Researchers at Yale University, New Haven, have optimized a polymer-based mRNA vehicle for targeted lung delivery and demonstrated the potential of the platform for mucosal vaccination against respiratory pathogens.
In a paper, “Polymer nanoparticles deliver mRNA to the lung for mucosal vaccination,” published in Science Translational Medicine, the team introduces their creation of inhalable messenger RNA (mRNA) for therapeutic use.
Clinical research has been searching for an efficient and targeted way to deliver mRNA to the lungs for various therapeutic applications, including protein replacement therapies, gene editing and vaccination. The main challenges have been maintaining mRNA stability and avoiding immune interference.
The Yale team created PACE (Polymerized Albumin Conjugates for mRNA Encapsulation) polymer formulations to deliver local mRNA to the lungs. The researchers optimized PACE polyplexes to enhance mRNA protection, transfection efficiency, and antigen presentation for effective lung-specific therapeutic and vaccination strategies.
To stabilize PACE, an optimized ratio of polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules were integrated into the polymer structure during the enzymatic copolymerization process, which stabilized the polyplexes and modified key characteristics. PEG was able to affect the size, surface charge, and other properties of the polyplexes, making them more suitable for loading and effective at mRNA delivery to lung cells.
2023-08-19 07:24:03
Article from phys.org