Targeted delivery of let-7a microRNA encapsulated ephrin-A1 conjugated liposomal nanoparticles inhibit tumor growth in lung cancer

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small noncoding RNA sequences that negatively regulate the expression of target genes by posttranscriptional repression. miRs are dysregulated in various diseases, including cancer. let-7a miR, an antioncogenic miR, is downregulated in lung cancers. Our earlier studies demonstrated that let-7a miR inhibits tumor growth in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and could be a potential therapeutic against lung cancer. EphA2 (ephrin type-A receptor 2) tyrosine kinase is overexpressed in most cancer cells, including MPM and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Ephrin-A1, a specific ligand of the EphA2 receptor, inhibits cell proliferation and migration. In this study, to enhance the delivery of miR, the miRs were encapsulated in the DOTAP (N-[1-(2.3-dioleoyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethyl ammonium)/Cholesterol/DSPE (1,2-distearoyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[cyanur(polyethylene glycol)-2000])-PEG (polyethylene glycol)-cyanur liposomal nanoparticles (LNP) and ephrin-A1 was conjugated on the surface of LNP to target receptor EphA2 on lung cancer cells. The LNP with an average diameter of 100 nm showed high stability, low cytotoxicity, and high loading efficiency of precursor let-7a miR and ephrin-A1. The ephrin-A1 conjugated LNP (ephrin-A1–LNP) and let-7a miR encapsulated LNP (miR–LNP) showed improved transfection efficiency against MPM and NSCLC. The effectiveness of targeted delivery of let-7a miR encapsulated ephrin-A1 conjugated LNP (miR–ephrin-A1–LNP) was determined on MPM and NSCLC tumor growth in vitro. miR–ephrin-A1–LNP significantly increased the delivery of let-7a miR in lung cancer cells when compared with free let-7a miR. In addition, the expression of target gene Ras was significantly repressed following miR–ephrin-A1–LNP treatment. Furthermore, the miR–ephrin-A1–LNP complex significantly inhibited MPM and NSCLC proliferation, migration, and tumor growth. Our results demonstrate that the engineered miR–ephrin-A1–LNP complex is an effective carrier for the targeted delivery of small RNA molecules to lung cancer cells. This could be a potential therapeutic approach against tumors overexpressing the EphA2 receptor.

MicroRNAs in pancreatic malignancy: Progress and promises

“…For instance, Gaca and coworkers [87] developed a miRNA-loaded nanoparticle system conjugated with Hsp70 antibody on the surface to target Hsp70 positive glioblastoma cells. Ephrin-A1 conjugated nanoparticles of let-7a were shown to significantly inhibit the tumor growth in lung cancer as compared to either ephrin-A1 or let-7a nanoparticle alone [88]. Hu et al developed miR-34a-delivering nanocomplexes with a tumor-targeting and -penetrating bifunctional CC9 peptide for pancreatic cancer therapy.…”

Potential clinical application of lncRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer

“… 40 The delivery problems associated with siRNA and its off-target effects may limit its further application, and inhibition of lncRNAs remains a challenge in vivo. 41 However, several strategies have been developed to overcome this shortcoming, such as lipid-based nanoparticle delivery, 42 conjugate-based delivery, 43 and polymer-based delivery, 44 and these approaches are available for potential molecular treatment.…”

Targeting microRNA to improve diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for malignant mesothelioma

“…In turn, RAS family proto-oncogenes were suppressed causing an inhibitory effect on MPM cell growth [ 72 ]. In a subsequent study, nanoparticles packaged with let-7a inhibited MPM cell proliferation, migration and tumour growth [ 73 ]. Recently, another let-7 family member, let-7b, was shown to enhance the anti-tumour effect of ursolic acid in MPM cell lines.…”

“…MiRNA replacement therapy for MPM has been an effective inhibitor of tumour growth in mice [ 73 , 75 , 81 , 86 , 96 ]. The most important development in moving this treatment forward to the clinic was the development of the miRNA delivery vehicles TargomiRs, by EnGeneIC.…”