Efficient Intracellular Gene Delivery Using the Formulation Composed of Poly (L-glutamic Acid) Grafted Polyethylenimine and Histone

Purpose  

Inefficient endosomal escape and poor nuclear import are thought to contribute to low gene transfer efficiency of polycations. To overcome these drawbacks, we prepared multiple gene delivery formulations including low cytotoxic polycation, histone containing NLSs and chloroquine as the endosomolytic agent.     

Learning from the Viral Journey: How to Enter Cells and How to Overcome Intracellular Barriers to Reach the Nucleus

Viruses deliver their genome into host cells where they subsequently replicate and multiply. A variety of relevant strategies have evolved by which viruses gain intracellular access and utilize cellular machinery for the synthesis of their genome. Therefore, the viral journey provides insight into the cell’s trafficking machinery and how it can be best exploited to improve nonviral gene delivery systems. This review summarizes viral internalization pathways and intracellular trafficking of viruses, with an emphasis on the endosomal escape processes of nonenveloped viruses. Intracellular events from viral entry through nuclear delivery of the viral complementary DNA are also discussed.     

Gene-delivery systems using cationic polymers

Gene therapy will benefit a range of diseases from single-gene defects, to chronic diseases such as cancer, to vaccination. Initially, gene therapy used viral vectors, but the advantages of nonviral systems are now being fully appreciated. This review focuses on cationic polymers as a delivery system for DNA. The physicochemical characterization of DNA polycation complexes that condense and protect DNA from nuclease digestion are considered, together with further factors such as ligand targeting, endosomal escape, and nuclear localization. Where possible, the relative efficacy of different cationic polymer delivery systems is compared.     

Calcium condensation of DNA complexed with cell-penetrating peptides offers efficient, noncytotoxic gene delivery

Drug delivery strategies using cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been widely explored to improve the intracellular delivery of a large number of cargo molecules. Electrostatic complexation of plasmid DNA using CPPs has been less explored due to the relatively large complexes formed and the low levels of gene expression achieved when using these low-molecular-weight polycations as DNA condensing agents. Here, condensing nascent CPP polyplexes using CaCl(2) produced small and stable nanoparticles leading to gene expression levels higher than observed for control polyethylenimine gene vectors. This simple formulation approach showed negligible cytotoxicity in A549 lung epithelial cells and maintained particle size and transfection efficiency even in the presence of serum.     

Trileucine residues in a ligand-CPP-based siRNA delivery platform improve endosomal escape of siRNA

siRNA entrapment within endosomes is a significant problem encountered with siRNA delivery platforms that co-opt receptor-mediated entry pathways. Attachment of a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP), such as nona-arginine (9R) to a cell receptor-binding ligand like the Rabies virus glycoprotein, RVG, allows effective siRNA delivery to the cytoplasm by non-endocytic pathways, but a significant amount of siRNA complexes also enters the cell by ligand-induced receptor endocytosis and remain localized in endosomes. Here, we report that the incorporation of trileucine (3 Leu) residues as an endo-osmolytic moiety in the peptide improves endosomal escape and intracellular delivery of siRNA. The trileucine motif did not affect early non-endosomal mechanism of cytoplasmic siRNA delivery but enhanced target gene silencing by?>20% only beyond 24?h of transfection when siRNA delivery is mostly through the endocytic route and siRNA trapped in the endosomes at later stages were subject to release into cytoplasm. The mechanism may involve endosomal membrane disruption as trileucine residues lysed RBCs selectively under endosomal pH conditions. Interestingly?<3 Leu or?>3 Leu residues were not as effective, suggesting that 3 Leu residues are useful for enhancing cytoplasmic delivery of siRNA routed through endosomes.     

Effect of the anchor in polyethylene glycol-lipids on the transfection activity of PEGylated cationic liposomes encapsulating DNA

The use of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified lipids (PEG-lipids) as a component of cationic liposomes impairs the cytoplasmic delivery of the encapsulated cargos by reducing endosomal escape. While this results in a loss of gene expression of encapsulated plasmid DNA, PEG-modification is useful in that it permits the formation of small, stabilized particles. In the present study, the dilemma associated with the use of PEG was overcome by modifying liposomes with stearylated INF7 (STR-INF7), a membrane fusion-independent destabilizer of endosomes, and substituting hydrophobic lipid-anchors in the PEG-lipid. The cationic liposomes modified with a series of PEG-lipids showed a drastically impaired transgene expression. However, the incorporation of STR-INF7 recovered the gene expression, and this was found to be mainly dependent on the type of PEG lipid-anchor used. Of note, the fold increase in transfection activity was highest in cholesterol-anchored PEG (>100-fold), whose enhanced endosomal escape was followed by imaging techniques. These data suggest that the structure of lipid-anchors in PEG affects the action of the peptides for inducing of endosomal escape.     

