Lactosome-Conjugated siRNA Nanoparticles for Photo-Enhanced Gene Silencing in Cancer Cells

The A₃B-type Lactosome comprised of poly(sarcosine)₃-block-poly(l-lactic acid), a biocompatible and biodegradable polymeric nanomicelle, was reported to accumulate in tumors in vivo via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Recently, the cellular uptake of Lactosome particles was enhanced through the incorporation of a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP), L7EB1. However, the ability of Lactosome as a drug delivery carrier has not been established. Herein, we have developed a method to conjugate the A₃B-type Lactosome with ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) siRNA for inducing in vitro apoptosis in the cancer cell lines PANC-1 and NCI-H226. The L7EB1 peptide facilitates the cellular uptake efficiency of Lactosome but does not deliver siRNA into cytosol. To establish the photoinduced cytosolic dispersion of siRNA, a photosensitizer loaded L7EB1-Lactosome was prepared, and the photosensitizer 5,10,15,20-tetra-kis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (TPFPP) showed superiority in photoinduced cytosolic dispersion. We exploited the combined effects of enhanced cellular uptake by L7EB1 and photoinduced endosomal escape by TPFPP to efficiently deliver ABCG2 siRNA into the cytosol for gene silencing. Moreover, the silencing of ABCG2, a protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) transporter, also mediated photoinduced cell death via 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-mediated PpIX accumulated photodynamic therapy (PDT). The synergistic capability of the L7EB1/TPFPP/siRNA-Lactosome complex enabled both gene silencing and PDT.     

Effect of PEGylation on Biodistribution and Gene Silencing of siRNA/Lipid Nanoparticle Complexes

Purpose

To determine the influence of physicochemical properties of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) carrying siRNA on their gene silencing in vivo. Mechanistic understanding of how the architecture of the nanoparticle can alter gene expression has also been studied.

Methods

The effect of 3-N-[(ω-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)2000)carbamoyl]-1,2-dimyristyloxy-propylamine (PEG-C-DMA) on hepatic distribution and FVII gene silencing was determined. FVII mRNA in hepatocytes and liver tissues was determined by Q-PCR. Hepatic distribution was quantified by FACS analysis using Cy5 labeled siRNA.

Results

Gene silencing was highly dependent on the amount of PEG-C-DMA present. FVII gene silencing inversely correlated to the amount of PEG-C-DMA in LNPs. High FVII gene silencing was obtained in vitro and in vivo when the molar ratio of PEG-C-DMA to lipid was 0.5 mol%. Surprisingly, PEGylation didn’t alter the hepatic distribution of the LNPs at 5 h post administration. Instead the amount of PEG present in the LNPs has an effect on red blood cell disruption at low pH.

Conclusion

Low but sufficient PEG-C-DMA amount in LNPs plays an important role for efficient FVII gene silencing in vivo. PEGylation did not alter the hepatic distribution of LNPs, but altered gene silencing efficacy by potentially reducing endosomal disruption.     

Establishment of an Evaluation Method for Gene Silencing by Serial Pulmonary Administration of siRNA and pDNA Powders: Naked siRNA Inhalation Powder Suppresses Luciferase Gene Expression in the Lung

In order to evaluate the in vivo effect of inhaled formulations, it is a gold standard to create a lung metastasis model by intravenously injecting cancer cells into an animal. Because the cancer grows from the blood vessel side, there is a possibility of underestimating the effect of an inhaled formulation administered to the lung epithelium side. In addition, the metastasis model has disadvantages in terms of preparation time and expense. The present study aimed to establish a new method to evaluate the effect of an inhaled small interfering RNA (siRNA) formulation that is more correct, more rapid, and less expensive. We investigated whether siRNA can suppress gene expression of plasmid DNA (pDNA) by serial pulmonary administration of siRNA and pDNA powders prepared by spray-freeze-drying. We revealed that formulations of dry siRNA powder significantly suppressed gene expression of pDNA powder compared with a control group with no siRNA. Naked siRNA inhalation powder with no vector showed the suppression of gene expression equivalent to that of an siRNA-polyethyleneimine complex without damaging tissues. These results show that the present method is suitable for evaluating the gene-silencing effect of inhaled siRNA powders.     

