Biodegradable stearylated peptide with internal disulfide bonds for efficient delivery of siRNA in vitro and in vivo

Biomacromolecules. 2015 Apr 13;16(4):1119-30. doi: 10.1021/bm501777a. Epub 2015 Feb 26.

Abstract

RNA-based delivery system for cancer therapy remains a challenge. In this study, a stearyl-peptide (SHR) was synthesized using arginine, histidine, cysteine, and stearyl moieties. Further, the stearyl-peptides were cross-linked by disulfide bonds to obtain cross-linked polypeptides (SHRss) with different molecular weight (SHRss1, SHRss2, SHRss3, SHRss4). The SHRss could effectively condense small interfering RNA (siRNA) into polyplexes with a hydrodynamic size of 100-300 nm and zeta potential of 20-40 mV. Flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscope studies revealed high cellular uptake and rapid dissociation behavior of SHRss2/siRNA complexes. Long-lasting high concentration of siRNA in cytoplasm was observed even at 24 h after SHRss2/Cy3-siRNA transfection. Compared with SHR, the SHRss showed much improved siRNA interference efficiency targeting luciferase on Luc-Hela cells. Moreover, SHRss2 exhibited higher interference efficiency and slower decay rate on Luc-Hela cells than Lipofectamine 2000 and SHR. In addition, much weaker expression of red fluorescence protein was also observed on SHRss2/simCh-treated mCherry-HEK293 cells than Lipofectamine 2000 and SHR. The SHRss did not induce cytotoxicity at siRNA concentrations of 25-200 nM under transfection. The in vivo studies demonstrated the gene interference efficiency of SHRss2/siRNA complexes. Our studies indicated that the SHRss are promising and efficient nonviral vectors for siRNA delivery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / chemistry*
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / pharmacokinetics
  • Disulfides / chemistry*
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Lipopeptides / chemistry*
  • Lipopeptides / pharmacokinetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • RNA, Small Interfering / administration & dosage*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • RNAi Therapeutics / methods
  • Stearic Acids / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides
  • Disulfides
  • Lipopeptides
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Stearic Acids
  • stearic acid