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Xiang K, Li Y, Cong H, Yu B, Shen Y. Peptide-based non-viral gene delivery: A comprehensive review of the advances and challenges. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:131194. [PMID: 38554914 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy is the most effective treatment option for diseases, but its effectiveness is affected by the choice and design of gene carriers. The genes themselves have to pass through multiple barriers in order to enter the cell and therefore require additional vectors to carry them inside the cell. In gene therapy, peptides have unique properties and potential as gene carriers, which can effectively deliver genes into specific cells or tissues, protect genes from degradation, improve gene transfection efficiency, and enhance gene targeting and biological responsiveness. This paper reviews the research progress of peptides and their derivatives in the field of gene delivery recently, describes the obstacles encountered by foreign materials to enter the interior of the cell, and introduces the following classes of functional peptides that can carry materials into the interior of the cell, and assist in transmembrane translocation of carriers, thus breaking through endosomal traps to enable successful entry of genetic materials into the nucleus of the cell. The paper also discusses the combined application of peptide vectors with other vectors to enhance its transfection ability, explores current challenges encountered by peptide vectors, and looks forward to future developments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Xiang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yanan Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Hailin Cong
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China.
| | - Bing Yu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Youqing Shen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Center for Bio nanoengineering, and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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Ahmad A, Khan JM. pH-sensitive endosomolytic peptides in gene and drug delivery: Endosomal escape and current challenges. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Wang J, Chen G, Liu N, Han X, Zhao F, Zhang L, Chen P. Strategies for improving the safety and RNAi efficacy of noncovalent peptide/siRNA nanocomplexes. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 302:102638. [PMID: 35299136 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2022.102638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the past decades, the striking development of cationic polypeptides and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) tailored for small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery has been fuelled by the conception of nuclear acid therapy and precision medicine. Owing to their amino acid compositions, inherent secondary structures as well as diverse geometrical shapes, peptides or peptide-containing polymers exhibit good biodegradability, high flexibility, and bio-functional diversity as nonviral siRNA vectors. Also, a variety of noncovalent nanocomplexes could be built via self-assembling and electrostatic interactions between cationic peptides and siRNAs. Although the peptide/siRNA nanocomplex-based RNAi therapies, STP705 and MIR-19, are under clinical trials, a guideline addressing the current bottlenecks of peptide/siRNA nanocomplex delivery is in high demand for future research and development. In this review, we present strategies for improving the safety and RNAi efficacy of noncovalent peptide/siRNA nanocomplexes in the treatment of genetic disorders. Through thorough analysis of those RNAi formulations using different delivery strategies, we seek to shed light on the rationale of peptide design and modification in constructing robust siRNA delivery systems, including targeted and co-delivery systems. Based on this, we provide a timely and comprehensive understanding of how to engineer biocompatible and efficient peptide-based siRNA vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Guang Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada; Key Laboratory of Chemical Additives for China National Light Industry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, China.
| | - Nan Liu
- Advanced Materials Institute, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Xiaoxia Han
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Feng Zhao
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - P Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada; Advanced Materials Institute, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250014, China.
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Peng F, Zhang W, Qiu F. Self-assembling Peptides in Current Nanomedicine: Versatile Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:4855-4881. [PMID: 31309877 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190712154021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of modern nanomedicine greatly depends on the involvement of novel materials as drug delivery system. In order to maximize the therapeutic effects of drugs and minimize their side effects, a number of natural or synthetic materials have been widely investigated for drug delivery. Among these materials, biomimetic self-assembling peptides (SAPs) have received more attention in recent years. Considering the rapidly growing number of SAPs designed for drug delivery, a summary of how SAPs-based drug delivery systems were designed, would be beneficial. METHOD We outlined research works on different SAPs that have been investigated as carriers for different drugs, focusing on the design of SAPs nanomaterials and how they were used for drug delivery in different strategies. RESULTS Based on the principle rules of chemical complementarity and structural compatibility, SAPs such as ionic self-complementary peptide, peptide amphiphile and surfactant-like peptide could be designed. Determined by the features of peptide materials and the drugs to be delivered, different strategies such as hydrogel embedding, hydrophobic interaction, electrostatic interaction, covalent conjugation or the combination of them could be employed to fabricate SAPs-drug complex, which could achieve slow release, targeted or environment-responsive delivery of drugs. Furthermore, some SAPs could also be combined with other types of materials for drug delivery, or even act as drug by themselves. CONCLUSION Various types of SAPs have been designed and used for drug delivery following various strategies, suggesting that SAPs as a category of versatile nanomaterials have promising potential in the field of nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Peng
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wensheng Zhang
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Feng Qiu
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
