Zwitterionic Phospholipidation of Cationic Polymers Facilitates Systemic mRNA Delivery to Spleen and Lymph Nodes

Shuai Liu, Xu Wang, Xueliang Yu, Qiang Cheng, Lindsay T. Johnson, Sumanta Chatterjee, Di Zhang, Sang M. Lee, Yehui Sun, Ting Chih Lin, John L. Liu, Daniel J. Siegwart

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Polymers represent a promising therapeutic platform for extrahepatic messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery but are hampered by low in vivo efficacy due to polyplex serum instability and inadequate endosomal escape following systemic administration. Here, we report the rational design and combinatorial synthesis of zwitterionic phospholipidated polymers (ZPPs) via cationic polymer postmodification by alkylated dioxaphospholane oxides to deliver mRNA to spleen and lymph nodes in vivo. This modular postmodification approach readily produces tunable zwitterionic species for serum resistance and introduces alkyl chains simultaneously to enhance endosomal escape, thereby transforming deficient cationic polymers to efficacious zwitterionic mRNA carriers without the need to elaborately synthesize functional monomers. ZPPs mediated up to 39 500-fold higher protein expression than their parent cationic counterparts in vitro and enabled efficacious mRNA delivery selectively in spleen and lymph nodes following intravenous administration in vivo. This zwitterionic phospholipidation methodology provides a versatile and generalizable postmodification strategy to introduce zwitterions into the side chains of cationic polymers, extending the utility of cationic polymer families for precise mRNA delivery and demonstrating substantial potential for immunotherapeutic applications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)21321-21330
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume143
Issue number50
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 22 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Zwitterionic Phospholipidation of Cationic Polymers Facilitates Systemic mRNA Delivery to Spleen and Lymph Nodes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this