1
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Steffens RC, Folda P, Fendler NL, Höhn M, Bücher-Schossau K, Kempter S, Snyder NL, Hartmann L, Wagner E, Berger S. GalNAc- or Mannose-PEG-Functionalized Polyplexes Enable Effective Lectin-Mediated DNA Delivery. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:351-370. [PMID: 38440876 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00546] [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: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
A cationic, dendrimer-like oligo(aminoamide) carrier with four-arm topology based on succinoyl tetraethylene pentamine and histidines, cysteines, and N-terminal azido-lysines was screened for plasmid DNA delivery on various cell lines. The incorporated azides allow modification with various shielding agents of different polyethylene glycol (PEG) lengths and/or different ligands by copper-free click reaction, either before or after polyplex formation. Prefunctionalization was found to be advantageous over postfunctionalization in terms of nanoparticle formation, stability, and efficacy. A length of 24 ethylene oxide repetition units and prefunctionalization of ≥50% of azides per carrier promoted optimal polyplex shielding. PEG shielding resulted in drastically reduced DNA transfer, which could be successfully restored by active lectin targeting via novel GalNAc or mannose ligands, enabling enhanced receptor-mediated endocytosis of the carrier system. The involvement of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) in the uptake of GalNAc-functionalized polyplexes was confirmed in the ASGPR-positive hepatocarcinoma cell lines HepG2 and Huh7. Mannose-modified polyplexes showed superior cellular uptake and transfection efficacy compared to unmodified and shielded polyplexes in mannose-receptor-expressing dendritic cell-like DC2.4 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricarda C Steffens
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Paul Folda
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Nikole L Fendler
- Department of Chemistry, Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina 28035, United States
| | - Miriam Höhn
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Bücher-Schossau
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Susanne Kempter
- Faculty of Physics, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Nicole L Snyder
- Department of Chemistry, Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina 28035, United States
| | - Laura Hartmann
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, University Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 31, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Simone Berger
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany
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2
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Chen H, Zhang Q. Polypeptides as alternatives to PEGylation of therapeutic agents. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2024; 21:1-12. [PMID: 38116624 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2297937] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Due to the concerns raised by the extensive application of PEGylation, polypeptides have stood out as excellent candidates with adequate biocompatibility and biodegradability with tunable hydrophilicity. AREAS COVERED In this review, polypeptides with the potential to replace PEGylation have been summarized and their application has been reviewed, including XTEN, PASylation, polysarcosine, zwitterion polypeptides, ELPylation, etc. Besides their strengths, the remaining challenges have also been discussed and the future perspectives have been provided. EXPERT OPINION Polypeptides have been applied in the designing of peptide/protein drugs as well as nanomedicines, and some of the pharmaceutics have made it into the clinical trials and got approved. These polypeptides showed similar hydrophilic properties to PEGylation, which increased the hydrodynamic volumes of protein drugs, reduced kidney elimination, decreased protein-polymer interaction and potentially improved the drug delivery efficiency due to the extended circulation time in the system. Moreover, they demonstrated superior biodegradability and biocompatibility, compensating for the deficiencies for polymers such as PEG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huali Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qianyu Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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3
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Friedrich L, Kikuchi Y, Matsuda Y, Binder U, Skerra A. Efficient secretory production of proline/alanine/serine (PAS) biopolymers in Corynebacterium glutamicum yielding a monodisperse biological alternative to polyethylene glycol (PEG). Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:227. [PMID: 36307781 PMCID: PMC9616612 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01948-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background PAS biopolymers are recombinant polypeptides comprising the small uncharged l-amino acids Pro, Ala and/or Ser which resemble the widely used poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) in terms of pronounced hydrophilicity. Likewise, their random chain behaviour in physiological solution results in a strongly expanded hydrodynamic volume. Thus, apart from their use as fusion partner for biopharmaceuticals to achieve prolonged half-life in vivo, PAS biopolymers appear attractive as substitute for PEG—or other poorly degradable chemical polymers—in many areas. As a prerequisite for the wide application of PAS biopolymers at affordable cost, we have established their highly efficient biotechnological production in Corynebacterium glutamicum serving as a well characterized bacterial host organism. Results Using the CspA signal sequence, we have secreted two representative PAS biopolymers as polypeptides with ~ 600 and ~ 1200 amino acid residues, respectively. Both PAS biopolymers were purified from the culture supernatant by means of a simple downstream process in a truly monodisperse state as evidenced by ESI–MS. Yields after purification were up to ≥ 4 g per liter culture, with potential for further increase by strain optimization as well as fermentation and bioprocess development. Beyond direct application as hydrocolloids or to exploit their rheological properties, such PAS biopolymers are suitable for site-specific chemical conjugation with pharmacologically active molecules via their unique terminal amino or carboxyl groups. To enable the specific activation of the carboxylate, without interference by the free amino group, we generated a blocked N-terminus for the PAS(1200) polypeptide simply by introducing an N-terminal Gln residue which, after processing of the signal peptide, was cyclised to a chemically inert pyroglutamyl group upon acid treatment. The fact that PAS biopolymers are genetically encoded offers further conjugation strategies via incorporation of amino acids with reactive side chains (e.g., Cys, Lys, Glu/Asp) at defined positions. Conclusions Our new PAS expression platform using Corynex® technology opens the way to applications of PASylation® technology in multiple areas such as the pharmaceutical industry, cosmetics and food technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Friedrich
