Systemic mRNA Delivery into the Muscle of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Model Mice Using Alpha-Dystroglycan Binding...

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a hereditary disease that requires gene or nucleic acid therapy, which involves muscle-targeted delivery of therapeutic material. We previously developed liposomes targeting muscle tissue in DMD model mice (mdx) using an A2G80 peptide, which has an affinity for α-dystroglycan abundantly expressed on the muscle cell membrane. However, these liposomes did not carry gene or nucleic acids. In this study, we aimed to develop muscle-targeting lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) encapsulating luciferase mRNA and evaluate gene expression levels after systemic administration of these LNPs. We first evaluated the efficiency of mRNA delivery based on luciferase activity using polyethylene glycol (PEG)-dimyristoyl glycerol (DMG) and PEG-distearoyl glycerol (DSG) in mdx systemic administration. PEG-DSG-LNPs showed lower luciferase expression in the liver and spleen and higher expression in mdx muscle tissue than PEG-DMG-LNPs. The addition of the A2G80 peptide to LNPs using PEG-DSG (A2G80-DSG-LNPs) significantly increased their activity in mdx but not in normal mice. These results suggest that A2G80-DSG-LNPs allow for muscle-targeted mRNA delivery and are useful tools for DMD treatment.