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Dastgerdi NK, Gumus N, Bayraktutan H, Jackson D, Polra K, McKay PF, Atyabi F, Dinarvand R, Shattock RJ, Martinez-Pomares L, Gurnani P, Alexander C. Charge neutralized poly(β-amino ester) polyplex nanoparticles for delivery of self-amplifying RNA. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2024; 6:1409-1422. [PMID: 38419881 PMCID: PMC10898429 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00794d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Therapeutic self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) is a promising approach for disease treatment, as it can be administered in lower doses than messenger RNA (mRNA) to achieve comparable protein production levels. However, saRNA requires an appropriate delivery vehicle to protect it during transit and facilitate its transfection. A widely-adopted approach has been to use polycations to condense these large anionic macromolecules into polyplex nanoparticles, however their high charge density often elicits cytotoxic effects. In this study we postulated that we could improve the potency and tolerability of such delivery vehicles by co-formulating poly(β-amino ester)s saRNA polyplexes with a non-toxic anionic polymer, γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) to neutralize partially this positive charge. Accordingly, we prepared a poly(β-amino ester) from 1,6-hexanedioldiacrylate (HDDA) and 4-aminobutanol (ABOL) and initially evaluated the physicochemical properties of the binary polyplexes (i.e. formed from polymer and saRNA only). Optimised binary polyplex formulations were then taken forward for preparation of ternary complexes containing pHDDA-ABOL, saRNA and γ-PGA. Our findings demonstrate that γ-PGA integration into polyplexes significantly enhanced transfection efficacy in HEK293T and A431 cells without affecting polyplex size. Notably, γ-PGA incorporation leads to a pronounced reduction in zeta potential, which reduced the toxicity of the ternary complexes in moDC, NIH3T3, and A431 cells. Furthermore, the presence of γ-PGA contributed to colloidal stability, reducing aggregation of the ternary complexes, as evidenced by insignificant changes in polydispersity index (PDI) after freeze-thaw cycles. Overall, these results suggest that incorporating the appropriate ratio of a polyanion such as γ-PGA with polycations in RNA delivery formulations is a promising way to improve the in vitro delivery of saRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazgol Karimi Dastgerdi
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Nurcan Gumus
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
| | - Hulya Bayraktutan
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
| | - Darryl Jackson
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
| | - Krunal Polra
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Section of Immunology of Infection, Imperial College London Norfolk Place London W21PG UK
| | - Paul F McKay
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Section of Immunology of Infection, Imperial College London Norfolk Place London W21PG UK
| | - Fatemeh Atyabi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Rassoul Dinarvand
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran 1417614315 Iran
| | - Robin J Shattock
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Section of Immunology of Infection, Imperial College London Norfolk Place London W21PG UK
| | - Luisa Martinez-Pomares
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
| | - Pratik Gurnani
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London 29-39 Brunswick Square London WC1N 1AX UK
| | - Cameron Alexander
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
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Zhou H, Liu H, Zhang Y, Xin Y, Huang C, Li M, Zhao X, Ding P, Liu Z. "PFH/AGM-CBA/HSV-TK/LIPOSOME-Affibody": Novel Targeted Nano Ultrasound Contrast Agents for Ultrasound Imaging and Inhibited the Growth of ErbB2-Overexpressing Gastric Cancer Cells. Drug Des Devel Ther 2022; 16:1515-1530. [PMID: 35611358 PMCID: PMC9124479 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s351623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Gastric cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies in the world. However, the current research on the diagnosis and treatment of nano-ultrasound contrast agents in the field of tumor is mostly focused on breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, etc. Due to the interference of gas in the stomach, there is no report on the treatment of gastric cancer. Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-TK/GCV) therapy system is the most mature tumor suicide gene in cancer treatment. At the same time, in order to improve its safety and efficiency, we designed a gastric tumor targeted ultrasound-triggered phase-transition nano ultrasound contrast agent PFH/AGM-CBA/HSV-TK/Liposome (PAHL)-Affibody complex. Methods In our study, guanidinylated SS-PAAs polymer poly(agmatine/N, N′-cystamine-bis-acrylamide) (AGM-CBA) was used as a nuclear localization vector of suicide gene to form a polyplex, perfluorohexane (PFH) was used as ultrasound contrast agent, liposomes were used to encapsulate perfluorohexane droplets and the polyplexes of AGM-CBA/HSV-TK, and affibody molecules were conjugated to the prepared PAHL in order to obtain a specific targeting affinity to human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (ErbB2) at gastric cancer cells. With the aid of ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction technology and the nuclear localization effect of AGM-CBA vector, the transfection efficiency of the suicide gene in gastric cancer cells was significantly increased, leading to significant apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. Results It was shown that PAHL-Affibody complex was nearly spherical with an average diameter of 560 ± 28.9 nm, having higher and specific affinity to ErbB2 (+) gastric cells. In vitro experiments further confirmed that PAHL could target gastric cancer cells expressing ErbB2. In a contrast-enhanced ultrasound scanning study, the prepared ultrasound-triggered phase-change nano-ultrasound contrast agent, PAHL, showed improved ultrasound enhancement effects. With the application of the low-frequency ultrasound, the gene transfection efficiency of PAHL was significantly improved, thereby inducing significant apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Conclusion This study constructs PFH/AGM-CBA/HSV-TK/Liposome-Affibody nano ultrasound contrast agent, which provides new ideas for the treatment strategy of ErbB2-positive gastric cancer and provides some preliminary experimental basis for its inhibitory effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houren Zhou
