RNA-based micelles: A novel platform for paclitaxel loading and delivery

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology
• RNA Nanostructures

Background:

• RNA self-assembly offers versatile strategies for nanostructure fabrication.
• Existing methods include base pairing, motif piling, and tertiary interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the novel formation of RNA-based micellar nanoconstructs.
• To demonstrate their potential as a drug delivery platform for therapeutics like Paclitaxel.

Main Methods:

• Conjugation of cholesterol to a branched pRNA three-way junction (3WJ) motif.
• Characterization using agarose gel electrophoresis, AFM, DLS, and Nile Red assay.
• In vitro and in vivo studies for drug delivery, efficacy, and toxicity assessment.

Main Results:

• Formation of amphiphilic RNA micelles through hydrophobic interactions.
• Successful loading and improved water solubility of Paclitaxel.
• Demonstrated cancer cell internalization, proliferation inhibition, and Caspase-3 dependent apoptosis induction.
• In vivo tumor targeting with minimal accumulation in healthy tissues and low inflammatory response.

Conclusions:

• pRNA micelles represent a promising platform for drug delivery due to their controllable assembly, multivalence, and tumor-targeting capabilities.
• The developed RNA micelles exhibit low cytotoxicity and effectively deliver therapeutic payloads.
• This approach offers a novel strategy for fabricating functional RNA nanostructures for biomedical applications.