包载紫杉醇PLGA纳米粒的制备工艺优化及表征

以生物可降解材料乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物[poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid),PLGA]为载体材料,采用乳化-溶剂挥发法制备包载紫杉醇(PTX)的PLGA微球(PTX-PLGANPs)。采用正交实验设计,考察乳化剂质量浓度、PLGA与紫杉醇质量比、油相用量、剪切速度4个因素对粒径和载药率的影响,优化纳米粒最佳制备工艺。研究结果表明:当PLGA与PTX的质量比为4∶1,聚乙烯醇PVA用量0.1%,二氯甲烷用量为4mL,剪切速度为16000r·min^-1是纳米粒的最佳制备工艺。最佳工艺条件下的PTX-PLGANPs多批次重复实验得到PLGA-NPs粒径分布为(207.1±20.5)nm,Zeta电位为(-23.8±2.5)mV,载药量为(14.45±0.04)%。制得的PTX-PLGANPs均匀圆整、理化性质稳定。冻干粉复溶溶液12h粒径变化不大,具有良好的药物稳定性,为新型抗肿瘤缓释制剂的研发提供实验基础。     

载基因壳聚糖纳米粒的制备及免疫增强作用的初步研究

摘 要 目的: 制备壳聚糖载基因纳米粒,并对其体外转染效率及其在小鼠体内的免疫增强效果进行初步研究。方法: 以本课题组构建的口蹄疫DNA疫苗为模型药物,采用复凝聚法制备纳米粒;用透射电镜观察形态;用纳米粒度分析仪测定粒径、多分散度和zeta电位;凝胶阻滞分析测定基因在纳米粒中的位置;用体外基因转染实验评价纳米粒的转染活性。用载基因壳聚糖纳米粒免疫雌性Balb/c小鼠,检测免疫小鼠的细胞免疫和体液免疫水平。结果: 所制备的载基因纳米粒形态规则、大多成球形,平均粒径约为150nm,多分散度＜0.26,zeta电位约为21mV;凝胶分析结果表明质粒DNA与壳聚糖分子间可以通过电性结合作用而完全结合,基因几乎全部被包裹在纳米粒内部;体外基因转染实验表明壳聚糖作为一种新型的非病毒基因递送载体能够高效传递DNA进入BHK-21细胞,基因能够在该细胞中高效表达;小鼠免疫实验表明纳米粒不仅能诱导机体产生较高的细胞免疫水平,而且体液免疫水平也显著提高。结论: 壳聚糖纳米粒能将基因递送到细胞内并且能够表达,小鼠免疫实验显示其具有良好的免疫增强效果。     

聚合物脂质纳米球的制备优化

目的:制备粒径均一且稳定、载药率和包埋率较高的聚合物脂质纳米球。方法:将HSPC(氢化大豆卵磷脂)与PLGA(聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物)两种材料结合,利用超声复乳法制备聚合物脂质纳米球,采用响应面法优化最佳制备工艺;以HSPC(氢化大豆卵磷脂)与PLGA(聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物)的比例、PVA浓度、超声功率为条件优化制备参数,以粒径为响应值。结果:优化后的最佳工艺参数为:HSPC与PLGA的比例为1:10,PVA浓度为0.66%,超声功率为51.34%(205.36 W)。结论:按最优工艺制备出的聚合物脂质纳米粒的粒径为230 nm左右,多分散系数(PDI)值为0.057,与预测值偏差较小,且粒径分布均一,可作为蛋白及多肽类药物的递送载体。     

12－烷基化壳聚糖纳米粒-反义内皮素转换酶核酸表达质粒的制备及其性质的研究

摘要：目的：气道给予12－烷基化壳聚糖纳米粒（12－ACSs）包裹的反义内皮素转换酶（ECE）核酸表达质粒,观察对OVA致敏的小鼠变应性气道炎症的影响。方法：通过透射电镜观察12－ACSs/ 反义 ECE质粒复合体纳米粒的形成、形态及大小;应用凝胶阻滞、结合平衡、DNA沉淀和DNA酶消化实验等检测12－ACSs对反义ECE核酸表达质粒的结合保护作用;通过MTT实验检测12－ACSs对细胞的毒性;通过离体培养细胞及活体动物转染实验观察12－ACSs能否携带反义ECE核酸表达质粒成功转染。结果：电镜观察示纳米粒粒径在100－150 nm之间。12－ACSs与反义ECE核酸表达质粒在质量比为1：1时,全部反义ECE质粒被结合。应用DNase I消化后可见,12－ACSs可保护核酸免受破坏。MTT检测结果显示12－ACSs 对16HBE细胞在低浓度下几乎没有毒性。12－ACSs包裹的反义ECE核酸表达质粒的纳米粒能成功转染离体培养的气道上皮细胞及活体动物。结论：12－ACSs能够成功包裹反义ECE质粒并且成功转染16HBE及小鼠,其有可能作为一种基因治疗的载体选择之一。 关键词：哮喘 壳聚糖 纳米粒 内皮素转换酶 基因治疗     

