scholarly journals Tuning the Immunostimulation Properties of Cationic Lipid Nanocarriers for Nucleic Acid Delivery

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arindam K. Dey ◽  
Adrien Nougarède ◽  
Flora Clément ◽  
Carole Fournier ◽  
Evelyne Jouvin-Marche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Cationic Lipid ◽  
Lipid Nanoparticles ◽  
Cationic Lipids ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Lipid Nanocarriers ◽  
The Impact

Nonviral systems, such as lipid nanoparticles, have emerged as reliable methods to enable nucleic acid intracellular delivery. The use of cationic lipids in various formulations of lipid nanoparticles enables the formation of complexes with nucleic acid cargo and facilitates their uptake by target cells. However, due to their small size and highly charged nature, these nanocarrier systems can interact in vivo with antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. As this might prove to be a safety concern for developing therapies based on lipid nanocarriers, we sought to understand how they could affect the physiology of APCs. In the present study, we investigate the cellular and metabolic response of primary macrophages or DCs exposed to the neutral or cationic variant of the same lipid nanoparticle formulation. We demonstrate that macrophages are the cells affected most significantly and that the cationic nanocarrier has a substantial impact on their physiology, depending on the positive surface charge. Our study provides a first model explaining the impact of charged lipid materials on immune cells and demonstrates that the primary adverse effects observed can be prevented by fine-tuning the load of nucleic acid cargo. Finally, we bring rationale to calibrate the nucleic acid load of cationic lipid nanocarriers depending on whether immunostimulation is desirable with the intended therapeutic application, for instance, gene delivery or messenger RNA vaccines.

scholarly journals Tuning the immunostimulation properties of cationic lipid nanocarriers for nucleic acid delivery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arindam K Dey ◽  
Adrien Nougarede ◽  
Flora Clement ◽  
Carole Fournier ◽  
Evelyne Jouvin-Marche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Cationic Lipid ◽  
Lipid Nanoparticles ◽  
Cationic Lipids ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Lipid Nanocarriers ◽  
The Impact

Nonviral systems, such as lipid nanoparticles, have emerged as reliable methods to enable nucleic acid intracellular delivery. The use of cationic lipids in various formulations of lipid nanoparticles enables the formation of complexes with nucleic acid cargo and facilitates their uptake by target cells. However, due to their small size and highly charged nature, these nanocarrier systems can interact in vivo with antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. As this might prove to be a safety concern for developing therapies based on lipid nanocarriers, we sought to understand how they could affect the physiology of APCs. In the present study, we investigate the cellular and metabolic response of primary macrophages or DCs exposed to the neutral or cationic variant of the same lipid nanoparticle formulation. We demonstrate that macrophages are the cells affected most significantly and that the cationic nanocarrier has a substantial impact on their physiology, depending on the positive surface charge. Our study provides a first model explaining the impact of charged lipid materials on immune cells and demonstrates that the primary adverse effects observed can be prevented by fine-tuning the load of nucleic acid cargo. Finally, we bring rationale to calibrate the nucleic acid load of cationic lipid nanocarriers depending on whether immunostimulation is desirable with the intended therapeutic application, for instance, gene delivery or messenger RNA vaccines.

scholarly journals Advances in the Formulation and Assembly of Non-Cationic Lipid Nanoparticles for the Medical Application of Gene Therapeutics

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 825
Author(s):  
Richard K. Fisher ◽  
Phillip C. West ◽  
Samuel I. Mattern-Schain ◽  
Michael D. Best ◽  
Stacy S. Kirkpatrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Cationic Lipid ◽  
Medical Application ◽  
Lipid Nanoparticles ◽  
Cell Penetrating Peptides ◽  
Cationic Lipids ◽  
Injection Technique ◽  
Ethanol Injection ◽  
Assembly Technique

Lipid nanoparticles have become increasingly popular delivery platforms in the field of gene therapy, but bench-to-bedside success has been limited. Many liposomal gene vectors are comprised of synthetic cationic lipids, which are associated with lipid-induced cytotoxicity and immunogenicity. Natural, non-cationic PEGylated liposomes (PLPs) demonstrate favorable biocompatibility profiles but are not considered viable gene delivery vehicles due to inefficient nucleic acid loading and reduced cellular uptake. PLPs can be modified with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) to enhance the intracellular delivery of liposomal cargo but encapsulate leakage upon CPP-PLP assembly is problematic. Here, we aimed to identify parameters that overcome these performance barriers by incorporating nucleic acid condensers during CPP-PLP assembly and screening variable ethanol injection parameters for optimization. CPP-PLPs were formed with R8-amphiphiles via pre-insertion, post-insertion and post-conjugation techniques and liposomes were characterized for size, surface charge, homogeneity, siRNA encapsulation efficiency and retention and cell associative properties. Herein we demonstrate that pre-insertion of stearylated R8 into PLPs is an efficient method to produce non-cationic CPP-PLPs and we provide additional assembly parameter specifications for a modified ethanol injection technique that is optimized for siRNA encapsulation/retention and enhanced cell association. This assembly technique could provide improved clinical translation of liposomal based gene therapy applications.

