Hybrid Maltose Cyclodextrin Polyplexes for Targeted Nucleic Acid Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current non-viral gene therapy delivery systems face challenges such as cytotoxicity, lack of target specificity, unsatisfactory transgene expression, and unintended DNA transfer to non-target cells and organs, particularly when delivering high molecular weight nucleic acids like DNA plasmids and minicircle DNA, due to inefficient endosomal release and cytosolic transfer.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid polyplex system is developed, comprising maltose and cyclodextrin-modified PPI dendrimers conjugated with mono-biotinylated scFv antibodies and a tetrameric biotin-binding protein like avidin, enabling receptor-mediated endocytosis and efficient endosomal escape for targeted delivery of nucleic acids to specific cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cationic polymers are used for nucleic acid delivery, then transfection efficiency is improved, but cytotoxicity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfection efficiencyVSAvoidcytotoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surface charge parameter of the polymeric carrier by conjugating targeting antibodies, which changes the electrostatic interactions with cell membranes and reduces cytotoxicity while maintaining transfection efficiency through receptor-mediated endocytosis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite delivery system combining cationic polymers with targeting antibodies and nucleic acids, forming a polyplex structure that integrates the transfection capability of polycations with the target-specific delivery of antibody-receptor complexes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If polycationic carriers are used for DNA delivery, then transfection capability is improved, but target specificity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfection capabilityVSAvoidtarget specificity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the delivery system into distinct functional modules: the polycationic core provides transfection capability while the conjugated antibody segment provides target specificity, allowing each component to perform its specialized function without interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The targeting antibody serves as an intermediary between the polycationic carrier and the target cell, mediating specific recognition and binding to cell surface receptors, thereby directing the transfection capability of the polycation to specific target cells

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If cationic surface charge is maintained, then DNA complexation is improved, but endosomal release deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDNA complexationVSAvoidendosomal release
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface charge parameter through antibody conjugation, which modifies the electrostatic properties of the polyplex and enables endosomal escape while maintaining sufficient DNA complexation through the polycationic core structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If non-viral delivery systems are used, then safety is improved, but transfection efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidtransfection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism through receptor-mediated endocytosis, where the antibody component recognizes and binds to specific cell surface receptors, triggering internalization and endosomal escape pathways that enhance transfection efficiency while maintaining the safety profile of non-viral systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This system achieves selective transfection and expression of therapeutic nucleic acids in target cells by reducing cytotoxicity and improving endosomal release, enhancing transfection efficiency and specificity while minimizing off-target effects.

Implementation Method 1

The invention provides a system for targeted delivery of nucleic acid molecules, comprising a core, which consists of avidin or neutravidin, at least one antibody, which is preferably a biotinylated antibody

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiotin-avidin interaction:

Implementation Method 2

enabling receptor-mediated endocytosis and efficient endosomal escape for targeted delivery of nucleic acids to specific cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEndocytosis:

Implementation Method 3

delivered polyplexes and their oligonucleotide payload... upon endocytosis into eukaryotic cells sufficiently escape the endosomal compartment and therefore enables efficient transgene expression

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEndosomal release:

Data Source

PatentEP4238581A1Targeted delivery of oligonucleotides into eukaryotic cells using hybrid maltose/cyclodextrin polyplexes
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 TECH UNIV DRESDEN EV
  • EP4238581A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4238581A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4238581A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and therapeutics. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel targeting bio-conjugate for selective delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids, including RNA oligonucleotides and DNA-oligonucleotides, preferably gene-encoding DNA plasmids or minicircle DNAs, to eukaryotic cells by means of receptor-mediated endocytosis and endosomal release. The invention is generally related to a system for targeted delivery of nucleic acid molecules, comprising a core, which consists of avidin or neutravidin, at least one antibody, which is preferably a biotinylated antibody, which is preferably an antibody single-chain variable fragment, conjugated to hybrid polyplexes comprising maltose and cyclodextrin molecules. The invention further provides a method for the assembly of said delivery system and the use of said delivery systems in the therapy of metabolic diseases, such as familial hypercholesterolemia, viral infections, and proliferative diseases, such as primary tumors or metastatic cancers.