载基因壳聚糖纳米粒的制备及其相关性质的研究

目的：制备壳聚糖载基因纳米粒，并对其体外相关性质进行初步研究。方法：采用复凝聚法制备载基因纳米粒；用纳米粒度仪测量粒度分布，分散性和Zeta电位；用透射电镜观察粒子的形态；用紫外分光光度法和比色法测定包封率和载药量，并对主要影响因素进行考察。用凝胶阻滞分析和电性结合分析对载药方式进行初步推测。结果：所制备的载基因纳米粒形态规则，大多呈球形，纳米粒平均粒径为263．2nm，粒径分布较窄，多分散度为0．213，Zeta电位为19．8mV；包封率大于90％，载药量约30％；凝胶阻滞和电性结合分析结果表明，非甲基化胞嘧啶鸟嘌呤的寡核苷酸链（CPG-ODN）与壳聚糖分子间可通过电性结合作用而完全结合。结论：采用复凝聚法可制备粒度分布均匀，形态规则，具有较高包封率和载药量的载基因壳聚糖纳米粒；电性结合作用是载基因壳聚糖纳米粒载药的主要方式。     

Enhancement of Nasal Absorption of Insulin Using Chitosan Nanoparticles

Purpose. To investigate the potential of chitosan nanoparticles as a system for improving the systemic absorption of insulin following nasal instillation. Methods. Insulin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionotropic gelation of chitosan with tripolyphosphate anions. They were characterized for their size and zeta potential by photon correlation spectroscopy and laser Doppler anemometry, respectively. Insulin loading and release was determined by the microBCA protein assay. The ability of chitosan nanoparticles to enhance the nasal absorption of insulin was investigated in a conscious rabbit model by monitoring the plasma glucose levels. Results. Chitosan nanoparticles had a size in the range of 300–400 nm, a positive surface charge and their insulin loading can be modulated reaching values up to 55% [insulin/nanoparticles (w/w): 55/100]. Insulin association was found to be highly mediated by an ionic interaction mechanism and its release in vitro occurred rapidly in sink conditions. Chitosan nanoparticles enhanced the nasal absorption of insulin to a greater extent than an aqueous solution of chitosan. The amount and molecular weight of chitosan did not have a significant effect on insulin response. Conclusions. Chitosan nanoparticles are efficient vehicles for the transport of insulin through the nasal mucosa.     

注射用小干扰核糖核酸脂质体药效学研究

目的利用乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）转基因鼠模型，研究注射用小干扰核糖核酸（siRNA）脂质体药物的抗HBV作用。方法对M—TgHBV转基因小鼠静脉给予不同剂量的注射用siRNA脂质体药物，在给药的不同时间点采血测定乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原（HBsAg），在最后一天取部分鼠肝脏进行免疫组化分析：结果与给药前比较，试验药物2mg／kg组（A组）HBsAg表达水平在第9天和第12天时明显降低（P〈0．05），在第15天时降低非常明显（P〈0．01），试验药物1mg／kg及0．5mg／kg组（B，C组）、阳性药物（拉米夫定）组（F组）在第15天时均显著降低（P〈0．05）；免疫组化分析结果表明，相对于阴性对照组（G组），肝内HBsAg表达抑制率A组为48．44％，B组为36．73％。结论注射用siRNA脂质体在转基因鼠中的抗HBV作用明显.     

