Post cross-linked ROS-responsive poly(β-amino ester)-plasmid polyplex NPs for gene therapy of EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma

J Mater Chem B. 2024 Mar 20;12(12):3129-3143. doi: 10.1039/d3tb02926c.

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common tumors in South China and Southeast Asia and is thought to be associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Downregulation of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) encoded by EBV can reduce the expression of NF-κB and PI3K, induce apoptosis, and inhibit the growth of EBV-related NPC. For targeted cleavage of the Lmp1 oncogene via the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system, a post cross-linked ROS-responsive poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE) polymeric vector was developed for the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids both in vitro and in vivo. After composition optimization, the resultant polymer-plasmid polyplex nanoparticles (NPs) showed a diameter of ∼230 nm and a zeta potential of 22.3 mV with good stability. Compared with the non-cross-linked system, the cross-linked NPs exhibited efficient and quick cell uptake, higher transfection efficiency in EBV-positive C666-1 cells (53.5% vs. 40.6%), more efficient gene editing ability against the Mucin2 model gene (Muc2) (17.9% vs. 15.4%) and Lmp1 (8.5% vs. 5.6%), and lower intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The NPs achieved good tumor penetration and tumor growth inhibition in the C666-1 xenograft tumor model via Lmp1 cleavage, indicating their potential for gene therapy of EBV-related NPC.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections* / genetics
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections* / metabolism
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections* / therapy
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / genetics
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / therapy
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Polymers*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • poly(beta-amino ester)
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Polymers