- Ultrasound Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Ultrasound Department, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Xin
- Ultrasound Department, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chi Huang
- Ultrasound Department, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingzhong Li
- School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester, LE1 9BH, UK
| | - Xiaoyun Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Pingtian Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhijun Liu
- Ultrasound Department, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
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Zhang G, Han S, Wang L, Yao Y, Chen K, Chen S. A Ternary Synergistic eNOS Gene Delivery System Based on Calcium Ion and L-Arginine for Accelerating Angiogenesis by Maximizing NO Production. Int J Nanomedicine 2022; 17:1987-2000. [PMID: 35530975 PMCID: PMC9075900 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s363168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to construct a delivery system based on L-arginine-modified calcium phosphate (CaP) to load eNOS plasmids (peNOS), which could amply nitric oxide (NO) to repair endothelial damage, promote angiogenic activities and alleviate inflammation. Methods pDNA-loaded CaP nanocomplex (CaP/pDNA) were prepared by co-precipitation method, subsequently modified by L-arginine. The gene transfection efficiency, pro-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory ability were investigated in vivo and in vitro. The therapeutic effect on ischemic hindlimb in vivo was assessed. Results L-arginine modification augmented the transfection efficiency of CaP/peNOS to elevate the eNOS expression, and then served as NO substrate catalyzed by eNOS. At the same time, calcium ions produced by degradation of CaP carriers enhanced the activity of eNOS. In vitro experiments, the loading capability and transfection performance of R(L)-CaP were confirmed to be superior to that of CaP. Additionally, HUVECs treated with R(L)-CaP/peNOS showed the strongest NO release, cell migration, tube formation and the lowest inflammatory levels compared to the CaP/peNOS and R(D)-CaP/peNOS groups. We also demonstrated the advantages of R(L)-CaP/peNOS in increasing blood reperfusion in hindlimb ischemia mice by accelerating angiogenesis and reducing inflammation, which can be attributed to the highest eNOS-derived NO production. Conclusion The combination strategy of peNOS transfection, L-arginine supplement and calcium ions addition is a promising therapeutic approach for certain vascular diseases, based on the synergistic NO production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiming Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Guiming Zhang, Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, People’s Republic of China, Email
| | - Shangcong Han
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lisheng Wang
- Department of Molecular Diagnosis and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Yao
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Clinical Research, Characteristic Medical Center of Chinese People’s Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300162, People’s Republic of China
| | - Si Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, the 991th Hospital of PLA, Xiangyang, 441000, People’s Republic of China
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Wang Y, Sun C, Huang L, Liu M, Li L, Wang X, Wang L, Sun S, Xu H, Ma G, Zhang L, Zheng J, Liu H. Magnolol-loaded Cholesteryl Biguanide Conjugate Hydrochloride Nanoparticles for Triple-negative Breast Cancer Therapy. Int J Pharm 2022; 615:121509. [PMID: 35085734 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.121509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The potential of combination therapy using nanoparticle delivery systems in improving triple-negative breast cancer treatment efficacy remains to be explored. Here, we report a novel nanoparticle system using a cholesterol biguanide conjugate hydrochloride (CBH) as both a drug and carrier to load magnolol (MAG). Poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (mPEG-PLGA) and aminoethyl anisamide-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (AEAA-PEG-PLGA) were added to form nanoparticles. Nanoparticles accumulated most in tumor tissues when the weight ratio of AEAA-PEG-PLGA to mPEG-PLGA was 4:1. MAG and CBH exerted a synergistic inhibitory effect on 4T1 cells. An in vitro study showed that nanoparticles displayed the highest tumor cell uptake rate, highest apoptosis rate, and strongest inhibitory effect on tumor cell migration and monoclonal formation. CBH might promote nanoparticle uptake by cells and lysosomal escape. After intravenous administration to mice with 4T1 breast tumors in situ, the nanoparticles inhibited tumor growth without obvious toxicity. Western blot results showed that nanoparticles altered the levels of p53, p-AKT, and p-AMPK in the tumor tissue. Moreover, cell apoptosis was found in the same area of H&E-stained and TUNEL-stained tumors treated with the nanoparticles. Collectively, this nanoparticle system provides a novel combination drug delivery strategy for treating triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Henan Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control & Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Cancan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Henan Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control & Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Department of Pharmacy, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Leaf Huang
