Design of an Amphiphilic Poly(aspartamide)-mediated Self-assembled Nanoconstruct for Long-Term Tumor Targeting and Bioimaging

A Pyr-loaded polymer microparticle for effectively controlling Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the nest

Human interference and incorrect use of pesticides are easy to induce red imported fire ant (RIFA) escape and migrate from a nest, resulting in ineffective control of RIFA. In order to avoid RIFA alert, we designed an amphiphilic PSI-mPEG-Boc-DAH loaded Pyr to make the microparticles with effective controlled release. The investigation showed that the quantity of Pyr released by Pyr@PSI-mPEG-Boc-DAH under acidic environment was only 36.40 ± 1.90% at 48 h, whereas the release rate of original Pyr was 75.23 ± 5.71%. And the RIFA mortality rate of 1 ppm Pyr in Pyr@PSI-mPEG-Boc-DAH microparticles at 48 h was only 7.78%, which was significantly lower than that of the Pyr (47.78%). Futhermore, the death rate increased sharply after 48 h, and reached 95.84% within a week after using Pyr@PSI-mPEG-Boc-DAH microparticles. Moreover, PSI-mPEG-Boc-DAH carriers could be absorbed and even transported to crop of the RIFA for subsequent trophallaxis by using fluorescence tracking. In the field experiment, the reduction rate of Pyr@PSI-mPEG-Boc-DAH treatment was achieved 99.89% after 7 d. Pyr@PSI-mPEG-Boc-DAH didn't cause RIFA to be alarmed within 48 h and could kill nearly all of ants in the nest after 7 d, which showed a very good control effect in the field experiment. This work provided a new idea and guidance for the effective control RIFA and the development of sustainable agriculture.

Functionalized DMP-039 Hybrid Nanoparticle as a Novel mRNA Vector for Efficient Cancer Suicide Gene Therapy

Background

Gene therapy has emerged as a new strategy for cancer therapy. As an alternative nucleic acid material, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) is being increasingly utilized in cancer gene therapy. However, unfulfilled requirements and a lack of ideal mRNA delivery vectors persist.

Methods

We developed an advanced mRNA delivery system, DMP-039, by fusing a cell-penetrating peptide, cRGD-R9, and a cationic nano-sized DMP backbone together. The DMP gene vector backbone was synthesized by the self-assembly of DOTAP lipid and mPEG-PCL polymer. Introduction of the cRGD-R9 peptide onto the DMP backbone was performed to elevate the mRNA delivery capacity, which resulted in a peptide-functionalized hybrid delivery system.

Results

The average size of the synthesized DMP-039 was 268.9 ± 12.4 nm (PDI = 0.382), with a potential of 17.4 ± 0.5 mV. The synthesized DMP-039 hybrid nanoparticles exhibited high mRNA delivery efficiency through multiple mechanisms during transmembrane transportation. By loading the encoding mRNA from the suicide gene Bim, a locally administered mBim/DMP-039 complex strongly inhibited growth in two colon cancer models. Moreover, intravenous administration of the mBim/DMP-039 complex efficiently suppressed C26 pulmonary metastatic tumor progression with high safety. The in vivo distribution, degradation, and excretion were also investigated in detail.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the DMP-039 peptide-functionalized hybrid nanoparticle is an advanced candidate for mRNA-based suicide gene therapy.

Platelet-Mimicking Drug Delivery Nanoparticles for Enhanced Chemo-Photothermal Therapy of Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Traditional nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems suffer from several limitations, such as easy clearance from blood and inaccurate targeting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Here, we developed platelet membrane-coated nanoparticles (PM-NPs) to improve the precise delivery of drugs to tumor sites and enable a more efficient photothermal therapy (PTT) treatment.

RESULTS

Mimicking the natural platelet membrane, nanoparticles containing drugs and photothermal agents were not recognized and cleared by the immune system; they could circulate in the blood for a long time and accumulate more efficiently at the tumor site, thus releasing more antitumor drugs and achieving better PTT effects. It is worth mentioning that, in this study, we found that tumors in mice treated with the platelet-mimicking nanoparticles were completely eliminated without recurrence during the observation period (up to 18 days).

CONCLUSION

This study provides a new strategy to design delivery systems of drugs or photothermal agents, whether in biotherapy or other fields.

Utilization of Polymer-Lipid Hybrid Nanoparticles for Targeted Anti-Cancer Therapy

Cancer represents one of the most dangerous diseases, with 1.8 million deaths worldwide. Despite remarkable advances in conventional therapies, these treatments are not effective to completely eradicate cancer. Nanotechnology offers potential cancer treatment based on formulations of several nanoparticles (NPs). Liposomes and polymeric nanoparticle are the most investigated and effective drug delivery systems (DDS) for cancer treatment. Liposomes represent potential DDS due to their distinct properties, including high-drug entrapment efficacy, biocompatibility, low cost, and scalability. However, their use is restricted by susceptibility to lipid peroxidation, instability, burst release of drugs, and the limited surface modification. Similarly, polymeric nanoparticles show several chemical modifications with polymers, good stability, and controlled release, but their drawbacks for biological applications include limited drug loading, polymer toxicity, and difficulties in scaling up. Therefore, polymeric nanoparticles and liposomes are combined to form polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles (PLHNPs), with the positive attributes of both components such as high biocompatibility and stability, improved drug payload, controlled drug release, longer circulation time, and superior in vivo efficacy. In this review, we have focused on the prominent strategies used to develop tumor targeting PLHNPs and discuss their advantages and unique properties contributing to an ideal DDS.