Bioengineering Division, Institute for Graduate Studies in Science and Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2024 Oct;203:114432. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114432. Epub 2024 Aug 2.
Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is one of the most prevalent cancers, leading to significant mortality rates due to limited treatment options and a lack of effective therapeutics. Janus kinase (JAK1), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase family member, is involved in various cellular processes, including differentiation, cell proliferation and survival, playing a crucial role in cancer progression. This study aims to provide a more effective treatment for NMSC by concurrently silencing the JAK1 gene and administering 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) using liposome nanocomplexes as delivery vehicles. Utilizing RNA interference (RNAi) technology, liposome nanocomplexes modified with polyethylene imine (PEI) were conjugated with siRNA molecule targeting JAK1 and loaded with 5-FU. The prepared formulations (NL-PEI) were characterized in terms of their physicochemical properties, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release, and stability. Cell cytotoxicity, cell uptake and knockdown efficiency were evaluated in human-derived non-melanoma epidermoid carcinoma cells (A-431). High contrast transmission electron microscopy (CTEM) images and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements revealed that the nanocomplexes formed spherical morphology with uniform sizes ranging from 80-120 nm. The cationic NL-PEI nanocomplexes successfully internalized within the cytoplasm of A-431, delivering siRNA for specific sequence binding and JAK1 gene silencing. The encapsulation of 5-FU in the nanocomplexes was achieved at 0.2 drug/lipid ratio. Post-treatment with NL-PEI for 24, 48 and 72 h showed cell viability above 80 % at concentrations up to 8.5 × 10 µg/mL. Notably, 5-FU delivery via nanoliposome formulations significantly reduced cell viability at 5-FU concentration of 5 µM and above (p < 0.05) after 24 h of incubation. The NL-PEI nanocomplexes effectively silenced the JAK1 gene in vitro, reducing its expression by 50 %. Correspondingly, JAK1 protein level decreased after transfection with JAK1 siRNA-conjugated liposome nanocomplexes, leading to a 37 % reduction in pERK (phosphor extracellular signal-regulated kinase) protein expression. These findings suggest that the combined delivery of JAK1 siRNA and 5-FU via liposomal formulations offers a promising and novel treatment strategy for targeting genes and other identified targets in NMSC therapy.
非黑色素瘤皮肤癌(NMSC)是最常见的癌症之一,由于治疗选择有限和缺乏有效治疗方法,导致死亡率较高。Janus 激酶(JAK1)是一种非受体酪氨酸激酶家族成员,参与多种细胞过程,包括分化、细胞增殖和存活,在癌症进展中发挥关键作用。本研究旨在通过同时沉默 JAK1 基因并使用脂质体纳米复合物作为递送载体给予 5-氟尿嘧啶(5-FU),为 NMSC 提供更有效的治疗方法。利用 RNA 干扰(RNAi)技术,用聚乙烯亚胺(PEI)修饰的脂质体纳米复合物与靶向 JAK1 的 siRNA 分子缀合,并负载 5-FU。制备的制剂(NL-PEI)在物理化学性质、形态、包封效率、体外药物释放和稳定性方面进行了表征。在人源性非黑色素瘤表皮样癌细胞(A-431)中评估细胞细胞毒性、细胞摄取和基因敲低效率。高对比度透射电子显微镜(CTEM)图像和动态光散射(DLS)测量显示,纳米复合物形成具有 80-120nm 均匀尺寸的球形形态。阳离子 NL-PEI 纳米复合物成功地在 A-431 的细胞质内内化,用于特定序列结合和 JAK1 基因沉默的 siRNA 传递。在纳米复合物中包封 5-FU 的量为 0.2 药物/脂质比。NL-PEI 处理 24、48 和 72h 后,在高达 8.5×10μg/mL 的浓度下,细胞活力仍保持在 80%以上。值得注意的是,5-FU 通过纳米脂质体制剂递送后,孵育 24h 后,5-FU 浓度为 5μM 及以上时,细胞活力显著降低(p<0.05)。NL-PEI 纳米复合物在体外有效沉默 JAK1 基因,使其表达降低 50%。相应地,用 JAK1 siRNA 缀合的脂质体纳米复合物转染后,JAK1 蛋白水平降低,导致 pERK(磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶)蛋白表达降低 37%。这些发现表明,通过脂质体制剂联合递送 JAK1 siRNA 和 5-FU 为 NMSC 治疗中的靶向基因和其他鉴定靶点提供了一种有前途的新治疗策略。