- Division of Pharmaco-engineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mengqian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Henan Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control & Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Lu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Henan Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control & Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xiping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Henan Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control & Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Linchao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Henan Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control & Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Shanshan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Henan Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control & Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Haiwei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Henan Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control & Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Gege Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Henan Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control & Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Henan Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control & Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jiaxin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Henan Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control & Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Hongmin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Henan Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control & Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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PEI-PEG-Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Enhance the Antitumor Activity of Tanshinone IIA and Serve as a Gene Transfer Vector. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:6756763. [PMID: 34790248 PMCID: PMC8592735 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6756763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Tanshinone IIA (TanIIA) and gene therapy both hold promising potentials in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. However, low solubility and poor bioavailability of TanIIA limit its clinical application. Similarly, gene therapy with GPC3-shRNA, a type of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) capable of silencing the glypican-3 (GPC3) expression, is seriously limited due to its susceptibility to nuclease degradation and high off-target effects. In the present study, polyethyleneimine (PEI)-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN-PEG) were used as a drug carrier. By encapsulating TanIIA into MSN-PEG, we synthesized MSN-TanIIA-PEG nanoparticles and observed the involved characteristics. This was followed by exploration of antitumor activity on the HepG2 cell lines in vitro. Meanwhile, in order to construct GPC3-shRNA plasmids, a shRNA sequence targeting GPC3 was synthesized and cloned into the pSLenti-U6 vector. Accordingly, the performance of MSN-PEG as a gene transfer carrier for GPC3-shRNA gene therapy of HCC in vitro was evaluated, including transfection efficiency and DNA binding biological characteristics. The results indicated successful encapsulation of TanIIA in MSN-PEG, which had satisfactory efficacy, favorable dispersity, suitable particle size, and sustained release effect. The in vitro anti-HCC effects of nano-TanIIA were greatly improved, which outperformed free-TanIIA in terms of proliferation and invasion inhibition, as well as apoptosis induction of HCC cells. As expected, MSN-PEG possessed excellent gene delivery capacity with good binding, release, and protection from RNase digestion. Using MSN-PEG as a gene carrier, the plasmids were successfully transfected into HepG2 cells, and both the mRNA and protein expressions of GPC3 were significantly downregulated. It was thus concluded that a sustained release TanIIA delivery system for HCC treatment was synthesized and that MSN-PEG could also serve as a gene transfer carrier for gene therapy. More interestingly, MSN-PEG may be a potential delivery platform that combines TanIIA and GPC3-shRNA together to enhance their synergistic effect.
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Qiao H, Asayama S. Guanidinopropyl end‐modified poly(ethylene glycol) to form highly compact plasmid
DNA
mono‐ion complexes by thermal treatment. POLYM ADVAN TECHNOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pat.5530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Qiao
- Department of Applied Chemistry Tokyo Metropolitan University Tokyo Japan
| | - Shoichiro Asayama
- Department of Applied Chemistry Tokyo Metropolitan University Tokyo Japan
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Chen G, Wang Y, Ullah A, Huai Y, Xu Y. The effects of fluoroalkyl chain length and density on siRNA delivery of bioreducible poly(amido amine)s. Eur J Pharm Sci 2020; 152:105433. [PMID: 32590121 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Fluorination is an attractive strategy for the improvement of transfection efficiency of nucleic acid delivery vectors. Bioreducible poly(amido amine)s (bPAAs) are an important class of biomaterials exhibited to effectively deliver multiple nucleic acids. However, still, the effects of fluoroalkyl chain length and density of bPAA on siRNA delivery are unveiled. Here, we synthesized bPAAs and grafted with different chain lengths and densities of fluorocarbon compounds. Furthermore, we prepared a library of complexes of fluorinated bPAA and siRNA, and investigated the effects of fluorination on the siRNA delivery in vitro and in vivo. We found that all the synthesized bPAAs readily formed complexes with siRNA and the fluorinated complexes considerably achieved improved gene silencing efficacies both in vitro and in vivo. Dramatically, the gene silencing efficacy was increased with increasing fluorine contents. Heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HF) modified bPAAs achieved better gene silencing efficacy when compared with bPAAs fluorinated by trifluoroacetic anhydride (TF) and pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PF) providing the evidence for choosing of best one among fluorocarbon compounds. In addition, a combination of fluorination with bioreducibility enables efficient and safe siRNA delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Chen
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
| | - Yixin Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Aftab Ullah
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Yuying Huai
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yuehua Xu
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
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8