siRNA沉默CD147基因对肝癌细胞的影响

目的 观察小分子干扰RNA(siRNA)沉默CD147基因在肝癌细胞HepG2中的表达,探讨CD147基因对肝癌细胞生长、凋亡的影响.方法 根据CD147 cDNA序列设计具有短发夹结构的两条DNA序列,与载体pSileneerTM4.1-CMV neo构建重组表达载体,鉴定后转染至HepG2细胞,Western blotting法检测抑制效果,MTT法检测细胞增殖情况,流式细胞术检测肿瘤细胞凋亡情况.结果 成功构建了针对CD147基因表达的干扰质粒,有效抑制了HepG2细胞增殖,促进了HepG2细胞凋亡.结论 CD147靶向RNA干扰重组表达栽体为肝癌的基因治疗提供了可能.     

Enhanced Gene and siRNA Delivery by Polycation-Modified Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with Chloroquine

Purpose  

To prepare mesoporous silica-based delivery systems capable of simultaneous delivery of drugs and nucleic acids.     

去甲基斑蝥素N-乳糖酰壳聚糖纳米粒的吸收机制及小鼠抑瘤作用研究

目的:研究去甲基斑蝥素N-乳糖酰壳聚糖纳米粒(NCTD-GC-NPs)的吸收机制和小鼠抑瘤作用。方法:以表观透过系数为指标,考察NCTD-GC-NPs(80μg·mL-1)及其分别与环孢素A(50μmol·L-1)、去氧胆酸钠(100mmol·L-1)、叠氮化钠(25mmol·L-1)、氧化苯胂(25mmol·L-1)联用后对结肠癌Caco-2细胞转运的影响;将接种肝癌细胞H22后的小鼠随机分为空白组、对照组(NCTD原料药2mg·kg-1)和NCTD-GC-NPs低、中、高剂量组(0.5、2、4mg·kg-1),每组10只,每日灌胃给药1次,连续给药8d,考察各组小鼠体重和抑瘤率。结果:环孢素A、去氧胆酸钠和叠氮化钠均能明显促进NCTD-GC-NPs在Caco-2细胞的转运(P<0.05或P<0.01),氧化苯胂对转运无明显影响;各组小鼠体重无明显变化;与对照组比较,NCTD-GC-NPs中、高剂量组的抑瘤率明显增强(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论:NCTD-GC-NPs主要通过主动转运穿过小肠上皮细胞,能明显抑制肝癌肿瘤细胞H22的生长。     

壳寡糖-水杨酸接枝物纳米粒用于释放阿霉素的研究

目的 考察壳寡糖/水杨酸纳米粒负载碱化阿霉素的可能性,评价制备而得的微粒给药系统理化性质及其体外释放行为。方法 以碳二亚胺为交联偶合剂合成壳寡糖/水杨酸接枝共聚物,三硝基苯磺酸法测定水杨酸接枝率。运用超声分散法制备壳寡糖/水杨酸空白纳米粒,芘荧光法测定纳米粒临界聚集浓度,动态光散射法测定微粒粒径和表面电位,MTT法考察空白纳米粒的细胞毒性。以碱化阿霉素为模型药物,透析法制备壳寡糖/水杨酸载药纳米粒,经透射电镜考察载药纳米粒的形态,对其体外释放行为进行了研究。结果 合成得到的壳寡糖分子量=9000/水杨酸理论投料量=50%的实际接枝率为16.92%,空白纳米粒的临界聚集浓度为867.0 μg/mL,空白纳米粒的粒径和表面Zeta电位分别为434.0 nm和48.6 mV,对人肝癌细胞Hep-G2的半数抑制浓度为1745μg/mL。在碱化阿霉素理论投药量为10%时壳寡糖/水杨酸载药纳米粒的实际载药量为8.52%,包封率为93.15%。;载药纳米粒的粒径和表面电位分别为214.2 nm和33.6 mV。体外释放结果表明药物的释放呈现pH敏感性;并主要以溶蚀的方式从载体内部释放出来。结论 壳寡糖/水杨酸接枝物可以有效包裹碱化阿霉素并成为粒径均一的纳米粒给药系统。载药纳米粒具有pH敏感和缓释作用。壳寡糖/水杨酸接枝物有望成为潜在的难溶性药物的载体材料。     

