Liquid crystalline inverted lipid phases encapsulating siRNA enhance lipid nanoparticle mediated transfection.

ABSTRACT: Efficient cytosolic delivery of RNA molecules remains a formidable barrier for RNA therapeutic strategies. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) serve as state-of-the-art carriers that can deliver RNA molecules intracellularly, as exemplified by the recent implementation of several vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Using a bottom-up rational design approach, we assemble LNPs that contain programmable lipid phases encapsulating small interfering RNA (siRNA). A combination of cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, cryogenic electron tomography and small-angle X-ray scattering reveals that we can form inverse hexagonal structures, which are present in a liquid crystalline nature within the LNP core. Comparison with lamellar LNPs reveals that the presence of inverse hexagonal phases enhances the intracel

SUBMITTER: Pattipeiluhu R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10861598 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature