Thermally Switchable Nanogate Based on Polymer Phase Transition

Mimicking and extending the gating properties of biological pores is of paramount interest for the fabrication of membranes that could be used in filtration or drug processing. Here, we build a selective and switchable nanopore for macromolecular cargo transport. Our approach exploits polymer graftings within artificial nanopores to control the translocation of biomolecules. To measure transport at the scale of individual biomolecules, we use fluorescence microscopy with a zero-mode waveguide set up. We show that grafting polymers that exhibit a lower critical solution temperature creates a toggle switch between an open and closed state of the nanopore depending on the temperature. We demonstrate tight control over the transport of DNA and viral capsids with a sharp transition (∼1 °C) and present a simple physical model that predicts key features of this transition. Our approach provides the potential for controllable and responsive nanopores in a range of applications

Synthesis of monoplasmidic nanoparticles for gene transfer

Depuis le XXème siècle, la thérapie génique ouvre la voie au traitement de maladies d’origine génétique et de maladies acquises. L’introduction d’un polynucléotide dans les cellules présentant une mutation génétique permet de moduler leur fonctionnement. Afin de passer les différentes barrières biologiques et de rejoindre le noyau des cellules ciblées, l’ADN doit être protégé par un vecteur. Divers vecteurs ont été développés tels que les vecteurs polymériques à base de PEI. Malgré leur efficacité, ces vecteurs montrent des réactions immunogènes. Des fonctionnalisations sont développées pour réduire cette toxicité notamment par la formation de vecteurs furtifs. La stratégie standard de PEGylation montre, cependant, des limites nécessitant l’utilisation de nouveaux polymères hydrophiles. Dans ce contexte, la POxylation a été étudiée comme alternative à la PEGylation pour le design de nouveaux polyplexes. Une nouvelle méthode de synthèse de copolymères PEI-b-POx par hydrolyse sélective de copolymères à blocs poly(2-R1-2-oxazoline-b-2-R2-2-oxazoline) a été mise au point ainsi que la fonctionnalisation par des résidus histidine pour améliorer l’efficacité de transfection et diminuer la toxicité du vecteur polymère. Un ligand galactose a été greffé en fin de chaîne hydrophile pour induire un ciblage cellulaire. Les polymères synthétisés ont été utilisés pour former des polyplexes avec l’ADN via une méthode de formulation « par extrusion » avant de réaliser des tests de transfection in vitro et in vivo. Une réduction de la cytotoxicité a été observée lors de l’utilisation des copolymères PEI-b-POx en comparaison aux PEI tout en conservant une efficacité de transfection.Since 20th century, breakthrough in gene therapy paves the way for new therapeutic strategies against genetic disorders, cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. Cells with genetic mutation may have their cellular machinery modulated via the introduction of polynucleotides in their nucleus. Nevertheless, DNA needs to be protected by a vector to cross biological barriers and to reach targeted cell nucleus. Various types of vectors have been developed like PEI-based vectors. However, those efficient polymeric vectors exhibit a toxicity which can be lowered by PEG functionalization. Nevertheless, the well-known PEGylation approach shows limits requiring news hydrophilic polymers. In this context, POxylation was studied as PEG alternatives in the design of new pDNA containing nanovectors. A new synthetic strategy was developed with a selective hydrolysis of block poly(2-R1-2-oxazoline-b-2-R2-2-oxazoline) copolymers. The functionalization of the synthetized PEI-b-POx copolymers with histidine moieties was achieved, along with galactose grafting to induce cellular targeting or histidine grafting to improve endosomal escape. These polymers were used to form polyplexes with DNA via extrusion method and further biological testing via in vitro and in vivo transfection essays were performed. An efficient transfection was obtained with a reduction of the cytotoxicity for PEI-b-POx copolymers compared to PEI

Synthèse de nanoparticules monoplasmidiques pour le transfert de gènes

Since 20th century, breakthrough in gene therapy paves the way for new therapeutic strategies against genetic disorders, cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. Cells with genetic mutation may have their cellular machinery modulated via the introduction of polynucleotides in their nucleus. Nevertheless, DNA needs to be protected by a vector to cross biological barriers and to reach targeted cell nucleus. Various types of vectors have been developed like PEI-based vectors. However, those efficient polymeric vectors exhibit a toxicity which can be lowered by PEG functionalization. Nevertheless, the well-known PEGylation approach shows limits requiring news hydrophilic polymers. In this context, POxylation was studied as PEG alternatives in the design of new pDNA containing nanovectors. A new synthetic strategy was developed with a selective hydrolysis of block poly(2-R1-2-oxazoline-b-2-R2-2-oxazoline) copolymers. The functionalization of the synthetized PEI-b-POx copolymers with histidine moieties was achieved, along with galactose grafting to induce cellular targeting or histidine grafting to improve endosomal escape. These polymers were used to form polyplexes with DNA via extrusion method and further biological testing via in vitro and in vivo transfection essays were performed. An efficient transfection was obtained with a reduction of the cytotoxicity for PEI-b-POx copolymers compared to PEI.Depuis le XXème siècle, la thérapie génique ouvre la voie au traitement de maladies d’origine génétique et de maladies acquises. L’introduction d’un polynucléotide dans les cellules présentant une mutation génétique permet de moduler leur fonctionnement. Afin de passer les différentes barrières biologiques et de rejoindre le noyau des cellules ciblées, l’ADN doit être protégé par un vecteur. Divers vecteurs ont été développés tels que les vecteurs polymériques à base de PEI. Malgré leur efficacité, ces vecteurs montrent des réactions immunogènes. Des fonctionnalisations sont développées pour réduire cette toxicité notamment par la formation de vecteurs furtifs. La stratégie standard de PEGylation montre, cependant, des limites nécessitant l’utilisation de nouveaux polymères hydrophiles. Dans ce contexte, la POxylation a été étudiée comme alternative à la PEGylation pour le design de nouveaux polyplexes. Une nouvelle méthode de synthèse de copolymères PEI-b-POx par hydrolyse sélective de copolymères à blocs poly(2-R1-2-oxazoline-b-2-R2-2-oxazoline) a été mise au point ainsi que la fonctionnalisation par des résidus histidine pour améliorer l’efficacité de transfection et diminuer la toxicité du vecteur polymère. Un ligand galactose a été greffé en fin de chaîne hydrophile pour induire un ciblage cellulaire. Les polymères synthétisés ont été utilisés pour former des polyplexes avec l’ADN via une méthode de formulation « par extrusion » avant de réaliser des tests de transfection in vitro et in vivo. Une réduction de la cytotoxicité a été observée lors de l’utilisation des copolymères PEI-b-POx en comparaison aux PEI tout en conservant une efficacité de transfection

