Special Focus Issue Part II: Recruitment of solid lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9: primary evaluation of anticancer gene editing

Comprehensive strategies for constructing efficient CRISPR/Cas based cancer therapy: Target gene selection, sgRNA optimization, delivery methods and evaluation

Cancer is a complicated disease that results from the interplay between specific changes in cellular genetics and diverse microenvironments. The application of high-performance and customizable clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats/associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) nuclease systems has significantly enhanced genome editing for accurate cancer modeling and facilitated simultaneous genetic modification for cancer therapy and mutation identification. Achieving an effective CRISPR/Cas platform for cancer treatment depends on the identification, selection, and optimization of specific mutated genes in targeted cancer tissues. However, overcoming the off-target effects, specificity, and immunogenicity are additional challenges that must be addressed while developing a gene editing system for cancer therapy. From this perspective, we briefly covered the pipeline of CRISPR/Cas cancer therapy, identified target genes to optimize gRNAs and sgRNAs, and explored alternative delivery modalities, including viral, non-viral, and extracellular vesicles. In addition, the list of patents and current clinical trials related to this unique cancer therapy method is discussed. In summary, we have discussed comprehensive start-to-end pipeline strategies for CRISPR/Cas development to advance the precision, effectiveness, and safety of clinical applications for cancer therapy.

Rabies virus-mimicking liposomes for targeted gene therapy in Alzheimer's disease

RNA interference (RNAi) harbors significant potential for treating neurological disorders; nevertheless, limited efficacy has been discerned. The presence of barriers within the central nervous system, coupled with the inherent instability of nucleic acids within biological conditions, poses formidable challenges in advancing effective gene delivery strategies. In this study, we designed and prepared a virus-mimic non-viral gene vector, rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG29)-decorated liposome (f(Lipo)-RVG29), to deliver small interfering RNAs to the brain. Alzheimer's disease (AD) was chosen as a model of neurodegenerative disease in this context, and b-site APP cleaving enzyme silencing siRNA (siBACE1) was used. The developed liposomal delivery system has a particle size of under 80 nm with a spherical shape, positive zeta potential, and the ability to protect siRNA against nucleases. In vitro studies demonstrate that functionalizing the cationic liposome by the RVG29 targeting ligand significantly enhances the effectiveness of gene delivery and silencing. Examination through ex vivo imaging illustrates an increased deposition of fluorescent-labeled f(Lipo)-RVG29 within brain tissue after 12 h post application. Additionally, the in vivo delivery of f(Lipo)-RVG29 carrying siRNA has substantially suppressed BACE1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels within the brain tissue. Our results suggest that the developed non-viral vector could be a promising gene carrier system combining the synergistic effect of virus-mimic RVG29 ligand with bioinspired liposome that imitates the natural lipid bilayers of cell membranes for brain-targeted RNAi therapeutics.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles, an Alternative for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Within the field of nanomedicine, which is revolutionizing cancer treatment, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have shown advantages over conventional chemotherapy when tested on cancer cells in preclinical studies. SLNs have proven to be an innovative strategy for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer cells, providing greater efficiency than existing treatments in various studies. The encapsulation of antineoplastic drugs in SLNs has facilitated a sustained, controlled, and targeted release, which enhances therapeutic efficiency and reduces adverse effects. Moreover, the surface of SLNs can be modified to increase efficiency. For instance, the coating of these particles with polyethylene glycol (PEG) decreases their opsonization, resulting in a longer life in the circulatory system. The creation of positively charged cationic SLNs (cSLNs), achieved by the utilization of surfactants or ionic lipids with positively charged structural groups, increases their affinity for cell membranes and plasma proteins. Hyaluronic acid has been added to SLNs so that the distinct pH of tumor cells would stimulate the release of the drug and/or genetic material. The current review summarizes the recent research on SLNs, focusing on the encapsulation and transport of therapeutic agents with a cytotoxic effect on triple-negative breast cancer.

Gene editing strategies to treat lysosomal disorders: The example of mucopolysaccharidoses

Lysosomal storage disorders are a group of progressive multisystemic hereditary diseases with a combined incidence of 1:4,800. Here we review the clinical and molecular characteristics of these diseases, with a special focus on Mucopolysaccharidoses, caused primarily by the lysosomal storage of glycosaminoglycans. Different gene editing techniques can be used to ameliorate their symptoms, using both viral and nonviral delivery methods. Whereas these are still being tested in animal models, early results of phase I/II clinical trials of gene therapy show how this technology may impact the future treatment of these diseases. Hurdles related to specific hard-to-reach organs, such as the central nervous system, heart, joints, and the eye must be tackled. Finally, the regulatory framework necessary to advance into clinical practice is also discussed.

Tailoring combinatorial lipid nanoparticles for intracellular delivery of nucleic acids, proteins, and drugs

Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based drug delivery systems have become the most clinically advanced non-viral delivery technology. LNPs can encapsulate and deliver a wide variety of bioactive agents, including the small molecule drugs, proteins and peptides, and nucleic acids. However, as the physicochemical properties of small- and macromolecular cargos can vary drastically, every LNP carrier system needs to be carefully tailored in order to deliver the cargo molecules in a safe and efficient manner. Our group applied the combinatorial library synthesis approach and in vitro and in vivo screening strategy for the development of LNP delivery systems for drug delivery. In this Review, we highlight our recent progress in the design, synthesis, characterization, evaluation, and optimization of combinatorial LNPs with novel structures and properties for the delivery of small- and macromolecular therapeutics both in vitro and in vivo. These delivery systems have enormous potentials for cancer therapy, antimicrobial applications, gene silencing, genome editing, and more. We also discuss the key challenges to the mechanistic study and clinical translation of new LNP-enabled therapeutics.

Investigation of the potential therapeutic effect of cationic lipoplex mediated fibroblast growth factor-2 encoding plasmid DNA delivery on wound healing

BACKGROUND

Developing an alternative and efficient therapy for wound healing has been an important research topic for pharmaceutical sciences. A straightforward but effective system for delivering fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) encoding plasmid DNA (pFGF-2) for wound healing therapy was aimed to develop in this study.

METHODS

In order to provide the delivery of pFGF-2, a delivery vector, namely, cationic lipid nanoparticle (cLN) was developed by the melt-emulsification process, complexed with pFGF-2 to form a lipoplex system and further characterized. The pFGF-2 binding and protecting ability of lipoplexes were evaluated. The cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency of the lipoplexes, FGF-2 expression levels, and in vitro wound healing ability have been investigated on the L929 fibroblast cell line.

RESULTS

The obtained lipoplex system has a particle size of 88.53 nm with a low PDI (0.185), and zeta potential values of 27.8 mV with a spherical shape. The ability of cLNs to bind pFGF-2 and protect against nucleases was demonstrated by gel retardation assay. Furthermore, the developed FGF-2 carrying lipoplexes system showed significant transfection and FGF-2 expression ability comparing naked plasmid. Finally, scratch assay revealed that the developed system is able to promote in vitro cell proliferation/migration in 48 h.

CONCLUSION

Promising results have been achieved with the use of lipoplexes carrying pFGF-2, and this approach could be considered as a potentially applicable concept for the future gene-based wound healing therapies.