significantly, AuNC-SNAs possess SNA-like properties (e.g., high cellular uptake, low cytotoxicity) but show distinct in vivo behavior. When intravenously injected in mice, AuNC-SNAs display prolonged blood circulation, lower liver accumulation, and higher tumor accumulation than AuNP-SNAs. Thus, SNA-like properties persist at the sub-10-nm length scale and oligonucleotide arrangement and surface density are responsible for the biological properties of SNAs. This work has implications for the design of new nanocarriers for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra E Callmann
- Department of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Matthew K Vasher
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Anindita Das
- Department of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Caroline D Kusmierz
- Department of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
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19
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Hincapie R, Bhattacharya S, Keshavarz-Joud P, Chapman AP, Crooke SN, Finn MG. Preparation and Biological Properties of Oligonucleotide-Functionalized Virus-like Particles. Biomacromolecules 2023. [PMID: 37257068 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Oligonucleotides are powerful molecules for programming function and assembly. When arrayed on nanoparticle scaffolds in high density, the resulting molecules, spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), become imbued with unique properties. We used the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition to graft oligonucleotides on Qβ virus-like particles to see if such structures also gain SNA-like behavior. Copper-binding ligands were shown to promote the click reaction without degrading oligonucleotide substrates. Reactions were first optimized with a small-molecule fluorogenic reporter and were then applied to the more challenging synthesis of polyvalent protein nanoparticle-oligonucleotide conjugates. The resulting particles exhibited the enhanced cellular uptake and protection from nuclease-mediated oligonucleotide cleavage characteristic of SNAs, had similar residence time in the liver relative to unmodified particles, and were somewhat shielded from immune recognition, resulting in nearly 10-fold lower antibody titers relative to unmodified particles. Oligonucleotide-functionalized virus-like particles thus provide an interesting option for protein nanoparticle-mediated delivery of functional molecules.
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20
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Chen F, Huang Y, Huang Z, Jiang T, Yang Z, Zeng J, Jin A, Zuo H, Huang CZ, Mao C. DNA-scaffolded multivalent vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Acta Biomater 2023; 164:387-396. [PMID: 37088158 PMCID: PMC10122553 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Short peptides are poor immunogens. One way to increase their immune responses is by arraying immunogens in multivalency. Simple and efficient scaffolds for spatial controlling the inter-antigen distance and enhancing immune activation are required. Here, we report a molecular vaccine design principle that maximally drives potent SARS-CoV-2 RBD subunit vaccine on DNA duplex to induce robust and efficacious immune responses in vivo. We expect that the DNA-peptide epitope platform represents a facile and generalizable strategy to enhance the immune response. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: DNA scaffolds offer a biocompatible and convenient platform for arraying immunogens in multivalency antigenic peptides, and spatially control the inter-antigen distance. This can effectively enhance immune response. Peptide (instead of entire protein) vaccines are highly attractive. However, short peptides are poor immunogens. Our DNA scaffolded multivalent peptide immunogen system induced robust and efficacious immune response in vivo as demonstrated by the antigenic peptide against SAR-CoV-2. The present strategy could be readily generalized and adapted to prepare multivalent vaccines against other viruses or disease. Particularly, the different antigens could be integrated into one single vaccine and lead to super-vaccines that can protect the host from multiple different viruses or multiple variants of the same virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yuhan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zhengyu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zailin Yang
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Aishun Jin
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hua Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Cheng Zhi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Chengde Mao
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette 47907, IN, USA.
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21
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Ding F, Zhang S, Chen Q, Feng H, Ge Z, Zuo X, Fan C, Li Q, Xia Q. Immunomodulation with Nucleic Acid Nanodevices. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2206228. [PMID: 36599642 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The precise regulation of interactions of specific immunological components is crucial for controllable immunomodulation, yet it remains a great challenge. With the assistance of advanced computer design, programmable nucleic acid nanotechnology enables the customization of synthetic nucleic acid nanodevices with unprecedented geometrical and functional precision, which have shown promising potential for precise immunoengineering. Notably, the inherently immunologic functions of nucleic acids endow these nucleic acid-based assemblies with innate advantages in immunomodulatory engagement. In this review, the roles of nucleic acids in innate immunity are discussed, focusing on the definition, immunologic modularity, and enhanced bioavailability of structural nucleic acid nanodevices. In light of this, molecular programming and precise organization of functional modules with nucleic acid nanodevices for immunomodulation are emphatically reviewed. At last, the present challenges and future perspectives of nucleic acid nanodevices for immunomodulation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Ding
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Department of Liver Surgery, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, P. R. China
| | - Shuangye Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Qian Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Department of Liver Surgery, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, P. R. China
| | - Hao Feng
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Department of Liver Surgery, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, P. R. China
| | - Zhilei Ge
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Xiaolei Zuo
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Department of Liver Surgery, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, P. R. China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Chunhai Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Qian Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
- WLA Laboratories, World Laureates Association, Shanghai, 201203, P. R. China
| | - Qiang Xia
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Department of Liver Surgery, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, P. R. China
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22
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Mosley RJ, Rucci B, Byrne ME. Recent advancements in design of nucleic acid nanocarriers for controlled drug delivery. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:2078-2094. [PMID: 36806872 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb02325c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Research of nanoscale nucleic acid carriers has garnered attention in recent years due to their distinctive and controllable properties. However, current knowledge is limited in how we can efficiently utilize these systems for clinical applications. Several researchers have pioneered new and innovative nanocarrier drug delivery systems, but understanding physiochemical properties and behavior in vivo is vital to implementing them as clinical drug delivery platforms. In this review, we outline the most significant innovations in the synthesis, physical properties, and utilization of nucleic acid nanocarriers in the past 5 years, addressing the crucial properties which improve nanocarrier characteristics, delivery, and drug release. The challenges of controlling the transport of nucleic acid nanocarriers and therapeutic release for biological applications are outlined. Barriers which inhibit effective transport into tissue are discussed with emphasis on the modifications needed to overcome such obstacles. The novel strategies discussed in this work summarize the pivotal features of modern nucleic nanocarriers and postulate where future developments could revolutionize the translation of these tools into a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Mosley
- Biomimetic and Biohybrid Materials, Biomedical Devices, and Drug Delivery Laboratories, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA.
