1
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Xu S, Xu Y, Solek NC, Chen J, Gong F, Varley AJ, Golubovic A, Pan A, Dong S, Zheng G, Li B. Tumor-Tailored Ionizable Lipid Nanoparticles Facilitate IL-12 Circular RNA Delivery for Enhanced Lung Cancer Immunotherapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2400307. [PMID: 38657273 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202400307] [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: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The advancement of message RNA (mRNA) -based immunotherapies for cancer is highly dependent on the effective delivery of RNA (Ribonucleic) payloads using ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). However, the clinical application of these therapies is hindered by variable mRNA expression among different cancer types and the risk of systemic toxicity. The transient expression profile of mRNA further complicates this issue, necessitating frequent dosing and thus increasing the potential for adverse effects. Addressing these challenges, a high-throughput combinatorial method is utilized to synthesize and screen LNPs that efficiently deliver circular RNA (circRNA) to lung tumors. The lead LNP, H1L1A1B3, demonstrates a fourfold increase in circRNA transfection efficiency in lung cancer cells over ALC-0315, the industry-standard LNPs, while providing potent immune activation. A single intratumoral injection of H1L1A1B3 LNPs, loaded with circRNA encoding interleukin-12 (IL-12), induces a robust immune response in a Lewis lung carcinoma model, leading to marked tumor regression. Immunological profiling of treated tumors reveals substantial increments in CD45+ leukocytes and enhances infiltration of CD8+ T cells, underscoring the ability of H1L1A1B3 LNPs to modulate the tumor microenvironment favorably. These results highlight the potential of tailored LNP platforms to advance RNA drug delivery for cancer therapy, broadening the prospects for RNA immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shufen Xu
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Yue Xu
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Nicholas C Solek
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Jingan Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Fanglin Gong
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Andrew James Varley
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Alex Golubovic
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Anni Pan
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Songtao Dong
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Gang Zheng
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Bowen Li
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3M2, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C1, Canada
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2
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Kimura S, Harashima H. Nano-Bio Interactions: Exploring the Biological Behavior and the Fate of Lipid-Based Gene Delivery Systems. BioDrugs 2024; 38:259-273. [PMID: 38345754 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-024-00647-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy for many diseases is rapidly becoming a reality, as demonstrated by the recent approval of various nucleic acid-based therapeutics. Non-viral systems such as lipid-based carriers, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), for delivering different payloads including small interfering RNA, plasmid DNA, and messenger RNA have been particularly extensively explored and developed for clinical uses. One of the most important issues in LNP development is delivery to extrahepatic tissues. To achieve this, various lipids and lipid-like materials are being examined and screened. Several LNP formulations that target extrahepatic tissues, such as the spleen and the lungs have been developed by adjusting the lipid compositions of LNPs. However, mechanistic details of how the characteristics of LNPs affect delivery efficiency remains unclear. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of LNP-based nucleic acid delivery focusing on LNP components and their structures, as well as discussing biological factors, such as biomolecular corona and cellular responses related to the delivery efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seigo Kimura
- Integrated Research Consortium on Chemical Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan.
| | - Hideyoshi Harashima
- Laboratory for Innovative Nanomedicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan.
