A high-throughput screening platform to identify nanocarriers for efficient delivery of RNA-based therapies

RNA-based therapies are highly selective and powerful regulators of biological functions. Non-viral vectors such as nanoparticles (NPs) are very promising formulations for the delivery of RNA-based therapies but their cell targeting, cell internalization and endolysomal escape capacity is rather limited. Here, we present a methodology that combines high-throughput synthesis of light-triggerable NPs and a high-content imaging screening to identify NPs capable of efficiently delivering different type of RNAs. The NPs were generated using polymers synthesized by Michael type addition reactions and they were designed to: (i) efficiently complex coding (mRNAs) and non-coding (miRNAs and/or lncRNAs) RNA molecules, (ii) allow rapid cell uptake and cytoplasmic release of RNA molecules and (iii) target different cell types based on their composition. Furthermore, light-responsive domains were attached to the polymers by distinctive methods to provide diverse disassembly strategies. The most efficient formulations were identified using cell-based assays and high-content imaging analysis. This strategy allows precise delivery of RNA-based therapies and provides an effective design approach to address critical issues in non-viral gene delivery.