Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Generation of Cationic Nanoliposomes for the Efficient Delivery of In Vitro Transcribed Messenger RNA
08:29

Generation of Cationic Nanoliposomes for the Efficient Delivery of In Vitro Transcribed Messenger RNA

Published on: February 1, 2019

10.2K

Admixing of mRNA with Pre-Formed Lipid Nanoparticles Containing a Slightly-Cationic Ionizable Lipid Allows for

Haixiu Wang1, Heleen Lauwers1, Mark Gontsarik1

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Gent, 9000, Belgium.

Advanced Healthcare Materials
|June 25, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Researchers explored using pre-formed lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver messenger RNA (mRNA). This alternative method, loading mRNA into empty LNPs (eLNPs), showed comparable expression to traditional methods, offering a simpler approach for mRNA delivery.

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Nanomedicine
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Therapeutic messenger RNA (mRNA) requires carriers for cellular delivery due to its fragility.
  • Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are advanced carriers, typically formed by co-mixing mRNA and lipids.
  • Current LNP formulation involves complex co-assembly processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the viability of using pre-formed, empty LNPs (eLNPs) for mRNA delivery and expression.
  • To determine if mRNA can associate with eLNPs and achieve effective cellular transfection.
  • To compare the efficacy of post-loading mRNA into eLNPs with conventional LNP(mRNA) formulations.

Main Methods:

  • Mixing mRNA with pre-formed, empty LNPs (eLNPs) in an aqueous medium.
  • Assessing mRNA association with eLNPs based on surface charge and ionizable lipid content.
  • Evaluating mRNA expression in vitro and in vivo (mice) post-transfection with eLNP formulations.

Main Results:

  • mRNA successfully associated with eLNPs through electrostatic interactions.
  • Association efficiency was dependent on eLNP surface charge and ionizable lipid composition.
  • Post-loading mRNA into eLNPs yielded mRNA expression levels comparable to conventional LNP(mRNA) formulations.

Conclusions:

  • Post-loading mRNA into eLNPs is a viable alternative for mRNA delivery and expression.
  • This method simplifies LNP formulation, making mRNA transfection more accessible.
  • It facilitates rapid screening of multiple mRNAs and broadens LNP application for researchers lacking formulation capabilities.
Keywords:
empty lipid nanoparticleslipid nanoparticlesmRNA deliverymRNA translation

More Related Videos

Using Lipid Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Chemically Modified mRNA into Mammalian Cells10:02

Using Lipid Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Chemically Modified mRNA into Mammalian Cells

Published on: June 10, 2022

2.3K
Testing the In Vitro and In Vivo Efficiency of mRNA-Lipid Nanoparticles Formulated by Microfluidic Mixing08:55

Testing the In Vitro and In Vivo Efficiency of mRNA-Lipid Nanoparticles Formulated by Microfluidic Mixing

Published on: January 20, 2023

12.1K

Related Concept Videos

Nucleic acids02:43

Nucleic acids

Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
Nucleic Acids02:43

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
Initiation of Translation02:33

Initiation of Translation

Initiating translation is complex because it involves multiple molecules. Initiator tRNA, ribosomal subunits, and eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) are all required to assemble on the initiation codon of mRNA. This process consists of several steps that are mediated by different eIFs.
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
Regulated mRNA Transport02:22

Regulated mRNA Transport

In eukaryotes, transcription and translation are compartmentalized; an mRNA is first synthesized in the nucleus and then selectively transported to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis. Before transport, a pre-mRNA undergoes several steps of post-transcriptional modifications including splicing, 5' capping, and the addition of a poly-adenine tail. Various proteins bind to the pre-mRNA during these modifications. The mRNA transport takes place with the help of multiple proteins playing specific...
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression02:51

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
Nucleic Acid Structure01:25

Nucleic Acid Structure

The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms  a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
DNA Structure
DNA has a double-helix structure. The...