Solid lipid nanoparticles release DNA upon endosomal acidification in human embryonic kidney cells

Exploring the interplay between the TGF-βpathway and SLN-mediated transfection: implications for gene delivery efficiency in prostate cancer and non-cancer cells

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) are widely recognized for their biocompatibility, scalability, and long-term stability, making them versatile formulations for drug and gene delivery. Cellular interactions, governed by complex endocytic and signaling pathways, are pivotal for successfully applying SLN as a therapeutic agent. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the intricate interplay between SLN and cells by investigating the influence of specific endocytic and cell signaling pathways, with a focus on the impact of the TGF-βpathway on SLN-mediated cell transfection in both cancerous and non-cancerous prostate cells. Here, we systematically explored the intricate mechanisms governing the interactions between solid lipid nanoparticles and cells. By pharmacologically manipulating endocytic and signaling pathways, we analyzed alterations in SLNplex internalization, intracellular traffic, and cell transfection dynamics. Our findings highlight the significant role of macropinocytosis in the internalization and transfection processes of SLNplex in both cancer and non-cancer prostate cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that the TGF-βpathway is an important factor influencing endosomal release, potentially impacting gene expression and modulating cell transfection efficiency. This study provides novel insights into the dynamic mechanisms governing the interaction between cells and SLN, emphasizing the pivotal role of TGF-βsignaling in SLN-mediated transfection, affecting internalization, intracellular transport, and release of the genetic cargo. These findings provide valuable insight for the optimization of SLN-based therapeutic strategies in prostate-related applications.

Cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) complexed with plasmid DNA enhance prostate cancer cells (PC-3) migration

Nanotechnology applications in biomedicine have increased in recent decades, primarily as therapeutic agents, drugs, and gene delivery systems. Among the nanoparticles used in medicine, we highlight cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN). Given their nontoxic properties, much research has focused on the beneficial effects of SLN for drug or gene delivery system. However, little attention has been paid to the adverse impacts of SLN on the cellular environment, particularly their influence on intracellular signaling pathways. In this work, we investigate the effects triggered by cationic SLN on human prostate non-tumor cells (PNT1A) and tumor cells (PC-3). Our results demonstrate that cationic SLN enhances the migration of PC-3 prostate cancer cells but not PNT1A non-tumor prostate cells, an unexpected and unprecedented development. Furthermore, we observed that the enhanced cell migration velocity is a concentration-dependent and nanoparticle-dependent effect, and not related to any individual nanoparticle component. Moreover, cationic SLN increased vimentin expression (p < 0.05) but SLN did not affect Smad2 nuclear translocation. Meanwhile, EMT-related (epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition) proteins, such as ZEB1, underwent nuclear translocation when treated with cationic SLN, thereby affecting PC-3 cell motility through ZEB1 and vimentin modulation. From a therapeutic perspective, cationic SLN could potentially worsen a patient's condition if these results were reproduced in vivo. Understanding the in vitro molecular mechanisms triggered by nanomaterials and their implications for cell function is crucial for defining their safe and effective use.

Discovery of Novel Bicyclic Imidazolopyridine-Containing Human Urate Transporter 1 Inhibitors as Hypouricemic Drug Candidates with Improved Efficacy and Favorable Druggability

Lesinurad is a uricosuric agent for the treatment of hyperuricemia associated with gout, which was found lacking in efficacy and safety. Here, scaffold hopping and molecular hybridization were exploited to modify all the structural components of lesinurad, and 36 novel compounds bearing bicyclic imidazolopyridine core were obtained. In a mouse model of acute hyperuricemia, 29 compounds demonstrated increased serum uric acid (SUA)-reducing activity; SUA was treated with 12, 23, and 29 about fourfold lower compared with that of lesinurad. Moreover, 23 exhibited stronger URAT1 inhibition activity (IC₅₀ = 1.36 μM) than lesinurad (IC₅₀ = 5.54 μM). Additionally, 23 showed favorable safety profiles, and no obvious acute toxicity was observed in Kunming mice under a single dose of 1000 mg·kg^-1. 23 also achieved excellent pharmacokinetic properties with the oral bioavailability of 59.3%. Overall, all the results indicated that 23 is a promising drug candidate in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout.

