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Leyden MC, Oviedo F, Saxena S, Kumar R, Le N, Reineke TM. Synergistic Polymer Blending Informs Efficient Terpolymer Design and Machine Learning Discerns Performance Trends for pDNA Delivery. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:897-911. [PMID: 38924453 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.4c00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Cationic polymers offer an alternative to viral vectors in nucleic acid delivery. However, the development of polymer vehicles capable of high transfection efficiency and minimal toxicity has remained elusive, and continued exploration of the vast design space is required. Traditional single polymer syntheses with large monomer bases are very time-intensive, limiting the speed at which new formulations are identified. In this work, we present an experimental method for the quick probing of the design space, utilizing a combinatorial set of 90 polymer blends, derived from 6 statistical copolymers, to deliver pDNA. This workflow facilitated rapid screening of polyplex compositions, successfully tailoring polyplex hydrophobicity, particle size, and payload binding affinity. This workflow identified blended polyplexes with high levels of transfection efficiency and cell viability relative to single copolymer controls and commercial JetPEI, indicating synergistic benefits from copolymer blending. Polyplex composition was coupled with biological outputs to guide the synthesis of single terpolymer vehicles, with high-performing polymers P10 and M20, providing superior transfection of HEK293T cells in serum-free and serum-containing media, respectively. Machine learning coupled with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was used to identify polymer/polyplex attributes that most impact transfection efficiency, viability, and overall effective efficiency. Subsequent transfections on ARPE-19 and HDFn cells found that P10 and M20 were surpassed in performance by M10, contrasting with results in HEK293T cells. This cell type dependency reinforced the need to evaluate transfection conditions with multiple cell models to potentially identify moieties more beneficial to delivery in certain tissues. Overall, the workflow employed can be used to expedite the exploration of the polymer design space, bypassing extensive synthesis, and to develop improved polymer delivery vehicles more readily for nucleic acid therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Leyden
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Felipe Oviedo
- Nanite Inc., Boston, Massachusetts 02109, United States
| | - Sonashree Saxena
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Ramya Kumar
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Ngoc Le
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Theresa M Reineke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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2
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Li Z, Guo R, Zhang Z, Yong H, Guo L, Chen Z, Huang D, Zhou D. Enhancing gene transfection of poly(β-amino ester)s through modulation of amphiphilicity and chain sequence. J Control Release 2024; 368:131-139. [PMID: 38331003 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.002] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Poly(β-amino ester)s (PAEs) have emerged as a type of highly safe and efficient non-viral DNA delivery vectors. However, the influence of amphiphilicity and chain sequence on DNA transfection efficiency and safety profile remain largely unexplored. In this study, four PAEs with distinct amphiphilicity and chain sequences were synthesized. Results show that both amphiphilicity and chain sequence significantly affect the DNA binding and condensation ability of PAEs, as well as size, zeta potential and cellular uptake of PAE/DNA polyplexes. PAEs with different amphiphilicity and chain sequence exhibit cell type-dependent transfection capabilities: in human bladder transitional cell carcinoma (UM-UC-3), hydrophilic PAE (P-Philic) and amphiphilic PAE random copolymer (R-Amphilic) exhibit relatively higher gene transfection efficiency, while in human bladder epithelial immortalized cells (SV-HUC-1), hydrophobic PAE (P-Phobic), R-Amphilic, and amphiphilic PAE block copolymer (B-Amphilic) demonstrate higher transfection capability. Regardless of cell types, amphiphilic PAE block copolymer (B-Amphilic) always exhibits much lower gene transfection efficiency. In addition, in human colon cancer cells (HCT-116), P-Philic and R-Amphilic achieved superior gene transfection efficiency at high and low polymer/DNA weight ratios, respectively. Importantly, R-Amphilic can effectively deliver the gene encoding tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) to human chondrosarcoma cells SW1353 to induce their apoptosis, highlighting its potential application in cancer gene therapy. This study not only establishes a new paradigm for enhancing the gene transfection efficiency of PAEs by modulating their amphiphilicity and chain sequence but also identifies R-Amphilic as a potential candidate for the effective delivery of TRAIL gene in cancer gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhili Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Rui Guo
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Zhiyong Zhang
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
| | - Haiyang Yong
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Lei Guo
- Pooling Institute of Translational Medicine, Hangzhou 311100, China
| | - Zhengju Chen
- Pooling Medical Research Institutes of 100Biotech, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Dongdong Huang
- Pooling Institute of Translational Medicine, Hangzhou 311100, China
| | - Dezhong Zhou