Cellular siRNA delivery using cell-penetrating peptides modified for endosomal escape

RNAi-mediated silencing of specific genes is a promising strategy for gene therapy. To utilize RNAi for therapy, an efficient and safe method for delivery of RNA into the cell cytosol is necessary. The plasma membrane is the primary, and most difficult, barrier for RNA to cross, because negatively charged RNA is strongly repulsed by the negatively charged membrane. A variety of cationic polymers can be used as RNA carriers by interacting with RNA and covering its negative charges to form a cell-penetrating complex. Among the emerging candidates for RNA carriers are cationic cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), which can cross the plasma membrane and internalize into cells together with RNA. This review focuses on CPP-based RNA delivery strategies. In using CPP-based RNA delivery, most of the RNA internalized by the cell is entrapped in endosomes. Strategies for endosomal escape of RNAs are also reviewed.     

Bioplex technology: novel synthetic gene delivery pharmaceutical based on peptides anchored to nucleic acids

Non-viral gene delivery is an important approach in order to establish safe in vivo gene therapy in the clinic. Although viral vectors currently exhibit superior gene transfer efficacy, the safety aspect of viral gene delivery is a concern. In order to improve non-viral in vivo gene delivery we have designed a pharmaceutical platform called Bioplex (biological complex). The concept of Bioplex is to link functional entities via hybridising anchors, such as Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNA), directly to naked DNA. In order to promote delivery functional entities consisting of biologically active peptides or carbohydrates, are linked to the PNA anchor. The PNA acts as genetic glue and hybridises with DNA in a sequence specific manner. By using functional entities, which elicit receptor-mediated endocytosis, improved endosomal escape and enhance nuclear entry we wish to improve the transfer of genetic material into the cell. An important aspect is that the functional entities should also have tissue-targeting properties in vivo. Examples of functional entities investigated to date are the Simian virus 40 nuclear localisation signal to improve nuclear uptake and different carbohydrate ligands in order to achieve receptor specific uptake. The delivery system is also endowed with regulatory capability, since the release of functional entities can be controlled. The aim is to create a safe, pharmaceutically defined and stable delivery system for nucleic acids with enhanced transfection properties that can be used in the clinic.     

Insight into Polycation Chain Length Affecting Transfection Efficiency by O-Methyl-Free N,N,N-Trimethyl Chitosans as Gene Carriers

Purpose

The structure–function relationship and mechanism of polycations as gene carriers have attracted considerable research interest in recent years. The present study was to investigate the relationship between polycation chain length and transfection efficiency (R_CL-TE), and the corresponding mechanism by O-methyl-free N,N,N-trimethyl chitosans (TMCs) as gene carriers.

Methods

Four TMCs with various chain lengths were synthesized and used to evaluate the R_CL-TE. To investigate the details of R_CL-TE, a number of factors such as cytotoxicity, cellular uptake efficiency, cellular uptake pathway and intracellular trafficking, were evaluated.

Results

In comparison to short chain length TMCs (S-TMCs), long chain length ones (L-TMCs) mediated higher gene expression. The polyplexes formed by L-TMCs and pDNA showed higher stability. The cellular uptake pathway and intracellular trafficking of these TMC/pDNA polyplexes were different. These above factors are probably the key ones in R_CL-TE rather than polycation–DNA binding affinity, polyplex particle size in water, zeta potential, serum, cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake efficiency.

Conclusions

For rational design of chitosan-based polycations as gene carriers, polycations with relative long chain lengths are more favorable and more attention should be paid to polyplex stability, function of uncomplexed polycation chains, cellular uptake pathway, and intracellular trafficking.     