Glimpse into Cellular Internalization and Intracellular Trafficking of Lipid-Based Nanoparticles in Cancer Cells

Lipid-based nanoparticles as drug delivery carriers have been mainly used for delivery of anti-cancer therapeutic agents. Lipid-based nanoparticles, due to their smaller particle size and similarity to cell membranes, are readily internalized into cancer cells. Interestingly, cancer cells also overexpress receptors for specific ligands including folic acid, hyaluronic acid, and transferrin on their surface. This allows the use of these ligands for surface modification of the lipid-based nanoparticle. These modifications then allow the specific recognition of these ligand-coated nanoparticles by their receptors on cancer cells allowing the targeted gradual intracellular accumulation of the functionalized nanoplatforms. These interactions could eventually enhance the internalization of desired drugs via increasing ligand-receptor mediated cellular uptake of the nanoplatforms. The cellular internalization of the nanoplatforms also varies and depends on their physicochemical properties including particle size, zeta potential, and shape. The cellular uptake is also influenced by the types of ligand internalization pathway utilized by cells such as phagocytosis, macropinocytosis, and multiple endocytosis pathways. In this review, we will classify and discuss lipid based nanoparticles engineered to express specific ligands, and are recognized by their receptors on cancer cell, and their cellular internalization pathways. Moreover, the intracellular fate of nanoparticles decorated with specific ligands and the best internalization pathways (caveolae mediated endocytosis) for safe cargo delivery will be discussed.

Paradigm shift in the pathogenesis and treatment of oral cancer and other cancers focused on the oralome and antimicrobial-based therapeutics

The oral microbiome is a community of microorganisms, comprised of bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, and protozoa, that form a complex ecosystem within the oral cavity. Although minor perturbations in the environment are frequent and compensable, major shifts in the oral microbiome can promote an unbalanced state, known as dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can promote oral diseases, including periodontitis. In addition, oral dysbiosis has been associated with other systemic diseases, including cancer. The objective of this review is to evaluate the epidemiologic evidence linking periodontitis to oral, gastrointestinal, lung, breast, prostate, and uterine cancers, as well as describe new evidence and insights into the role of oral dysbiosis in the etiology and pathogenesis of the cancer types discussed. Finally, we discuss how antimicrobials, antimicrobial peptides, and probiotics may be promising tools to prevent and treat these cancers, targeting both the microbes and associated carcinogenesis processes. These findings represent a novel paradigm in the pathogenesis and treatment of cancer focused on the oral microbiome and antimicrobial‐based therapies.

Phosphatidylserine-Gold Nanoparticles (PS-AuNP) Induce Prostate and Breast Cancer Cell Apoptosis

Prostate and breast cancer are the current leading causes of new cancer cases in males and females, respectively. Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an essential lipid that mediates macrophage efferocytosis and is dysregulated in tumors. Therefore, developing therapies that selectively restore PS may be a potential therapeutic approach for carcinogenesis. Among the nanomedicine strategies for delivering PS, biocompatible gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have an extensive track record in biomedical applications. In this study, we synthesized biomimetic phosphatidylserine-caped gold nanoparticles (PS-AuNPs) and tested their anticancer potential in breast and prostate cancer cells in vitro. We found that both cell lines exhibited changes in cell morphology indicative of apoptosis. After evaluating for histone-associated DNA fragments, a hallmark of apoptosis, we found significant increases in DNA fragmentation upon PS-AuNP treatment compared to the control treatment. These findings demonstrate the use of phosphatidylserine coupled with gold nanoparticles as a potential treatment for prostate and breast cancer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a phosphatidylserine-capped AuNP has been examined for its therapeutic potential in cancer therapy.