| | - Brendan Rucci
- Biomimetic and Biohybrid Materials, Biomedical Devices, and Drug Delivery Laboratories, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA.
| | - Mark E Byrne
- Biomimetic and Biohybrid Materials, Biomedical Devices, and Drug Delivery Laboratories, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA. .,Department of Chemical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA
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23
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Yousefpour P, Ni K, Irvine DJ. Targeted modulation of immune cells and tissues using engineered biomaterials. NATURE REVIEWS BIOENGINEERING 2023; 1:107-124. [PMID: 37772035 PMCID: PMC10538251 DOI: 10.1038/s44222-022-00016-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Therapies modulating the immune system offer the prospect of treating a wide range of conditions including infectious diseases, cancer and autoimmunity. Biomaterials can promote specific targeting of immune cell subsets in peripheral or lymphoid tissues and modulate the dosage, timing and location of stimulation, thereby improving safety and efficacy of vaccines and immunotherapies. Here we review recent advances in biomaterials-based strategies, focusing on targeting of lymphoid tissues, circulating leukocytes, tissue-resident immune cells and immune cells at disease sites. These approaches can improve the potency and efficacy of immunotherapies by promoting immunity or tolerance against different diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Yousefpour
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kaiyuan Ni
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Darrell J. Irvine
- 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 Materials Science & Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
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24
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Abstract
A foundational principle of rational vaccinology is that vaccine structure plays a critical role in determining therapeutic efficacy, but in order to establish fundamental, effective, and translatable vaccine design parameters, a highly modular and well-defined platform is required. Herein, we report a DNA dendron vaccine, a molecular nanostructure that consists of an adjuvant DNA strand that splits into multiple DNA branches with a varied number of conjugated peptide antigens that is capable of dendritic cell uptake, immune activation, and potent cancer killing. We leveraged the well-defined architecture and chemical modularity of the DNA dendron to study structure-function relationships that dictate molecular vaccine efficacy, particularly regarding the delivery of immune-activating DNA sequences and antigenic peptides on a single chemical construct. We investigated how adjuvant and antigen placement and number impact dendron cellular uptake and immune activation, in vitro. These parameters also played a significant role in raising a potent and specific immune response against target cancer cells. By gaining this structural understanding of molecular vaccines, DNA dendrons successfully treated a mouse cervical human papillomavirus TC-1 cancer model, in vivo, where the vaccine structure defined its efficacy; the top-performing design effectively reduced tumor burden (<150 mm3 through day 30) and maintained 100% survival through 44 d after tumor inoculation.
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25
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Rational vaccinology maximizes the efficacy of multi-antigen vaccines. Nat Biomed Eng 2023:10.1038/s41551-023-01002-8. [PMID: 36717739 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01002-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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26
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Chou L, Callmann CE, Dominguez D, Zhang B, Mirkin CA. Disrupting the Interplay between Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 and Programmed Death Ligand 1 with Spherical Nucleic Acids in Treating Cancer. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:1299-1305. [PMID: 36188343 PMCID: PMC9523766 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c00717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Disrupting the interplay between programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a powerful immunotherapeutic approach to cancer treatment. Herein, spherical nucleic acid (SNA) liposomal nanoparticle conjugates that incorporate a newly designed antisense DNA sequence specifically against PD-L1 (immune checkpoint inhibitor SNAs, or IC-SNAs) are explored as a strategy for blocking PD-1/PD-L1 signaling within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Concentration-dependent PD-L1 silencing with IC-SNAs is observed in MC38 colon cancer cells, where IC-SNAs decrease both surface PD-L1 (sPD-L1) and total PD-L1 expression. Furthermore, peritumoral administration of IC-SNAs in a syngeneic mouse model of MC38 colon cancer leads to reduced sPD-L1 expression in multiple cell populations within the TME, including tumor cells, dendritic cells, and myeloid derived suppressor cells. The treatment effectively increases CD8+ T cells accumulation and functionality in the TME, which ultimately inhibits tumor growth and extends animal survival. Taken together, these data show that IC-SNA nanoconstructs are capable of disrupting the PD-1/PD-L1 interplay via gene regulation, thereby providing a promising avenue for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyushang Chou
- Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, International Institute
for Nanotechnology, and Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Cassandra E. Callmann
- Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, International Institute
for Nanotechnology, and Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Donye Dominguez
- Feinberg
School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Bin Zhang
- Feinberg
School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Chad A. Mirkin
- Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, International Institute
for Nanotechnology, and Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Feinberg
School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
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27
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Zhang W, Callmann CE, Meckes B, Mirkin CA. Tumor-Associated Enzyme-Activatable Spherical Nucleic Acids. ACS NANO 2022; 16:10931-10942. [PMID: 35849553 PMCID: PMC10440806 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c03323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Maximizing the tissue-targeting efficiency of nanomaterials while also protecting them from rapid clearance from the bloodstream and limiting their immunogenicity remains a central problem in the field of systemic-administered nanomedicine. Herein, we introduce a generalizable strategy to simultaneously increase tumor accumulation, prolong blood circulation, and limit nonspecific immune activation of nanomaterials via peptide-based, tumor-responsive, "sheddable" coatings. Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) were designed and synthesized to contain an exterior coating composed of zwitterionic polypeptides with recognition sequences for tumor-associated proteases. In the presence of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the polypetide coating is rapidly cleaved, leading to increased cellular uptake of these SNAs, relative to SNAs containing nonsheddable shells. Moreover, the zwitterionic nature of the polypeptide shell shields the SNAs from immune system recognition, which extends their blood circulation time and improves tumor accumulation and in vivo cellular uptake relative to control SNAs with no protective coating. Taken together, these results indicate that this strategy is a viable method for increasing nanoparticle tumor accumulation and can have utility for the systemic delivery of oligonucleotides and nanomaterials to target cells in vivo with low immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuliang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Cassandra E. Callmann
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Brian Meckes
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chad A. Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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28