Alginate/Chitosan Nanoparticles are Effective for Oral Insulin Delivery

Purpose To evaluate the pharmacological activity of insulin-loaded alginate/chitosan nanoparticles following oral dosage in diabetic rats. Methods Nanoparticles were prepared by ionotropic pre-gelation of an alginate core followed by chitosan polyelectrolyte complexation. In vivo activity was evaluated by measuring the decrease in blood glucose concentrations in streptozotocin induced, diabetic rats after oral administration and flourescein (FITC)-labelled insulin tracked by confocal microscopy. Results Nanoparticles were negatively charged and had a mean size of 750 nm, suitable for uptake within the gastrointestinal tract due to their nanosize range and mucoadhesive properties. The insulin association efficiency was over 70% and insulin was released in a pH-dependent manner under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Orally delivered nanoparticles lowered basal serum glucose levels by more than 40% with 50 and 100 IU/kg doses sustaining hypoglycemia for over 18 h. Pharmacological availability was 6.8 and 3.4% for the 50 and 100 IU/kg doses respectively, a significant increase over 1.6%, determined for oral insulin alone in solution and over other related studies at the same dose levels. Confocal microscopic examinations of FITC-labelled insulin nanoparticles showed clear adhesion to rat intestinal epithelium, and internalization of insulin within the intestinal mucosa. Conclusion The results indicate that the encapsulation of insulin into mucoadhesive nanoparticles was a key factor in the improvement of its oral absorption and oral bioactivity.     

Nasal Delivery of Insulin Using Novel Chitosan Based Formulations: A Comparative Study in Two Animal Models Between Simple Chitosan Formulations and Chitosan Nanoparticles

Purpose. To investigate whether the widely accepted advantages associated with the use of chitosan as a nasal drug delivery system, might be further improved by application of chitosan formulated as nanoparticles. Methods. Insulin-chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by the ionotropic gelation of chitosan glutamate and tripolyphosphate pentasodium and by simple complexation of insulin and chitosan. The nasal absorption of insulin after administration in chitosan nanoparticle formulations and in chitosan solution and powder formulations was evaluated in anaesthetised rats and/or in conscious sheep. Results. Insulin-chitosan nanoparticle formulations produced a pharmacological response in the two animal models, although in both cases the response in terms of lowering the blood glucose levels was less (to 52.9 or 59.7% of basal level in the rat, 72.6% in the sheep) than that of the nasal insulin chitosan solution formulation (40.1% in the rat, 53.0% in the sheep). The insulin-chitosan solution formulation was found to be significantly more effective than the complex and nanoparticle formulations. The hypoglycaemic response of the rat to the administration of post-loaded insulin-chitosan nanoparticles and insulin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles was comparable. As shown in the sheep model, the most effective chitosan formulation for nasal insulin absorption was a chitosan powder delivery system with a bioavailability of 17.0% as compared to 1.3% and 3.6% for the chitosan nanoparticles and chitosan solution formulations, respectively. Conclusion. It was shown conclusively that chitosan nanoparticles did not improve the absorption enhancing effect of chitosan in solution or powder form and that chitosan powder was the most effective formulation for nasal delivery of insulin in the sheep model.     

Modulating GSH Synthesis Using Glutamate Cysteine Ligase Transgenic and Gene-Targeted Mice

Glutathione (GSH) is an important antioxidant and cofactor for glutathione S-transferase conjugation. GSH synthesis is catalyzed by glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL), composed of catalytic (GCLC) and modifier (GCLM) subunits. Transgenic mice that conditionally over express GCL subunits are protected from acetaminophen induced liver injury. Gclm null mice exhibit low GSH levels and enhanced sensitivity to acetaminophen. When Gclm expression and GCL activity are restored in Gclm conditional transgenic X Gclm null mice, they become resistant to APAP-induced liver damage. These animal models are a valuable resource for investigating the role of GSH synthesis in modulating oxidative damage and drug-induced hepatotoxicity.     

