PEGylation of the GALA Peptide Enhances the Lung-Targeting Activity of Nanocarriers That Contain Encapsulated siRNA

Sarochin Santiwarangkool, Hidekata Akita, Taichi Nakatani, Kenji Kusumoto, Hiroki Kimura, Masaru Suzuki, Masaharu Nishimura, Yusuke Sato, Hideyoshi Harashima

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

A α-helical GALA peptide (WEAALAEALAEALAEHLAEALAEALEALAA) has been found to possess dual functions: a pH-dependent inducer of endosomal escape, and a ligand that targets lung endothelium. In the present study, the flexibility of GALA was improved by modifying the edge with polyethylene glycol linker, to increase lung-targeting activity. We first investigated the uptake of the GALA-modified liposomes in which GALA was directly conjugated to the lipid (Cholesterol: GALA/Chol) or the phospholipid-PEG (GALA/PEG2000). The liposomes that were modified with GALA/PEG2000 (GALA/PEG2000-LPs) were taken up at a higher level by human lung endothelial cells (HMVEC-L), in comparison with particles that were modified with GALA/Chol (GALA/Chol-LPs). Small-interfering RNA–encapsulating liposomal-based nanocarriers (multifunctional envelope-type nano device: MEND) that were formulated with a vitamin E-scaffold SS-cleavable pH-activated lipid-like material, namely GALA/PEG2000-MENDssPalmE were also modified with GALA/PEG2000. Gene silencing activity in the lung endothelium was then evaluated against an endothelial marker; CD31. In comparison with the unmodified MENDssPalmE, GALA/PEG2000-MENDssPalmE exhibited a higher silencing activity in the lung. Optimization of GALA/PEG2000-MENDssPalmE resulted in silencing activity in the lung with an ED50 value of 0.21 mg/kg, while non-specific gene silencing in liver was marginal. Collectively, PEGylated GALA is a promising device for use in targeting the lung endothelium.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2420-2427
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of pharmaceutical sciences
Volume106
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • DNA/oligonucleotide delivery
  • PEGylation
  • biomaterials
  • endothelial
  • gene delivery
  • nanoparticles
  • nanotechnology
  • siRNA

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmaceutical Science

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