Surface modification of nonviral nanocarriers for enhanced gene delivery

Virus-like particles (VLPs): A promising platform for combating against Newcastle disease virus

The global poultry industry plays a pivotal role in providing eggs and meat for human consumption. However, outbreaks of viral disease, especially Newcastle virus disease (NDV), within poultry farms have detrimental effects on various zootechnical parameters, such as body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, as well as the quality of egg and meat production. Cases of vaccine failure have been reported in regions where highly pathogenic strains of NDV are prevalent. To tackle this challenge, virus-like particles (VLPs) have emerged as a potential solution. VLPs closely resemble natural viruses, offering biocompatibility and immune-stimulating properties that make them highly promising for therapeutic applications against NDV. Hence, this review emphasizes the significance of NDV and the need for effective treatments. The manuscript will contain several key aspects, starting with an exploration of the structure and properties of NDV. Subsequently, the paper will delve into the characteristics and benefits of VLPs compared to conventional drug delivery systems. A comprehensive analysis of VLPs as potential vaccine candidates targeting NDV will be presented, along with a discussion on strategies for loading cargo into these NDV-targeting VLPs. The review will also examine various expression systems utilized in the production of NDV-targeting VLPs. Additionally, the manuscript will address future prospects and challenges in the field, concluding with recommendations for further research.

The Advancement and Obstacles in Improving the Stability of Nanocarriers for Precision Drug Delivery in the Field of Nanomedicine

Nanocarriers have emerged as a promising class of nanoscale materials in the fields of drug delivery and biomedical applications. Their unique properties, such as high surface area- tovolume ratios and enhanced permeability and retention effects, enable targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to specific tissues or cells. However, the inherent instability of nanocarriers poses significant challenges to their successful application. This review highlights the importance of nanocarrier stability in biomedical applications and its impact on biocompatibility, targeted drug delivery, long shelf life, drug delivery performance, therapeutic efficacy, reduced side effects, prolonged circulation time, and targeted delivery. Enhancing nanocarrier stability requires careful design, engineering, and optimization of physical and chemical parameters. Various strategies and cutting-edge techniques employed to improve nanocarrier stability are explored, with a focus on their applications in drug delivery. By understanding the advances and challenges in nanocarrier stability, this review aims to contribute to the development and implementation of nanocarrier- based therapies in clinical settings, advancing the field of nanomedicine.

Antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of mannose-modified chitosan/PMLA nanoparticles against multidrug-resistant Helicobacter pylori

Because of the apparent stasis in antibiotic discoveries and the growth of multidrug resistance, Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric infections are difficult to eradicate. In the search for alternative therapy, the reductive amination of chitosan with mannose, followed by ionic gelation, produced mannose functionalized chitosan nanoparticles. Then, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted with H. pylori lectin (HPLectin) as a target protein involved in bacterium adherence to host cells, biofilm formation, and cytotoxicity. Changes in zeta potential and FTIR spectroscopy revealed that chitosan was functionalized with mannose. Time-kill, polystyrene adherence, and antibiofilm studies were utilized to assess nanoparticles as an alternative antibacterial treatment against a resistant gastric pathogen. Man-CS-Nps were discovered to have effective anti-adherence and biofilm disruption characteristics in suppressing the development of resistant H. pylori. In addition, bioimaging studies with CLSM, TEM, and SEM illustrated that Man-CS-Nps interacted with bacterial cells and induced membrane disruption by creating holes in the outer membranes of the bacterial cells, resulting in the leakage of amino acids. Importantly, molecular docking and 20 ns MD simulations revealed that Man-CS-Nps inhibited the target protein through slow-binding inhibition and hydrogen bond interactions with active site residues. As a consequence of the findings of this study, the Man-CS-Nps is an excellent candidate for developing alternative therapies for the increasing incidences of resistant gastric infections.