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Wang D, Wang J, Song J, Shen Q, Wang R, Lu W, Pan J, Xie C, Liu M. Guanidyl and imidazolyl integration group-modified PAMAM for gastric adenocarcinoma gene therapy. J Gene Med 2020; 22:e3240. [PMID: 32558063 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene therapy has become a potential strategy for cancer treatment. However, the development of efficient gene vectors restricts the application for cancer gene treatment. Functionalization of polymers with functional groups can significantly improve their transfection efficacy. METHODS Guanidyl can form bidentate hydrogen with the phosphate groups and phosphate groups are present in DNA and cell membranes, thus increasing DNA condensation and cellular uptake. Imidazolyl has high buffering capacity in endosomal/lysosomal acidic environment, facilitating endosome/lysosome escape. We designed a structure-integrated group of guanidyl and imidazolyl, 2-aminoimidazole (AM), which was conjugated to PAMAM generation 2 (G2) for gene therapy of gastric adenocarcinoma. RESULTS Molecular docking results illustrated that G2-AM bound with DNA molecule effectively via multiple interactions. A quantitative luciferase assay showed that the transfection efficacy of G2-AM/pGL3 was approximately 100-fold greater than that of G2/pGL3, 90-fold greater than that of imidazolyl-modified G2 (G2-M) /pGL3 and 100-fold greater than that of G5/pGL3 without additional cytotoxicity. After introducing the pTRAIL gene into gastric adenocarcinoma cells, the apoptosis ratio of gastric adenocarcinoma cells treated with G2-AM/pTRAIL was 36.95%, which is much larger than the corresponding ratio of G2/pTRAIL (7.45%), G2-M/pTRAIL (11.33%) and G5/pTRAIL (23.2%). In a gastric adenocarcinoma xenograft model, the in vivo transfection efficacy of G2-AM/pRFP was much greater than that of G2/pRFP and G2-M/pRFP. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that AM could be modified with cationic polymers for potential application in gene delivery and gastric adenocarcinoma gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongli Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Song
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Shen
- Hangzhou YITU Healthcare Technology Co. Ltd, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruifeng Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiyue Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Pan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Cao Xie
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
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Lu M, Xing H, Cheng L, Liu H, Lang L, Yang T, Zhao X, Xu H, Ding P. A dual-functional buformin-mimicking poly(amido amine) for efficient and safe gene delivery. J Drug Target 2020; 28:923-932. [PMID: 32312081 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2020.1729770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Biguanides (i.e. metformin, phenformin and buformin) are antidiabetic drugs with potential antitumor effects. Herein, a polycationic polymer, N,N'-bis(cystamine)acrylamide-buformin (CBA-Bu), containing multiple biodegradable disulphide bonds and buformin-mimicking side chains was synthesised. CBA-Bu was equipped with high efficiency and safety profile for gene delivery, meanwhile exhibiting potential antitumor efficacy. As a gene vector, CBA-Bu was able to condense plasmid DNA (pDNA) into nano-sized (<200 nm), positively-charged (>30 mV) uniform polyplexes that were well resistant to heparin and DNase I. Due to the reduction responsiveness of the disulphide bonds, CBA-Bu/pDNA polyplexes could release the loaded pDNA in the presence of dithiothreitol, and induce extremely low cytotoxicity in NIH/3T3 and U87 MG cells. The transfection results showed that CBA-Bu had a cellular uptake efficiency comparable to 25 kDa PEI, while a significantly higher gene expression level. Additionally, CBA-Bu had a lower IC50 value than its non-biguanide counterpart in two cancer cell lines. Furthermore, CBA-Bu could activate AMPK and inhibit mTOR pathways in U87 MG cells, a mechanism involved in the antitumor effect of biguanides. Taken together, CBA-Bu represented an advanced gene vector combining desirable gene delivery capability with potential antitumor activity, which was promising to achieve enhanced therapeutic efficacy in antitumor gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haonan Xing
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lin Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hui Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lang Lang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tianzhi Yang
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Husson University, Bangor, Maine, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Zhao
- School of life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hui Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Pingtian Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
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10
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Xing H, Cheng L, Lu M, Liu H, Lang L, Yang T, Zhao X, Xu H, Yang L, Ding P. A biodegradable poly(amido amine) based on the antimicrobial polymer polyhexamethylene biguanide for efficient and safe gene delivery. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2019; 182:110355. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2019.110355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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11
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Liu H, Sun Y, Lang L, Yang T, Zhao X, Cai C, Liu Z, Ding P. Nuclear localization signal peptide enhances transfection efficiency and decreases cytotoxicity of poly(agmatine/N,N'-cystamine-bis-acrylamide)/pDNA complexes. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:16967-16977. [PMID: 31099062 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.28958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
At present, nonviral gene vectors develop rapidly, especially cationic polymers. A series of bioreducible poly(amide amine) (PAA) polymers containing guanidino groups have been synthesized by our research team. These novel polymer vectors demonstrated significantly higher transfection efficiency and lower cytotoxicity than polyethylenimine (PEI)-25kDa. However, compared with viral gene vectors, relatively low transfection efficiency, and high cytotoxicity are still critical problems confronting these polymers. In this study, poly(agmatine/N,N'-cystamine-bis-acrylamide) p(AGM-CBA) was selected as a model polymer, nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide PV7 (PKKKRKV) with good biocompatibility and nuclear localization effect was introduced to investigate its impact on transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity. NLS peptide-mediated in vitro transfection was performed in NIH 3T3 cells by directly incorporating NLS peptide with the complexes of p(AGM-CBA)/pDNA. Meanwhile, the transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity of these complexes were evaluated. The results showed that the transfection efficiency could be increased by 5.7 times under the appropriate proportion, and the cytotoxicity brought by the polymer vector could be significantly reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanping Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Lang Lang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tianzhi Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Husson University, Bangor, Maine, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Zhao
