Transformative Potential of Room-Temperature Self-Assembling Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery Systems

Scientists at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering have engineered a game-changing delivery system for both RNA and protein therapies. The team, led by graduate student Samir Hossainy, has developed polymer-based nanoparticles that self-assemble at room temperature in water, making them scalable and free from toxic solvents or complicated microfluidics.

Hossainy hypothesized that polymer-based nanoparticles could offer a more robust, customizable alternative. After trying and fine-tuning more than a dozen different materials, he found one that worked, which self-assembles into uniformly sized nanoparticles (polymersomes) surrounding the protein molecules when heated to room temperature.

These new nanoparticles, described in a study titled "Thermoreversibly Assembled Polymersomes for Highly Efficient Loading, Processing, and Delivery of Protein and siRNA Biologics", can deliver proteins, which are unstable in many existing nanoparticle formulations. They can encapsulate more than 75% of protein and nearly 100% of short interfering RNA (siRNA) cargo.

In a significant breakthrough, the polymersomes have shown promise in suppressing tumor growth in mice when injected into tumors. They can block cancer-related genes, providing a potential avenue for cancer treatment. Moreover, the polymersomes can carry proteins designed to prevent an immune response in the context of allergic asthma.

The new nanoparticles are expected to address the challenges of current nanoparticle formulations, such as the formation of particles of different sizes. One of the biggest advantages of the new polymersomes over current LNPs (lipid nanoparticles, made of fatty molecules, which enabled the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines) is the potential for improved stability of the RNA or protein due to being able to store them dry.

Another significant advantage is the potential for low-tech, decentralized production. The polymersomes can be freeze-dried and stored without refrigeration, making them an attractive option for remote locations or resource-limited settings.

The group is continuing to work on fine-tuning the particles to carry more types of cargo, including messenger RNA. The plan is to collaborate on preclinical trials to apply the polymersomes to real-world vaccine or drug delivery challenges. This groundbreaking research could pave the way for more efficient and accessible drug delivery systems in the future.

Transformative Potential of Room-Temperature Self-Assembling Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery Systems