Synthesis and Characterization of mRNA-Loaded Poly(Beta Aminoesters) Nanoparticles for Vaccination Purposes

Summary

Here, a simple protocol is presented for producing mRNA nanoparticles based on poly(beta aminoester) polymers, easy to be tailored by changing the encapsulated mRNA. The workflow for synthesizing the polymers, the nanoparticles, and their in vitro essential characterization are also described. A proof-of-concept regarding immunization is also added.

Abstract

Vaccination has been one of the major successes of modern society and is indispensable in controlling and preventing disease. Traditional vaccines were composed of entire or fractions of the infectious agent. However, challenges remain, and new vaccine technologies are mandatory. In this context, the use of mRNA for immunizing purposes has shown an enhanced performance, as demonstrated by the speedy approval of two mRNA vaccines preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection. Beyond success in preventing viral infections, mRNA vaccines can also be used for therapeutic cancer applications.

Nevertheless, the instability of mRNA and its fast clearance from the body due to the presence of nucleases makes its naked delivery not possible. In this context, nanomedicines, and specifically polymeric nanoparticles, are critical mRNA delivery systems. Thus, the aim of this article is to describe the protocol for the formulation and test of an mRNA vaccine candidate based on the proprietary polymeric nanoparticles. The synthesis and chemical characterization of the poly(beta aminoesters) polymers used, their complexation with mRNA to form nanoparticles, and their lyophilization methodology will be discussed here. This is a crucial step for decreasing storage and distribution costs. Finally, the required tests to demonstrate their capacity to in vitro transfect and mature model dendritic cells will be indicated. This protocol will benefit the scientific community working on vaccination because of its high versatility that enables these vaccines to prevent or cure a wide variety of diseases.

Introduction

Infectious diseases have represented a severe threat to millions of human beings around the globe and are still one of the leading causes of death in some developing countries. Prophylactic vaccination has been one of the most effective interventions of modern society to prevent and control infectious diseases^1,2. These critical milestones of science in 20^th-century relevance have been remarked by the recent worldwide Covid-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus³. Recognizing the importance of having efficient vaccines to curtail the dissemination of the disease, cooperat....

Protocol

1. Synthesis of pBAE polymer with end oligopeptides (OM-pBAE)

1. Polymerization of C6-pBAE
   1. Add 5-amino-1-pentanol (38 mmol; MW = 103.16 Da) 1-hexylamine (38 mmol; MW = 101.19 Da) into a round-bottom glass flask (100 mL). Then, add 1,4-butanediol diacrylate (82 mmol; MW = 198.22 Da).
   2. Pre-heat the silicone oil bath at 90 °C, place the round-bottom flask into the oil bath and stir the mixture with the aid of a magnetic stir bar overnight (~18 h). Then, take the product from the round-bottom flask and place it in the freezer at -20 °C.
      NOTE: The product is in the form of a sticky powder and is taken out from the flask with the help of....

Results

Polymer synthesis and characterization
The OM-pBAE synthesis procedure is given in Figure 2. As Figure 2A shows, the first step to obtain the OM-pBAE is to synthesize the C6-pBAE by adding the amines (1-hexylamine and 5-amino-1-pentanol, ratio 1:1) to the diacrylate (1,4-butanediol diacrylate). This reaction is carried out at 90 °C for 20 h and with constant stirring. Afterward, a solution of oligopeptides is added to a solution of C6 polyme.......

Discussion

After the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, the importance of vaccines in terms of infectious disease control has manifested as a critical component⁸. Efforts from scientists worldwide have enabled the release to the market of many vaccines. For the first time in history, mRNA vaccines have demonstrated their previously hypothesized success, thanks to their rapid design because of their capacity to adapt to any novel antigen within some months^5,

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
1,4-butanediol diacrylate	Sigma Aldrich	123048
1-hexylamine	Sigma Aldrich	219703
5-amino-1-pentanol	Sigma Aldrich	411744
Acetone	Panreac	141007
CD11b antibody	BD	550993
CD86 antibody	Bioligend	105007
Chlor hydroxhyde	Panreac	181023
Chloroform-d	Sigma Aldrich	151823
Cys-His-His-His peptide	Ontores	Custom
Cys-Lys-Lys-Lys peptide	Ontores	Custom
D2O	Sigma Aldrich	151882
DEPC reagent for Rnase free water	Sigma Aldrich	D5758	This reagent is important to treat MilliQ water to remove any RNases of the buffers
Diethyl eter	Panreac	212770
dimethyl sulfoxide	Sigma Aldrich	276855
HEPES	Sigma Aldrich	H3375
mRNA EGFP	TriLink Technologies	L-7601
mRNA OVA	TriLink Technologies	L-7610
RiboGreen kit	ThermoFisher	R11490
sodium acetate	Sigma Aldrich	71196
sucrose	Sigma Aldrich	S0389
Trifluoroacetic acid	Sigma Aldrich	302031
Trypsin-EDTA	Fisher Scientific	11570626
α-mouse AlexaFluor488 antibody	Abcam	Ab450105
Equipment
Nanoparticle Tracking Analyzer	Malvern Panalytical	NanoSight NS300
Nuclear Magnetic Ressonance Spectrometer	Varian	400 MHz
ZetaSizer	Malvern Panalytical	Nano ZS	For zeta potential and hydrodynamic size determination
Software
NanoSight NTA software	Malvern Panalytical	MAN0515-02-EN-00
NovoExpress Software	Agilent	Not specified
ZetaSizer software	Malvern Panalytical	DTS Application	To analyze surface charge and hydrodynamic sizes