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Huang Z, Callmann CE, Wang S, Vasher MK, Evangelopoulos M, Petrosko SH, Mirkin CA. Rational Vaccinology: Harnessing Nanoscale Chemical Design for Cancer Immunotherapy. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:692-704. [PMID: 35756370 PMCID: PMC9228553 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a powerful treatment strategy that mobilizes the immune system to fight disease. Cancer vaccination is one form of cancer immunotherapy, where spatiotemporal control of the delivery of tumor-specific antigens, adjuvants, and/or cytokines has been key to successfully activating the immune system. Nanoscale materials that take advantage of chemistry to control the nanoscale structural arrangement, composition, and release of immunostimulatory components have shown significant promise in this regard. In this Outlook, we examine how the nanoscale structure, chemistry, and composition of immunostimulatory compounds can be modulated to maximize immune response and mitigate off-target effects, focusing on spherical nucleic acids as a model system. Furthermore, we emphasize how chemistry and materials science are driving the rational design and development of next-generation cancer vaccines. Finally, we identify gaps in the field that should be addressed moving forward and outline future directions to galvanize researchers from multiple disciplines to help realize the full potential of this form of cancer immunotherapy through chemistry and rational vaccinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyin Huang
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Cassandra E. Callmann
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Shuya Wang
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Matthew K. Vasher
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Michael Evangelopoulos
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Sarah Hurst Petrosko
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chad A. Mirkin
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, andDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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29
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Yu Y, Wang Z, Wu S, Zhu C, Meng X, Li C, Cheng S, Tao W, Wang F. Glutathione-Sensitive Nanoglue Platform with Effective Nucleic Acids Gluing onto Liposomes for Photo-Gene Therapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:25126-25134. [PMID: 35608168 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c04022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Liposomal spherical nucleic acids possess a high density of nucleic acids, e.g., DNA, on a liposomal core. There are two approaches to conjugate DNA onto the zwitterionic liposomes, i.e., covalent and noncovalent conjugation, otherwise using cationic liposomes. However, complex and expensive DNA chemical modification methods need to seek a novel and easy-operating approach to decorating DNA onto liposomes. Inspired by the nanoparticle solution as nanoglues for gels and biological tissues, we use MnO2 nanosheets to "glue" DNA onto liposomes without DNA modification. In tumor cells with a high glutathione concentration, MnO2-based nanoglues are degraded, generating water-soluble Mn2+ ions, further "unglue" DNA (i.e., DNAzyme), and liposomes. Using the intelligent liposomal nanoglue (DNAzyme/MnO2/Lip) combining glutathione-sensitive MnO2 nanosheets, gene silencing agent DNAzyme, and photosensitizer Chlorin e6 (Ce6) in liposomes, effective photo-gene therapy was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, P. R. China
| | - Zhenfeng Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, P. R. China
| | - Sichen Wu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, P. R. China
| | - Chunmeng Zhu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, P. R. China
| | - Xianshe Meng
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, P. R. China
| | - Chao Li
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, P. R. China
| | - Sheng Cheng
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, P. R. China
| | - Wei Tao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, P. R. China
| | - Feng Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, P. R. China
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30
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Sasso J, Ambrose BJB, Tenchov R, Datta RS, Basel MT, DeLong RK, Zhou QA. The Progress and Promise of RNA Medicine─An Arsenal of Targeted Treatments. J Med Chem 2022; 65:6975-7015. [PMID: 35533054 PMCID: PMC9115888 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, there has been a shift in research, clinical development, and commercial activity to exploit the many physiological roles of RNA for use in medicine. With the rapid success in the development of lipid-RNA nanoparticles for mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 and with several approved RNA-based drugs, RNA has catapulted to the forefront of drug research. With diverse functions beyond the role of mRNA in producing antigens or therapeutic proteins, many classes of RNA serve regulatory roles in cells and tissues. These RNAs have potential as new therapeutics, with RNA itself serving as either a drug or a target. Here, based on the CAS Content Collection, we provide a landscape view of the current state and outline trends in RNA research in medicine across time, geography, therapeutic pipelines, chemical modifications, and delivery mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet
M. Sasso
- CAS,
a division of the American Chemical Society 2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43202, United States
| | - Barbara J. B. Ambrose
- CAS,
a division of the American Chemical Society 2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43202, United States
| | - Rumiana Tenchov
- CAS,
a division of the American Chemical Society 2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43202, United States
| | - Ruchira S. Datta
- CAS,
a division of the American Chemical Society 2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43202, United States
| | - Matthew T. Basel
- College
of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | - Robert K. DeLong
- Nanotechnology
Innovation Center Kansas State, Kansas State
University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | - Qiongqiong Angela Zhou
- CAS,
a division of the American Chemical Society 2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43202, United States
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31
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Chen P, Wang D, Wang Y, Zhang L, Wang Q, Liu L, Li J, Sun X, Ren M, Wang R, Fang Y, Zhao JJ, Zhang K. Maximizing TLR9 Activation in Cancer Immunotherapy with Dual-Adjuvanted Spherical Nucleic Acids. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:4058-4066. [PMID: 35522597 PMCID: PMC9164000 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c00723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic-acid-based immune adjuvants have been extensively investigated for the design of cancer vaccines. However, nucleic acids often require the assistance of a carrier system to improve cellular uptake. Yet, such systems are prone to carrier-associated adaptive immunity, leading to difficulties in a multidose treatment regimen. Here, we demonstrate that a spherical nucleic acid (SNA)-based self-adjuvanting system consisting of phosphodiester oligonucleotides and vitamin E can function as a potent anticancer vaccine without a carrier. The two functional modules work synergistically, serving as each other's delivery vector to enhance toll-like receptor 9 activation. The vaccine rapidly enters cells carrying OVA model antigens, which enables efficient activation of adaptive immunity in vitro and in vivo. In OVA-expressing tumor allograft models, both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccinations significantly retard tumor growth and prolong animal survival. Furthermore, the vaccinations were also able to reduce lung metastasis in a B16F10-OVA model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiru Chen
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Dali Wang
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Yuyan Wang
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Qiwei Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Lanxia Liu
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Jiahe Li
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Xin Sun
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Mengqi Ren
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Ruoxuan Wang
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Yang Fang
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Jean J. Zhao
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Ke Zhang