牛血红蛋白PLGA纳米粒的制备及其体外功能的研究

目的:利用poly(lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA)和poly(styrene-co-4-styrene-sulfonate)(PSS)制备带负电荷的牛血红蛋白纳米粒,并对其载氧性能和体外性能进行评价.方法:采用溶剂蒸发法制备出空白的PLGA-PSS的空白纳米粒,通过改变pH值,吸附牛血红蛋白,从而制备出牛血红蛋白PLGA纳米粒.通过TEM、粒径、Zeta电位、包裹率和载药量、体外释放及其携氧能力对该纳米粒进行了综合分析.结果:Hb-PLGA-PSS-NPsTEM电镜下呈类球形,平均粒径为226.8±23.4nm,Zeta电位为-68.62 mV,优化条件后最大包裹率约为99.3%,载药量约为28.6%,在37℃,pH7.4的PBS溶液中释放缓慢.通过对Hb结构的分析表明此工艺未对蛋白的结构造成影响,体外携氧实验测量了P50(29mmHg)和Hill系数(2.036),结果说明该Hb纳米微囊具有良好携氧功能.结论:成功制备了一种Hb-PLGA-PSS-NPs纳米粒,稳定性好,具有很好的携氧能力.     

载HCPT纳米粒的制备及其体外抗肿瘤活性研究

目的:制备载羟基喜树碱(HCPT)的PLGA-hyd-PEG-FA纳米粒(HCPT@PLGA-hyd-PEG-FA),并对其体外抗肿瘤活性进行研究。方法:采用乳化溶剂挥发法制备HCPT@PLGA-hyd-PEG-FA,通过单因素试验考察超声功率、聚合物浓度、PVA浓度、水相和油相体积比及投药量对纳米粒粒径的影响;采用zeta电位及激光粒度分析仪测定纳米粒的粒径及zeta电位,用透射电镜(TEM)观察其形态;采用透析法评价HCPT@PLGA-hyd-PEG-FA的体外释药特性;采用MTT法测定HCPT@PLGA-hyd-PEG-FA对HepG2细胞的细胞毒性。结果:HCPT@PLGA-hyd-PEG-FA平均粒径约为109±3 nm,zeta电位为-11.57 mV,载药量为5.6%,TEM显示其为球形;体外释药结果表明HCPT@PLGA-hyd-PEG-FA对HCPT的释放具有p H值依赖性;HCPT和HCPT@PLGA-hyd-PEG-FA的IC50值分别为474.6 ng/mL和286.0 ng/mL。结论:HCPT@PLGA-hyd-PEG-FA体外释药性能良好,HCPT@PLGA-hyd-PEG-FA的细胞毒性明显大于游离的HCPT,值得进一步研究。     

酸敏阿霉素脂质纳米粒的制备及其体外抗肿瘤活性研究

目的:本研究旨在制备具有被动靶向和酸敏特性的脂质混合纳米粒,以期提高阿霉素(doxorubicin,DOX)的靶向递药效率,降低DOX的毒副作用,提高抗肿瘤活性。方法:采用微乳法制备磷酸钙纳米粒核,薄膜分散法制备脂质混合纳米粒,硫酸铵梯度法包封DOX。采用透射电镜观察外观形态,用zeta电位及纳米粒度分析仪测定纳米粒的粒径及zeta电位,透析法评价阿霉素脂质纳米粒体外释药特征。用MTT方法研究阿霉素脂质混合纳米粒对A549细胞的细胞毒性。采用流式细胞仪和激光共聚焦显微镜观察A549细胞对阿霉素脂质纳米粒的摄取。结果:体外释药结果显示阿霉素脂质纳米粒具有酸敏特性。流式结果说明A549细胞对阿霉素脂质纳米粒的摄取具有明显的时间依赖性,激光共聚焦显示阿霉素脂质纳米粒能将阿霉素递送至细胞核中。结论:阿霉素脂质体对A549细胞有明显的细胞毒性,为进一步进行体内实验提供了基础。     

