Wujun Dong

Thermal and magnetic dual-responsive liposomes with a cell-penetrating peptide-siRNA conjugate for enhanced and targeted cancer therapy

Due to the absence of effective in vivo delivery systems, the employment of small interfering RNA (siRNA) in the clinic has been hindered. Here, we describe a novel siRNA targeting system that combines features of biological (cell-permeable peptides, CPPs) and physical (magnetic) siRNA targeting for use in magnetic hyperthermia-triggered release. A siRNA-CPPs conjugate (siRNA-CPPs) was loaded into thermal and magnetic dual-responsive liposomes (TML) (siRNA-CPPs/TML), and in vitro siRNA-CPPs thermosensitive release activity, targeted cellular uptake, gene silencing efficiency, in vivo targeted delivery and in vivo antitumor activity were determined. The results demonstrated that siRNA-CPPs/TML exhibited good physicochemical properties, effective cellular uptake, endosomal escape and a significant gene silencing efficiency in MCF-7 cells in vitro. Additionally, in the in vivo study, siRNA-CPPs/TML under an alternating current (AC) magnetic field displayed a superior in vivo targeted delivery efficacy, antitumor efficacy and gene silencing efficiency in a MCF-7 xenograft murine model. In conclusion, the application of siRNA-CPPs/TML under an AC magnetic field represents a new strategy for the selective and efficient delivery of siRNA.

Co-encapsulation of paclitaxel and baicalein in nanoemulsions to overcome multidrug resistance via oxidative stress augmentation and P-glycoprotein inhibition.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle for clinical application of paclitaxel (PTX). Recent studies have suggested that baicalein (BA) might be a potent MDR reversal agent with the ability of P-glycoprotein inhibition and oxidative stress augmentation. Herein, we co-encapsulated PTX and BA in nanoemulsions (PTX/BA NE) for overcoming MDR in breast cancer. Paclitaxel-cholesterol complex and baicalein-phospholipid complex were prepared to improve the liposolubility of PTX and BA. The cytotoxicity of the combination of PTX and BA with different weight ratios were evaluated and the combination with a weight ratio of 1/1 exhibited the strongest synergistic effect. In vitro cytotoxicity study indicated that PTX/BA NE had a better antitumor efficacy in MCF-7/Tax cells than other PTX formulations. Studies on cellular uptake demonstrated that the PTX/BA NE could effectively accumulate in cancer cells. Mechanism research showed that PTX/BA NE could significantly increase the cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), decrease cellular glutathione (GSH), and enhance caspase-3 activity in MCF-7/Tax cells. More importantly, in vivo antitumor study demonstrated that PTX/BA NE exhibited a much higher antitumor efficacy than other PTX formulations. These findings suggest that co-delivery of PTX and BA in nanoemulsions might provide us a potential combined therapeutic strategy for overcoming MDR.

Acid Sensitive Polymeric Micelles Combining Folate and Bioreducible Conjugate for Specific Intracellular siRNA Delivery.

An efficiently siRNA transporting nanocarrier still remains to be developed. In this study, utilizing the dual stimulus of acid tumor extracellular environment and redox effect of glutathione in the cytosol, a new siRNA transporting system combining triple effects of folate targeting, acid sensitive polymer micelles, and bio-reducible disulfide bond linked siRNA-cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) conjugate is developed to suppress c-myc gene expression of breast cancer (MCF-7 cells) both in vitro and in vivo. Subsequent research demonstrates that the vesicle has particle size of about 100 nm and siRNA entrapment efficiency of approximately 80%. In vitro studies verified over 90% of encapsulated siRNA-CPPs can be released and the vesicle shows higher cellular uptake in response to the tumorous zone. Determination of gene expression at both mRNA and protein levels indicates the constructed vesicle exhibited enhanced cancer cell apoptosis and improved therapeutic efficacy in vitro and in vivo.

Purification of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Essential Oil Using Macroporous Resin Followed by Microemulsion Encapsulation to Improve Its Safety and Antiviral Activity

Essential oil extracted from Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (H. cordata) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine due to its excellent biological activities. However, impurities and deficient preparations of the essential oil limit its safety and effectiveness. Herein, we proposed a strategy to prepare H. cordata essential oil (HEO) safely and effectively by combining the solvent extraction and the macroporous resin purification flexibly, and then encapsulating it using microemulsion. The extraction and purification process were optimized by orthogonal experimental design and adsorption-desorption tests, respectively. The average houttuynin content in pure HEO was then validated at 44.3% ± 2.01%, which presented a great potential for industrial application. Subsequently, pure HEO-loaded microemulsion was prepared by high-pressure homogenization and was then fully characterized. Results showed that the pure HEO-loaded microemulsion was successfully prepared with an average particle size of 179.1 nm and a high encapsulation rate of 94.7%. Furthermore, safety evaluation tests and in vitro antiviral testing indicated that the safety and activity of HEO were significantly improved after purification using D101 resin and were further improved by microemulsion encapsulation. These results demonstrated that the purification of HEO by macroporous resin followed by microemulsion encapsulation would be a promising approach for industrial application of HEO for the antiviral therapies.