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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32
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Teplensky MH, Distler ME, Kusmierz CD, Evangelopoulos M, Gula H, Elli D, Tomatsidou A, Nicolaescu V, Gelarden I, Yeldandi A, Batlle D, Missiakas D, Mirkin CA. Spherical nucleic acids as an infectious disease vaccine platform. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2119093119. [PMID: 35312341 PMCID: PMC9168922 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2119093119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
SignificanceUsing SARS-CoV-2 as a relevant case study for infectious disease, we investigate the structure-function relationships that dictate antiviral spherical nucleic acid (SNA) vaccine efficacy. We show that the SNA architecture can be rapidly employed to target COVID-19 through incorporation of the receptor-binding domain, and that the resulting vaccine potently activates human cells in vitro and mice in vivo. Furthermore, when challenged with a lethal viral infection, only mice treated with the SNA vaccine survived. Taken together, this work underscores the importance of rational vaccine design for infectious disease to yield vaccines that elicit more potent immune responses to effectively fight disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H. Teplensky
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Max E. Distler
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Caroline D. Kusmierz
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | | | - Haley Gula
- Howard T. Ricketts Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Derek Elli
- Howard T. Ricketts Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Anastasia Tomatsidou
- Howard T. Ricketts Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Vlad Nicolaescu
- Howard T. Ricketts Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Ian Gelarden
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Anjana Yeldandi
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Daniel Batlle
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Dominique Missiakas
- Howard T. Ricketts Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Chad A. Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
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33
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Mahajan AS, Stegh AH. Spherical Nucleic Acids as Precision Therapeutics for the Treatment of Cancer-From Bench to Bedside. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071615. [PMID: 35406387 PMCID: PMC8996871 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spherical Nucleic Acids (SNAs) emerged as a new class of nanotherapeutics consisting of a nanoparticle core densely functionalized with a shell of radially oriented synthetic oligonucleotides. The unique three-dimensional architecture of SNAs protects the oligonucleotides from nuclease-mediated degradation, increases oligonucleotide bioavailability, and in the absence of auxiliary transfection agents, enables robust uptake into tumor and immune cells through polyvalent association with cell surface pattern recognition receptors. When composed of gene-regulatory small interfering (si)RNA or immunostimulatory DNA or RNA oligonucleotides, SNAs silence gene expression and induce immune responses superior to those raised by the oligonucleotides in their "free" form. Early phase clinical trials of gene-regulatory siRNA-based SNAs in glioblastoma (NCT03020017) and immunostimulatory Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9)-agonistic SNAs carrying unmethylated CpG-rich oligonucleotides in solid tumors (NCT03086278) have shown that SNAs represent a safe, brain-penetrant therapy for inhibiting oncogene expression and stimulating immune responses against tumors. This review focuses on the application of SNAs as precision cancer therapeutics, summarizes the findings from first-in-human clinical trials of SNAs in solid tumors, describes the most recent preclinical efforts to rationally design next-generation multimodal SNA architectures, and provides an outlook on future efforts to maximize the anti-neoplastic activity of the SNA platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha S. Mahajan
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, The International Institute for Nanotechnology, The Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
| | - Alexander H. Stegh
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, The International Institute for Nanotechnology, The Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Brain Tumor Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Correspondence:
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34
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Samanta D, Zhou W, Ebrahimi SB, Petrosko SH, Mirkin CA. Programmable Matter: The Nanoparticle Atom and DNA Bond. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2107875. [PMID: 34870875 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202107875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal crystal engineering with DNA has led to significant advances in bottom-up materials synthesis and a new way of thinking about fundamental concepts in chemistry. Here, programmable atom equivalents (PAEs), comprised of nanoparticles (the "atoms") functionalized with DNA (the "bonding elements"), are assembled through DNA hybridization into crystalline lattices. Unlike atomic systems, the "atom" (e.g., the nanoparticle shape, size, and composition) and the "bond" (e.g., the DNA length and sequence) can be tuned independently, yielding designer materials with unique catalytic, optical, and biological properties. In this review, nearly three decades of work that have contributed to the evolution of this class of programmable matter is chronicled, starting from the earliest examples based on gold-core PAEs, and then delineating how advances in synthetic capabilities, DNA design, and fundamental understanding of PAE-PAE interactions have led to new classes of functional materials that, in several cases, have no natural equivalent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devleena Samanta
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Wenjie Zhou
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Sasha B Ebrahimi
- Department of Chemical Engineering and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Sarah Hurst Petrosko
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
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35
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Halloy F, Biscans A, Bujold KE, Debacker A, Hill AC, Lacroix A, Luige O, Strömberg R, Sundstrom L, Vogel J, Ghidini A. Innovative developments and emerging technologies in RNA therapeutics. RNA Biol 2022; 19:313-332. [PMID: 35188077 PMCID: PMC8865321 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2022.2027150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-based therapeutics are emerging as a powerful platform for the treatment of multiple diseases. Currently, the two main categories of nucleic acid therapeutics, antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), achieve their therapeutic effect through either gene silencing, splicing modulation or microRNA binding, giving rise to versatile options to target pathogenic gene expression patterns. Moreover, ongoing research seeks to expand the scope of RNA-based drugs to include more complex nucleic acid templates, such as messenger RNA, as exemplified by the first approved mRNA-based vaccine in 2020. The increasing number of approved sequences and ongoing clinical trials has attracted considerable interest in the chemical development of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids as drugs, especially since the FDA approval of the first siRNA drug in 2018. As a result, a variety of innovative approaches is emerging, highlighting the potential of RNA as one of the most prominent therapeutic tools in the drug design and development pipeline. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive summary of current efforts in academia and industry aimed at fully realizing the potential of RNA-based therapeutics. Towards this, we introduce established and emerging RNA-based technologies, with a focus on their potential as biosensors and therapeutics. We then describe their mechanisms of action and their application in different disease contexts, along with the strengths and limitations of each strategy. Since the nucleic acid toolbox is rapidly expanding, we also introduce RNA minimal architectures, RNA/protein cleavers and viral RNA as promising modalities for new therapeutics and discuss future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Halloy