- School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Cuifang Cai
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhijun Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Pingtian Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
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12
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Liu H, Yang Z, Xun Z, Gao Z, Sun Y, Yu J, Yang T, Zhao X, Cai C, Ding P. Nuclear delivery of plasmid DNA determines the efficiency of gene expression. Cell Biol Int 2019; 43:789-798. [PMID: 31042002 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
As a cationic non-viral gene delivery vector, poly(agmatine/ N, N'-cystamine-bis-acrylamide) (AGM-CBA) showed significantly higher plasmid DNA (pDNA) transfection ability than polyethylenimine (PEI) in NIH/3T3 cells. The transfection expression of AGM-CBA/pDNA polyplexes was found to have a non-linear relationship with AGM-CBA/pDNA weight ratios. To further investigate the mechanism involved in the transfection process of poly(AGM-CBA), we used pGL3-control luciferase reporter gene (pLUC) as a reporter pDNA in this study. The distribution of pLUC in NIH/3T3 cells and nuclei after AGM-CBA/pLUC and PEI/pLUC transfection were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. The intracellular trafficking of the polyplexes was evaluated by cellular uptake and nuclei delivery of pLUC, and the intracellular availability was evaluated by the ratio of transfection expression to the numbers of pLUC delivered in nuclei. It was found that pLUC intracellular trafficking did not have any correlation with the transfection expression, while an excellent correlation was found between the nuclei pLUC availability and transfection expression. These results suggested that the intracellular availability of pLUC in nuclei was the rate-limiting step for pLUC transfection expression. Further optimization of the non-viral gene delivery system can be focused on the improvement of gene intracellular availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Zhen Yang
- Research and development Center, CR Sanjiu Medical & Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, 518110, China
| | - Zhe Xun
- Institute of Metabolic Disease Research and Drug Development, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Zihao Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Yanping Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang, 050018, China
| | - Jiankun Yu
- Department of Ion Channel Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Tianzhi Yang
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Husson University, Bangor, ME, 04401, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Cuifang Cai
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Pingtian Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
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13
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Amphoteric poly(amido amine)s with adjustable balance between transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity for gene delivery. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2019; 175:10-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.11.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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14
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Xing H, Lu M, Yang T, Liu H, Sun Y, Zhao X, Xu H, Yang L, Ding P. Structure-function relationships of nonviral gene vectors: Lessons from antimicrobial polymers. Acta Biomater 2019; 86:15-40. [PMID: 30590184 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, substantial advances have been achieved in the design and synthesis of nonviral gene vectors. However, lack of effective and biocompatible vectors still remains a major challenge that hinders their application in clinical settings. In the past decade, there has been a rapid expansion of cationic antimicrobial polymers, due to their potent, rapid, and broad-spectrum biocidal activity against resistant microbes, and biocompatible features. Given that antimicrobial polymers share common features with nonviral gene vectors in various aspects, such as membrane affinity, functional groups, physicochemical characteristics, and unique macromolecular architectures, these polymers may provide us with inspirations to overcome challenges in the design of novel vectors toward more safe and efficient gene delivery in clinic. Building off these observations, we provide here an overview of the structure-function relationships of polymers for both antimicrobial applications and gene delivery by elaborating some key structural parameters, including functional groups, charge density, hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance, MW, and macromolecular architectures. By borrowing a leaf from antimicrobial agents, great advancement in the development of newer nonviral gene vectors with high transfection efficiency and biocompatibility will be more promising. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The development of gene delivery is still in the preclinical stage for the lack of effective and biocompatible vectors. Given that antimicrobial polymers share common features with gene vectors in various aspects, such as membrane affinity, functional groups, physicochemical characteristics, and unique macromolecular architectures, these polymers may provide us with inspirations to overcome challenges in the design of novel vectors toward more safe and efficient gene delivery in clinic. In this review, we systematically summarized the structure-function relationships of antimicrobial polymers and gene vectors, with which the design of more advanced nonviral gene vectors is anticipated to be further boosted in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haonan Xing
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mei Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tianzhi Yang
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Husson University, Bangor, ME, USA
| | - Hui Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanping Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhao
- School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hui Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Li Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Pingtian Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.
