<p>We optimized lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as a robust delivery system to transport larger therapeutic cargo, such as Prime Editing mRNA, to lung epithelial cells via inhalation. LNPs were chosen over other delivery systems, like Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), due to their superior cargo capacity and reduced immunogenicity. Our goal was to create a spray-dried lung-specific LNP named</p>
<p>We optimized LNPs as a robust delivery system to transport larger therapeutic cargo, such as Prime Editing mRNA, to lung epithelial cells via inhalation. LNPs were chosen over other delivery systems, like Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), due to their superior cargo capacity and reduced immunogenicity. Our goal was to create a spray-dried lung-specific LNP named</p>
<p>capable of efficiently delivering of our Prime Editing components, referred to as PrimeGuide, to lung tissues through inhalation. This approach is designed to advance precision medicine by ensuring targeted delivery with minimal off-target effects.</p>
<H4text="LNPs and their impact on modern medicine"id="text"/>
<p>Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are an advanced delivery system designed to transport therapeutic molecules like RNA, DNA or proteins into the cells. These nanoparticles are tiny spheres made of lipids that form a protective shell around the cargo. The size of LNs typically ranges from 50 to 200 nm in diameter, making them incredibly small - about 1,000 times thinner than a human hair [1]. </p>
<p>LNPs are an advanced delivery system designed to transport therapeutic molecules like RNA, DNA or proteins into the cells. These nanoparticles are tiny spheres made of lipids that form a protective shell around the cargo. The size of LNs typically ranges from 50 to 200 nm in diameter, making them incredibly small - about 1,000 times thinner than a human hair [1]. </p>
<p>Overall, LNPs represent a significant advancement in drug delivery technology. LNPs offer exceptionally high drug-loading capacities, making them highly effective for delivering substantial amounts of therapeutic agents in a single dose. Their advanced design allows for the encapsulation of a large payload, which enhances the efficacy of treatments and reduces the frequency of administration [3]. By encapsulating and protecting therapeutic agents like mRNA, LNPs enhance the stability, targeted delivery, and effectiveness of treatments. Their ability to be tailored for specific delivery needs, such as targeting particular organs or overcoming physiological barriers, makes them a powerful tool in modern medicine [9].</p>
<H4text="Protection of cargo"id="text"/>
<p> The primary function of LNPs is to shield the therapeutic agents they carry, such as mRNA, from degradation and facilitate their delivery into cells. mRNA is a critical component in many modern vaccines and therapies, but it is highly susceptible to breaking down before it can reach its target within cells. LNPs address this challenge by encapsulating the mRNA, thus protecting it from harmful enzymes, like RNases and environmental conditions [2]. </p>
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<p>Moreover, the surface of LNPs can be customized to improve targeting. For instance, incorporating specific lipids or modifying the surface with charged groups can direct the delivery of mRNA to targeted organs like the lungs or spleen [6]. Additionally, LNPs can be engineered with targeting ligands or antibodies to precisely direct their payload to specific cell types, further enhancing their therapeutic efficacy [7]. Another approach can be chitosan-based nanoparticles have been explored for their ability to adhere to mucus and enhance drug delivery through the respiratory tract. These nanoparticles can penetrate through the mucus layer to reach the lung tissues more effectively [8]. This versatility in design is essential for optimizing the delivery and effectiveness of LNP-based therapies.</p>
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<Collapsibleid="Col2"open={false}title="Challenges of working with LNPs">
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<p>Maintaining the stability of LNPs throughout formulation, storage, and delivery is critical, as factors like temperature changes, pH shifts, or mechanical stress can affect their integrity [1] [2]. Equally important is ensuring efficient encapsulation of the genetic material, as any inefficiency can lead to degradation of the therapeutic cargo or inadequate delivery to the target cells. Once inside the body, LNPs face the challenge of cellular uptake and successful endosomal escape [3] [4]. If they cannot escape the endosome after entering the cells, there is a risk that the genetic material will be degraded in the lysosomes, limiting the efficacy of the treatment. In addition, the formulation must minimize immunogenicity and toxicity, particularly with repeated dosing, which is often necessary for chronic diseases [2] [3]. Achieving this sensitive balance is crucial for maximizing the therapeutic potential of LNPs in gene delivery.</p>
<p>While these are general difficulties in the use of LNPs for gene therapy, further challenges arise when administering the LNPs via inhalation into the lungs, due to the unique environment and anatomy of the respiratory system.</p>
<H4text="Challenges of inhalated lung-specific LNPs"id="chall2"/>
<p>These challenges range from formulation and particle size to overcoming biological barriers and maintaining consistent dosing, all of which impact the overall efficacy of the therapy. </p>
<p>When transforming LNP formulations into inhalable particles, even greater attention must be paid to stability than is already the case. During processes like nebulization or spray-drying, LNPs are exposed to strong <strong>mechanical stress</strong> such as shear forces during aerosolization that can damage the LNP and thus their ability to protect and deliver genetic material effectively [5]. Ensuring that the LNPs maintain their structure throughout this transformation while remaining suitable for aerosol delivery is critical to the success of the therapy.</p>
<p>The <strong>size</strong> of the nanoparticles is another important factor. For successful lung delivery, LNPs should be smaller than 2 µm [6]. If the particles are too large, there is a risk that they will get stuck in the upper airways not able to reach the target cells; if they are too small, they may be exhaled before reaching the deeper lung tissue. The right particle size is crucial for the LNPs to reach the alveoli, where they can provide the greatest therapeutic impact.</p>
<p>Another major challenge is overcoming the lungs' natural <strong>protective barriers</strong>. The airways are lined with mucus and surfactants, which help to defend against pathogens, but also make it difficult for LNPs to be transported. In diseases such as cystic fibrosis, the thickened mucus presents an even greater obstacle, making it more difficult for the LNPs to reach the target cells [5]. The development of LNPs that can penetrate these barriers is essential for the success of gene therapy. </p>
<p>Finally, inhaled administration leads to fluctuations in the consistency of the <strong>dosage</strong>. Unlike intravenous administration, where dosing can be strictly controlled, the results of inhalation are influenced by factors such as the patient's breathing pattern, lung capacity and inhalation technique. These variables can affect how much of the LNP formulation actually reaches the lungs, complicating efforts to maintain a consistent therapeutic dose over time, which is a reasonable price to pay when you consider that inhalation is a non-invasive form of therapy compared to systemic therapy via injections into the bloodstream</p>
<p>All these challenges complicate the work with LNPs and present scientists with a great challenge, which makes working with LNPs even more important to find solutions.</p>