新型纳米转染试剂转染PNP自杀基因体外杀伤实验

将壳聚糖纳米粒包裹的报告基因pEGFP-N1质粒转染至HEK293细胞,并在HEK293细胞中成功表达荧光蛋白的基础上,进一步将本室自行构建的PNP基因的真核高效表达载体质粒pcDNA3-PNP转染至HEK293细胞。转染72h后,对转染的HEK293细胞给予前体药6-MPDR至终浓度40μg/ml,一天后,采用MTT比色法测定药物对细胞增值的影响,并进行统计学处理。实验结果表明采用壳聚糖纳米粒转染试剂转染并给予前体药6-MPDR的实验组活细胞数,与用壳聚糖转染但不给前体药6-MPDR的对照组活细胞数相比,有显著差异(P<0.05),说明新筛选出的壳聚糖纳米粒转染试剂可以将PNP自杀基因递送至靶细胞中,并在细胞中进行表达,从而使PNP/6-MPDR自杀基因系统发挥杀伤细胞的作用。分别采用相同工作浓度的脂质体与壳聚糖纳米粒转染试剂转染相同浓度的基因质粒,壳聚糖纳米粒对靶细胞生长数量影响很小,说明的壳聚糖纳米粒细胞毒性大大低于阳离子脂质体的细胞毒性。     

蛙凝素修饰聚谷氨酸纳米粒的制备、表征及Calu-3细胞摄取研究

目的:考察蛙凝素(Odorranalectin,OL)修饰对聚谷氨酸苄酯-聚乙二醇纳米粒(PBLG-PEG-NPs)材料的Calu-3细胞(人肺腺癌细胞)毒性和细胞摄取作用的影响。方法:碘氧化法制备蛙凝素修饰聚合物材料;以姜黄素(curcumin,Cur)为模型药物,采用乳化溶媒蒸发法制备聚谷氨酸苄酯-聚乙二醇纳米粒(PBLG-PEG-NPs)和蛙凝素修饰聚谷氨酸苄酯-聚乙二醇纳米粒(OL-PBLG-PEG-NPs);MTT法考察三种纳米粒对Calu-3的细胞毒性;采用激光共聚焦显微镜对两种纳米粒的Calu-3细胞摄取作用进行定性观察。结果:给予高浓度(2 mg·mL-1)纳米粒培养Calu-3细胞时,细胞存活率大于75%。蛙凝素修饰纳米粒后其被细胞摄取的量从62.7%增加到了81.2%。结论:OL可用于黏膜给药载体的修饰,OL-PBLG-PEG-NPs细胞毒性低、生物相容性好,有望成为一种鼻腔粘膜给药优良载体。     

PEG修饰的聚阳离子基因载体PEG-Polycarbam-SP在COS-7细胞中转染和毒性的研究

目的：寻找一种转染效率高,细胞毒性低的非病毒基因载体,研究以人体内源性精胺为单体,以乙二醇二氯甲酸酯作为连接剂,以聚乙二醇（PEG）作为亲水基团连接剂合成亲水修饰聚阳离子载体PEG-Polycarbam-SP的基因担载效率,以及对非洲绿猴肾癌细胞COS-7的转染活性和细胞毒性的影响。方法：琼脂糖凝胶电泳方法考察复合物的基因担载效率,检测基因复合物的粒径和电位,以荧光素酶质粒为报告基因,研究PEG-Polycarbam-SP/DNA的复合物在COS-7细胞的转染活性,用MTT方法研究PEG-Polycarbam-SP对COS-7细胞的毒性。结果：聚合物与质粒在质量比5以后形成的复合物粒径稳定在50nm左右,Zate电位在20mV左右。COS-7细胞实验显示PEG-Polycarbam-SP具有低于PEI 25kDa的细胞毒性,同时也具有高效输送DNA的能力。结论：PEG-Polycarbam-SP是一种新型的高效、低毒,在基因治疗领域有潜在应用价值的非病毒基因输送载体。     

Formulation and in vitro transfection efficiency of poly (D, L-lactideco-glycolide) microspheres containing plasmid DNA for gene delivery