Pharmaceutical and biological properties of poly(amino acid)/DNA polyplexes

Physicochemical properties of polyplexes formed between pRSVlacZ and poly(amino acid)s were investigated as a paradigm of more complex, synthetic virus-like, DNA delivery systems, that are of interest to many gene delivery laboratories. We observed the interaction between polymer and DNA using ethidium exclusion, and determined the size distributions and the zeta potentials of polyplexes. We correlated these properties with their fundamental interactions with cultured B16 murine melanoma cells, and the resulting efficiency of transfection. A variety of poly(amino acid)s each condensed DNA to produce particles with mean hydrodynamic diameters of approximately 100 nm (a typical span of a population was 80-120nm). Poly(amino acid) polyplexes were unstable in electrolyte solutions such as cell culture media. The apparent particle size increased in electrolyte, depending on the charge ratio, to diameters up to 700 nm. This was thought to be due to aggregation, since neutral particles were most sensitive. When the charge ratio (+/-) exceeded unity polyplexes had positive zeta potentials (which peaked at approximately +30 mV), bound non-specifically to cells, were internalised and in the presence of an endosomolytic agent were able to transfect cells. Though all cationic poly(amino acid)s investigated formed polyplexes with similar physical properties, their biological properties were significantly different. Polyplexes prepared with poly-L-ornithine were the most effective transfection agents, but poly(lys-co-ala, 1: 1) systems appeared to be inactive. This may reflect the differences in uncoupling of DNA and polymer, which is expected to be necessary for passage through the nuclear pore. Uncoupling of polycation and DNA was investigated by exposing the complexes to dextran sulphate. Release of DNA was detected by increased fluorescence at 600 nm in the presence of ethidium. Release of DNA was incomplete from polyplexes formed with high molecular weight polylysine. This may explain the lower levels of transfection observed with high molecular weight polylysine. The significance of these observations for design of advanced non-viral gene delivery systems is discussed.     

Fine-tuning of proton sponges by precise diaminoethanes and histidines in pDNA polyplexes

The cationizable nature of ‘proton-sponge’ transfection agents facilitates pDNA delivery in several steps. Protonated amines account for electrostatic DNA binding and cellular uptake, buffering amines mediate polyplex escape from acidifying intracellular vesicles. As demonstrated with a sequence-defined library of oligo(ethanamino)amides containing selected oligoethanamino acids and histidines, the total protonation capacity as well as the cationization pH profile within the endolysosomal range have critical impact on gene transfer. Building blocks with even numbered amine groups (Gtt, Sph) exhibited higher total endolysosomal buffer capacity than odd number (Stp) analogs. Within the endolysosomal range, Gtt has the highest buffer capacity around pH 5, whereas Stp has its maximum around pH 7. Histidines increased the total buffer capacity, resulted in a more continuous cationization pH profile and greatly improved transgene expression in vitro and in vivo. Using receptor targeted and polyethylene glycol shielded polyplexes, better endosomal escape and > 100-fold enhanced transfection was detected.From the Clinical EditorProton-sponge transfection agents for pDNA delivery are characterized in this study, demonstrating over 100-fold enhanced transection and better endosomal escape by using receptor targeted and polyethylene glycol shielded polyplexes.     

Design and gene delivery activity of modified polyethylenimines.

The polycation polyethylenimine (PEI) has recently been widely employed for the design of DNA delivery vehicles. Gene delivery using PEI involves condensation of DNA into compact particles, uptake into the cells, release from the endosomal compartment into the cytoplasm, and uptake of the DNA into the nucleus. Particularly for in vivo gene delivery, optimal coordination and timing between DNA complexation for protection of the DNA from nucleases and the disassembly of the complexes is essential. For in vivo application, DNA complexes have to pass a variety of anatomical and physiological barriers, and an environment of biological fluids and extracellular matrix before reaching their targets. Furthermore, targeted gene delivery is seriously hampered by non-specific interactions with non-target cells. Strategies have been developed to protect transfection complexes from non-specific interactions and to increase target specificity and gene expression.     

