Title:Enhanced Antisense Oligonucleotide Delivery Using Cationic Liposomes Incorporating Fatty Acid-Modified Polyethylenimine
Volume: 15
Issue: 9
Author(s): Zhihua Guo, Yujing Li, Yige Fu, Tianqi Guo, Xin Li, Shuang Yang and Jing Xie
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Antisense oligonucleotide delivery, cancer, cationic liposomes, polyethylenimine.
Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have promising therapeutic potential in oncotherapy. However, low stability
and efficacy limit their application in the clinic. Cationic liposomes have been investigated as delivery vehicles for
ASOs. Here, we report the synthesis and evaluation of an ASO delivery vehicle comprising cationic liposomes incorporating
fatty acid-modified polyethylenimine. An oleic acid derivative of branched polyethylenimine (PEI-OA) and a linoleic
acid derivative of branched polyethylenimine (PEI-LA) were synthesized and incorporated into liposomes. The PEImodified
liposomes were synthesized by an ethanol injection method with composition of PEI-modified lipid/Chol/TPGS.
The properties of these liposomes, including cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, ASO target silencing activity, based on mRNA
and protein downregulation, were investigated. LOR-2501, an ASOs targeting ribonucleotide reductase R1 subunit (R1)
was used as the therapeutic cargo. The PEI-modified liposomes showed relatively compact particle size and excellent colloidal
stability for at least 25 days. PEI-modified liposomes effectively delivered LOR-2501 into KB cells and efficiently
induced down-regulation of R1 mRNA and protein. Compared with regular cationic liposomes, PEI-modified liposomes
was more effective, reducing R1 mRNA and protein by ~10%.