Functional Nanoparticles with a Reducible Tetrasulfide Motif to Upregulate mRNA Translation and Enhance Transfection in Hard-to-Transfect Cells

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2020 Feb 10;59(7):2695-2699. doi: 10.1002/anie.201914264. Epub 2020 Jan 9.

Abstract

Effective messenger RNA (mRNA) transfection in hard-to-transfect cells delivered by vectors is a long-standing challenge. Now it is hypothesized that the high intracellular glutathione level is associated with suppressed mRNA translation. This theory leads to a new design principle of next-generation mRNA vectors: nanoparticles with glutathione depletion chemistry upregulate mRNA translation and enhance transfection, which is beneficial for mRNA delivery in hard-to-transfect cells in vitro and in vivo.

Keywords: mRNA delivery; nanomaterials; nanoregulators; organosilica.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / metabolism*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Particle Size
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • Sulfides / chemistry
  • Sulfides / metabolism*
  • Surface Properties
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Sulfides