The stability, in vitro release, and in vitro cell transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA (pDNA) poly (D,L.-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microsphere formulations were investigated. PLGA microspheres containing free and polylysine (PLL)-complexed pDNA were prepared by a water-oil-water solvent extraction/evaporation technique. Encapsulation enhanced the retention of the supereoiled structure of pDNA as determined by gel electrophoresis. PLL complexation of pDNA prior to encapsulation increased both the stability of the supercoiled form and the encapsulation efficiency. Free pDNA was completely degraded after exposure to DNase while encapsulation protected the pDNA from enzymatic degradation. Rapid initial in vitro release of pDNA was obtained from microspheres containing free pDNA. while the release from microspheres containing PLL-complexed pDNA was sustained for more than 42 days. Bioactivity of encapsulated pDNA determined by in vitro cell transfection using Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) showed that the bioactivity of encapsulated pDNA was retained in both formulations but to a greater extent with PLL-complexed pDNA microspheres. These results demonstrated that PLGA microspheres could be used to formulate a controlledrelease delivery system for pDNA that can protect the pDNA from DNase degradation without loss of functional activity.     

Targeted cationic poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles for gene delivery to cultured cells

We developed a new targeted cationic nanoparticulate system composed of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), 1,2-dioleoyl-3-(trimethylammonium) propane (DOTAP) and asialofetuin (AF), and found it to be a highly effective formulation for gene delivery to liver tumor cells. The nanoparticles (NP) were prepared by a modified solvent evaporation process that used two protocols in order to encapsulate (NP1 particles) or adsorb (NP2 particles) plasmid DNA. The final particles are in the nanoscale range. pDNA loaded in PLGA/DOTAP/AF particles with high loading efficiency showed a positive surface charge. Targeted asialofetuin-nanoparticles (AF-NP) carrying genes encoding for luciferase and interleukin-12 (IL-12) resulted in increased transfection efficiencies compared to free DNA and to plain (non-targeted) systems, even in the presence of 60% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The results of transfections performed on HeLa cells, defective in asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPr-), confirmed the receptor-mediated endocytosis mechanism. In summary, this is the first time that asialoglycoprotein receptor targeting by PLGA/DOTAP/DNA nanoparticles carrying the therapeutic gene IL-12 has been shown to be efficient in gene delivery to liver cancer cells in the presence of a very high concentration of serum, and this could be a potential system for in vivo application.     

Biodegradable nanoparticles meet the bronchial airway barrier: how surface properties affect their interaction with mucus and epithelial cells

Despite the wide interest raised by lung administration of nanoparticles (NPs) for the treatment of various diseases, little information is available on their effect toward the airway epithelial barrier function. In this study, the potential damage of the pulmonary epithelium upon exposure to poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) NPs has been assessed in vitro using a Calu-3-based model of the bronchial epithelial barrier. Positively and negatively charged as well as neutral PLGA NPs were obtained by coating their surface with chitosan (CS), poloxamer (PF68), or poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The role of NP surface chemistry and charge on the epithelial resistance and mucus turnover, using MUC5AC as a marker, was investigated. The interaction with mucin reduced the penetration of CS- and PVA-coated NPs, while the hydrophilic PF68-coated NPs diffused across the mucus barrier leading to a higher intracellular accumulation. Only CS-coated NPs caused a transient but reversible decrease of the trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER). None of the NP formulations increased MUC5AC mRNA expression or the protein levels. These in vitro results highlight the safety of PLGA NPs toward the integrity and function of the bronchial airway barrier and demonstrate the crucial role of NP surface properties to achieve a controlled and sustained delivery of drugs via the pulmonary route.     

Optimization of DNA delivery by three classes of hybrid nanoparticle/DNA complexes

