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Tunable Properties of Poly-DL-Lactide-Monomethoxypolyethylene Glycol Porous Microparticles for Sustained Release of Polyethylenimine-DNA Polyplexes

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  • Theme: Translational Multi-Disciplinary Approach for the Drug and Gene Delivery Systems
  • Published:
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Abstract

Direct pulmonary delivery is a promising step in developing effective gene therapies for respiratory disease. Gene therapies can be used to treat the root cause of diseases, rather than just the symptoms. However, developing effective therapies that do not cause toxicity and that successfully reach the target site at therapeutic levels is challenging. We have developed a polymer-DNA complex utilizing polyethylene imine (PEI) and DNA, which was then encapsulated into poly(lactic acid)-co-monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA-mPEG) microparticles via double emulsion, solvent evaporation. Then, the resultant particle size, porosity, and encapsulation efficiency were measured as a function of altering preparation parameters. Microsphere formation was confirmed from scanning electron micrographs and the aerodynamic particle diameter was measured using an aerodynamic particle sizer. Several formulations produced particles with aerodynamic diameters in the 0–5 μm range despite having larger particle diameters which is indicative of porous particles. Furthermore, these aerodynamic diameters correspond to high deposition within the airways when inhaled and the measured DNA content indicated high encapsulation efficiency. Thus, this formulation provides promise for developing inhalable gene therapies.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Terra M. Kruger for help with the NMR spectra, and Prof. Kristan S. Worthington for assistance with the polymerization reaction. The SEM images were obtained using an SEM instrument in the Central Microscopy Research Facilities at The University of Iowa.

Funding

A.K.S acknowledges support from the NIH P30 CA086862 grant and the Lyle and Sharon Bighley Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences. T.L.T. acknowledges support from the Department of Education GAANN Fellowship program. B.E.G. acknowledges funding support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the University of Iowa Graduate College, and the National GEM Consortium. V. G. J. R. acknowledges support from the Jacques S. Yeager, Sr. endowment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, 115 S. Grand Avenue, S228 PHAR, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA

    Treniece L. Terry, Brittany E. Givens & Aliasger K. Salem

  2. Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Iowa, 115 S. Grand Avenue, S228 PHAR, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA

    Treniece L. Terry, Brittany E. Givens & Aliasger K. Salem

  3. Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, 92521, USA

    Victor G. J. Rodgers

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  1. Treniece L. Terry
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Correspondence to Aliasger K. Salem.

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Terry, T.L., Givens, B.E., Rodgers, V.G.J. et al. Tunable Properties of Poly-DL-Lactide-Monomethoxypolyethylene Glycol Porous Microparticles for Sustained Release of Polyethylenimine-DNA Polyplexes. AAPS PharmSciTech 20, 23 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-018-1215-9

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