scholarly journals Cationic Nanostructures for Vaccines Design

Biomimetics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Carmona-Ribeiro ◽  
Yunys Pérez-Betancourt

Subunit vaccines rely on adjuvants carrying one or a few molecular antigens from the pathogen in order to guarantee an improved immune response. However, to be effective, the vaccine formulation usually consists of several components: an antigen carrier, the antigen, a stimulator of cellular immunity such as a Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) ligand, and a stimulator of humoral response such as an inflammasome activator. Most antigens are negatively charged and combine well with oppositely charged adjuvants. This explains the paramount importance of studying a variety of cationic supramolecular assemblies aiming at the optimal activity in vivo associated with adjuvant simplicity, positive charge, nanometric size, and colloidal stability. In this review, we discuss the use of several antigen/adjuvant cationic combinations. The discussion involves antigen assembled to (1) cationic lipids, (2) cationic polymers, (3) cationic lipid/polymer nanostructures, and (4) cationic polymer/biocompatible polymer nanostructures. Some of these cationic assemblies revealed good yet poorly explored perspectives as general adjuvants for vaccine design.

Author(s):  
Jing Wu ◽  
Shuhe Wang ◽  
Xiang Li ◽  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Jie Yang ◽  
...  

BC15-31 is a DNA aptamer that targets heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1), which plays a crucial role in the process of pre-RNA maturation and is also essential for the rapid proliferation of tumor cells. In this research, we modified BC15-31 with a phosphorothioate (PS) backbone, LNA, and 2-O-MOE to enhance its stability and target affinity. In addition, a neutral cytidinyl lipid (DNCA) and a cationic lipid (CLD) were mixed to encapsulate modified aptamers with the aim of improving their cell permeability with low toxicity. Under the DNCA/CLD package, aptamers are mainly distributed in the nucleus. A modified sequence WW-24 showed an excellent selective anti-melanoma (A375 cells, ∼25 nM, 80%) activity, targeted to both hnRNP A1 and hnRNP A2/B1 found by the BLI experiment, and induced more early and late apoptosis in vitro, which also showed stronger antitumor effect and longer accumulation time in vivo. These results provide a new strategy for further clinical applications.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 729
Author(s):  
Natalia Sánchez-Arribas ◽  
María Martínez-Negro ◽  
Clara Aicart-Ramos ◽  
Conchita Tros de Ilarduya ◽  
Emilio Aicart ◽  
...  

Ample evidence exists on the role of interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the response against many pathogens, as well as on its remarkable antitumor properties. However, the unexpected toxicity and disappointing results in some clinical trials are prompting the design of new strategies and/or vectors for IL-12 delivery. This study was conceived to further endorse the use of gemini cationic lipids (GCLs) in combination with zwitterionic helper lipid DOPE (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidyl ethanol amine) as nanovectors for the insertion of plasmid DNA encoding for IL-12 (pCMV-IL12) into cells. Optimal GCL formulations previously reported by us were selected for IL-12-based biophysical experiments. In vitro studies demonstrated efficient pCMV-IL12 transfection by GCLs with comparable or superior cytokine levels than those obtained with commercial control Lipofectamine2000*. Furthermore, the nanovectors did not present significant toxicity, showing high cell viability values. The proteins adsorbed on the nanovector surface were found to be mostly lipoproteins and serum albumin, which are both beneficial to increase the blood circulation time. These outstanding results are accompanied by an initial physicochemical characterization to confirm DNA compaction and protection by the lipid mixture. Although further studies would be necessary, the present GCLs exhibit promising characteristics as candidates for pCMV-IL12 transfection in future in vivo applications.