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3
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Kimura S, Harashima H. On the mechanism of tissue-selective gene delivery by lipid nanoparticles. J Control Release 2023; 362:797-811. [PMID: 37004796 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.03.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
The era of nucleic acid nanomedicine has arrived, as evidenced by Patisiran, a small interfering RNA (siRNA) encapsulated lipid nanoparticle (LNP), and mRNA-loaded LNPs used in COVID-19 vaccines. The diversity of nano-designs for delivering nucleic acid molecules tested in Phase II/III clinical trials reflects the potential of these technologies. These breakthroughs in non-viral gene delivery, including the use of LNPs, have attracted substantial interest worldwide for developing more effective drugs. A next step in this field is to target tissues other than the liver, which requires significant research efforts and material development. However, mechanistic studies in this area are lacking. This study compares two types of LNPs with different tissue-selectivity for delivering plasmid DNA (pDNA), one being liver-selective and the other spleen-selective, in an effort to understand the mechanisms responsible for differences in gene expression of delivered genes. We observed little difference in the biodistribution of these two LNPs despite the 100-1000-fold differences in gene expression. We then quantified the amount of delivered pDNA and mRNA expression in each tissue by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) to evaluate various intracellular processes, such as nuclear delivery, transcription and translation. The results showed a >100-fold difference in the translation step but there were little differences in amount of pDNA delivered to the nucleus or the amount of mRNA expression for the two LNP deliveries. Our findings suggest that endogenous factors affect gene expression efficiency not the extent of biodistribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seigo Kimura
- Laboratory of Innovative Nanomedicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; Laboratory for Molecular Design of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
| | - Hideyoshi Harashima
- Laboratory of Innovative Nanomedicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; Laboratory for Molecular Design of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
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4
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Unali G, Crivicich G, Pagani I, Abou‐Alezz M, Folchini F, Valeri E, Matafora V, Reisz JA, Giordano AMS, Cuccovillo I, Butta GM, Donnici L, D'Alessandro A, De Francesco R, Manganaro L, Cittaro D, Merelli I, Petrillo C, Bachi A, Vicenzi E, Kajaste‐Rudnitski A. Interferon‐inducible phospholipids govern
IFITM3
‐dependent endosomal antiviral immunity. EMBO J 2023; 42:e112234. [PMID: 36970857 PMCID: PMC10183820 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022112234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITM) are implicated in several biological processes, including antiviral defense, but their modes of action remain debated. Here, taking advantage of pseudotyped viral entry assays and replicating viruses, we uncover the requirement of host co-factors for endosomal antiviral inhibition through high-throughput proteomics and lipidomics in cellular models of IFITM restriction. Unlike plasma membrane (PM)-localized IFITM restriction that targets infectious SARS-CoV2 and other PM-fusing viral envelopes, inhibition of endosomal viral entry depends on lysines within the conserved IFITM intracellular loop. These residues recruit Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) that we show here to be required for endosomal IFITM activity. We identify PIP3 as an interferon-inducible phospholipid that acts as a rheostat for endosomal antiviral immunity. PIP3 levels correlated with the potency of endosomal IFITM restriction and exogenous PIP3 enhanced inhibition of endocytic viruses, including the recent SARS-CoV2 Omicron variant. Together, our results identify PIP3 as a critical regulator of endosomal IFITM restriction linking it to the Pi3K/Akt/mTORC pathway and elucidate cell-compartment-specific antiviral mechanisms with potential relevance for the development of broadly acting antiviral strategies.
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5
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Wang W, Sun L, Huang MT, Quan Y, Jiang T, Miao Z, Zhang Q. Regulatory circular RNAs in viral diseases: applications in diagnosis and therapy. RNA Biol 2023; 20:847-858. [PMID: 37882652 PMCID: PMC10730172 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2272118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNA (circRNA) forms closed loops via back-splicing in precursor mRNA, resisting exonuclease degradation. In higher eukaryotes, protein-coding genes create circRNAs through exon back-splicing. Unlike mRNAs, circRNAs possess unique production and structural traits, bestowing distinct cellular functions and biomedical potential. In this review, we explore the pivotal roles of viral circRNAs and associated RNA in various biological processes. Analysing the interactions between viral circRNA and host cellular machinery yields fresh insights into antiviral immunity, catalysing the development of potential therapeutics. Furthermore, circRNAs serve as enduring biomarkers in viral diseases due to their stable translation within specific tissues. Additionally, a deeper understanding of translational circRNA could expedite the establishment of circRNA-based expression platforms, meeting the rising demand for broad-spectrum viral vaccines. We also highlight the applications of circular RNA in biomarker studies as well as circRNA-based therapeutics. Prospectively, we expect a technological revolution in combating viral infections using circRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lei Sun
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Meng-Ting Huang
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yun Quan
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhichao Miao
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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6
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Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is an emerging class of therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases. The recent success of the two highly efficacious mRNA vaccines produced by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech to protect against COVID-19 highlights the huge potential of mRNA technology for revolutionizing life science and medical research. Challenges related to mRNA stability and immunogenicity, as well as in vivo delivery and the ability to cross multiple biological barriers, have been largely addressed by recent progress in mRNA engineering and delivery. In this Review, we present the latest advances and innovations in the growing field of mRNA nanomedicine, in the context of ongoing clinical translation and future directions to improve clinical efficacy.