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
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3
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Wang X, Li Y, A S, Lyu J, Wang X, He Z, Lara-Sáez I, Li M, Wang W. Cyclization-enhanced poly(β-amino ester)s vectors for efficient CRISPR gene editing therapy. J Control Release 2024; 368:444-452. [PMID: 38401849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.032] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Among non-viral gene delivery vectors, poly(β-amino ester)s (PAEs) are one of the most versatile candidates because of their wide monomer availability, high polymer flexibility, and superior gene transfection performance both in vitro and in vivo. Over two decades, PAEs have evolved from linear to highly branched structures, significantly enhancing gene delivery efficacy. Building on the proven efficient sets of monomers in highly branched PAEs (HPAEs), this work introduced a new class of cyclic PAEs (CPAEs) constructed via an A2 + B4 + C2 cyclization synthesis strategy and identified their markedly improved gene transfection capabilities in gene delivery applications. Two sets of cyclic PAEs (CPAEs) with rings of different sizes and topologies were obtained. Their chemical structures were confirmed via two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and the photoluminescence phenomena, and their DNA delivery behaviours were investigated and compared with the HPAE counterparts. In vitro assessments demonstrated that the CPAEs with a macrocyclic architecture (MCPAEs), significantly enhanced DNA intracellular uptake and facilitated efficient gene expression while maintaining perfect biocompatibility. The top-performance MCPAEs have been further employed to deliver a plasmid coding dual single guide RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas9 machinery to delete COL7A1 exon 80 containing the c.6527dupC mutation. In recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) patient-derived epidermal keratinocytes, MCPAEs facilitated the CRISPR plasmid delivery and achieved efficient targeted gene editing in multiple colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianqing Wang
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yinghao Li
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sigen A
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
| | - Jing Lyu
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Xi Wang
- Institute of Precision Medicine (AUST-IPM), Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
| | - Zhonglei He
- Institute of Precision Medicine (AUST-IPM), Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
| | - Irene Lara-Sáez
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Dermatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenxin Wang
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland.
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Li Y, Qiu B, Li Z, Wang X, He Z, Sandoval DM, Song R, Sigen A, Zhao C, Johnson M, Lyu J, Lara-Sáez I, Wang W. Backbone cationized highly branched poly(β-amino ester)s as enhanced delivery vectors in non-viral gene therapy. J Control Release 2024; 367:327-338. [PMID: 38272397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.01.046] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy holds great potential for treating Lung Cystic Fibrosis (CF) which is a fatal hereditary condition arising from mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, resulting in dysfunctional CFTR protein. However, the advancement and clinical application of CF gene therapy systems have been hindered due to the absence of a highly efficient delivery vector. In this work, we introduce a new generation of highly branched poly(β-amino ester) (HPAE) gene delivery vectors for CF treatment. Building upon the classical chemical composition of HPAE, a novel backbone cationization strategy was developed to incorporate additional functional amine groups into HPAE without altering their branching degree. By carefully adjusting the type, proportion, and backbone distribution of the added cationic groups, a series of highly effective HPAE gene delivery vectors were successfully constructed for CF disease gene therapy. In vitro assessment results showed that the backbone cationized HPAEs with randomly distributed 10% proportion of 1-(3-aminopropyl)-4-methylpiperazine (E7) amine groups exhibited superior transfection performance than their counterparts. Furthermore, the top-performed backbone cationized HPAEs, when loaded with therapeutic plasmids, successfully reinstated CFTR protein expression in the CFBE41o- disease model, achieving levels 20-23 times higher than that of normal human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. Their therapeutic effectiveness significantly surpassed that of the currently advanced commercial vectors, Xfect and Lipofectamine 3000.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghao Li
- Institute of Precision Medicine (AUST-IPM), Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China; Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bei Qiu
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Zishan Li
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Xianqing Wang
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Zhonglei He
- Institute of Precision Medicine (AUST-IPM), Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
| | - Darío Manzanares Sandoval
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rijian Song
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - A Sigen
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
| | - Chunyu Zhao
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Melissa Johnson
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jing Lyu
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland..