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15
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Ullah I, Zhao J, Rukh S, Muhammad K, Guo J, Ren XK, Xia S, Zhang W, Feng Y. A PEG-b-poly(disulfide-l-lysine) based redox-responsive cationic polymer for efficient gene transfection. J Mater Chem B 2019; 7:1893-1905. [PMID: 32255052 DOI: 10.1039/c8tb03226b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy is concerned with the transfer of complement genes to functionally defective cells in a safe and directed manner for the treatment of the most challenging diseases. But safety issues and low transfection efficiency of the gene vectors are the major challenges, which need to be overcome. Recently, redox-responsive bioreducible polymers containing disulfide linkages have been considered as efficient gene vectors, owing to the selective degradation of the disulfide bond in the reducing environment of the cells. This enables spatiotemporal release of pDNA with no or minimum toxicity. Herein, we reported a bioreducible poly(ethyleneglycol)-b-poly(disulfide-l-lysine) cationic polymer (denoted as PEG-SSL) via a Michael addition reaction of poly(ethyleneglycol)tetraacrylate PEG(Ac)4 and the terminal amine group of poly(disulfide-l-lysine). PEG-SSL efficiently condensed the plasmid ZNF580 gene (pZNF580) forming nano-sized polyplexes (155 ± 4 to 285 ± 3 nm) with zeta potentials of 1.9 ± 0.1 to 26.7 ± 0.4 mV. PEG-SSL successfully retarded pZNF580 at a small polymer/pDNA weight ratio of 10/1 and higher. When exposed to a reducing environment of 5 mM DTT, it rapidly released genes even at higher weight ratios of the PEG-SSL polymer in the PEG-SSL/pDNA complexes. The PEG-SSL/pZNF580 complexes exhibited good stability when exposed to DNase I and efficiently protected pDNA from degradation. In vitro transfection and cytotoxicity were investigated in EA.hy926 cells. The results showed that PEG-SSL successfully delivered pZNF580 into the cells with less cytotoxicity compared to PEI25kDa. The flow cytometry and confocal scanning laser microscopy results indicated that PEG-SSL polyplexes exhibited good cellular uptake and nuclear co-localization rates. All these results implied that PEG-SSL had the potential as a non-viral vector for gene transfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ihsan Ullah
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Yaguan Road 135, Tianjin 300350, China.
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16
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Sun Y, Liu H, Xing H, Lang L, Cheng L, Yang T, Yang L, Ding P. Bioreducible poly(amido amine) copolymers derived from histamine and agmatine for highly efficient gene delivery. POLYM INT 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.5728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Sun
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
| | - Hui Liu
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
| | - Haonan Xing
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
| | - Lang Lang
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
| | - Lin Cheng
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
| | - Tianzhi Yang
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy; Husson University; Bangor ME USA
| | - Li Yang
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
| | - Pingtian Ding
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
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17
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Shin H, Park SJ, Yim Y, Kim J, Choi C, Won C, Min DH. Recent Advances in RNA Therapeutics and RNA Delivery Systems Based on Nanoparticles. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.201800065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hojeong Shin
- Center for RNA Research; Institute for Basic Science; Seoul National University; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry; Seoul National University; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Jin Park
- Center for RNA Research; Institute for Basic Science; Seoul National University; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry; Seoul National University; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Yeajee Yim
- Center for RNA Research; Institute for Basic Science; Seoul National University; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry; Seoul National University; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Jungho Kim
- Department of Chemistry; Seoul National University; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
- Institute of Biotherapeutics Convergence Technology; Lemonex Inc.; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Chulwon Choi
- Center for RNA Research; Institute for Basic Science; Seoul National University; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry; Seoul National University; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Cheolhee Won
- Institute of Biotherapeutics Convergence Technology; Lemonex Inc.; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Dal-Hee Min
- Center for RNA Research; Institute for Basic Science; Seoul National University; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry; Seoul National University; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
- Institute of Biotherapeutics Convergence Technology; Lemonex Inc.; Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
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18
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Zhang J, Wang C, Lu M, Xing H, Yang T, Cai C, Zhao X, Wei M, Yu J, Ding P. Intracellular distribution and internalization pathways of guanidinylated bioresponsive poly(amido amine)s in gene delivery. Asian J Pharm Sci 2018; 13:360-372. [PMID: 32104410 PMCID: PMC7032094 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2017] [Revised: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanidinylated bioresponsive poly(amido amine)s polymers, CAR-CBA and CHL-CBA, were synthesized by Michael-type addition reaction between guanidine hydrochloride (CAR) or chlorhexidine (CHL) and N,N'-cystaminebisacrylamide (CBA). Previous studies have shown that both polymers had high transfection efficiencies as gene delivery carriers. In this study, we investigated the nucleolus localization abilities and cellular internalization pathways of these two polymers in gene delivery. Each polymer condensed plasmid DNA (pDNA) and formed nanoparticle complexes, and then their transfection studies were performed in MCF-7 cells. Both complexes were found enriched in nucleolus after cellular transfection, and their transfection efficiencies were significantly improved when transfection was performed on MCF-7 cells arrested at M phase. The transfection efficiency of CAR-CBA-pDNA was inhibited by chlorpromazine, and cell endosomes were disrupted after being exposed to CAR-CBA-pDNA. In regards to CHL-CBA-pDNA, its transfection efficiency was not affected by three types of endocytosis inhibitors used in the study, and CHL-CBA-pDNA showed no effect on endosomes. Cellular lactate dehydrogenase release and membrane morphology were changed after cells were transfected by the two complexes. The results indicated that both CAR-CBA and CHL-CBA polymers demonstrated good nucleolus localization abilities. It was beneficial for transfection when cells were arrested at M phase. CAR-CBA-pDNA cellular internalization was involved with clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathway, and escaping from endosomal entrapment, while the cellular uptake of CHL-CBA-pDNA occurs via clathrin- and caveolae-independent mechanism.
