Safe and effective delivery of small interfering RNA with polymer- and liposomes-based complexes

Biol Pharm Bull. 2013;36(6):995-1001. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b13-00054.

Abstract

We developed binary and ternary complexes based on polymers and liposomes for safe and effective delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA). Anti-luciferase siRNA was used as a model of nucleic acid medicine. The binary complexes of siRNA were prepared with cationic polymers and cationic liposomes such as polyethylenimine (PEI), polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer, poly-L-arginine (PLA), trimethyl[2,3-(dioleoxy)-propyl]ammonium chloride (DOTMA), and cholesteryl 3β-N-(dimetylaminnoethyl)carbamate hydrochloride (DC-Chol). The ternary complexes were constructed by the addition of γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) to the binary complexes. The complexes were approximately 54-153 nm in particle size. The binary complexes showed a cationic surface charge although an anionic surface charge was observed in the ternary complexes. The polymer-based complexes did not show a silencing effect in the mouse colon carcinoma cell line expressing luciferase regularly (Colon26/Luc cells). The binary complexes based on liposomes and their ternary complexes coated by γ-PGA showed a significant silencing effect. The binary complexes showed significant cytotoxicity although the ternary complexes coated by γ-PGA did not show significant cytotoxicity. The ternary complexes coated by γ-PGA suppressed luciferase activity in the tumor after their direct injection into the tumors of mice bearing Colon26/Luc cells. Thus, we have newly identified safe and efficient ternary complexes of siRNA for clinical use.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cholesterol / analogs & derivatives
  • Cholesterol / chemistry
  • Female
  • Gene Silencing
  • Liposomes
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / chemistry
  • RNA, Small Interfering / administration & dosage*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / chemistry

Substances

  • Liposomes
  • Polymers
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • N-(1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium
  • 3-(N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)carbamoyl)cholesterol
  • Cholesterol
  • Luciferases