Hyaluronic Acid/Chitosan-g-Poly(ethylene glycol) Nanoparticles for Gene Therapy: An Application for pDNA and siRNA Delivery

Purpose  

To design hyaluronic acid (HA) and chitosan-g-poly(ethylene glycol) (CS-g-PEG) nanoparticles intended for a broad range of gene delivery applications.     

Disulfide-Based Poly(amido amine)s for siRNA Delivery: Effects of Structure on siRNA Complexation, Cellular Uptake, Gene Silencing and Toxicity

Purpose

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process by which small interfering RNAs (siRNA) induce sequence-specific gene silencing. Therefore, siRNA is an emerging promise as a novel therapeutic. In order to realize the high expectations for therapeutic applications, efficient delivery systems for siRNA are necessary.

Methods

In this study, a new series of biodegradable poly(amido amine)s with disulfide linkages in the backbone was synthesized out of N,N??-cystaminebisacrylamide (CBA), 4-amino-1-butanol (ABOL) and ethylene diamine (EDA). Effects of different percentages of butanolic side chains and protonatable fragments in the main chain on siRNA complexation, cellular uptake, gene silencing and toxicity were investigated.

Results

Incorporation of EDA in the polymer resulted in increased siRNA condensation. Efficient siRNA condensation was shown to be necessary for cellular uptake; however, excess of polymer decreased siRNA uptake for polymers with high amounts of EDA. Silencing efficiency did not correlate with uptake, since silencing increased with increasing w/w ratio for all polymers. More than 80% knockdown was found for polyplexes formed with polymers containing 25% or 50% EDA, which was combined with low cytotoxicity.

Conclusions

Poly(amido amine)s with minor fractions of protonatable fragments in the main chain are promising carriers for delivery of siRNA.     

Chitosan and Chitosan/Ethylene Oxide-Propylene Oxide Block Copolymer Nanoparticles as Novel Carriers for Proteins and Vaccines

Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between the components of novel chitosan (CS) and CS/ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer (PEO-PPO) nanoparticles and to evaluate their potential for the association and controlled release of proteins and vaccines. Methods. The presence of PEO-PPO on the surface of the nanoparticles and its interaction with the CS was identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The mechanism of protein association was elucidated using several proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA), and tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, and varying the formulation conditions (different pH values and concentrations of PEO-PPO), and the stage of protein incorporation into the nanoparticles formation medium. Results. BSA and tetanus and diphtheria toxoids were highly associated with CS nanoparticles partly due to electrostatic interactions between the carboxyl groups of the protein and the amine groups of CS. PEO-PPO also interacted electrostatically with CS, thus competing with the proteins for association with CS nanoparticles. A visible amount of PEO-PPO was projected towards the outer phase of the nanoparticles. Proteins were released from the nanoparticles at an almost constant rate, the intensity of which was closely related to the protein loading. Furthermore, the tetanus vaccine was released in the active form for at least 15 days. Conclusions. CS and CS/PEO-PPO nanoparticles prepared by a very mild ionic crosslinking technique are novel and suitable systems for the entrapment and controlled release of proteins and vaccines.     

Pulmonary Adenomas in A/J Mice Treated with Silica

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to test the pulmonary tumor response to intratracheal instilled silica in Strain A mice. Urethane was used as a positive control. Silica treatment was utilized to evaluate the effect of a potent fibrogen on pulmonary adenoma formation in this unique animal model. Urethane produced an increase in pulmonary tumor response in this study in agreement with previous investigations. Also, the background incidence of adenomas was comparable to other studies. Silica treatment did not affect tumor incidence either in terms of percent of mice with adenomas or average number of adenomas per mouse.