Lipoproteins-Nanocarriers as a Promising Approach for Targeting Liver Cancer: Present Status and Application Prospects

The prevalence of liver cancer is increasing over the years and it is the fifth leading cause of mortality worldwide. The intrusive features and burden of low survival rate make it a global health issue in both developing and developed countries. The recommended chemotherapy drugs for patients in the intermediate and advanced stages of various liver cancers yield a low response rate due to the nonspecific nature of drug delivery, thus warranting the search for new therapeutic strategies and potential drug delivery carriers. There are several new drug delivery methods available to ferry the targeted molecules to the specific biological environment. In recent years, the nano assembly of lipoprotein moieties (lipidic nanoparticles) has emerged as a promising and efficiently tailored drug delivery system in liver cancer treatment. This increased precision of nano lipoproteins conjugates in chemotherapeutic targeting offers new avenues for the treatment of liver cancer with high specificity and efficiency. This present review is focused on concisely outlining the knowledge of liver cancer diagnosis, existing treatment strategies, lipoproteins, their preparation, mechanism and their potential application in the treatment of liver cancer.

Synergism of wt-p53 and synthetic material in local nano-TAE gene therapy of hepatoma: comparison of four systems and the possible mechanism

Background

TAE-gene therapy for hepatoma, incorporating the tumor-targeted therapeutic efficacy of trans-arterial embolization, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAP) and anti-cancer wild-type p53 gene (wt-p53), was presented in our former studies (Int J Nanomedicine 8:3757-68, 2013, Liver Int 32:998-1007, 2012). However, the incompletely antitumoral effect entails defined guidelines on searching properer materials for this novel therapy.

Methods

Unmodified nHAP, Ca⁽²⁺⁾ modified nHAP, poly-lysine modified nHAP and liposome were separately used to form U-nanoplex, Ca-nanoplex, Pll-nanoplex, L-nanoplex respectively with wt-p53 expressing plasmid. The four nanoplexs were then applied in vitro for human normal hepacyte L02 and hepatoma HePG2 cell line, and in vivo for rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumor by injection of nanoplexs/lipiodol emulsion into the hepatic artery in a tumor target manner. The distribution, superficial potential, physical structure, morphology and chemical compositions of nanoplexs were evaluated by TEM, SEM, EDS etc., with the objective of understanding their roles in hepatoma TAE-gene therapy.

Results

In vitro, L-nanoplex managed the highest gene transferring efficiency. Though with the second highest transfection activity, Pll-nanoplex showed the strongest tumor inhibition activity while maintaining safe to the normal hepacyte L02. In fact, only Pll-nanoplex can combine both the antitumoral effect to HePG2 and safe procedure to L02 among the four systems above. In vivo, being the only one with successful gene transference to hepatic VX2 tumor, Pll-nanoplex/lipiodol emulsion can target the tumor more specifically, which may explain its best therapeutic effect and hepatic biologic response. Further physical characterizations of the four nanoplexs suggested particle size and proper electronic organic surface may be crucial for nano-TAE gene therapy.

Conclusion

Pll-nanoplex is the most proper system for the combined therapy due to its selectively retention in liver cancer cells, secondary to its morphological and physico-chemical properties of nanometric particle size, steady emulsion, proper organic and electronic surface.

Clinical Evaluations of Toxicity and Efficacy of Nanoparticle-Mediated Gene Therapy

Considerable efforts have been devoted to develop safe and efficient gene therapies for life-threatening or inherited diseases. The choice of gene delivery vehicle plays key roles in enhancing the therapeutic effect of nucleic acid cargo. To date, gene therapy approaches involving both viral vectors and nonviral vectors have been evaluated in clinical trials. With improvements in material science and nanotechnologies, positively charged nanoparticles have emerged as potential gene delivery vehicles. In this review, we highlight clinical trials that examined cationic nanocarrier-mediated gene therapy as well as discuss both the toxicity and efficacy of nanocarrier-based therapeutics.

Polymers and hydrogels for local nucleic acid delivery

This review focusses on the rational design of materials (from polymers to hydrogel materials) to achieve successful local delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids.

Star-shaped copolymer grafted PEI and REDV as a gene carrier to improve migration of endothelial cells

A transfection process of EA.hy926 cells treated by REDV peptide targeted micelles/pDNA complexes.

