Synthesis of ionizable lipopolymers using split-Ugi reaction for pulmonary delivery of various size RNAs and gene editing

Abstract We present an efficient method for synthesizing cationic poly(ethylene imine) derivatives using the multicomponent split-Ugi reaction to create a library of functional ionizable lipopolymers. Here we show 155 polymers, formulated into polyplexes, to establish structure-activity relationship...

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Main Authors: K. Yu. Vlasova, A. Kerr, N. D. Pennock, A. Jozic, D. K. Sahel, M. Gautam, N. T. V. Murthy, A. Roberts, M. W. Ali, K. D. MacDonald, J. M. Walker, R. Luxenhofer, G. Sahay
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59136-z
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author K. Yu. Vlasova
A. Kerr
N. D. Pennock
A. Jozic
D. K. Sahel
M. Gautam
N. T. V. Murthy
A. Roberts
M. W. Ali
K. D. MacDonald
J. M. Walker
R. Luxenhofer
G. Sahay
author_facet K. Yu. Vlasova
A. Kerr
N. D. Pennock
A. Jozic
D. K. Sahel
M. Gautam
N. T. V. Murthy
A. Roberts
M. W. Ali
K. D. MacDonald
J. M. Walker
R. Luxenhofer
G. Sahay
author_sort K. Yu. Vlasova
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We present an efficient method for synthesizing cationic poly(ethylene imine) derivatives using the multicomponent split-Ugi reaction to create a library of functional ionizable lipopolymers. Here we show 155 polymers, formulated into polyplexes, to establish structure-activity relationships essential for endosomal escape and transfection. A lead structure is identified, and lipopolymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles are developed to deliver mRNA to lung endothelium and immune cells, including T cells, with low in vivo toxicity. These nanoparticles show significant improvements in mRNA delivery to the lung compared to in vivo-JetPEI® and demonstrate effective delivery of therapeutic mRNA(s) of various sizes. IL-12 mRNA-loaded nanoparticles delay Lewis Lung cancer progression, while human CFTR mRNA restores CFTR protein function in CFTR knockout mice. Additionally, we demonstrate in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 mRNA delivery, achieving gene editing in lung tissue and successful PD-1 knockout in T cells in mice. These results highlight the platform’s potential for systemic gene therapy delivery.
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spelling doaj-art-c78a6c7ac687420c82b51f97b0d0140c2025-08-20T02:10:49ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-04-0116112210.1038/s41467-025-59136-zSynthesis of ionizable lipopolymers using split-Ugi reaction for pulmonary delivery of various size RNAs and gene editingK. Yu. Vlasova0A. Kerr1N. D. Pennock2A. Jozic3D. K. Sahel4M. Gautam5N. T. V. Murthy6A. Roberts7M. W. Ali8K. D. MacDonald9J. M. Walker10R. Luxenhofer11G. Sahay12Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State UniversitySoft Matter Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Faculty of Science, University of HelsinkiDepartment of Radiation Medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science UniversityDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State UniversityDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State UniversityDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State UniversityDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State UniversityDepartment of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science UniversitySoft Matter Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Faculty of Science, University of HelsinkiDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State UniversityDepartment of Radiation Medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science UniversitySoft Matter Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Faculty of Science, University of HelsinkiDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State UniversityAbstract We present an efficient method for synthesizing cationic poly(ethylene imine) derivatives using the multicomponent split-Ugi reaction to create a library of functional ionizable lipopolymers. Here we show 155 polymers, formulated into polyplexes, to establish structure-activity relationships essential for endosomal escape and transfection. A lead structure is identified, and lipopolymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles are developed to deliver mRNA to lung endothelium and immune cells, including T cells, with low in vivo toxicity. These nanoparticles show significant improvements in mRNA delivery to the lung compared to in vivo-JetPEI® and demonstrate effective delivery of therapeutic mRNA(s) of various sizes. IL-12 mRNA-loaded nanoparticles delay Lewis Lung cancer progression, while human CFTR mRNA restores CFTR protein function in CFTR knockout mice. Additionally, we demonstrate in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 mRNA delivery, achieving gene editing in lung tissue and successful PD-1 knockout in T cells in mice. These results highlight the platform’s potential for systemic gene therapy delivery.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59136-z
spellingShingle K. Yu. Vlasova
A. Kerr
N. D. Pennock
A. Jozic
D. K. Sahel
M. Gautam
N. T. V. Murthy
A. Roberts
M. W. Ali
K. D. MacDonald
J. M. Walker
R. Luxenhofer
G. Sahay
Synthesis of ionizable lipopolymers using split-Ugi reaction for pulmonary delivery of various size RNAs and gene editing
Nature Communications
title Synthesis of ionizable lipopolymers using split-Ugi reaction for pulmonary delivery of various size RNAs and gene editing
title_full Synthesis of ionizable lipopolymers using split-Ugi reaction for pulmonary delivery of various size RNAs and gene editing
title_fullStr Synthesis of ionizable lipopolymers using split-Ugi reaction for pulmonary delivery of various size RNAs and gene editing
title_full_unstemmed Synthesis of ionizable lipopolymers using split-Ugi reaction for pulmonary delivery of various size RNAs and gene editing
title_short Synthesis of ionizable lipopolymers using split-Ugi reaction for pulmonary delivery of various size RNAs and gene editing
title_sort synthesis of ionizable lipopolymers using split ugi reaction for pulmonary delivery of various size rnas and gene editing
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59136-z
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