Recent advances in lipid nanoparticles for delivery of nucleic acid,mRNA, and gene editing-based therapeutics

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are becoming popular as a means of delivering therapeutics, including those based on nucleic acids and mRNA. The mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines are perfect examples to highlight the role played by drug delivery systems in advancing human health. The fundamentals of LNPs for the delivery of nucleic acid- and mRNA-based therapeutics, are well established. Thus, future research on LNPs will focus on addressing the following: expanding the scope of drug delivery to different constituents of the human body, expanding the number of diseases that can be targeted, and studying the change in the pharmacokinetics of LNPs under physiological and pathological conditions. This review article provides an overview of recent advances aimed at expanding the application of LNPs, focusing on the pharmacokinetics and advantages of LNPs. In addition, analytical techniques, library construction and screening, rational design, active targeting, and applicability to gene editing therapy have also been discussed.     

AuNP flares-capped mesoporous silica nanoplatform for MTH1 detection and inhibition

The human mutT homologue MTH1, a nucleotide pool sanitizing enzyme, represents a vulnerability factor and an attractive target for anticancer therapy. However, there is currently a lack of selective and effective platforms for the detection and inhibition of MTH1 in cells. Here, we demonstrate for the first time a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) flares-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) nanoplatform that is capable of detecting MTH1 mRNA and simultaneously suppressing MTH1 activity. The AuNP flares are made from AuNPs that are functionalized with a dense shell of MTH1 recognition sequences hybridized to short cyanine (Cy5)-labeled reporter sequences and employed to seal the pores of MSN to prevent the premature MTH1 inhibitors (S-crizotinib) release. Just like the pyrotechnic flares that produce brilliant light when activated, the resulting AuNP flares@MSN (S-crizotinib) undergo a significant burst of red fluorescence enhancement upon MTH1 mRNA binding. This hybridization event subsequently induces the opening of the pores and the release of S-crizotinib in an mRNA-dependent manner, leading to significant cytotoxicity in cancer cells and improved therapeutic response in mouse xenograft models. We anticipate that this nanoplatform may be an important step toward the development of MTH1-targeting theranostics and also be a useful tool for cancer phenotypic lethal anticancer therapy.     

Genotoxicity of synthetic amorphous silica nanoparticles in rats following short‐term exposure. Part 1: Oral route

Synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) in its nanosized form is now used in food applications although the potential risks for human health have not been evaluated. In this study, genotoxicity and oxidative DNA damage of two pyrogenic (NM‐202 and 203) and two precipitated (NM‐200 and ‐201) nanosized SAS were investigated in vivo in rats following oral exposure. Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg b.w./day for three days by gavage. DNA strand breaks and oxidative DNA damage were investigated in seven tissues (blood, bone marrow from femur, liver, spleen, kidney, duodenum, and colon) with the alkaline and the (Fpg)‐modified comet assays, respectively. Concomitantly, chromosomal damage was investigated in bone marrow and in colon with the micronucleus assay. Additionally, malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation marker, was measured in plasma. When required, a histopathological examination was also conducted. The results showed neither obvious DNA strand breaks nor oxidative damage with the comet assay, irrespective of the dose and the organ investigated. Similarly, no increases in chromosome damage in bone marrow or lipid peroxidation in plasma were detected. However, although the response was not dose‐dependent, a weak increase in the percentage of micronucleated cells was observed in the colon of rats treated with the two pyrogenic SAS at the lowest dose (5 mg/kg b.w./day). Additional data are required to confirm this result, considering in particular, the role of agglomeration/aggregation of SAS NMs in their uptake by intestinal cells. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:218–227, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

利用纳米颗粒的光核反应实现原位活化治疗的可行性研究

目的:利用蒙特卡罗程序Geant4模拟13.5 MeV和6 MeV X射线照射细胞内的纳米颗粒，分析其光核反应的剂量贡献份额。方法:以纳米金颗粒（GNP）为例，分别模拟6 MeV和13.5 MeV照射细胞内的GNP，给出各自条件下由GNP造成的剂量贡献。创建水模体（0.426 mm×0.426 mm×0.426 mm），包含1 103个细胞，作为GNP的载体。在6 MeV和13.5 MeV下分别模拟细胞中包含和不包含GNP所造成的剂量沉积。结果:13.5 MeV X射线照射，其由GNP造成的剂量贡献为5.12 cGy，细胞总能量沉积为25.37 cGy，由GNP引起的剂量贡献占20.19%；6 MeV X射线照射，其由GNP造成的剂量贡献为2.87 cGy，细胞总能量沉积为23.05 cGy，由GNP造成剂量贡献约为12.46%。与6 MeV相比，13.5 MeV下由GNP光核反应造成的剂量贡献占7.7%。结论:对于细胞模型内纳米金的研究表明，GNP确实能引起额外的剂量贡献。由于GNP光核反应引起的剂量贡献很低，难以作为能够被原位激活的放射源使用。     