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7
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Dobrowolski C, Paunovska K, Schrader Echeverri E, Loughrey D, Da Silva Sanchez AJ, Ni H, Hatit MZC, Lokugamage MP, Kuzminich Y, Peck HE, Santangelo PJ, Dahlman JE. Nanoparticle single-cell multiomic readouts reveal that cell heterogeneity influences lipid nanoparticle-mediated messenger RNA delivery. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 17:871-879. [PMID: 35768613 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-022-01146-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cells that were previously described as homogeneous are composed of subsets with distinct transcriptional states. However, it remains unclear whether this cell heterogeneity influences the efficiency with which lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) deliver messenger RNA therapies in vivo. To test the hypothesis that cell heterogeneity influences LNP-mediated mRNA delivery, we report here a new multiomic nanoparticle delivery system called single-cell nanoparticle targeting-sequencing (SENT-seq). SENT-seq quantifies how dozens of LNPs deliver DNA barcodes and mRNA into cells, the subsequent protein production and the transcriptome, with single-cell resolution. Using SENT-seq, we have identified cell subtypes that exhibit particularly high or low LNP uptake as well as genes associated with those subtypes. The data suggest that cell subsets have distinct responses to LNPs that may affect mRNA therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis Dobrowolski
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kalina Paunovska
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elisa Schrader Echeverri
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David Loughrey
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alejandro J Da Silva Sanchez
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Huanzhen Ni
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Marine Z C Hatit
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Melissa P Lokugamage
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yanina Kuzminich
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hannah E Peck
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Philip J Santangelo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - James E Dahlman
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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8
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Feng R, Chang ACY, Ni R, Li JCY, Chau Y. mRNA Delivery and Storage by Co-Assembling Nanostructures with Designer Oligopeptides. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:3476-3486. [PMID: 35729172 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Broadening the applicable tools for mRNA delivery provides more flexibility in research and those proven effective and safe can potentially be translated for clinical use. We report here a 27-amino acid peptide sequence mimicking the viral capsid protein, termed pepMAX, capable of co-assembling with mRNA into 100-150 nm nanostructures for efficient transfection of multiple cell lines. The mRNA loading and N/P ratio have been systematically optimized for each cell line. In HeLa, HEK293, and SKNMC, the transfection attained (>80%) is comparable with that of commercially available vectors Lipofectamine MessengerMAXTM (LipoMMAX). Confocal microscopy reveals that pepMAX efficiently delivers mRNA into the cytosol and induces efficient protein production. The pepMAX/mRNA co-assemblies retain their transfection efficiency after storage up to one week at room temperature in lyophilized form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruilu Feng
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Atta Cheuk Yan Chang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Rong Ni
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Jacky Cheuk Yin Li
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Ying Chau
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
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9
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Abstract
RNA-based gene therapy requires therapeutic RNA to function inside target cells without eliciting unwanted immune responses. RNA can be ferried into cells using non-viral drug delivery systems, which circumvent the limitations of viral delivery vectors. Here, we review the growing number of RNA therapeutic classes, their molecular mechanisms of action, and the design considerations for their respective delivery platforms. We describe polymer-based, lipid-based, and conjugate-based drug delivery systems, differentiating between those that passively and those that actively target specific cell types. Finally, we describe the path from preclinical drug delivery research to clinical approval, highlighting opportunities to improve the efficiency with which new drug delivery systems are discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalina Paunovska
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David Loughrey
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - James E Dahlman
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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10
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Van de Vyver T, De Smedt SC, Raemdonck K. Modulating intracellular pathways to improve non-viral delivery of RNA therapeutics. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 181:114041. [PMID: 34763002 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RNA therapeutics (e.g. siRNA, oligonucleotides, mRNA, etc.) show great potential for the treatment of a myriad of diseases. However, to reach their site of action in the cytosol or nucleus of target cells, multiple intra- and extracellular barriers have to be surmounted. Several non-viral delivery systems, such as nanoparticles and conjugates, have been successfully developed to meet this requirement. Unfortunately, despite these clear advances, state-of-the-art delivery agents still suffer from relatively low intracellular delivery efficiencies. Notably, our current understanding of the intracellular delivery process is largely oversimplified. Gaining mechanistic insight into how RNA formulations are processed by cells will fuel rational design of the next generation of delivery carriers. In addition, identifying which intracellular pathways contribute to productive RNA delivery could provide opportunities to boost the delivery performance of existing nanoformulations. In this review, we discuss both established as well as emerging techniques that can be used to assess the impact of different intracellular barriers on RNA transfection performance. Next, we highlight how several modulators, including small molecules but also genetic perturbation technologies, can boost RNA delivery by intervening at differing stages of the intracellular delivery process, such as cellular uptake, intracellular trafficking, endosomal escape, autophagy and exocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thijs Van de Vyver