- Department of Paediatrics, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Annabelle Biscans
- Oligonucleotide Chemistry, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&d, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Katherine E. Bujold
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University, (Ontario), Canada
| | | | - Alyssa C. Hill
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Eth Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Lacroix
- Sixfold Bioscience, Translation & Innovation Hub, London, UK
| | - Olivia Luige
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Roger Strömberg
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Linda Sundstrom
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&d, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jörg Vogel
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (Hiri), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (Hzi), Würzburg, Germany
- RNA Biology Group, Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alice Ghidini
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&d, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
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36
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Song Y, Song W, Lan X, Cai W, Jiang D. Spherical nucleic acids: Organized nucleotide aggregates as versatile nanomedicine. AGGREGATE (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2022; 3:e120. [PMID: 35386748 PMCID: PMC8982904 DOI: 10.1002/agt2.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) are composed of a nanoparticle core and a layer of densely arranged oligonucleotide shells. After the first report of SNA by Mirkin and coworkers in 1996, it has created a significant interest by offering new possibilities in the field of gene and drug delivery. The controlled aggregation of oligonucleotides on the surface of organic/inorganic nanoparticles improves the delivery of genes and nucleic acid-based drugs and alters and regulates the biological profiles of the nanoparticle core within living organisms. Here in this review, we present an overview of the recent progress of SNAs that has speeded up their biomedical application and their potential transition to clinical use. We start with introducing the concept and characteristics of SNAs as drug/gene delivery systems and highlight recent efforts of bioengineering SNA by imaging and treatmenting various diseases. Finally, we discuss potential challenges and opportunities of SNAs, their ongoing clinical trials, and future translation, and how they may affect the current landscape of clinical practices. We hope that this review will update our current understanding of SNA, organized oligonucleotide aggregates, for disease diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangmeihui Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenyu Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoli Lan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Weibo Cai
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Dawei Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
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37
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Zhou Y, Liu C, Song H. Innate Immunomodulatory Nanodevices for Cancer Therapy: A Review. J Biomed Nanotechnol 2022; 18:293-318. [PMID: 35484759 DOI: 10.1166/jbn.2022.3241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The newly emerged cancer immunotherapy has shown a great potential in clinical trials. However, most immunotherapeutic strategies focus on restoring and/or enhancing the effector T cell responses, and only a small portion of malignancies respond favorably due to the lacking of T cell infiltration. Recently, the modulation of innate immune system has been applied as an alternative or combined strategy to improve host anti-tumor immunity. In this review, we summarize recent progress in nanotechnology-based innate immunomodulation for cancer therapy. Firstly, we present various types of nanodevices that serve to deliver or mimic the reactions of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as bacterial components, viral DNA or viral RNA, for the stimulation of type I interferons (IFNs) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. We also introduce nanodevice-mediated immunogenic cell death (ICD) for the generation of endogenous danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and improvement of immune responses. Moreover, targeted manipulation of specific types of innate immune cells by nanodevices are discussed. Lastly, we describe typical strategies of combining innate immunomodulatory nanodevices with immune checkpoint blockade to amplify the anti-tumor efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfeng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Chang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Haiyun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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38
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Lin M, Chen Y, Zhao S, Tang R, Nie Z, Xing H. A Biomimetic Approach for Spatially Controlled Cell Membrane Engineering Using Fusogenic Spherical Nucleic Acid. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202111647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Minjie Lin
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hunan University Changsha 410082 China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hunan University Changsha 410082 China
| | - Sisi Zhao
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine College of Biology Hunan University Changsha 410082 China
| | - Rui Tang
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hunan University Changsha 410082 China
| | - Zhou Nie
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hunan University Changsha 410082 China
| | - Hang Xing
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hunan University Changsha 410082 China
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39
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Li Y, Gao J, Wang S, Du M, Hou X, Tian T, Qiao X, Tian Z, Stang PJ, Li S, Hong X, Xiao Y. Self-assembled NIR-II Fluorophores with Ultralong Blood Circulation for Cancer Imaging and Image-guided Surgery. J Med Chem 2021; 65:2078-2090. [PMID: 34949094 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Complete excision of the last remaining 1-2% of tumor tissue without collateral damage remains particularly challenging. Herein, we report thiophenthiadiazole (TTD)-derived fluorophores L6-PEGnk (n = 1, 2, 5) as new-generation NIR-II (1000-1700 nm) probes with exceptional nonfouling performance and significantly high fluorescence quantum yields in water. L6-PEG2k can self-assemble into vesicular micelles and exhibited minimal immunogenicity, low binding affinities, ultralong blood circulation (t1/2 = 59.5 h), and a supercontrast ratio in vivo. Most importantly, L6-PEG2k achieved excellent in vivo CT-26 and U87MG tumor targeting and accumulation (>20 d) through intraperitoneal or intravenous injection. A subcutaneous U87MG tumor and orthotopic brain glioma were successfully resected under NIR-II FIGS in our animal model via intraperitoneal injection in an extended time window (48-144 h). This study highlights the potential of using L6-PEG2K as self-assembling molecular probes with long-circulation persistence for routine preoperative tumor assessment and precise intraoperative image-guided resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.,College of Science, Research Center for Ecology, Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Biological Resources and Adaptive Evolution, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China.,Shenzhen Institute of Wuhan University, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Jianfeng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.,ABSL-III Laboratory at the Center for Animal Experiment, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Shuping Wang
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Mingxia Du
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xiaowen Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Tian Tian
- College of Science, Research Center for Ecology, Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Biological Resources and Adaptive Evolution, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
| | - Xue Qiao
- College of Science, Research Center for Ecology, Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Biological Resources and Adaptive Evolution, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