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Li T, Huang L, Yang M. Lipid-based Vehicles for siRNA Delivery in Biomedical Field. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2020; 21:3-22. [PMID: 31549951 DOI: 10.2174/1389201020666190924164152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic drugs have aroused much attention in the past twenty years. RNA interference (RNAi) offers novel insights into discovering potential gene functions and therapies targeting genetic diseases. Small interference RNA (siRNA), typically 21-23 nucleotides in length, can specifically degrade complementary mRNA. However, targeted delivery and controlled release of siRNA remain a great challenge. METHODS Different types of lipid-based delivery vehicles have been synthesized, such as liposomes, lipidoids, micelles, lipoplexes and lipid nanoparticles. These carriers commonly have a core-shell structure. For active targeting, ligands may be conjugated to the surface of lipid particles. RESULTS Lipid-based drug delivery vehicles can be utilized in anti-viral or anti-tumor therapies. They can also be used to tackle genetic diseases or discover novel druggable genes. CONCLUSION In this review, the structures of lipid-based vehicles and possible surface modifications are described, and applications of delivery vehicles in biomedical field are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianzhong Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Linfeng Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mengsu Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
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Begum AA, Toth I, Moyle PM. Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor-targeted hybrid peptide/phospholipid pDNA/siRNA delivery systems. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2019; 14:1153-1171. [PMID: 31050581 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2018-0380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To develop a peptide/phospholipid hybrid system for gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-targeted delivery of pDNA or siRNA. Materials & methods: A multifunctional GRPR-targeted peptide R9-K(GALA)-BBN(6-14) was combined with a phospholipid oligonucleotide delivery system (1:1 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane) and evaluated for pDNA and siRNA delivery in terms of complex size, toxicity, receptor-targeted delivery and gene expression or knockdown efficiency. Results: By combining peptide and phospholipid delivery systems, synergistic improvements in gene expression and knockdown were observed when compared with either system alone. The optimized formulation demonstrated high levels of EGFP expression and EGFP knockdown, GRPR-targeted delivery, enhanced endosomal release and minimal toxicity. Conclusion: The peptide/phospholipid hybrid system provides efficient GRPR-targeted DNA/siRNA delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjuman A Begum
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences (SCMB), The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, Australia.,School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba 4102, Australia
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences (SCMB), The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, Australia.,School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba 4102, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, Australia
| | - Peter M Moyle
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba 4102, Australia
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Begum AA, Wan Y, Toth I, Moyle PM. Bombesin/oligoarginine fusion peptides for gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) targeted gene delivery. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 26:516-526. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Wan Y, Dai W, Nevagi RJ, Toth I, Moyle PM. Multifunctional peptide-lipid nanocomplexes for efficient targeted delivery of DNA and siRNA into breast cancer cells. Acta Biomater 2017; 59:257-268. [PMID: 28655658 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The development of carriers for the delivery of oligonucleotide therapeutics is essential for the successful translation of gene therapies to the clinic. In the present study, a delivery system, which combines the fusogenic lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) with a well-defined synthetic multifunctional peptide, was produced and optimized for gene delivery, with the aim to develop an efficient gene delivery platform for breast cancer cells. For this purpose, a breast cancer-specific cell targeting peptide (CTP) was incorporated into our leading peptide-based gene delivery system (to generate DEN-K(GALA)-TAT-K(STR)-CTP) to improve its cell-specific internalization, and investigated in combination with a formulation approach (DOPE/1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP)). DEN-K(GALA)-TAT-K(STR)-CTP alone efficiently complexed with DNA or siRNA, and promoted efficient cellular uptake, but low levels of gene expression. By adding the formulation approach, synergistic improvements in gene expression and silencing were observed compared to the peptide or formulation approaches alone. Of significance, this current system demonstrated more efficient gene knockdown when compared to the leading commercial siRNA delivery agent Lipofectamine® RNAiMAX. The utility of this system was demonstrated through the delivery of BCL2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) siRNA to MCF-7 cells, which led to near complete knockdown of the Bcl-2 protein, and inhibition of MCF-7 cell migration in a wound healing assay. The present peptide/lipid hybrid system is an excellent candidate for the delivery of DNA or siRNA into breast cancer cells. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The identification of safe and effective delivery systems for DNA and siRNA is of great importance. Herein, we developed a well-defined, multifunctional and cell-specific lipidic peptide DEN-K(GALA)-TAT-K(STR)-CTP as a breast cancer cell targeted gene delivery vector. When combined with a lipid component (DOTAP/DOPE), the peptide/lipid hybrid system demonstrated higher gene expression or knockdown levels compared to the peptide or lipid approach alone when used to deliver pDNA or siRNA respectively, indicating synergistic enhancement of gene delivery efficiency. Importantly, this delivery strategy achieved greater knockdown of the Bcl-2 protein when compared to the leading commercial siRNA delivery system Lipofectamine® RNAiMAX, suggesting its potential utility for the targeted treatment of Bcl-2 overexpressing breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba 4102, Queensland, Australia
| | - Wei Dai
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba 4102, Queensland, Australia
| | - Reshma J Nevagi
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Queensland, Australia
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba 4102, Queensland, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter M Moyle
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba 4102, Queensland, Australia.
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