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Key Words
- AFM, atomic force microscopy
- CAR, guanidine hydrochloride
- CBA, N,N’-cystaminebisacrylamide
- CHL, chlorhexidine
- CPPs, cell- penetrating peptides
- Cell cycle status
- DAPI, 2-(4-Amidinophenyl)-6-indolecarbamidine dihydrochloride
- DLS, dynamic light scattering
- DMEM, Dulbecco's Modification of Eagle's medium
- DiI, 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate
- EGFP, enhanced green fluorescent protein
- Gua-SS-PAAs, guanidinylated disulfide containing poly(amido amine) polymers
- Guanidinylated poly(amido amine)s polymers
- Internalization pathways
- LDH, Lactate dehydrogenase
- NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance
- NOR, nucleolar organizing region
- Nucleolus localization
- OD, optical density
- PAAs, poly(amido, amine)s
- SS-PAAs, disulfide containing poly(amido, amine)
- pDNA, plasmid DNA
- rRNA, ribosomal RNA
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinmin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Chunxi Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Mei Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Haonan Xing
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Tianzhi Yang
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Husson University, Bangor, ME, 04401, USA
| | - Cuifang Cai
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, School of life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Minjie Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Jiankun Yu
- Department of Ion Channel Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Pingtian Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
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19
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Kang Y, Lu L, Lan J, Ding Y, Yang J, Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Zhang T, Ho RJ. Redox-responsive polymeric micelles formed by conjugating gambogic acid with bioreducible poly(amido amine)s for the co-delivery of docetaxel and MMP-9 shRNA. Acta Biomater 2018; 68:137-153. [PMID: 29288085 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A novel redox-sensitive system for co-delivering hydrophobic drugs and hydrophilic siRNA or shRNA was developed by conjugating gambogic acid (GA) with poly(amido amine)s (PAAs) through amide bonds, which is called GA-conjugated PAAs (PAG). PAG can self-assemble into micelles as amphiphilic block copolymers, which exhibits an excellent loading ability for the co-delivery of docetaxel (DTX) and MMP-9 shRNA with adjustable dosing ratios. In addition, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and in vitro transfection analyses demonstrated more efficient cellular internalization of DTX and MMP-9 shRNA after incubation with PAG/DTX- MMP-9 shRNA micelles (PAG/DTX-shRNA) than with free drugs. Unlike traditional amphiphilic copolymer micelles, GA conjugated in PAG possesses an intrinsic anticancer efficacy. The presence of disulfide bonds in PAAs enables rapid disassembly of PAG micelles in response to reducing agents, inducing the release of loaded drugs (DTX, GA and MMP-9 shRNA). In vitro cellular assays revealed that PAG/DTX-shRNA micelles inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation more efficiently than the single drug or single drug-loaded micelles. In vivo biodistribution and anti-tumor effect studies using an MCF-7 breast cancer xenograft mouse model have indicated that PAG/DTX-shRNA micelles can enhance drug accumulation compared with the free drug, thereby sustaining the therapeutic effect on tumors. Additionally, PAG/DTX-shRNA micelles displayed a greater anti-tumor efficacy than Taxotere® and PAG-shRNA micelles. These results suggest that the redox-sensitive PAG platform is a promising co-delivery system for combining drugs and gene therapy for the treatment of cancer. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The PAG micelles were designed by conjugating gambogic acid (GA) with poly(amido amine)s (PAAs), which would serve dual purposes as both gene and drugs co-delivery carrier and an anti-tumor prodrug. Unlike traditional amphiphilic micelles, GA conjugated in PAG could exert its intrinsic efficacy and provide synergistic antiproliferative effects with docetaxel (DTX) on MCF-7 cells. Disulfide bonds in PAG enables a rapid disassembly of PAG micelles in response to reducing agents and to release all loaded drugs (DTX, GA and MMP-9 shRNA) at tumor sites. PAG/DTX-shRNA micelles displayed greater anti-tumor efficacy than that of Taxotere®, indicating the design concept for PAG works well. And the strategy for PAG could be used to develop a series of similar co-delivery systems through conjugations of other small-molecule drugs with PAAs, such as doxorubicin, methotrexate and other drugs with carboxy groups in their structure.