2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Madhusudhana Rao ◽  
Vijaya Gopal

Cationic lipids are conceptually and methodologically simple tools to deliver nucleic acids into the cells. Strategies based on cationic lipids are viable alternatives to viral vectors and are becoming increasingly popular owing to their minimal toxicity. The first-generation cationic lipids were built around the quaternary nitrogen primarily for binding and condensing DNA. A large number of lipids with variations in the hydrophobic and hydrophilic region were generated with excellent transfection efficiencies in vitro. These cationic lipids had reduced efficiencies when tested for gene delivery in vivo. Efforts in the last decade delineated the cell biological basis of the cationic lipid gene delivery to a significant detail. The application of techniques such as small angle X-ray spectroscopy (SAXS) and fluorescence microscopy, helped in linking the physical properties of lipid:DNA complex (lipoplex) with its intracellular fate. This biological knowledge has been incorporated in the design of the second-generation cationic lipids. Lipid-peptide conjugates (peptoids) are effective strategies to overcome the various cellular barriers along with the lipoplex formulations methodologies. In this context, cationic lipid-mediated gene delivery is considerably benefited by the methodologies of liposome-mediated drug delivery. Lipid mediated gene delivery has an intrinsic advantage of being a biomimetic platform on which considerable variations could be built to develop efficient in vivo gene delivery protocols.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinan Zhao ◽  
Shubiao Zhang ◽  
Yuan Zhang ◽  
Shaohui Cui ◽  
Huiying Chen ◽  
...  

A novel tri-peptide cationic lipid can efficiently transfer DNA and siRNA into tumor cells and tumors of mice with little in vitro and in vivo toxicity.


Author(s):  
Kishan Veerabrahma ◽  
Swapna Madishetty ◽  
Muzammil Afzal Syed ◽  
Prabhakar Kandadi

Cationic nanoemulsions were reported to have increased bioavailability. The aim of present study was to prepare a cationic lipid nanoemulsion of diclofenac acid (LNEs) for improved oral bioavailability to treat arthritic conditions. The LNEs of diclofenac acid were prepared by using soya bean oil, egg lecithin, cholesterol and stearylamine. Stearylamine was used as positive charge inducer. The LNEs were processed by homogenization and ultrasonication. The formulation composition was selected based on earlier reports. The LNEs were characterized for size and zeta potential. The physical stability of LNEs was studied using autoclaving, centrifugal, desorption (dilution effect) stresses and on storage. The total drug content and entrapment efficiency were determined using HPLC. During in vivo studies in Wistar rats, the pharmacokinetic parameters of LNEs were compared with a prepared diclofenac suspension in sodium CMC mucilage. The selected formulations, F1, F2 and F3, were relatively stable during centrifugal stress, dilution stress and on storage. The drug content was found to be 2.38 ± 1.70 mg/ml for F1, 2.30 ± 0.82 mg/ml for F2, and 2.45 ± 0.66 mg/ml for F3. The entrapment efficiencies were 97.83 ± 0.53%, 97.87 ± 1.22% and 98.25 ± 0.21% for F1, F2 and F3 respectively. The cumulative percentage drug release from F1, F2 and F3 showed more release in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer than in pH 1.2 HCl. During oral bioavailability studies, the LNEs showed higher serum concentrations than a suspension. The relative bioavailability of the LNE formulations F1, F2 and F3 were found to be 2.35, 2.94 and 6.28 times that of F4 suspension and were statistically significant. Of all, the cationic lipid nanoemulsion (F3) was superior in improving bioavailability, when compared with plain emulsion (F1) and cholesterol containing LNE (F2). The study helps in designing the cationic oral nanoemulsions to improve the oral bioavailability of diclofenac.


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Noriko Nakamura ◽  
Yuki Mochida ◽  
Kazuko Toh ◽  
Shigeto Fukushima ◽  
Horacio Cabral ◽  
...  

Self-assembled supramolecular structures based on polyion complex (PIC) formation between oppositely charged polymers are attracting much attention for developing drug delivery systems able to endure harsh in vivo environments. As controlling polymer complexation provides an opportunity for engineering the assemblies, an improved understanding of the PIC formation will allow constructing assemblies with enhanced structural and functional capabilities. Here, we focused on the influence of the mixing charge ratio between block aniomers and catiomers on the physicochemical characteristics and in vivo biological performance of the resulting PIC micelles (PIC/m). Our results showed that by changing the mixing charge ratio, the structural state of the core was altered despite the sizes of PIC/m remaining almost the same. These structural variations greatly affected the stability of the PIC/m in the bloodstream after intravenous injection and determined their biodistribution.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Jared S. Stine ◽  
Bryan J. Harper ◽  
Cathryn G. Conner ◽  
Orlin D. Velev ◽  
Stacey L. Harper