Plasmid DNA encoding a luciferase reporter gene was complexed with each of six different hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized from mixtures of poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide acid) (PLGA 50:50) and the cationic lipids DOTAP (1, 2-Dioleoyl-3-Trimethyammonium-Propane) or DC-Chol {3β-[N-(N', N'-Dimethylaminoethane)-carbamyl] Cholesterol}. Particles were 100-400 nm in diameter and the resulting complexes had DNA adsorbed on the surface (out), encapsulated (in), or DNA adsorbed and encapsulated (both). A luciferase reporter assay was used to quantify DNA expression in 293 cells for the uptake of six different NP/DNA complexes. Optimal DNA delivery occurred for 10⁵ cells over a range of 500 ng - 10 μg of NPs containing 20-30 μg DNA per 1 mg of NPs. Uptake of DNA from NP/DNA complexes was found to be 500-600 times as efficient as unbound DNA. Regression analysis was performed and lines were drawn for DNA uptake over a four week interval. NP/DNA complexes with adsorbed NPs (out) showed a large initial uptake followed by a steep slope of DNA decline and large angle of declination; lines from uptake of adsorbed and encapsulated NPs (both) also exhibited a large initial uptake but was followed by a gradual slope of DNA decline and small angle of declination, indicating longer times of luciferase expression in 293 cells. NPs with encapsulated DNA only (in), gave an intermediate activity. The latter two effects were best seen with DOTAP-NPs while the former was best seen with DC-Chol-NPs. These results provide optimal conditions for using different hybrid NP/DNA complexes in vitro and in the future, will be tested in vivo.     

Preparation, characterization and transfection efficiency of cationic PEGylated PLA nanoparticles as gene delivery systems

The cationic polylactic acid (PLA) nanoparticle has emerged as a promising non-viral vector for gene delivery because of its biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, they are not capable of prolonging gene transfer and high transfection efficiency. In order to achieve prolonged delivery of cationic PLA/DNA complexes and higher transfection efficiency, in this study, we used copolymer methoxypolyethyleneglycol-PLA (MePEG-PLA), PLA and chitosan (CS) to prepare MePEG-PLA-CS NPs and PLA-CS NPs by a diafiltration method and prepared NPs/DNA complexes through the complex coacervation of nanoparticles with the pDNA. The object of our work is to evaluate the characterization and transfection efficiency of MePEG-PLA-CS versus PLA-CS NPs. The MePEG-PLA-CS NPs have a zeta potential of 15.7 mV at pH 7.4 and size under 100 nm, while the zeta potential of PLA-CS NPs was only 4.5 mV at pH 7.4. Electrophoretic analysis suggested that both MePEG-PLA-CS NPs and PLA-CS NPs with positive charges could protect the DNA from nuclease degradation and cell viability assay showed MePEG-PLA-CS NPs exhibit a low cytotoxicity to normal human liver cells. The potential of PLA-CS NPs and MePEG-PLA-CS NPs as a non-viral gene delivery vector to transfer exogenous gene in vitro and in vivo were examined. The pDNA being carried by MePEG-PLA-CS NPs, PLA-CS NPs and lipofectamine could enter and express in COS7 cells. However, the transfection efficiency of MePEG-PLA-CS/DNA complexes was better than PLA-CS/DNA and lipofectamine/DNA complexes by inversion fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry. It was distinctively to find that the transfection activity of PEGylation of complexes was improved. The nanoparticles were also tested for their ability to transport across the gastrointestinal mucosa in vivo in mice. In vivo experiments showed obviously that MePEG-PLA-CS/DNA complexes mediated higher gene expression in stomach and intestine of BALB/C mice compared to PLA-CS/DNA and lipofectamine/DNA complexes. These results suggested that MePEG-PLA-CS NPs have favorable properties for non-viral gene delivery.     

Glycopolymer modification on physicochemical and biological properties of poly(L-lysine) for gene delivery

Poly(L-lysine) (PLL) has excellent plasmid DNA (pDNA) condensation capacity. However, the relatively high cytotoxicity and low transfection efficiency limit its application as gene delivery vectors. Here, well-defined glycopolymers are synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation transfer polymerization and grafted onto PLL to improve the gene delivery performance. After glycopolymer modification, PLL shows reduced cytotoxicity. By regulating the glycopolymer length and amino group substitution degree, the glycopolymer modified PLL can condense pDNA with proper strength, protect the condensed pDNA from degradation and release them in time. Transfection with NIH3T3 and HepG2 cells shows that the glycopolymer modified PLL has improved transfection efficiencies. The low cytotoxicity, effective pDNA protection and enhanced transfection efficiencies indicate that glycopolymer modification would be an effective strategy to improve the polycation properties for gene delivery.     