- XL-protein GmbH, Lise-Meitner-Strasse 30, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Y Kikuchi
- Research Institute for Bioscience Products & Fine Chemicals, Ajinomoto Co., Inc., 1-1 Suzuki-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-8681, Japan
| | - Y Matsuda
- Research Institute for Bioscience Products & Fine Chemicals, Ajinomoto Co., Inc., 1-1 Suzuki-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-8681, Japan
| | - U Binder
- XL-protein GmbH, Lise-Meitner-Strasse 30, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - A Skerra
- XL-protein GmbH, Lise-Meitner-Strasse 30, 85354, Freising, Germany. .,Lehrstuhl für Biologische Chemie, Technische Universität München, Emil-Erlenmeyer-Forum 5, 85354, Freising, Germany.
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4
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Farahpour A, Ramezanian N, Gholami L, Askarian S, Banisadr A, Kazemi Oskuee R. Synthesis and characterization of polyethyleneimine-terminated poly( β-amino esters) conjugated with pullulan for gene delivery. Pharm Dev Technol 2022; 27:606-614. [PMID: 35766268 DOI: 10.1080/10837450.2022.2096069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Cationic polymers endowed with a flexible system for condensing DNA, are regarded as effective materials for gene delivery. The synthesis of poly(β-amino esters) (pBAEs) based on 1,4-butanediol diacrylate-ethanolamine monomer (1.2:1 molar ratio) and 1,4-butanediol diacrylate-ethylene diamine (1:2 molar ratio) were carried out and modification with 1800 Da polyethyleneimine (PEI) at different weight ratios (3 and 1) as well as conjugation with pullulan in various weight ratios of (0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, and 1) performed. Gel-retardation assay demonstrated that the synthesized polymers were able to condense DNA at low carrier/plasmid (C/P) ratios. The polyplexes with ratio 3 of PEI (pβ1/PEI3) were restricted in all C/P ratios and the polyplexes of pβ1/PEI3/pull0.125 were condensed at C/P ratios higher than 0.5. The particle size at C/P were approximately about 200 nm with a positive surface charge. The presence of the pullulan in the structure of the synthesized pBAEs could be effective in reducing toxicity of the base polymer. Highest metabolic activity dedicated to C/P2 of pβ2/PEI3/pull0.125 with 80.6 percent viability. Furthermore, the most efficient gene reporter delivery was seen at C/P ratio of 6 in pβ2/PEI3/pull0.125 nanoparticles. Therefore, pullulan grafting could enhance the cellular response of cells in terms of cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atena Farahpour
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Navid Ramezanian
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Leila Gholami
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Askarian
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | - Arsham Banisadr
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Reza Kazemi Oskuee
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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5
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Benli-Hoppe T, Göl Öztürk Ş, Öztürk Ö, Berger S, Wagner E, Yazdi M. Transferrin Receptor Targeted Polyplexes Completely Comprised of Sequence-Defined Components. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 43:e2100602. [PMID: 34713524 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Human transferrin protein (Tf) modified polyplexes have already displayed encouraging potential for receptor-mediated nucleic acid delivery into tumors. The use of a blood-derived targeting protein and polydisperse macromolecular cationic subunits however presents a practical challenge for pharmaceutical grade production. Here, Tf receptor (TfR) targeted small interfering RNA (siRNA) polyplexes are designed that are completely composed of synthetic, monodisperse, and sequence-defined subunits generated by solid-phase supported synthesis. An optimized cationizable lipo-oligoaminoamide (lipo-OAA) is used for siRNA core polyplex formation, and a retro-enantio peptide (reTfR) attached via a monodisperse polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacer via click chemistry is applied for targeting. Improved gene silencing is demonstrated in TfR-expressing KB and DU145 cells. Analogous plasmid DNA (pDNA) polyplexes are successfully used for receptor-mediated gene delivery in TfR-rich K562 cells and Neuro2a cells. Six lipo-OAAs differing in their lipidic domain and redox-sensitive attachment of lipid residues are tested in order to evaluate the impact of core polyplex stability on receptor-dependent gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teoman Benli-Hoppe
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich, 81377, Germany
| | - Şurhan Göl Öztürk
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich, 81377, Germany
| | - Özgür Öztürk
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich, 81377, Germany
| | - Simone Berger
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich, 81377, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich, 81377, Germany
| | - Mina Yazdi
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for Drug Research, and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, Munich, 81377, Germany
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6