Gene therapy promises accurate, targeted administration and overcoming drug resistance in diverse cancer cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moataz Dowaidar
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Clinical Research ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cationic Lipids ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Genetic Components ◽  
Wide Range

Nucleic acid-based therapeutics such as siRNA and miRNA employ the silencing capabilities of the RNAi mechanism to affect the expression of one gene or several genes in target cells. Nucleic acid-based therapies enable accurate, targeted administration and overcoming drug resistance in diverse cancer cells. Several studies have shown that they can be utilized alongside pharmacological therapy to increase the efficacy of existing therapies. In addition, nucleic acid-based therapies have the potential to widen the spectrum of druggable targets for a range of diseases and emerge as a novel therapeutic technique for treating a number of diseases that are today untreatable. Nucleic acids are dependent on their effective distribution to target cells, which need correct complexation and encapsulation in a delivery mechanism. Although nucleic acids exist in a variety of forms and sizes, their physical and chemical commonality allow them to be loaded into a wide range of delivery vehicles. The primary biomaterials used to encapsulate genetic components were cationic lipids and polymers. Furthermore, the experiments focused particularly on effective transfection in target cells.Recent breakthroughs in NP-based RNA therapeutics have spurred a flood of clinical research, facing many challenges. In vivo, pharmacokinetics of different RNA-based medications must be researched to establish the viability and therapeutic potential of nucleic acid-based therapeutics. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently authorized many NP-based gene therapy. In 2019, Novartis authorized Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi) to treat spinal muscle atrophy. The first clinical research employing siRNA began in 2004 and is considered a milestone in nucleic acid-based drug development. Thirty clinical investigations have subsequently been completed. In 2018, the US FDA cleared Onpattro (Patisiran, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of polyneuropathy caused by transthyretin amyloidosis.Several new generations of nucleic acid compositions employing polymer nanoparticles or liposomes are presently undergoing clinical testing. If allowed, the debut of nucleic acid-based treatments would represent a watershed event in immunotherapy. Advances in the design and development of biocompatible nanomaterials would allow us to overcome the above-mentioned problems and so show the potential to deliver nucleic acids in the treatment of a number of illnesses.

scholarly journals Role of Lipid-Based and Polymer-Based Non-Viral Vectors in Nucleic Acid Delivery for Next-Generation Gene Therapy

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 2866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aniket Wahane ◽  
Akaash Waghmode ◽  
Alexander Kapphahn ◽  
Karishma Dhuri ◽  
Anisha Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Cationic Lipids ◽  
Nucleic Acid Delivery ◽  
Nucleic Acid Analogs ◽  
Organ Specific ◽  
Interfering Rna

The field of gene therapy has experienced an insurgence of attention for its widespread ability to regulate gene expression by targeting genomic DNA, messenger RNA, microRNA, and short-interfering RNA for treating malignant and non-malignant disorders. Numerous nucleic acid analogs have been developed to target coding or non-coding sequences of the human genome for gene regulation. However, broader clinical applications of nucleic acid analogs have been limited due to their poor cell or organ-specific delivery. To resolve these issues, non-viral vectors based on nanoparticles, liposomes, and polyplexes have been developed to date. This review is centered on non-viral vectors mainly comprising of cationic lipids and polymers for nucleic acid-based delivery for numerous gene therapy-based applications.

scholarly journals Delivery of self-amplifying mRNA vaccines by cationic lipid nanoparticles: The impact of cationic lipid selection

2020 ◽  
Vol 325 ◽  
pp. 370-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Lou ◽  
Giulia Anderluzzi ◽  
Signe Tandrup Schmidt ◽  
Stuart Woods ◽  
Simona Gallorini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cationic Lipid ◽  
Lipid Nanoparticles ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Investigating the Impact of Delivery System Design on the Efficacy of Self-Amplifying RNA Vaccines

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Anderluzzi ◽  
Gustavo Lou ◽  
Simona Gallorini ◽  
Michela Brazzoli ◽  
Russell Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Transfection Efficiency ◽  
Polymeric Nanoparticles ◽  
Cationic Lipid ◽  
Antigen Expression ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Humoral And Cellular Immunity ◽  
The Impact

messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccines combine the positive attributes of both live-attenuated and subunit vaccines. In order for these to be applied for clinical use, they require to be formulated with delivery systems. However, there are limited in vivo studies which compare different delivery platforms. Therefore, we have compared four different cationic platforms: (1) liposomes, (2) solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), (3) polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) and (4) emulsions, to deliver a self-amplifying mRNA (SAM) vaccine. All formulations contained either the non-ionizable cationic lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) or dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA) and they were characterized in terms of physico-chemical attributes, in vitro transfection efficiency and in vivo vaccine potency. Our results showed that SAM encapsulating DOTAP polymeric nanoparticles, DOTAP liposomes and DDA liposomes induced the highest antigen expression in vitro and, from these, DOTAP polymeric nanoparticles were the most potent in triggering humoral and cellular immunity among candidates in vivo.