含银介孔二氧化硅-壳聚糖复合材料的制备与性能研究

目的探讨含银介孔二氧化硅-壳聚糖复合材料(Ag/MSN-Chi)的制备方法及其微观表征、细胞毒性、吸水性能、抗菌性能及止血性能。 方法以正硅酸乙酯为前驱体，十六烷基三甲基溴化铵为致孔剂，采用离子交换法在介孔二氧化硅纳米粒子(MSN)中引入银离子，制备出具有抗菌作用的新型有序的含银介孔二氧化硅纳米粒子(Ag/MSN)材料。再利用烷基化壳聚糖负载Ag/MSN，制备出Ag/MSN-Chi。根据所用材料不同将实验分为实验组和空白对照组，实验组又分为3个亚组：MSN组、Ag/MSN组、Ag/MSN-Chi组，空白组为不加任何材料的阳性对照。计算MSN和Ag/MSN的比表面积、孔容、孔径和Ag/MSN与Ag/MSN-Chi的电荷。并通过吸水实验、体外凝血实验、抗菌实验对MSN、Ag/MSN和Ag/MSN-Chi的细胞毒性、吸水性能、止血性能及抗菌性能进行评价，计算细胞相对存活率、吸水率、凝血酶原时间(PT)、凝血活酶时间(APTT)及抑菌率。取健康成年新西兰大白兔18只，随机分成3组：对照组(采用医用纱布处理)、Ag/MSN组(采用Ag/MSN处理)、Ag/MSN-Chi组(采用Ag/MSN-Chi处理)，每组6只，建立肝创伤出血模型，计算止血时间。数据比较采用方差分析和t检验。 结果MSN的比表面积为(523.8±12.4) m²/g、孔容为(1.2±0.4) m³/g、孔径为(3.5±0.9) nm；Ag/MSN的比表面积为(521.6±11.7) m²/g、孔容为(1.15±0.5) m³/g、孔径为(3.6±0.7) nm，2种材料的比表面积、孔容、孔径比较差异均无统计学意义(t＝0.224、0.135、0.015，P值均大于0.05)。经测量，Ag/MSN的Zeta电位为－19.7 mV，Ag/MSN-Chi的Zeta电位为10.27 mV，表明Ag/MSN表面电荷从负值变为正值。Ag/MSN-Chi组、Ag/MSN组和MSN组与小鼠成肌细胞共培养1、4、7 d的细胞相对存活率比较，差异均无统计学意义(F＝2.61、4.72、3.52, P值均大于0.05)。Ag/MSN组吸水率分别与MSN组和Ag/MSN-Chi组比较，差异均无统计学意义(t＝0.482、1.159，P值均大于0.05)。经检测，Ag/MSN-Chi组、Ag/MSN组、MSN组和空白对照组的PT比较，差异无统计学意义(F＝10.28，P>0.05)；Ag/MSN-Chi组、Ag/MSN组、MSN组和空白对照组APTT分别为(20.9±2.1)、(28.5±3.4)、(31.4±2.6)、(38.7±2.5) s，4组比较差异有统计学意义(F＝8.70，P<0.05)；Ag/MSN-Chi组、Ag/MSN组、MSN组APTT分别与空白对照组比较，差异均有统计学意义(t＝9.443、4.186、3.506，P值均小于0.05)；Ag/MSN-Chi组APTT与Ag/MSN组比较，差异有统计学意义(t＝3.294，P<0.05)。MSN组在培养0.5、2、4、6、24 h 5个时间点抑菌率比较差异无统计学意义(F＝5.437，P>0.05)；培养0.5 h，Ag/MSN组和Ag/MSN-Chi组抑菌率分别为(99.7±5.2)%、(97.1±5.4)%，与培养0.5 h MSN组抑菌率(11.2±5.8)%比较，差异均有统计学意义(t＝19.678、18.775, P值均小于0.05)；培养24 h，Ag/MSN组和Ag/MSN-Chi组抑菌率分别为(73.2±5.1)%和(72.9±6.9)%，与MSN组(11.8±5.7)%比较，差异均有统计学意义(t＝13.904、11.825, P值均小于0.05)。Ag/MSN-Chi组、Ag/MSN组和对照组止血时间分别为(12.3±1.5)、(17.2±3.4)、(28.1±3.8) s，3组比较差异有统计学意义(F＝5.892，P<0.05)；Ag/MSN-Chi组和Ag/MSN组止血时间分别与对照组比较，差异均有统计学意义(t＝9.473、5.236, P值均小于0.05)；且Ag/MSN-Chi组与Ag/MSN组止血时间比较，差异有统计学意义(t＝3.230，P<0.05)。 结论Ag/MSN-Chi在不增加细胞毒性的基础上具有有较好的吸水性能、止血性能及抗菌性能。     