Controlled star poly(2-oxazoline)s: Synthesis, characterization

International audiencePoly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) star polymers with 3, 4 and 6 arms are synthesized from pluritriflate initiators. Characterization of the topology was achieved by NMR, SEC and kinetic studies. The initiation step of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline being slow, heterogeneous star polymers in arm molar masses are obtained for low molar mass polymers. However, for both monomers, high molar mass homogeneous star polymers are obtained. A fast initiation is observed for the polymerization of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline, providing a control of the topology even at low molar mass. In the studied molar mass range, linear kinetic first order plots and linear molar mass as a function of conversion are obtained for both monomers, suggesting living polymerizations

Synthesis of Double Hydrophilic Block Copolymers Poly(2‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazoline‐ b ‐ethylenimine) and their DNA Transfection Efficiency

International audienceGene delivery is now a part of the therapeutic arsenal for vaccination and treatments of inherited or acquired diseases. Polymers represent an opportunity to develop new synthetic vectors for gene transfer, with a prerequisite of improved delivery and reduced toxicity compared to existing polymers. Here, the synthesis in a two-step's procedure of linear poly(ethylenimine-b-2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) block copolymers with the linear polyethylenimine (lPEI) block of various molar masses is reported; the molar mass of the poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) (PiPrOx) block has been set to 7 kg mol−1. Plasmid DNA condensation is successfully achieved, and in vitro transfection efficiency of the copolymers is at least comparable to that obtained with the lPEI of same molar mass. lPEI-b-PiPrOx block copolymers are however less cytotoxic than their linear counterparts. PiPrOx can be a good alternative to PEG which is often used in drug delivery systems. The grafting of histidine moieties on the lPEI block of lPEI-b-PiPrOx does not provide any real improvement of the transfection efficiency. A weak DNA condensation is observed, due to increased steric hindrance along the lPEI backbone. The low cytotoxicity of lPEI-b-PiPrOx makes this family a good candidate for future gene delivery developments

Soft jamming of viral particles in nanopores

International audienceViruses have remarkable physical properties and complex interactions with their environment. However, their aggregation in confined spaces remains unexplored, although this phenomenon is of paramount importance for understanding viral infectivity. Using hydrodynamical driving and optical detection, we developed a method to detect the transport of single virus in real time through synthetic nanopores. We unveiled a jamming phenomenon specifically associated with virus confinement under flow. We showed that the interactions of viral particles with themselves and with the pore surface were critical for clog formation. Based on the detailed screening of the physical and chemical determinants, we proposed a simple dynamical model that recapitulated all the experimental observations. Our results pave the way for the study of jamming phenomena in the presence of more complex interactions

Thermally Switchable Nanogate Based on Polymer Phase Transition

International audienceMimicking and extending the gating properties of biological pores is of paramount interest for the fabrication of membranes that could be used in filtration or drug processing. Here, we build a selective and switchable nanopore for macromolecular cargo transport. Our approach exploits polymer graftings within artificial nanopores to control the translocation of biomolecules. To measure transport at the scale of individual biomolecules, we use fluorescence microscopy with a zero-mode waveguide set up. We show that grafting polymers that exhibit a lower critical solution temperature creates a toggle switch between an open and closed state of the nanopore depending on the temperature. We demonstrate tight control over the transport of DNA and viral capsids with a sharp transition (∼1 °C) and present a simple physical model that predicts key features of this transition. Our approach provides the potential for controllable and responsive nanopores in a range of applications

Soft jamming of viral particles in nanopores

Abstract Viruses have remarkable physical properties and complex interactions with their environment. However, their aggregation in confined spaces remains unexplored, although this phenomenon is of paramount importance for understanding viral infectivity. Using hydrodynamical driving and optical detection, we developed a method to detect the transport of single virus in real time through synthetic nanopores. We unveiled a jamming phenomenon specifically associated with virus confinement under flow. We showed that the interactions of viral particles with themselves and with the pore surface were critical for clog formation. Based on the detailed screening of the physical and chemical determinants, we proposed a simple dynamical model that recapitulated all the experimental observations. Our results pave the way for the study of jamming phenomena in the presence of more complex interactions