Dual-targeting and pH/redox-responsive multi-layered nanocomplexes for smart co-delivery of doxorubicin and siRNA.

Multi-layered nanocomplexes (MLNs) were designed here to provide smart co-delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) siRNA. The electrostatically self-assembled MLNs were constructed by TAT peptide modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (TAT-MSN) as the cationic core for DOX loading, poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-citraconic anhydride (PAH-Cit) as the anionic inner layer, and galactose-modified trimethyl chitosan-cysteine (GTC) conjugate as the cationic outer layer to encapsulate siRNA. Their strong stability at pH 7.4 and 6.5 protected siRNA from degradation in the blood and tumor microenvironment. Galactose ligands on the GTC outer layers effectively facilitated the internalization of MLNs through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Afterwards, the endosomal/lysosomal acidity (pH 5.0) triggered the charge reversal of PAH-Cit, thereby inducing the disassembly of MLNs and their escape to the cytosol. Cytoplasmic glutathione further accelerated siRNA release through cleaving disulfide bonds in GTC layers, leading to high silencing efficiencies. Meanwhile, the exposed DOX-loaded cores were transported into the nuclei by virtue of TAT peptide and exhibited sustained release thereafter. As a result, potent antitumor efficacies of MLNs were noted following intravenous injection at a low dose with no apparent toxicity detected. Therefore, MLNs served as an effective and safe vector to maximize synergistic effect of chemodrugs and therapeutic genes.

Han L ，Tang C ，Yin C 《-》

Enhanced antitumor efficacies of multifunctional nanocomplexes through knocking down the barriers for siRNA delivery.

Multifunctional nanocomplexes (NCs) consisting of urocanic acid-modified galactosylated trimethyl chitosan (UA-GT) conjugates as polymeric vectors, poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-citraconic anhydride (PAH-Cit) as charge-reversible crosslinkers, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) siRNA as therapeutic genes, were rationally designed to simultaneously overcome the extracellular, cellular, and intracellular barriers for siRNA delivery. The strong physical stability of UA-GT/PAH-Cit/siRNA NCs (UA-GT NCs) at pH 7.4 and 6.5 endowed protection from massive dilution, competitive ions, and ubiquitous nucleases in the blood and tumorous microenvironment. Their internalization into hepato-carcinoma cells was facilitated through the recognition of galactose receptors, followed by effective escape from endosomes/lysosomes owing to the strong buffering capacity of imidazole residues. At the meantime, the endosomal/lysosomal acidity triggered the charge reversal of PAH-Cit in UA-GT NCs, thus evoking their structural disassembly and subsequently accelerated release of siRNA in the cytosol. As a result, robust in vivo performance in terms of both gene silencing and tumor inhibition was achieved by UA-GT NCs at a low siRNA dose. Moreover, neither histological nor hematological toxicity was detected following repeated intravenous administration. Therefore, UA-GT NCs potentially served as an efficient and safe candidate in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma through knocking down the overall barriers for siRNA delivery.

Han L ，Tang C ，Yin C 《-》

Co-Delivery of Doxorubicin and Survivin shRNA-Expressing Plasmid Via Microenvironment-Responsive Dendritic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Synergistic Cancer Therapy.

Li Z ，Zhang L ，Tang C ，Yin C ... -  《-》

Reduction/photo dual-responsive polymeric prodrug nanoparticles for programmed siRNA and doxorubicin delivery.

Wu M ，Li J ，Lin X ，Wei Z ，Zhang D ，Zhao B ，Liu X ，Liu J ... -  《-》

Combination antitumor immunotherapy with VEGF and PIGF siRNA via systemic delivery of multi-functionalized nanoparticles to tumor-associated macrophages and breast cancer cells.

Given that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PIGF), over-expressed in breast cancer cells and M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs) within tumor microenvironment (TME), work synergistically and independently in mediating tumor progression and immunosuppression, combinatorial immune-based approaches targeting them are expected to be a potent therapeutic modality for patients. Here, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and mannose doubly modified trimethyl chitosan (PEG = MT) along with citraconic anhydride grafted poly (allylamine hydrochloride) (PC)-based nanoparticles (NPs) (PEG = MT/PC NPs) with dual pH-responsiveness were developed to deliver VEGF siRNA (siVEGF)/PIGF siRNA (siPIGF) to both M2-TAMs and breast cancer cells for antitumor immunotherapy. With prolonged blood circulation and intelligent pH-sensitivity, PEG = MT/PC NPs were highly accumulated in tumor tissues and then internalized in M2-TAMs and breast cancer cells via mannose-mediated active targeting and passive targeting, respectively. With the charge-reversal of PC, PEG = MT/PC NPs presented effective endosomal/lysosomal escape and intracellular siRNA release, resulting in efficient gene silencing. Due to the synergism between siVEGF and siPIGF in anti-proliferation of tumor cells and reversal of the TME from pro-oncogenic to anti-tumoral, PEG = MT/PC/siVEGF/siPIGF NPs (PEG = MT/PC/siV-P NPs) exerted robust suppression of breast tumor growth and lung metastasis. This combination strategy may provide a promising alternative for breast cancer therapy.

Song Y ，Tang C ，Yin C 《-》