A novel matrix dispersion based on phospholipid complex for improving oral bioavailability of baicalein: preparation, in vitro and in vivo evaluations

Abstract Phospholipid complex is one of the most successful approaches for enhancing oral bioavailability of poorly absorbed plant constituents. But the sticky property of phospholipids results in an unsatisfactory dissolution of drugs. In this study, a matrix dispersion of baicalein based on phospholipid complex (BaPC-MD) was first prepared by a discontinuous solvent evaporation method, in which polyvinylpyrrolidone-K30 (PVP-K30) was employed for improving the dispersibility of baicalein phospholipid complex (BaPC) and increasing dissolution of baicalein. The combination ratio of baicalein and phospholipids in BaPC-MD was 99.39% and baicalein was still in a complete complex state with phospholipid in BaPC-MD. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analyzes demonstrated that baicalein was fully transformed to an amorphous state in BaPC-MD and phospholipid complex formed. The water-solubility and n-octanol solubility of baicalein in BaPC-MD significantly increased compared with those of pure baicalein. Compared with baicalein and BaPC, the cumulative dissolution of BaPC-MD at 120 min increased 2.77- and 1.23-fold, respectively. In vitro permeability study in Caco-2 cells indicated that the permeability of BaPC-MD was remarkably higher than those of baicalein and BaPC. Pharmacokinetic study showed that the average Cmax of BaPC-MD was significantly increased compared to baicalein and BaPC. AUC0–14 h of BaPC-MD was 5.01- and 1.91-fold of baicalein and BaPC, respectively. The novel BaPC-MD significantly enhanced the oral bioavailability of baicalein by improving the dissolution and permeability of baicalein without destroying the complexation state of baicalein and phospholipids. The current drug delivery system provided an optimal strategy to significantly enhance oral bioavailability for poorly water-soluble drugs.

Cellular uptake mechanism and comparative evaluation of antineoplastic effects of paclitaxel-cholesterol lipid emulsion on triple-negative and non-triple-negative breast cancer cell lines.

There is no effective clinical therapy for triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), which have high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) requirements and express relatively high levels of LDL receptors (LDLRs) on their membranes. In our previous study, a novel lipid emulsion based on a paclitaxel–cholesterol complex (PTX-CH Emul) was developed, which exhibited improved safety and efficacy for the treatment of TNBC. To date, however, the cellular uptake mechanism and intracellular trafficking of PTX-CH Emul have not been investigated. In order to offer powerful proof for the therapeutic effects of PTX-CH Emul, we systematically studied the cellular uptake mechanism and intracellular trafficking of PTX-CH Emul and made a comparative evaluation of antineoplastic effects on TNBC (MDA-MB-231) and non-TNBC (MCF7) cell lines through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The in vitro antineoplastic effects and in vivo tumor-targeting efficiency of PTX-CH Emul were significantly more enhanced in MDA-MB-231-based models than those in MCF7-based models, which was associated with the more abundant expression profile of LDLR in MDA-MB-231 cells. The results of the cellular uptake mechanism indicated that PTX-CH Emul was internalized into breast cancer cells through the LDLR-mediated internalization pathway via clathrin-coated pits, localized in lysosomes, and then released into the cytoplasm, which was consistent with the internalization pathway and intracellular trafficking of native LDL. The findings of this paper further confirm the therapeutic potential of PTX-CH Emul in clinical applications involving TNBC therapy.

Sequential delivery of VEGF siRNA and paclitaxel for PVN destruction, anti-angiogenesis, and tumor cell apoptosis procedurally via a multi-functional polymer micelle

Abstract Co‐delivery of chemotherapy drugs and VEGF siRNA (siVEGF) to control tumor growth has been a research hotspot for improving cancer treatment. Current systems co‐deliver siVEGF and chemo drugs into tumor cells simultaneously. Although effective, these systems do not flow to the abnormal blood vessels around tumor cells (vascular niche, PVN), which play an important role in the metastasis and deterioration of the tumor. Thus, we custom‐synthesized triblock copolymer poly(&egr;‐caprolactone)‐polyethyleneglycol‐poly(L‐histidine) (PCL‐PEG‐PHIS) with previously synthesized folate‐PEG‐PHIS to construct a targeted multifunctional polymer micelle (PTX/siVEGF‐CPPs/TMPM) to sequentially deliver siVEGF‐CPPs (disulfide bond‐linked siVEGF and cell‐penetrating peptides) and paclitaxel (PTX). The sequential delivery vesicles showed the anticipated three‐layered TEM structure and dual‐convertible (surface charge‐ and particle size‐reversible) features in the tumor environment (pH 6.5), which guaranteed the sequential release of siVEGF‐CPPs and PTX in the tumor extracellular environment and tumor cells, respectively. To mimic the in vivo tumor environment, a double cell model was employed by co‐culturing HUVECs and MCF‐7 cells. Improved cell endocytosis efficiency, VEGF gene silence efficacy, and in vitro anti‐proliferation activity were achieved. An in vivo study on MCF‐7 tumor‐bearing female nude mice also indicated that sequential delivery vesicles could lead to significant induction of tumor cell apoptosis, loss of VEGF expression, and destruction of tumor blood vessels (PVN and neovascularization). These sequential delivery vesicles show potential as an effective co‐delivery platform for siVEGF and chemo drugs to improve cancer therapy efficacy. Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption available. HighlightsFunctional copolymer‐PCL‐PEG‐PHIS was synthesized for the first time.Prepared pH/redox hypersensitive targeted polymer micelles loading gene and drug.Sequentially release of siVEGF and drug via one carrier was achieved firstly.Double cell model of MCF‐7 and HUVECs was used for in vitro evaluation firstly.Achieve PVN destruction, anti‐angiogenesis, and tumor apoptosis procedurally.