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Koen Raemdonck
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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11
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Mukai H, Ogawa K, Kato N, Kawakami S. Recent advances in lipid nanoparticles for delivery of nucleic acid, mRNA, and gene editing-based therapeutics. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2022; 44:100450. [PMID: 35381574 PMCID: PMC9363157 DOI: 10.1016/j.dmpk.2022.100450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are becoming popular as a means of delivering therapeutics, including those based on nucleic acids and mRNA. The mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines are perfect examples to highlight the role played by drug delivery systems in advancing human health. The fundamentals of LNPs for the delivery of nucleic acid- and mRNA-based therapeutics, are well established. Thus, future research on LNPs will focus on addressing the following: expanding the scope of drug delivery to different constituents of the human body, expanding the number of diseases that can be targeted, and studying the change in the pharmacokinetics of LNPs under physiological and pathological conditions. This review article provides an overview of recent advances aimed at expanding the application of LNPs, focusing on the pharmacokinetics and advantages of LNPs. In addition, analytical techniques, library construction and screening, rational design, active targeting, and applicability to gene editing therapy have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidefumi Mukai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Informatics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan; Laboratory for Molecular Delivery and Imaging Technology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Koki Ogawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Informatics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan
| | - Naoya Kato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Informatics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan
| | - Shigeru Kawakami
- Department of Pharmaceutical Informatics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan.
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12
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Abstract
mRNA drugs can preempt infectious disease and treat Mendelian disorders, such as sickle cell anemia, muscular dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis, as well as autoimmunity and cancer. The three major therapeutic areas for which mRNA delivery is currently being explored are antigen production, including the COVID-19 vaccine, protein replacement therapy, and genome engineering. It was demonstrated 30 years ago that introducing in vitro transcribed mRNA intramuscularly results in detectable protein expression for specific antigens protecting against the likes of influenza and cancer. Utilizing mRNA as a therapeutic modality, however, is challenging. mRNA is large and anionic and, as a result, cannot passively diffuse across the negatively charged plasma membrane. In addition, RNases present in the bloodstream and tissues rapidly degrade mRNA, and its administration induces the innate immune response. In consequence, lipid-, polymer-, dendrimer-, and natural membrane-based mRNA drug delivery systems have been developed to deliver mRNA to target cells. Significant efforts and investments have been made to translate some of these systems into the clinic. Specifically, systemically administered lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have delivered mRNA to the liver, and intramuscularly administered LNPs have delivered mRNA to immune cells to protect against coronavirus disease of 2019. However, clinically relevant delivery in non-liver tissues such as the spleen, lungs, heart, eye, central nervous system, and lymphatics requires improved drug delivery systems.In this Account, we provide an overview of key advances that have led us to Food and Drug Administration approval for the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 and Emergency Use Authorization for the Moderna mRNA-based vaccine against the same disease, and we explain how these developments will contribute to the clinical translation of mRNA therapeutics targeted outside of the liver. We first focus on the chemical modifications and sequence optimization that can improve the potency of mRNA, resulting in greatly improved pharmacokinetics. After detailing what makes an ideal mRNA payload, we review drug delivery systems used to deliver the payload into target cells. We describe efforts to reduce clearance by the liver, a key obstacle to the development of non-liver therapies. We then consider recent examples of nanoparticles that have delivered mRNA to non-liver tissues. Finally, we discuss current clinical mRNA programs, focusing on the COVID vaccines and highlighting lessons that may be applied to future mRNA drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Loughrey
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - James E. Dahlman
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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13
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Dobrowolski C, Paunovska K, Hatit MZC, Lokugamage MP, Dahlman JE. Therapeutic RNA Delivery for COVID and Other Diseases. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2002022. [PMID: 33661555 PMCID: PMC7995096 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202002022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
RNA can alter the expression of endogenous genes and can be used to express therapeutic proteins. As a result, RNA-based therapies have recently mitigated disease in patients. Yet most potential RNA therapies cannot currently be developed, in large part because delivering therapeutic quantities of RNA drugs to diseased cells remains difficult. Here, recent studies focused on the biological hurdles that make in vivo drug delivery challenging are described. Then RNA drugs that have overcome these challenges in humans, focusing on siRNA to treat liver disease and mRNA to vaccinate against COVID, are discussed. Finally, research centered on improving drug delivery to new tissues is highlighted, including the development of high-throughput in vivo nanoparticle DNA barcoding assays capable of testing over 100 distinct nanoparticles in a single animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis Dobrowolski