| | - Zhiquan Tian
- College of Science, Research Center for Ecology, Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Biological Resources and Adaptive Evolution, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
| | - Peter J Stang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Shijun Li
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Xuechuan Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.,College of Science, Research Center for Ecology, Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Biological Resources and Adaptive Evolution, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
| | - Yuling Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.,College of Science, Research Center for Ecology, Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Biological Resources and Adaptive Evolution, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China.,Shenzhen Institute of Wuhan University, Shenzhen 518057, China
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40
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Skakuj K, Teplensky MH, Wang S, Dittmar JW, Mirkin CA. Chemically Tuning the Antigen Release Kinetics from Spherical Nucleic Acids Maximizes Immune Stimulation. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:1838-1846. [PMID: 34841057 PMCID: PMC8614098 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c00779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer vaccine structure is emerging as an important design factor that offers tunable parameters to enhance the targeted immune response. We report the impact of altering the antigen release rate from spherical nucleic acid (SNA) vaccines-nanoparticles with a liposomal core and surface-anchored adjuvant DNA-on immune stimulation. Peptide antigens were incorporated into SNAs using either a nonreducible linker or one of a series of reduction-triggered traceless linkers that release the native peptide at rates controlled by their substitution pattern. Compared with a nonreducible linkage, the traceless attachment of antigens resulted in lower EC50 of T cell proliferation in vitro and greater dendritic cell (DC) activation and higher T cell killing ability in vivo. Traceless linker fragmentation rates affected the rates of antigen presentation by DCs and were correlated with the in vitro potencies of SNAs. Antigen release was correlated with the ex vivo -log(EC50), and more rapid antigen release resulted in an order of magnitude improvement in the EC50 and earlier and greater antigen presentation over the same time-period. In vivo, increasing the rate of antigen release resulted in higher T cell activation and target killing. These findings provide fundamental insights into and underscore the importance of vaccine structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacper Skakuj
- Department
of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Michelle H. Teplensky
- Department
of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Shuya Wang
- Interdisciplinary
Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern
University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Jasper W. Dittmar
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern
University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chad A. Mirkin
- Department
of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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41
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Teplensky MH, Dittmar JW, Qin L, Wang S, Evangelopoulos M, Zhang B, Mirkin CA. Spherical Nucleic Acid Vaccine Structure Markedly Influences Adaptive Immune Responses of Clinically Utilized Prostate Cancer Targets. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2101262. [PMID: 34494382 PMCID: PMC8599645 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202101262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer vaccines, which activate the immune system against a target antigen, are attractive for prostate cancer, where multiple upregulated protein targets are identified. However, many clinical trials implementing peptides targeting these proteins have yielded suboptimal results. Using spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), we explore how precise architectural control of vaccine components can activate a robust antigen-specific immune response in comparison to clinical formulations of the same targets. The SNA vaccines incorporate peptides for human prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) or T-cell receptor γ alternate reading frame protein (TARP) into an optimized architecture, resulting in high rates of immune activation and cytolytic ability in humanized mice and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs). Specifically, administered SNAs elevate the production and secretion of cytokines and increase polyfunctional cytotoxic T cells and effector memory. Importantly, T cells raised from immunized mice potently kill targets, including clinically relevant cells expressing the whole PSMA protein. Treatment of hPBMCs increases costimulatory markers and cytolytically active T cells. This work demonstrates the importance of vaccine structure and its ability to reformulate and elevate clinical targets. Moreover, it encourages the field to reinvestigate ineffective peptide targets and repackage them into optimally structured vaccines to harness antigen potency and enhance clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H Teplensky
- Department of Chemistry and the International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Jasper W Dittmar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Lei Qin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Shuya Wang
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | | | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry and the International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
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42
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Lin M, Chen Y, Zhao S, Tang R, Nie Z, Xing H. A Biomimetic Approach for Spatially Controlled Cell Membrane Engineering Using Fusogenic Spherical Nucleic Acid. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 61:e202111647. [PMID: 34637590 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202111647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Engineering of the cell plasma membrane using functional DNA is important for studying and controlling cellular behaviors. However, most efforts to apply artificial DNA interactions on cells are limited to external membrane surface due to the lack of suitable synthetic tools to engineer the intracellular side, which impedes many applications in cell biology. Inspired by the natural extracellular vesicle-cell fusion process, we have developed a fusogenic spherical nucleic acid construct to realize robust DNA functionalization on both external and internal cell surfaces via liposome fusion-based transport (LiFT) strategy, which enables applications including the construction of heterotypic cell assembly for programmed signaling pathway and detection of intracellular metabolites. This approach can engineer cell membranes in a highly efficient and spatially controlled manner, allowing one to build anisotropic membrane structures with two orthogonal DNA functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjie Lin
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Sisi Zhao
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Rui Tang
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Zhou Nie
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Hang Xing
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
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43