Lignin is the second most abundant biopolymer on Earth after cellulose. Since lignin breaks down in the environment naturally, lignin nanoparticles may serve as biodegradable carriers of biocidal actives with minimal environmental footprint compared to conventional antimicrobial formulations. Here, a lignin nanoparticle (LNP) coated with chitosan was engineered. Previous studies show both lignin and chitosan to exhibit antimicrobial properties. Another study showed that adding a chitosan coating can improve the adsorption of LNPs to biological samples by electrostatic adherence to oppositely charged surfaces. Our objective was to determine if these engineered particles would elicit toxicological responses, utilizing embryonic zebrafish toxicity assays. Zebrafish were exposed to nanoparticles with an intact chorionic membrane and with the chorion enzymatically removed to allow for direct contact of particles with the developing embryo. Both mortality and sublethal endpoints were analyzed. Mortality rates were significantly greater for chitosan-coated LNPs (Ch-LNPs) compared to plain LNPs and control groups. Significant sublethal endpoints were observed in groups exposed to Ch-LNPs with chorionic membranes intact. Our study indicated that engineered Ch-LNP formulations at high concentrations were more toxic than plain LNPs. Further study is warranted to fully understand the mechanisms of Ch-LNP toxicity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 045006
Author(s):  
Thoko Malinga ◽  
Tukayi Kudanga ◽  
Londiwe Simphiwe Mbatha

Abstract Bimetallic nanosized delivery systems are attracting a lot of research interest as alternatives to monometallic delivery systems. This study evaluated the ability of bimetallic selenium silver chitosan pegylated folic acid targeted nanoparticles (SeAgChPEGFA NPs) to deliver doxorubicin (DOX) in cervical cancer cells. Comparison studies using monometallic selenium chitosan pegylated folic acid (SeChPEGFA NPs) targeted NPs and free DOX were also conducted. The prepared NPs and their drug nanocomplexes were characterised morphologically and physico-chemically. Drug binding and releasing studies were conducted under a simulated environment in vitro. The cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies were studied using the 3-[(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)−2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay and the dual dye staining. The findings revealed that the bimetallic SeAgChPEGFA NPs displayed better colloidal stability, superior physico-chemical qualities, and higher binding abilities in comparison with monometallic SeChPEGFA NPs. In addition, the SeAgChPEGFA NPs showed the pH-triggered controlled drug release and cell-specific cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that the bimetallic NPs are superior delivery systems when compared to their monometallic NPs and free drug counterparts, thus, setting a platform for further in vivo examination.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Martínez-Negro ◽  
Laura Blanco-Fernández ◽  
Paolo Tentori ◽  
Lourdes Pérez ◽  
Aurora Pinazo ◽  
...  

This work reports the synthesis of a novel gemini cationic lipid that incorporates two histidine-type head groups (C3(C16His)2). Mixed with a helper lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidyl ethanol amine (DOPE), it was used to transfect three different types of plasmid DNA: one encoding the green fluorescence protein (pEGFP-C3), one encoding a luciferase (pCMV-Luc), and a therapeutic anti-tumoral agent encoding interleukin-12 (pCMV-IL12). Complementary biophysical experiments (zeta potential, gel electrophoresis, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and fluorescence anisotropy) and biological studies (FACS, luminometry, and cytotoxicity) of these C3(C16His)2/DOPE-pDNA lipoplexes provided vast insight into their outcomes as gene carriers. They were found to efficiently compact and protect pDNA against DNase I degradation by forming nanoaggregates of 120–290 nm in size, which were further characterized as very fluidic lamellar structures based in a sandwich-type phase, with alternating layers of mixed lipids and an aqueous monolayer where the pDNA and counterions are located. The optimum formulations of these nanoaggregates were able to transfect the pDNAs into COS-7 and HeLa cells with high cell viability, comparable or superior to that of the standard Lipo2000*. The vast amount of information collected from the in vitro studies points to this histidine-based lipid nanocarrier as a potentially interesting candidate for future in vivo studies investigating specific gene therapies.


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