Conjugation of polyamidoamine dendrimers on biodegradable microparticles for nonviral gene delivery

We report on the preparation and characterization of poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles with surface-conjugated polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers of varying generations. The buffering capacity and zeta-potential of the PLGA PAMAM microparticles increased with increasing generation level of the PAMAM dendrimer conjugated. Conjugation of the PAMAM dendrimer to the surface of the PLGA microparticle removed generation-dependent cytotoxicity in HEK293 and COS7 cell lines. PLGA PAMAM pDNA microparticles displayed similar cytotoxicity profiles to unmodified PLGA pDNA microparticles in COS7 cells. A generation three PAMAM dendrimer conjugated to PLGA microparticles significantly increased transfection efficiencies in comparison to unmodified PLGA microparticles.     

Fabrication and Optimization of Linear PEI-Modified Crystal Nanocellulose as an Efficient Non-Viral Vector for In-Vitro Gene Delivery

Background:One of the major challenges in gene therapy is producing gene carriers that possess high transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity (1). To achieve this purpose, crystal nanocellulose (CNC) -based nanoparticles grafted with polyethylenimine (PEI) have been developed as an alternative to traditional viral vectors to eliminate potential toxicity and immunogenicity.Methods:In this study, CNC-PEI10kDa (CNCP) nanoparticles were synthetized and their transfection efficiency was evaluated and compared with linear cationic PEI10kDa (PEI) polymer in HEK293T (HEK) cells. Synthetized nanoparticles were characterized with AFM, FTIR, DLS, and gel retardation assays. In-vitro gene delivery efficiency by nano-complexes and their effects on cell viability were determined with fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry.Results:Prepared CNC was oxidized with sodium periodate and its surface cationized with linear PEI. The new CNCP nano-complex showed different transfection efficiencies at different nanoparticle/plasmid ratios, which were greater than those of PEI polymer. CNPC and Lipofectamine were similar in their transfection efficiencies and effect on cell viability after transfection.Conclusion:CNCP nanoparticles are appropriate candidates for gene delivery. This result highlights CNC as an attractive biomaterial and demonstrates how its different cationized forms may be applied in designing gene delivery systems.Key Words: Crystal Nanocellulose, Gene transfection, Nanoparticle, Nano-complex     

Process considerations related to the microencapsulation of plasmid DNA via ultrasonic atomization

An effective means of facilitating DNA vaccine delivery to antigen presenting cells is through biodegradable microspheres. Microspheres offer distinct advantages over other delivery technologies by providing release of DNA vaccine in its bioactive form in a controlled fashion. In this study, biodegradable poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres containing polyethylenimine (PEI) condensed plasmid DNA (pDNA) were prepared using a 40 kHz ultrasonic atomization system. Process synthesis parameters, which are important to the scale-up of microspheres that are suitable for nasal delivery (i.e., less than 20 microm), were studied. These parameters include polymer concentration; feed flowrate; volumetric ratio of polymer and pDNA-PEI (plasmid DNA-polyethylenimine) complexes; and nitrogen to phosphorous (N/P) ratio. PDNA encapsulation efficiencies were predominantly in the range 82-96%, and the mean sizes of the particle were between 6 and 15 microm. The ultrasonic synthesis method was shown to have excellent reproducibility. PEI affected morphology of the microspheres, as it induced the formation of porous particles that accelerate the release rate of pDNA. The PLGA microspheres displayed an in vitro release of pDNA of 95-99% within 30 days and demonstrated zero order release kinetics without an initial spike of pDNA. Agarose electrophoresis confirmed conservation of the supercoiled form of pDNA throughout the synthesis and in vitro release stages. It was concluded that ultrasonic atomization is an efficient technique to overcome the key obstacles in scaling-up the manufacture of encapsulated vaccine for clinical trials and ultimately, commercial applications.     

Plasmid DNA delivery by arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides containing unnatural amino acids

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been developed as drug, protein, and gene delivery tools. In the present study, arginine (Arg)-rich CPPs containing unnatural amino acids were designed to deliver plasmid DNA (pDNA). The transfection ability of one of the Arg-rich CPPs examined here was more effective than that of the Arg nonapeptide, which is the most frequently used CPP. The transfection efficiencies of Arg-rich CPPs increased with longer post-incubation times and were significantly higher at 48-h and 72-h post-incubation than that of the commercially available transfection reagent TurboFect. These Arg-rich CPPs were complexed with pDNA for a long time in cells and effectively escaped from the late endosomes/lysosomes into the cytoplasm. These results will be helpful for designing novel CPPs for pDNA delivery.