Block and graft copolymers and NanoGel copolymer networks for DNA delivery into cell

Self-assembling complexes from nucleic acids and synthetic polymers are evaluated for plasmid and oligonucleotide (oligo) delivery. Polycations having linear, branched, dendritic. block- or graft copolymer architectures are used in these studies. All these molecules bind to nucleic acids due to formation of cooperative systems of salt bonds between the cationic groups of the polycation and phosphate groups of the DNA. To improve solubility of the DNA/polycation complexes, cationic block and graft copolymers containing segments from polycations and non-ionic soluble polymers, for example, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were developed. Binding of these copolymers with short DNA chains, such as oligos, results in formation of species containing hydrophobic sites from neutralized DNA polycation complex and hydrophilic sites from PEO. These species spontaneously associate into polyion complex micelles with a hydrophobic core from neutralized polyions and a hydrophilic shell from PEO. Such complexes are very small (10-40 nm) and stable in solution despite complete neutralization of charge. They reveal significant activity with oligos in vitro and in vivo. Binding of cationic copolymers to plasmid DNA forms larger (70-200 nm) complexes. which are practically inactive in cell transfection studies. It is likely that PEO prevents binding of these complexes with the cell membranes ("stealth effect"). However attaching specific ligands to the PEO-corona can produce complexes, which are both stable in solution and bind to target cells. The most efficient complexes were obtained when PEO in the cationic copolymer was replaced with membrane-active PEO-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-PEO molecules (Pluronic 123). Such complexes exhibited elevated levels of transgene expression in liver following systemic administration in mice. To increase stability of the complexes, NanoGel carriers were developed that represent small hydrogel particles synthesized by cross-linking of PEI with double end activated PEO using an emulsification/solvent evaporation technique. Oligos are immobilized by mixing with NanoGel suspension, which results in the formation of small particles (80 nm). Oligos incorporated in NanoGel are able to reach targets within the cell and suppress gene expression in a sequence-specific fashion. Further. loaded NanoGel particles cross-polarized monolayers of intestinal cells (Caco-2) suggesting potential usefulness of these systems for oral administration of oligos. In conclusion the approaches using polycations for gene delivery for the design of gene transfer complexes that exhibit a very broad range of physicochemical and biological properties, which is essential for design of a new generation of more effective non-viral gene delivery systems.     

Strategies to Improve DNA Polyplexes for in Vivo Gene Transfer: Will “Artificial Viruses” Be the Answer?

For the purpose of introducing nucleic acids into cells, cationic polymers have been steadily improved as gene carriers. This has resulted in improved polymer-based gene transfer formulations, termed polyplexes, which efficiently transfect cell cultures and also have shown encouraging gene transfer potential in in vivo administration. Targeted delivery to liver, lung, tumor, or other tissues has been achieved in experimental animals by localized or systemic application. Therapeutic effect has been demonstrated, although efficiencies are still too low to justify clinical use. The limitations of first-generation polymeric carriers (modest activity and significant toxicity) have been addressed by developments of new biodegradable polycations, incorporation of targeting and intracellular transport functions, and polyplex formulations that avoid unspecific adverse interactions with the host. A key future step will be the development of polyplexes into artificial viruses, with virus-like entry functions presented by smart polymers and polymer conjugates. These polymers have to sense their biologic microenvironment, respond in a more dynamic manner to alterations in pH, ionic or redox environment, undergoing programmed structural changes compatible with the different gene delivery steps.     

Structure and design of polycationic carriers for gene delivery

The development of safe and effective gene delivery methods is a major challenge to enable gene therapy or DNA vaccines to become a reality. Currently there are two major approaches for delivery of genetic material, viral and non-viral. The majority of on-going clinical trials in gene therapy or DNA vaccines use retroviruses and adenoviruses for delivering genetic materials. Viral delivery systems are far more effective than non-viral delivery however there are concerns regarding toxicity, immunogenicity and possible integration of viral genetic material into the human genome. Given the negative charge of the phosphate backbone of DNA, polycationic molecules have been the major focus as carriers of DNA. There are several physiological barriers to overcome for effective systemic delivery of DNA. The ideal vector must be stable in the systemic circulation, escape the reticuloendothelial system, able to extravasate tissues, enter the target cell, escape lysosomal degradation and transport DNA to the nucleus to be transcribed. With increasing understanding of the physicochemical properties essential to overcome the various barriers, it is possible to apply rational design to the cationic carriers. A number of poly-amino acids, cationic block co-polymers, dendrimers and cyclodextrins have been rationally designed to optimize gene delivery. This review will discuss approaches that have been used to design various synthetic polycations with enhanced DNA condensing ability, serum stability and endosomolytic capability for efficient gene transfer in vitro and in vivo.     