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Recent advances in peptide-targeted micelleplexes: Current developments and future perspectives. Int J Pharm 2021; 597:120362. [PMID: 33556489 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The decoding of the human genome revolutionized the understanding of how genetics influence the interplay between health and disease, in a multidisciplinary perspective. Thus, the development of exogenous nucleic acids-based therapies has increased to overcome hereditary or acquired genetic-associated diseases. Gene drug delivery using non-viral systems, for instance micelleplexes, have been recognized as promising options for gene-target therapies. Micelleplexes are core-shell structures, at a nanometric scale, designed using amphiphilic block copolymers. These can self-assemble in an aqueous medium, leading to the formation of a hydrophilic and positively charged corona - that can transport nucleic acids, - and a hydrophobic core - which can transport poor water-soluble drugs. However, the performance of these types of carriers usually is hindered by several in vivo barriers. Fortunately, due to a significant amount of research, strategies to overcome these shortcomings emerged. With a wide range of structural features, good stability against proteolytic degradation, affordable characteristic, easy synthesis, low immunogenicity, among other advantages, peptides have increasingly gained popularity as target ligands for non-viral carriers. Hence, this review addresses the use of peptides with micelleplexes illustrating, through the analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies, the potential and future perspectives of this combination.
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7
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Freitag F, Wagner E. Optimizing synthetic nucleic acid and protein nanocarriers: The chemical evolution approach. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 168:30-54. [PMID: 32246984 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Optimizing synthetic nanocarriers is like searching for a needle in a haystack. How to find the most suitable carrier for intracellular delivery of a specified macromolecular nanoagent for a given disease target location? Here, we review different synthetic 'chemical evolution' strategies that have been pursued. Libraries of nanocarriers have been generated either by unbiased combinatorial chemistry or by variation and novel combination of known functional delivery elements. As in natural evolution, definition of nanocarriers as sequences, as barcode or design principle, may fuel chemical evolution. Screening in appropriate test system may not only provide delivery candidates, but also a refined understanding of cellular delivery including novel, unpredictable mechanisms. Combined with rational design and computational algorithms, candidates can be further optimized in subsequent evolution cycles into nanocarriers with improved safety and efficacy. Optimization of nanocarriers differs for various cargos, as illustrated for plasmid DNA, siRNA, mRNA, proteins, or genome-editing nucleases.
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8
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Wang Y, Wagner E. Non-Viral Targeted Nucleic Acid Delivery: Apply Sequences for Optimization. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E888. [PMID: 32961908 PMCID: PMC7559072 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12090888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In nature, genomes have been optimized by the evolution of their nucleic acid sequences. The design of peptide-like carriers as synthetic sequences provides a strategy for optimizing multifunctional targeted nucleic acid delivery in an iterative process. The optimization of sequence-defined nanocarriers differs for different nucleic acid cargos as well as their specific applications. Supramolecular self-assembly enriched the development of a virus-inspired non-viral nucleic acid delivery system. Incorporation of DNA barcodes presents a complementary approach of applying sequences for nanocarrier optimization. This strategy may greatly help to identify nucleic acid carriers that can overcome pharmacological barriers and facilitate targeted delivery in vivo. Barcode sequences enable simultaneous evaluation of multiple nucleic acid nanocarriers in a single test organism for in vivo biodistribution as well as in vivo bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research, Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, D-81377 Munich, Germany;
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9
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Wang Y, Luo J, Truebenbach I, Reinhard S, Klein PM, Höhn M, Kern S, Morys S, Loy DM, Wagner E, Zhang W. Double Click-Functionalized siRNA Polyplexes for Gene Silencing in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Positive Tumor Cells. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:1074-1089. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yanfang Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Ines Truebenbach
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Sören Reinhard
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Michael Klein
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Miriam Höhn
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Sarah Kern
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan Morys
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Dominik M. Loy
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM), Schellingstrasse 4, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany
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10
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Varanko A, Saha S, Chilkoti A. Recent trends in protein and peptide-based biomaterials for advanced drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020; 156:133-187. [PMID: 32871201 PMCID: PMC7456198 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Engineering protein and peptide-based materials for drug delivery applications has gained momentum due to their biochemical and biophysical properties over synthetic materials, including biocompatibility, ease of synthesis and purification, tunability, scalability, and lack of toxicity. These biomolecules have been used to develop a host of drug delivery platforms, such as peptide- and protein-drug conjugates, injectable particles, and drug depots to deliver small molecule drugs, therapeutic proteins, and nucleic acids. In this review, we discuss progress in engineering the architecture and biological functions of peptide-based biomaterials -naturally derived, chemically synthesized and recombinant- with a focus on the molecular features that modulate their structure-function relationships for drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ashutosh Chilkoti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