Galactosylated Liposomes for Targeted Co-Delivery of Doxorubicin/Vimentin siRNA to Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The combination of therapeutic nucleic acids and chemotherapeutic drugs has shown great promise for cancer therapy. In this study, asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPR) targeting-ligand-based liposomes were tested to determine whether they can co-deliver vimentin siRNA and doxorubicin to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) selectively. To achieve this goal, we developed an ASGPR receptor targeted co-delivery system called gal-doxorubicin/vimentin siRNA liposome (Gal-DOX/siRNA-L). The Gal-DOX/siRNA-L was created via electrostatic interaction of galactose linked-cationic liposomal doxorubicin (Gal-DOX-L) on vimentin siRNA. Previous studies have shown that Gal-DOX/siRNA-L inhibited tumor growth by combined effect of DOX and vimentin siRNA than single delivery of either DOX or vimentin siRNA. These Gal-DOX/siRNA-Ls showed stronger affinity to human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Huh7) than other cells (lung epithelial carcinoma, A549). These liposomes also have demonstrated that novel hepatic drug/gene delivery systems composed of cationic lipid (DMKE: O,O'-dimyristyl-N-lysyl glutamate), cholesterol, galactosylated ceramide, POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), and PEG₂₀₀₀-DSPE (distearoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine) at 2:1:1:1:0.2 (moral ratios) can be used as an effective drug/gene carrier specifically targeting the liver in vivo. These results suggest that Gal-DOX-siRNA-L could effectively target tumor cells, enhance transfection efficacy and subsequently achieve the co-delivery of DOX and siRNA, demonstrating great potential for synergistic anti-tumor therapy.

Cationic Nanoparticles Assembled from Natural-Based Steroid Lipid for Improved Intracellular Transport of siRNA and pDNA

Developing new functional biomaterials from biocompatible natural-based resources for gene/drug delivery has attracted increasing attention in recent years. In this work, we prepared a series of cationic nanoparticles (Diosarg-DOPE NPs) by assembly of a natural steroid diosgenin-based cationic lipid (Diosarg) with commercially-available helper lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorethanolamine (DOPE). These cationic Diosarg-DOPE NPs were able to efficiently bind siRNA and plasmid DNA (pDNA) via electrostatic interactions to form stable, nano-sized cationic lipid nanoparticles instead of lamellar vesicles in aqueous solution. The average particle size, zeta potentials and morphologies of the siRNA and pDNA complexes of the Diosarg-DOPE NPs were examined. The in vitro cytotoxicity of NPs depends on the dose and assembly ratio of the Diosarg and DOPE. Notably, the intracellular transportation efficacy of the exogenesis siRNA and pDNA could be greatly improved by using the Diosarg-DOPE NPs as the cargoes in H1299 cell line. The results demonstrated that the self-assembled Diosarg-DOPE NPs could achieve much higher intracellular transport efficiency for siRNA or pDNA than the cationic lipid Diosarg, indicating that the synergetic effect of different functional lipid components may benefit the development of high efficiency nano-scaled gene carriers. Moreover, it could be noted that the traditional "lysosome localization" involved in the intracellular trafficking of the Diosarg and Diosarg-DOPE NPs, indicating the co-assembly of helper lipid DOPE, might not significantly affect the intracellular localization features of the cationic lipids.

Reducible chimeric polypeptide consisting of octa-D-arginine and tetra-L-histidine peptides as an efficient gene delivery vector

Cationic oligopeptide as a nonviral gene delivery vector has aroused much research interest recently, but its further application is limited by its low transfection efficiency. In the present study, we have created a high-efficiency gene vector by using octa-d-arginine and tetra-l-histidine to form a disulfide cross-linked chimeric polypeptide and used this vector to deliver the therapeutic gene tumor-necrosis-factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) to see whether the gene could be transferred and could exert antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo. The result showed that the newly designed vector was able to condense DNA into nanosized polyplexes effectively, thus facilitating its transmembrane transport, promoting its endosomal escape, and finally enabling degradation within the cell. Our study has demonstrated that this chimeric polypeptide is an effective gene carrier in cancer therapy.

