<p>Aptamer-Functionalized Dendrimer Delivery of Plasmid-Encoding lncRNA <em>MEG3</em> Enhances Gene Therapy in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer</p>
Zongguang Tai, Jinyuan Ma, Jianing Ding, Huijun Pan, Rongrong Chai, Congcong Zhu, Zhen Cui, Zhongjian Chen, Quangang Zhu
Abstract
Purpose: The clinical management of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is difficult. However, novel treatment methods are gradually being introduced. Considering the adverse effects of traditional treatments, recent studies have investigated gene therapy as a method to combat CRPC; but, the application of long non-coding (lnc) RNA in gene therapy remains scarce, despite their promise. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a system that can efficiently deliver lncRNA for the treatment of CRPC. Here, we investigated the efficacy of a delivery system by introducing the plasmid-encoding tumor suppressor lncRNA MEG3 (pMEG3) in CRPC cells. Materials and Methods: An EpDT3 aptamer-linked poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer targeting EpCAM was used to deliver pMEG3 in CRPC cells. The PAMAM-PEG-EpDT3/pMEG3 nanoparticles (NPs) were tested using in vitro cellular assays including cellular uptake, entry, and CCK-8 measurement, and tumor growth inhibition, histological assessment, and safety evaluations in in vivo animal models. Results: The EpDT3 aptamer promoted endocytosis of PAMAM and PAMAM-PEG-EpDT3/pMEG3 NPs in CRPC cells. PAMAM-PEG-EpDT3/pMEG3 NPs exhibited a significant anti-CRPC effect, both in vivo and in vitro, when compared to that of unfunctionalized PAMAM-PEG/pMEG3 NPs. Conclusion: PAMAM-PEG-EpDT3/pMEG3 NPs can potentially improve gene therapy in CRPC cells. Keywords: long non-coding RNA MEG3, castration-resistant prostate cancer, gene therapy, dendrimer