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Petrosko SH, Coleman BD, Drout RJ, Schultz JD, Mirkin CA. Spherical Nucleic Acids: Integrating Nanotechnology Concepts into General Chemistry Curricula. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION 2021; 98:3090-3099. [PMID: 35250048 PMCID: PMC8890693 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c00441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nanoscience and technology research offer exciting avenues to modernize undergraduate-level General Chemistry curricula. In particular, spherical nucleic acid (SNA) nanoconjugates, which behave as "programmable atom equivalents" (PAEs) in the context of colloidal crystals, are one system that one can use to reinforce foundational concepts in chemistry including matter and atoms, the Periodic Table, Lewis dot structures and the octet rule, valency and valence-shell electron-pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory, and Pauling's rules, ultimately leading to enriching discussions centered on materials chemistry and biochemistry with key implications in medicine, optics, catalysis, and other areas. These lessons connect historical and modern concepts in chemistry, relate course content to current professional and popular science topics, inspire critical and creative thinking, and spur some students to continue their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and attain careers in STEM fields. Ultimately, and perhaps most importantly, these lessons may expand the pool of young students interested in chemistry by making connections to a broader group of contemporary concepts and technologies that impact their lives and enhance their view of the field. Herein, a way of teaching aspects of General Chemistry in the context of modern nanoscience concepts is introduced to instructors and curricula developers at research institutions, primarily undergraduate institutions, and community colleges worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hurst Petrosko
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Benjamin D Coleman
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Riki J Drout
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Jonathan D Schultz
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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44
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Distler ME, Teplensky MH, Bujold KE, Kusmierz CD, Evangelopoulos M, Mirkin CA. DNA Dendrons as Agents for Intracellular Delivery. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:13513-13518. [PMID: 34410116 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c07240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Herein, a method for synthesizing and utilizing DNA dendrons to deliver biomolecules to living cells is reported. Inspired by high-density nucleic acid nanostructures, such as spherical nucleic acids, we hypothesized that small clusters of nucleic acids, in the form of DNA dendrons, could be conjugated to biomolecules and facilitate their cellular uptake. We show that DNA dendrons are internalized by 90% of dendritic cells after just 1 h of treatment, with a >20-fold increase in DNA delivery per cell compared with their linear counterparts. This effect is due to the interaction of the DNA dendrons with scavenger receptor-A on cell surfaces, which results in their rapid endocytosis. Moreover, when conjugated to peptides at a single attachment site, dendrons enhance the cellular delivery and activity of both the model ovalbumin 1 peptide and the therapeutically relevant thymosin alpha 1 peptide. These findings show that high-density, multivalent DNA ligands play a significant role in dictating cellular uptake of biomolecules and consequently will expand the scope of deliverable biomolecules to cells. Indeed, DNA dendrons are poised to become agents for the cellular delivery of many molecular and nanoscale materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max E Distler
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Michelle H Teplensky
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Katherine E Bujold
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Caroline D Kusmierz
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Michael Evangelopoulos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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45
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Huang ZN, Callmann CE, Cole LE, Wang S, Mirkin CA. Synergistic Immunostimulation through the Dual Activation of Toll-like Receptor 3/9 with Spherical Nucleic Acids. ACS NANO 2021; 15:13329-13338. [PMID: 34278782 PMCID: PMC8766625 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c03093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of proteins that modulate the innate immune system and control the initiation of downstream immune responses. Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) designed to stimulate single members of the TLR family (e.g., TLR7 or TLR9) have shown utility in cancer immunotherapy. We hypothesized that SNAs synthesized with multiple TLR agonists would enable the simultaneous activation of multiple TLR pathways for maximally synergistic immune activation. Here, we describe the synthesis of SNAs that incorporate both a TLR3 agonist (polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, poly(I:C)) and TLR9 agonist (CpG oligonucleotide) on the same liposomal scaffold. In this design, CpG comprises the SNA oligonucleotide shell, and poly(I:C) is encapsulated in the liposome core. These dual-TLR activating SNAs efficiently codeliver high quantities of both agonists to the same target cell, yielding enhanced immunostimulation in various murine and human antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Moreover, codelivery of TLR agonists using the SNA both synchronizes and prolongs the duration of costimulatory molecule and major histocompatibility complex class II expression in APCs, which has been shown to be important for efficient downstream immune responses. Taken together, this SNA design provides a strategy for potently activating immune cells and increasing the efficiency of their activation, which likely will inform the preparation of nanomaterials for highly potent immunotherapies.
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46
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Homaeigohar S, Liu Q, Kordbacheh D. Biomedical Applications of Antiviral Nanohybrid Materials Relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Viral Crises. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:2833. [PMID: 34451371 PMCID: PMC8401873 DOI: 10.3390/polym13162833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has driven a global research to uncover novel, effective therapeutical and diagnosis approaches. In addition, control of spread of infection has been targeted through development of preventive tools and measures. In this regard, nanomaterials, particularly, those combining two or even several constituting materials possessing dissimilar physicochemical (or even biological) properties, i.e., nanohybrid materials play a significant role. Nanoparticulate nanohybrids have gained a widespread reputation for prevention of viral crises, thanks to their promising antimicrobial properties as well as their potential to act as a carrier for vaccines. On the other hand, they can perform well as a photo-driven killer for viruses when they release reactive oxygen species (ROS) or photothermally damage the virus membrane. The nanofibers can also play a crucial protective role when integrated into face masks and personal protective equipment, particularly as hybridized with antiviral nanoparticles. In this draft, we review the antiviral nanohybrids that could potentially be applied to control, diagnose, and treat the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the short age of this health problem, trivially the relevant technologies are not that many and are handful. Therefore, still progressing, older technologies with antiviral potential are also included and discussed. To conclude, nanohybrid nanomaterials with their high engineering potential and ability to inactivate pathogens including viruses will contribute decisively to the future of nanomedicine tackling the current and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahin Homaeigohar
- School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK;
| | - Qiqi Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China;
| | - Danial Kordbacheh
- School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK;
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47
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Haley RM, Gottardi R, Langer R, Mitchell MJ. Cyclodextrins in drug delivery: applications in gene and combination therapy. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2021; 10:661-677. [PMID: 32077052 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-020-00724-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy is a powerful tool against genetic disorders and cancer, targeting the source of the disease rather than just treating the symptoms. While much of the initial success of gene delivery relied on viral vectors, non-viral vectors are emerging as promising gene delivery systems for efficacious treatment with decreased toxicity concerns. However, the delivery of genetic material is still challenging, and there is a need for vectors with enhanced targeting, reduced toxicity, and controlled release. In this article, we highlight current work in gene therapy which utilizes the cyclic oligosaccharide molecule cyclodextrin (CD). With a number of unique abilities, such as hosting small molecule drugs, acting as a linker or modular component, reducing immunogenicity, and disrupting membranes, CD is a valuable constituent in many delivery systems. These carriers also demonstrate great promise in combination therapies, due to the ease of assembling macromolecular structures and wide variety of chemical derivatives, which allow for customizable delivery systems and co-delivery of therapeutics. The use of combination and personalized therapies can result in improved patient health-modular systems, such as those which incorporate CD, are more conducive to these therapy types. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M Haley