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical EngineeringGeorgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of MedicineAtlantaGA30332USA
| | - Kalina Paunovska
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical EngineeringGeorgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of MedicineAtlantaGA30332USA
| | - Marine Z. C. Hatit
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical EngineeringGeorgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of MedicineAtlantaGA30332USA
| | - Melissa P. Lokugamage
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical EngineeringGeorgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of MedicineAtlantaGA30332USA
| | - James E. Dahlman
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical EngineeringGeorgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of MedicineAtlantaGA30332USA
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14
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Hasanzadeh A, Radmanesh F, Hosseini ES, Hashemzadeh I, Kiani J, Nourizadeh H, Naseri M, Fatahi Y, Chegini F, Madjd Z, Beyzavi A, Kowalski PS, Karimi M. Highly Photoluminescent Nitrogen- and Zinc-Doped Carbon Dots for Efficient Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 and mRNA. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:1875-1887. [PMID: 34278778 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Safe and efficient delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 systems is still a challenge. Here we report the development of fluorescent nitrogen- and zinc-doped carbon dots (N-Zn-doped CDs) using one-step microwave-aided pyrolysis based on citric acid, branched PEI25k, and different zinc salts. These versatile nanovectors with a quantum yield of around 60% could not only transfect large CRISPR plasmids (∼9 kb) with higher efficiency (80%) compared to PEI25k and lipofectamine 2000 (Lipo 2K), but they also delivered mRNA into HEK 293T cells with the efficiency 20 times greater than and equal to that of PEI25k and Lipo 2K, respectively. Unlike PEI25k, N-Zn-doped CDs exhibited good transfection efficiency even at low plasmid doses and in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Moreover, these nanovectors demonstrated excellent efficiency in GFP gene disruption by transferring plasmid encoding Cas9 and sgRNA targeting GFP as well as Cas9/sgRNA ribonucleoproteins into HEK 293T-GFP cells. Hence, N-Zn-doped CDs with remarkable photoluminescence properties and high transfection efficiency in the delivery of both CRISPR complexes and mRNA provide a promising platform for developing safe, efficient, and traceable delivery systems for biological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akbar Hasanzadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran.,Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran.,Advanced Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine Research Group (ANNRG), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Radmanesh
- Uro-Oncology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran.,Department of Cell Engineering, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
| | - Elaheh Sadat Hosseini
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran.,Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Iman Hashemzadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran.,Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran.,Advanced Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine Research Group (ANNRG), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Jafar Kiani
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Helena Nourizadeh
- Advanced Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine Research Group (ANNRG), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Marzieh Naseri
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Yousef Fatahi
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran.,Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 1417755331, Iran
| | - Fateme Chegini
- Advanced Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine Research Group (ANNRG), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Zahra Madjd
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Ali Beyzavi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Piotr S Kowalski
- School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cavanagh Pharmacy Building, Cork T12 YN60, Ireland
| | - Mahdi Karimi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran.,Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran.,Advanced Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine Research Group (ANNRG), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran.,Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran.,Research Center for Science and Technology in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran.,Applied Biotechnology Research Centre, Tehran Medical Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1916893813, Iran
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Abstract
Nature Biotechnology convenes a group of experts to provide their insights into SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in development.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Betacoronavirus/genetics
- Betacoronavirus/immunology
- Biotechnology
- COVID-19
- COVID-19 Vaccines
- Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
- Coronavirus Infections/immunology
- Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control
- Coronavirus Infections/virology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Development/methods
- Drug Development/trends
- Genetic Vectors
- Global Health
- Host Microbial Interactions/immunology
- Humans
- Immunity, Cellular
- Immunity, Herd
- Immunity, Humoral
- Pandemics/prevention & control
- Pneumonia, Viral/immunology
- Pneumonia, Viral/prevention & control
- Pneumonia, Viral/virology
- SARS-CoV-2
- Safety
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Translational Research, Biomedical
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/isolation & purification
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/isolation & purification
- Viral Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Viral Vaccines/isolation & purification
- Viral Vaccines/standards
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