Charged group surface accessibility determines micelleplexes formation and cellular interaction

Micelleplexes are a class of nucleic acid carriers that have gained acceptance due to their size, stability, and ability to synergistically carry small molecules. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA gene regulator that is consists of 19-22 nucleotides. Altered expression of miRNAs plays an important role in many human diseases. Using a model 22-nucleotide miRNA sequence, we investigated the interaction between charged groups on the micelle surface and miRNA. The model micelle system was formed from methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactide) (mPEG-PLA) mixed with methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactide)-b-oligoarginine (mPEG-PLA-Rx, x = 8 or 15). Surface properties of the micelles were varied by controlling the oligoarginine block length and conjugation density. Micelles were observed to have a core-shell conformation in the aqueous environment where the PLA block constituted the hydrophobic core, mPEG and oligoarginine formed a hydrophilic corona. Significantly different thermodynamic behaviors were observed during the interaction of single stranded miRNA with micelles of different surface properties, and the resulting micelleplexes mediated substantial cellular association. Depending upon the oligoarginine length and density, micelles exhibited miRNA loading capacity directly related to the presentation of charged groups on the surface. The effect of charged group accessibility of cationic micelle on micelleplex properties provides guidance on future miRNA delivery system design.

Parameters and characteristics governing cellular internalization and trans-barrier trafficking of nanostructures

Cellular internalization and trans-barrier transport of nanoparticles can be manipulated on the basis of the physicochemical and mechanical characteristics of nanoparticles. Research has shown that these factors significantly influence the uptake of nanoparticles. Dictating these characteristics allows for the control of the rate and extent of cellular uptake, as well as delivering the drug-loaded nanosystem intra-cellularly, which is imperative for drugs that require a specific cellular level to exert their effects. Additionally, physicochemical characteristics of the nanoparticles should be optimal for the nanosystem to bypass the natural restricting phenomena of the body and act therapeutically at the targeted site. The factors at the focal point of emerging smart nanomedicines include nanoparticle size, surface charge, shape, hydrophobicity, surface chemistry, and even protein and ligand conjugates. Hence, this review discusses the mechanism of internalization of nanoparticles and ideal nanoparticle characteristics that allow them to evade the biological barriers in order to achieve optimal cellular uptake in different organ systems. Identifying these parameters assists with the progression of nanomedicine as an outstanding vector of pharmaceuticals.

Cationic nanocarriers induce cell necrosis through impairment of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and cause subsequent inflammatory response

Nanocarriers with positive surface charges are known for their toxicity which has limited their clinical applications. The mechanism underlying their toxicity, such as the induction of inflammatory response, remains largely unknown. In the present study we found that injection of cationic nanocarriers, including cationic liposomes, PEI, and chitosan, led to the rapid appearance of necrotic cells. Cell necrosis induced by cationic nanocarriers is dependent on their positive surface charges, but does not require RIP1 and Mlkl. Instead, intracellular Na⁺ overload was found to accompany the cell death. Depletion of Na⁺ in culture medium or pretreatment of cells with the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase cation-binding site inhibitor ouabain, protected cells from cell necrosis. Moreover, treatment with cationic nanocarriers inhibited Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity both in vitro and in vivo. The computational simulation showed that cationic carriers could interact with cation-binding site of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Mice pretreated with a small dose of ouabain showed improved survival after injection of a lethal dose of cationic nanocarriers. Further analyses suggest that cell necrosis induced by cationic nanocarriers and the resulting leakage of mitochondrial DNA could trigger severe inflammation in vivo, which is mediated by a pathway involving TLR9 and MyD88 signaling. Taken together, our results reveal a novel mechanism whereby cationic nanocarriers induce acute cell necrosis through the interaction with Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, with the subsequent exposure of mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns as a key event that mediates the inflammatory responses. Our study has important implications for evaluating the biocompatibility of nanocarriers and designing better and safer ones for drug delivery.

Surface modification and endothelialization of biomaterials as potential scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering applications

This review highlights the recent developments of surface modification and endothelialization of biomaterials in vascular tissue engineering applications.

Assembly of plasmid DNA with pyrene-amines cationic amphiphiles into nanoparticles and their visible lysosome localization

In this study, we constructed a visible model for drug/gene dual delivery.