| | - Irene Lara-Sáez
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Wenxin Wang
- Institute of Precision Medicine (AUST-IPM), Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China; Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland..
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5
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Zhou YN, Yong H, Guo R, Wang K, Li Z, Hua W, Zhou D. Self-reporting and Biodegradable Thermosetting Solid Polymer Electrolyte. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202319003. [PMID: 38131604 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202319003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
To date, significant efforts have been dedicated to improve their ionic conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical strength of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs). However, direct monitoring of physical and chemical changes in SPEs is still lacking. Moreover, existing thermosetting SPEs are hardly degradable. Herein, by overcoming the limitation predicted by Flory theory, self-reporting and biodegradable thermosetting hyperbranched poly(β-amino ester)-based SPEs (HPAE-SPEs) are reported. HPAE is successfully synthesized through a well-controlled "A2+B4" Michael addition strategy and then crosslinked it in situ to produce HPAE-SPEs. The multiple tertiary aliphatic amines at the branching sites confer multicolour luminescence to HPAE-SPEs, enabling direct observation of its physical and chemical damage. After use, HPAE-SPEs can be rapidly hydrolysed into non-hazardous β-amino acids and polyols via self-catalysis. Optimized HPAE-SPE exhibits an ionic conductivity of 1.3×10-4 S/cm at 60 °C, a Na+ transference number (t N a + ${{t}_{Na}^{+}}$ ) of 0.67, a highly stable sodium plating-stripping behaviour and a low overpotential of ≈190 mV. This study establishes a new paradigm for developing SPEs by engineering multifunctional polymers. The self-reporting and biodegradable properties would greatly expand the scope of applications for SPEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Zhou
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Haiyang Yong
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Rui Guo
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Kaixuan Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Zhili Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Weibo Hua
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Dezhong Zhou
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
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6
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Li Y, He Z, Wang X, Li Z, Johnson M, Foley R, Sigen A, Lyu J, Wang W. Branch Unit Distribution Matters for Gene Delivery. ACS Macro Lett 2023:780-786. [PMID: 37220212 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
As a key nonviral gene therapy vector, poly(β-amino ester) (PAE) has demonstrated great potential for clinical application after two decades of development. However, even after extensive efforts in structural optimizations, including screening chemical composition, molecular weight (MW), terminal groups, and topology, their DNA delivery efficiency still lags behind that of viral vectors. To break through this bottleneck, in this work, a thorough investigation of highly branched PAEs (HPAEs) was conducted to correlate their fundamental internal structure with their gene transfection performance. We show that an essential structural factor, branch unit distribution (BUD), plays an important role for HPAE transfection capability and that HPAEs with a more uniform distribution of branch units display better transfection efficacy. By optimizing BUD, a high-efficiency HPAE that surpasses well-known commercial reagents (e.g., Lipofectamine 3000 (Lipo3000), jetPEI, and Xfect) can be generated. This work opens an avenue for the structural control and molecular design of high-performance PAE gene delivery vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghao Li
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 V1W8
| | - Zhonglei He
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 V1W8
| | - Xianqing Wang
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 V1W8
| | - Zishan Li
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 V1W8
| | - Melissa Johnson
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 V1W8
| | - Ruth Foley
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 V1W8
- Branca Bunús Ltd, NovaUCD Belfield Innovation Centre, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 V1W8
| | - A Sigen
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 V1W8
| | - Jing Lyu
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 V1W8
| | - Wenxin Wang
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 V1W8
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