The oralome and its dysbiosis: New insights into oral microbiome-host interactions

The oralome is the summary of the dynamic interactions orchestrated between the ecological community of oral microorganisms (comprised of up to approximately 1000 species of bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea and protozoa - the oral microbiome) that live in the oral cavity and the host. These microorganisms form a complex ecosystem that thrive in the dynamic oral environment in a symbiotic relationship with the human host. However, the microbial composition is significantly affected by interspecies and host-microbial interactions, which in turn, can impact the health and disease status of the host. In this review, we discuss the composition of the oralome and inter-species and host-microbial interactions that take place in the oral cavity and examine how these interactions change from healthy (eubiotic) to disease (dysbiotic) states. We further discuss the dysbiotic signatures associated with periodontitis and caries and their sequalae, (e.g., tooth/bone loss and pulpitis), and the systemic diseases associated with these oral diseases, such as infective endocarditis, atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and head and neck/oral cancer. We then discuss current computational techniques to assess dysbiotic oral microbiome changes. Lastly, we discuss current and novel techniques for modulation of the dysbiotic oral microbiome that may help in disease prevention and treatment, including standard hygiene methods, prebiotics, probiotics, use of nano-sized drug delivery systems (nano-DDS), extracellular polymeric matrix (EPM) disruption, and host response modulators.

Application of chloroquine as an endosomal escape enhancing agent: new frontiers for an old drug

INTRODUCTION

Adequate transfection efficiency is indispensable to safe and effective delivery of therapeutically active agents, particularly in cancer. Endosomal escape is regarded as a critical and determining step devoted a significant number of studies of the drug/gene delivery field.

AREAS COVERED

This paper critically reviews the fundamental properties of chloroquine (CQ), its pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical applications and the present knowledge of CQ application as an endosomal escape enhancing agent. Different approaches to enhance the endosomal escape process of nanoparticles have been introduced including use of endosomal escape enhancing agents. Application of CQ as either a pre-treatment modality in which cells or animals are exposed to CQ prior to the main treatment or a component of co-delivery systems where CQ and other anti-cancer agents are simultaneously entered the cancer cells, is discussed with recent studies.

EXPERT OPINION

CQ is founded to intervene with the natural process of endosomal maturation. Moreover, CQ seems to increase the effectiveness of gene delivery by its electrostatic interaction with negatively charged components of the transferred genetic molecules. Endosomal escape might be regarded as the bottleneck of efficient gene delivery and CQ as an effective and available endosomal escape enhancing agent deserves more sophisticated studies.

Endocytosis and Organelle Targeting of Nanomedicines in Cancer Therapy

Nanomedicines (NMs) have played an increasing role in cancer therapy as carriers to efficiently deliver therapeutics into tumor cells. For this application, the uptake of NMs by tumor cells is usually a prerequisite to deliver the cargo to intracellular locations, which mainly relies on endocytosis. NMs can enter cells through a variety of endocytosis pathways. Different endocytosis pathways exhibit different intracellular trafficking routes and diverse subcellular localizations. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of endocytosis mechanisms is necessary for increasing cellular entry efficiency and to trace the fate of NMs after internalization. This review focuses on endocytosis pathways of NMs in tumor cells, mainly including clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis pathways, involving effector molecules, expression difference of those molecules between normal and tumor cells, as well as the intracellular trafficking route of corresponding endocytosis vesicles. Then, the latest strategies for NMs to actively employ endocytosis are described, including improving tumor cellular uptake of NMs by receptor-mediated endocytosis, transporter-mediated endocytosis and enabling drug activity by changing intracellular routes. Finally, active targeting strategies towards intracellular organelles are also mentioned. This review will be helpful not only in explicating endocytosis and the trafficking process of NMs and elucidating anti-tumor mechanisms inside the cell but also in rendering new ideas for the design of highly efficacious and cancer-targeted NMs.

