Nanoparticles of hexagonal liquid crystalline phase functionalized with cell-penetrating peptides for siRNA delivery in vaginal diseases therapy: pharmacotechnical studies and in vitro release in animal model

• Grant number: 11/02630-6
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2011
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal researcher: Maria Vitória Lopes Badra Bentley
• Grantee: Raquel Petrilli
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The process of RNA interference refers to the silencing of genes post transcriptional sequence-specific in animals and plants that can be promoted by dsRNA that is homologous to the sequence of the silenced gene. This type of therapy has the advantages of specificity for the targets chosen, the possibility of treating a wide range of genetic diseases, besides being very potent and effective. However, the main challenge is to maintain the stability of siRNAs in biological fluids, since they are quite susceptible to degradation by renal excretion and RNAses. Thus, it reinforces the need for appropriate delivery systems that are capable of maintaining the stability of siRNAs long enough to reach the target organs for therapy. Vaginal mucosa is the main port of entry for many viral and bacterial agents and because of this, it becomes a new frontier for the use of gene therapy as topically applied agents are the best way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS and genital herpes. In this sense, many non-viral carrier systems have been studied for the placement of siRNA, and innovative nature of the project proposal aims for the development of delivery systems based on liquid crystals functionalized with peptides from membrane transduction to the use of vaginal siRNAs delivery systems. Thus, hexagonal liquid crystal phase will be incorporated with TAT, cell-penetrating peptide already established, and these will be incorporated into siRNAs. The systems will be characterized and then applied in vitro for studies of release in vaginal animal model in order to prove the potential of these systems in the treatment of various vaginal infections. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PETRILLI, R.; ELOY, J. O.; PRACA, F. S. G.; DEL CIAMPO, J. O.; FANTINI, M. A. C.; FONSECA, M. J. V.; BENTLEY, M. V. L. B. Liquid Crystalline Nanodispersions Functionalized with Cell-Penetrating Peptides for Topical Delivery of Short-Interfering RNAs: A Proposal for Silencing a Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine in Cutaneous Diseases. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL NANOTECHNOLOGY, v. 12, n. 5, p. 1063-1075, MAY 2016. Web of Science Citations: 22.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

PETRILLI, Raquel. Hexagonal phase liquid crystalline nanonoparticles functionalyzed with transduction peptides for siRNA vehiculation in the therapy of topical diseases.. 2013. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.