Optimization of phospholipid chemistry for improved lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery of messenger RNA (mRNA)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ester Alvarez Benedicto ◽  
Lukas Farbiak ◽  
Martha Marquez Ramirez ◽  
Xu Wang ◽  
Lindsay Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Lipid Nanoparticles ◽  
Nucleic Acid Delivery ◽  
Lipid Nanoparticle

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been established as an essential platform for nucleic acid delivery. Efforts have led to the development of vaccines that protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection using LNPs to...

Asymmetric cationic lipid based non-viral vectors for an efficient nucleic acid delivery

RSC Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (81) ◽  
pp. 77841-77848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakeshchandra R. Meka ◽  
Sudhakar Godeshala ◽  
Srujan Marepally ◽  
Ketan Thorat ◽  
Hari Krishna Reddy Rachamalla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Cationic Lipid ◽  
Cationic Lipids ◽  
Nucleic Acid Delivery

Cationic lipids have been extensively studied for their ability to complex with nucleic acids to condense and consequently deliver them into the cells.

scholarly journals Improvement of mRNA Delivery Efficiency to a T Cell Line by Modulating PEG-Lipid Content and Phospholipid Components of Lipid Nanoparticles

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2097
Author(s):  
Hiroki Tanaka ◽  
Ryo Miyama ◽  
Yu Sakurai ◽  
Shinya Tamagawa ◽  
Yuta Nakai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Gene Transfection ◽  
Lipid Nanoparticles ◽  
Jurkat Cells ◽  
Target Antigen ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Exogenous Dna

(1) Background: T cells are important target cells, since they exert direct cytotoxic effects on infected/malignant cells, and affect the regulatory functions of other immune cells in a target antigen-specific manner. One of the current approaches for modifying the function of T cells is gene transfection by viral vectors. However, the insertion of the exogenous DNA molecules into the genome is attended by the risk of mutagenesis, especially when a transposon-based gene cassette is used. Based on this scenario, the transient expression of proteins by an in vitro-transcribed messenger RNA (IVT-mRNA) has become a subject of interest. The use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for the transfection of IVT-mRNA is one of the more promising strategies for introducing exogenous genes. In this study, we report on the development of LNPs with transfection efficiencies that are comparable to that for electroporation in a T cell line (Jurkat cells). (2) Methods: Transfection efficiency was improved by optimizing the phospholipids and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-conjugated lipid components. (3) Results: Modification of the lipid composition resulted in the 221-fold increase in luciferase activity compared to a previously optimized formulation. Such a high transfection activity was due to the efficient uptake by clathrin/dynamin-dependent endocytosis and the relatively efficient escape into the cytoplasm at an early stage of endocytosis.

scholarly journals Successful reprogramming of cellular protein production through mRNA delivered by functionalized lipid nanoparticles

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (15) ◽  
pp. E3351-E3360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Yanez Arteta ◽  
Tomas Kjellman ◽  
Stefano Bartesaghi ◽  
Simonetta Wallin ◽  
Xiaoqiu Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Angle ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Surface Composition ◽  
Cationic Lipid ◽  
Lipid Nanoparticles ◽  
Cellular Protein ◽  
Human Adipocytes ◽  
Characteristic Distance

The development of safe and efficacious gene vectors has limited greatly the potential for therapeutic treatments based on messenger RNA (mRNA). Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) formed by an ionizable cationic lipid (here DLin-MC3-DMA), helper lipids (distearoylphosphatidylcholine, DSPC, and cholesterol), and a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) lipid have been identified as very promising delivery vectors of short interfering RNA (siRNA) in different clinical phases; however, delivery of high-molecular weight RNA has been proven much more demanding. Herein we elucidate the structure of hEPO modified mRNA-containing LNPs of different sizes and show how structural differences affect transfection of human adipocytes and hepatocytes, two clinically relevant cell types. Employing small-angle scattering, we demonstrate that LNPs have a disordered inverse hexagonal internal structure with a characteristic distance around 6 nm in presence of mRNA, whereas LNPs containing no mRNA do not display this structure. Furthermore, using contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering, we show that one of the lipid components, DSPC, is localized mainly at the surface of mRNA-containing LNPs. By varying LNP size and surface composition we demonstrate that both size and structure have significant influence on intracellular protein production. As an example, in both human adipocytes and hepatocytes, protein expression levels for 130 nm LNPs can differ as much as 50-fold depending on their surface characteristics, likely due to a difference in the ability of LNP fusion with the early endosome membrane. We consider these discoveries to be fundamental and opening up new possibilities for rational design of synthetic nanoscopic vehicles for mRNA delivery.

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