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20
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Sun Y, Liu H, Cheng L, Zhu S, Cai C, Yang T, Yang L, Ding P. Thiol Michael addition reaction: a facile tool for introducing peptides into polymer-based gene delivery systems. POLYM INT 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.5490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Sun
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
| | - Hui Liu
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
| | - Lin Cheng
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
| | - Shimeng Zhu
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
| | - Cuifang Cai
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
| | - Tianzhi Yang
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences; Husson University; Bangor ME USA
| | - Li Yang
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
| | - Pingtian Ding
- School of Pharmacy; Shenyang Pharmaceutical University; Shenyang China
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21
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Sun Y, Yang Z, Wang C, Yang T, Cai C, Zhao X, Yang L, Ding P. Exploring the role of peptides in polymer-based gene delivery. Acta Biomater 2017; 60:23-37. [PMID: 28778533 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.07.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Polymers are widely studied as non-viral gene vectors because of their strong DNA binding ability, capacity to carry large payload, flexibility of chemical modifications, low immunogenicity, and facile processes for manufacturing. However, high cytotoxicity and low transfection efficiency substantially restrict their application in clinical trials. Incorporating functional peptides is a promising approach to address these issues. Peptides demonstrate various functions in polymer-based gene delivery systems, such as targeting to specific cells, breaching membrane barriers, facilitating DNA condensation and release, and lowering cytotoxicity. In this review, we systematically summarize the role of peptides in polymer-based gene delivery, and elaborate how to rationally design polymer-peptide based gene delivery vectors. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Polymers are widely studied as non-viral gene vectors, but suffer from high cytotoxicity and low transfection efficiency. Incorporating short, bioactive peptides into polymer-based gene delivery systems can address this issue. Peptides demonstrate various functions in polymer-based gene delivery systems, such as targeting to specific cells, breaching membrane barriers, facilitating DNA condensation and release, and lowering cytotoxicity. In this review, we highlight the peptides' roles in polymer-based gene delivery, and elaborate how to utilize various functional peptides to enhance the transfection efficiency of polymers. The optimized peptide-polymer vectors should be able to alter their structures and functions according to biological microenvironments and utilize inherent intracellular pathways of cells, and consequently overcome the barriers during gene delivery to enhance transfection efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Zhen Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Chunxi Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Tianzhi Yang
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Husson University, Bangor, ME, USA
| | - Cuifang Cai
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Li Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Pingtian Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
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22
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Yang Z, Sun Y, Xian L, Xun Z, Yu J, Yang T, Zhao X, Cai C, Wang D, Ding P. Disulfide‐bond‐containing agamatine‐cystaminebisacrylamide polymer demonstrates better transfection efficiency and lower cytotoxicity than polyethylenimine in NIH/3T3 cells. J Cell Biochem 2017; 119:1767-1779. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Yang
- School of PharmacyShenyang Pharmaceutical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Yanping Sun
- School of PharmacyShenyang Pharmaceutical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Lei Xian
- School of PharmacyShenyang Pharmaceutical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Zhe Xun
- Institute of Metabolic Disease Research and Drug DevelopmentChina Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Jiankun Yu
- Department of Ion Channel PharmacologySchool of PharmacyChina Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Tianzhi Yang
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical SciencesSchool of PharmacyHusson UniversityBangorMaine
| | - Xiaoyun Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Cell BiologySchool of Life Science and BiopharmaceuticsShenyang Pharmaceutical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Cuifang Cai
- School of PharmacyShenyang Pharmaceutical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Dongkai Wang
- School of PharmacyShenyang Pharmaceutical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Pingtian Ding
- School of PharmacyShenyang Pharmaceutical UniversityShenyangChina
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23
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Xing H, Lu M, Xian L, Zhang J, Yang T, Yang L, Ding P. Molecular weight determination of a newly synthesized guanidinylated disulfide-containing poly(amido amine) by gel permeation chromatography. Asian J Pharm Sci 2016; 12:292-298. [PMID: 32104341 PMCID: PMC7032192 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A cationic gene delivery vector, guanidinylated disulfide-containing poly(amido amine) (CAR-CBA), was synthesized by Michael addition reaction between N,N′-cystaminebisacrylamide (CBA) and guanidine hydrochloride (CAR). Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was used to evaluate the molecular weight of synthesized CAR-CBA. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) with molecular weight of 25 kDa was adopted as a reference, and polyethylene glycols (PEG) with different molecular weights were used to establish a standard curve for determining the molecular weight of CAR-CBA. The effects of two critical factors, namely columns and eluents, on the molecular weight measurement of CAR-CBA were investigated to optimize the GPC quantitative method. The results showed that Ultrahydrogel columns (120, 250) and HAc–NaAc (0.5 M, pH 4.5) buffer solution were the optimal column and GPC eluent, respectively. The molecular weight of the synthesized CAR-CBA was analyzed by the optimized GPC method and determined to be 24.66 kDa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haonan Xing
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mei Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lei Xian
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jinmin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tianzhi Yang
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Husson University, Bangor, ME, USA
| | - Li Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Pingtian Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
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