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Riccardo Gottardi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Fondazione Ri.MED, Palermo, Italy
| | - Robert Langer
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Michael J Mitchell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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48
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Callmann C, Kusmierz CD, Dittmar JW, Broger L, Mirkin CA. Impact of Liposomal Spherical Nucleic Acid Structure on Immunotherapeutic Function. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:892-899. [PMID: 34079904 PMCID: PMC8161491 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Liposomal spherical nucleic acids (L-SNAs) show significant promise as cancer immunotherapeutics. L-SNAs are highly modular nanoscale assemblies defined by a dense, upright radial arrangement of oligonucleotides around a liposomal core. Herein, we establish a set of L-SNA design rules by studying the biological and immunological properties of L-SNAs as a function of liposome composition. To achieve this, we synthesized liposomes where the lipid phosphatidylcholine headgroup was held constant, while the diacyl lipid tail chain length and degree of saturation were varied, using either 1,2-dioleylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC), 1,2-dimyristoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC), 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), or 1,2-distearoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DSPC). These studies show that the identity of the constituent lipid dictates the DNA loading, cellular uptake, serum stability, in vitro immunostimulatory activity, and in vivo lymph node accumulation of the L-SNA. Furthermore, in the 4T1 mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the subcutaneous administration of immunostimulatory L-SNAs synthesized with DPPC significantly decreases the production of lung metastases and delays tumor growth as compared to L-SNAs synthesized using DOPC, due to the enhanced stability of L-SNAs synthesized with DPPC over those synthesized with DOPC. Moreover, the inclusion of cell lysates derived from Py8119 TNBC cells as antigen sources in L-SNAs leads to a significant increase in antitumor efficacy in the Py8119 model when lysates are encapsulated in the cores of L-SNAs synthesized with DPPC rather than DOPC, presumably due to increased codelivery of adjuvant and antigen to dendritic cells in vivo. This difference is further amplified when using lysates from oxidized Py8119 cells as a more potent antigen source, revealing synergy between the lysate preparation method and liposome composition in synthesizing immunotherapeutic L-SNAs. Together, this work shows that the biological properties and immunomodulatory activity of L-SNAs can be modulated by exchanging liposome components, providing another handle for the rational design of nanoscale immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra
E. Callmann
- Department
of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Caroline D. Kusmierz
- Department
of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Jasper W. Dittmar
- Department
of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Leah Broger
- Department
of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chad A. Mirkin
- Department
of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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49
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Xavier M, Kyriazi ME, Lanham S, Alexaki K, Matthews E, El-Sagheer AH, Brown T, Kanaras AG, Oreffo ROC. Enrichment of Skeletal Stem Cells from Human Bone Marrow Using Spherical Nucleic Acids. ACS NANO 2021; 15:6909-6916. [PMID: 33751885 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c10683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Human bone marrow (BM)-derived stromal cells contain a population of skeletal stem cells (SSCs), with the capacity to differentiate along the osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages, enabling their application to clinical therapies. However, current methods to isolate and enrich SSCs from human tissues remain, at best, challenging in the absence of a specific SSC marker. Unfortunately, none of the current proposed markers alone can isolate a homogeneous cell population with the ability to form bone, cartilage, and adipose tissue in humans. Here, we have designed DNA-gold nanoparticles able to identify and sort SSCs displaying specific mRNA signatures. The current approach demonstrates the significant enrichment attained in the isolation of SSCs, with potential therein to enhance our understanding of bone cell biology and translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Xavier
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Human Development and Health, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Maria-Eleni Kyriazi
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Lanham
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Human Development and Health, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantina Alexaki
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Elloise Matthews
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Human Development and Health, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Afaf H El-Sagheer
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
- Chemistry Branch, Department of Science and Mathematics, Faculty of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, Suez University, Suez 43721, Egypt
| | - Tom Brown
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Antonios G Kanaras
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Richard O C Oreffo
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Human Development and Health, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
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50
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Derakhshan MA, Amani A, Faridi-Majidi R. State-of-the-Art of Nanodiagnostics and Nanotherapeutics against SARS-CoV-2. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:14816-14843. [PMID: 33779135 PMCID: PMC8028022 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c22381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The pandemic outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, with millions of infected patients worldwide, has severely challenged all aspects of public health. In this regard, early and rapid detection of infected cases and providing effective therapeutics against the virus are in urgent demand. Along with conventional clinical protocols, nanomaterial-based diagnostics and therapeutics hold a great potential against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Indeed, nanoparticles with their outstanding characteristics would render additional advantages to the current approaches for rapid and accurate diagnosis and also developing prophylactic vaccines or antiviral therapeutics. In this review, besides presenting an overview of the coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2, we discuss the introduced nanomaterial-based detection assays and devices and also antiviral formulations and vaccines for coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ali Derakhshan
- Department
of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and
Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical
Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Nanomedicine
and Nanobiology Research Center, Shiraz
University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz Iran
| | - Amir Amani
- Natural
Products and Medicinal Plants Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Reza Faridi-Majidi
- Department
of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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