阿昔洛韦-乙交酯-丙交酯共聚物毫微粒制备工艺的优化选择

目的：筛选制备阿昔洛韦－乙交酯－丙交酯共聚物毫微粒（ＡＣＶ－ＰＬＧＡ－ＮＰ）的优化工艺。方法：单因素试验初选制备ＡＣＶ－ＰＬＧＡ－ＮＰ的ｐＨ值范围、聚乙烯醇（Ｐｏｌｙｖｉｎｙｌ ａｌｃｏｈｏｌ,ＰＶＡ）浓度范围、ＰＬＧＡ分子量、药物及丙酮浓度范围。按均匀设计表设计实验,进行结果预测及验证。结果：优化工艺与ＰＬＧＡ分子量及丙酮浓度无关,ｐＨ值为１．５,ＰＶＡ浓度为５０ｍｇ／ｍｌ,ＡＣＶ浓度为０．８ｍ     

Clonazepam release from core-shell type nanoparticlesin vitro

AB-type amphiphilic copolymers (abbreviated as LE) composed of poly (L-leucine) (PLL) as the A component and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) as the B component were synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of L-leucine N-carboxy-anhydride initiated by methoxy polyoxyethylene amine (Me-PEO-NH₂) and characterized. Core-shell type nanoparticles were prepared by the diafiltration method. Particle size distribution obtained by dynamic light scattering was dependent on PLL composition and the size for LE-1, LE-2 and LE-3 was 369.6±267, 523.4±410 and 561.2±364 nm, respectively. Shapes of the nanoparticles observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) were almostly spherical. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the nanoparticles determined by a fluorescence probe technique was dependent on the composition of hydrophobic PLL, and the CMC for LE-1, LE-2 and LE-3 was 2. 0×10⁻⁶, 1.7×10⁻⁶ and 1.5×10⁻⁶ (mol/l), respectively. Clonazepam release from core-shell type nanoparticles in vitro was dependent on PLL composition and drug loading content.     

Mucoadhesion of Latexes. I. Analytical Methods and Kinetic Studies

A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy/attenuated total reflection technique for direct quantification of adsorbed poly(styrene) latexes on rat intestinal mucosa was developed for deposited latex amounts up to 1.5 g/m². The method agreed well with another dosage assay of adsorbed particles by turbidimetry after denaturation of the mucus. Adsorption kinetics were made under static conditions at latex concentrations of 4 g/L in physiological saline. Ninety percent of equilibrium was reached after 10 min for a particle size of 230 nm, 20 min for a size of 320 nm, and 30 min for a size of 670 nm. The plateaus were between 0.6 and 0.9 g/m² (adsorbed mass per apparent surface of mucosa). The first phase of the kinetics was theoretically approached by a diffusion model in the suspension medium. Mucosa from rat jejunum and ileum could be considered as a homogeneous biological model for latex adsorption.     

125I-白蛋白-黄芪多糖毫微粒在小鼠体内分布的研究

用乳液固化方法制备了１２５Ｉ－牛血清白蛋白－黄芪多糖毫微粒,透射电子显微镜测得粒径为（１６８±６２）ｎｍ,小鼠口服毫微粒（１４８×１０８Ｂｑ／只）后,主要分布在肝、脾、肺中,而心、脑组织中有少量分布。微观放射自显影实验结果表明,毫微粒分布在肝脏的Ｋｕｆｅｒｓ细胞和肝实质细胞中,以及在肺和脾脏的吞噬细胞中。实验数据用３Ｐ８７程序处理,按血管外给药开放二室模型计算得代谢动力参数,Ｔｍａｘ为２．１１ｈ,Ｃｍａｘ为２．４３×１０７Ｂｑ,ｔ１／２为９．３３ｈ,曲线下面积为３．７×１０９Ｂｑ。