Novel Human Urate Transporter 1 Inhibitors as Hypouricemic Drug Candidates with Favorable Druggability

Lesinurad, a human urate transporter 1 (URAT1) inhibitor approved as a medication for the treatment of hyperuricemia associated with gout in 2015, can cause liver and renal toxicity. Here, we modified all three structural components of lesinurad by applying scaffold hopping, bioisosterism, and substituent-decorating strategies. In a mouse model of acute hyperuricemia, 21 of the synthesized compounds showed increased serum uric acid (SUA)-reducing activity; SUA was about 4-fold lower in animals treated with 44, 54, and 83 compared with lesinurad or benzbromarone. In the URAT1 inhibition assay, 44 was over 8-fold more potent than lesinurad (IC₅₀: 1.57 μM vs 13.21 μM). Notably, 83 also displayed potent inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 31.73 μM) against GLUT9. Furthermore, we also preliminarily explored the effect of chirality on the potency of the promising derivatives 44 and 54. Compounds 44, 54, and 83 showed favorable drug-like pharmacokinetics and appear to be promising candidates for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout.

The in vivo toxicological profile of cationic solid lipid nanoparticles

Cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (cSLNs) are considered as one of the most effective lipid nanocarriers for delivery of low water-solubility compounds and genetic materials. As the excipients used in the cSLN production are generally regarded as safe (GRAS), the formulations are granted as non-toxic. However, the toxicological profile of new SLN-based formulations should always be performed to confirm that the delivery systems themselves may not impose risks to the human health. Therefore, in this study, we delineate the toxicological profile of the cSLN formulation at 24 and 72 h after single intravenous injection to male Wistar rats. Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological evaluations of the spleen, lungs, liver, and kidneys indicated short-lived alterations including neutrophilia. We found increases in the population of macrophages in the lungs, liver, and spleen and also migration of circulating neutrophils into inflamed tissue and a decrease in blood urea nitrogen. We also observed the presence of cSLNs within the brain parenchyma without any sign of damage to the blood-brain barrier. These side effects appeared to be mild and transitory (< 72 h). These findings reinforce the importance of investigating the toxicity of SLN-based formulations before the incorporation of drugs/genetic material to the formulation and its translation to the clinic.

Endocytosis: The Nanoparticle and Submicron Nanocompounds Gateway into the Cell

Nanoparticles (NPs) and submicron particles are increasingly used as carriers for delivering therapeutic compounds to cells. Their entry into the cell represents the initial step in this delivery process, being most of the nanoparticles taken up by endocytosis, although other mechanisms can contribute to the uptake. To increase the delivery efficiency of therapeutic compounds by NPs and submicron particles is very relevant to understand the mechanisms involved in the uptake process. This review covers the proposed pathways involved in the cellular uptake of different NPs and submicron particles types as well as the role that some of the physicochemical nanoparticle characteristics play in the uptake pathway preferentially used by the nanoparticles to gain access and deliver their cargo inside the cell.

Nutlin-loaded magnetic solid lipid nanoparticles for targeted glioblastoma treatment

Aim

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, and current treatments are limited to palliative cares. The present study proposes a nanotechnology-based solution able to improve both drug efficacy and its delivery efficiency.

Materials & methods

Nutlin-3a and superparamagnetic nanoparticles were encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles, and the obtained nanovectors (nutlin-loaded magnetic solid lipid nanoparticle [Nut-Mag-SLNs]) were characterized by analyzing both their physicochemical properties and their effects on U-87 MG glioblastoma cells.

Results

Nut-Mag-SLNs showed good colloidal stability, the ability to cross an in vitro blood–brain barrier model, and a superior pro-apoptotic activity toward glioblastoma cells with respect to the free drug.

Conclusion

Nut-Mag-SLNs represent a promising multifunctional nanoplatform for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.