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11
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Abstract
Lipopolyplexes present well-established nucleic acid carriers assembled from sequence-defined cationic lipo-oligomers and DNA or RNA. They can be equipped with additional surface functionality, like shielding and targeting, in a stepwise assembly method using click chemistry. Here, we describe the synthesis of the required compounds, an azide-bearing lipo-oligomer structure and dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO) click agents as well as the assembly of the compounds with siRNA into a surface-functionalized formulation. Both the lipo-oligomer and the DBCO-equipped shielding and targeting agents are produced by solid-phase synthesis (SPS). This enables for precise variation of all functional units, like variation in the amount of DBCO attachment sites or polyethylene glycol (PEG) length. Special cleavage conditions with only 5% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) must be applied for the synthesis of the shielding and targeting agents due to acid lability of the DBCO unit. The two-step lipopolyplex assembly technique allows for separate optimization of the core and the shell of the formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Michael Klein
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich, Munich, Germany
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12
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Krhac Levacic A, Morys S, Wagner E. Solid-phase supported design of carriers for therapeutic nucleic acid delivery. Biosci Rep 2017; 37:BSR20160617. [PMID: 28963371 PMCID: PMC5662914 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20160617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid molecules are important therapeutic agents in the field of antisense oligonucleotide, RNA interference, and gene therapies. Since nucleic acids are not able to cross cell membranes and enter efficiently into cells on their own, the development of efficient, safe, and precise delivery systems is the crucial challenge for development of nucleic acid therapeutics. For the delivery of nucleic acids to their intracellular site of action, either the cytosol or the nucleus, several extracellular and intracellular barriers have to be overcome. Multifunctional carriers may handle the different special requirements of each barrier. The complexity of such macromolecules however poses a new hurdle in medical translation, which is the chemical production in reproducible and well-defined form. Solid-phase assisted synthesis (SPS) presents a solution for this challenge. The current review provides an overview on the design and SPS of precise sequence-defined synthetic carriers for nucleic acid cargos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Krhac Levacic
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan Morys
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich, Schellingstrasse 4, D-80799 Munich, Germany
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13
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Levacic AK, Morys S, Kempter S, Lächelt U, Wagner E. Minicircle Versus Plasmid DNA Delivery by Receptor-Targeted Polyplexes. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:862-874. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Krhac Levacic
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research, and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan Morys
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research, and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne Kempter
- Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Lächelt
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research, and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research, and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich, Munich, Germany
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14
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Morys S, Urnauer S, Spitzweg C, Wagner E. EGFR Targeting and Shielding of pDNA Lipopolyplexes via Bivalent Attachment of a Sequence-Defined PEG Agent. Macromol Biosci 2017; 18. [PMID: 28877405 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201700203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
For successful nonviral gene delivery, cationic polymers are promising DNA carrier, which need to comprise several functionalities. The current work focuses on the postincorporation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeted PEGylation agents onto lipopolyplexes for pDNA delivery. T-shaped lipo-oligomers are previously found to be effective sequence-defined carriers for pDNA and siRNA. Here, the bis-oleoyl-oligoaminoethanamide 454 containing tyrosine trimer-cysteine ends is applied for complex formation with pDNA coding for luciferase or sodium iodide symporter (NIS). In a second step, the lipopolyplexes are modified via disulfide formation with sequence-defined monovalent or bivalent PEGylation agents containing one or two 3-nitro-2-pyridinesulfenyl (NPys)-activated cysteines, respectively. For targeting, the polyethylene glycol (PEG) agents comprise the EGFR targeting peptide GE11. In comparison of all transfection complexes, 454 lipopolyplexes modified with the bidentate PEG-GE11 agent show the best, EGFR-dependent uptake as well as luciferase and NIS gene expression into receptor-positive tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Morys
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research and Center for Nanoscience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Sarah Urnauer
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Spitzweg
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research and Center for Nanoscience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
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Binder U, Skerra A. PASylation®: A versatile technology to extend drug delivery. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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