葡聚糖-精胺阳离子聚合物基因载体体外基因转染的研究

本文研究了葡聚糖-精胺阳离子聚合物(DSP)基因载体的性能及其对体外细胞基因的转染效率。氧化葡聚糖与精胺通过还原胺化法反应制得DSP，所得DSP与质粒pEGFP通过静电吸附形成复合物；当DSP/DNA质量比在4∶1至20∶1，能形成稳定的复合物，复合物粒径为162.6～187.9 nm，zeta电位则从+8.45 mV增至+39.6 mV；DSP能有效保护DNA不受核酸酶I降解，同时在一定pH范围内载体具有较强的缓冲能力；复合物在质量比为8∶1时对SMMC-7721肝癌细胞、BHK-21细胞的转染率分别达到最高，其效果均与Lipofectamine 2000相当。该研究表明葡聚糖-精胺阳离子聚合物是一种高效的基因载体。     

Intracellular partitioning of cell organelles and extraneous nanoparticles during mitosis

The nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of nanoparticles as a result of cell division is highly relevant to the field of nonviral gene delivery. We reviewed the literature on the intracellular distribution of cell organelles (the endosomal vesicles, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus), foreign macromolecules (dextrans and plasmid DNA) and inorganic nanoparticles (gold, quantum dot and iron oxide) during mitosis. For nonviral gene delivery particles (lipid- or polymer-based), indirect proof of nuclear entry during mitosis is provided. We also describe how retroviruses and latent DNA viruses take advantage of mitosis to transfer their viral genome and segregate their episomes into the host daughter nuclei. Based on this knowledge, we propose strategies to improve nonviral gene delivery in dividing cells with the ultimate goal of designing nonviral gene delivery systems that are as efficient as their viral counterparts but non-immunogenic, non-oncogenic and easy and inexpensive to prepare.     

Targeted delivery to the nucleus

Macromolecules and supramolecular complexes are frequently required to enter and exit the nucleus during normal cell function, but access is restricted and exchange to and from the nucleus is tightly controlled. We describe the mechanisms which regulate nuclear import of endogenous molecules and indicate how viruses exploit these mechanisms during their life cycle. Opportunities exist to make use of natural pathways for delivery of therapeutic entities, in particular to develop safe and effective methods for gene therapy, although past attempts to design non-viral nuclear delivery systems have met with limited success. To increase the likelihood of success scientists will need an appreciation of the mechanisms by which viruses deliver their genomes to the nucleus, and will need a commitment to control the architecture of non-viral delivery systems at the molecular level. Effective delivery systems will require several attributes to facilitate endosomal escape, microtubular transport and uptake through the nuclear pore complex. The published literature provides a strong foundation for design of nuclear targeting systems. The challenge faced by delivery scientists is to assemble a system which is as effective as, for example, the adenovirus but which lacks its immunogenicity. This article reviews the relevant literature and indicates key areas for future research.     

Methods to follow intracellular trafficking of cell-penetrating peptides

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are efficient vehicles to transport bioactive molecules into the cells. Despite numerous studies the exact mechanism by which CPPs facilitate delivery of cargo to its intracellular target is still debated. The current work presents methods that can be used for tracking CPP/pDNA complexes through endosomal transport and show the role of endosomal transport in the delivery of cargo. Separation of endosomal vesicles by differential centrifugation enables to pinpoint the localization of delivered cargo without labeling it and gives important quantitative information about pDNA trafficing in certain endosomal compartments. Single particle tracking (SPT) allows following individual CPP/cargo complex through endosomal path in live cells, using fluoresently labled cargo and green fluoresent protein expressing cells. These two different methods show similar results about tested NickFect/pDNA complexes intracellular trafficing. NF51 facilitates rapid internalization of complexes into the cells, prolongs their stay in early endosomes and promotes release to cytosol. NF1 is less capable to induce endosomal release and higher amount of complexes are routed to lysosomes for degradation. Our findings offer potential delivery vector for in vivo applications, NF51, where endosomal entrapment has been allayed. Furthermore, these methods are valuable tools to study other CPP-based delivery systems.