Journal of Nanomedicine & Biotherapeutic Discovery
Open Access

Integrating Nanotechnology and Biologics: Advances in the Delivery of RNA-Based Therapies

Emma Taylor^{* *}Correspondence: Emma Taylor, Department of Bioengineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, Email:

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Description

The emergence of RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) therapies, particularly mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines, has transformed the landscape of modern medicine. These therapies hold promise for treating a variety of diseases, from infectious diseases such as COVID-19 to genetic disorders and cancers. However, the clinical success of RNA-based therapies is often hampered by challenges related to their efficient and targeted delivery. Here, nanotechnology, in particular the development of novel nanoparticle delivery systems, has emerged as a key element. RNA molecules, including mRNA, small interfering RNA (siRNA), and Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASO), are inherently unstable and susceptible to degradation by ribonucleases in biological environments. Furthermore, RNA is negatively charged, making it difficult to pass through lipid-rich cell membranes. To overcome these challenges, novel delivery systems are needed to protect RNA from degradation, facilitate cellular uptake, and ensure proper release at the target site.

Nanotechnology offers a promising solution to many of these challenges. Nanoparticles (NPs) have unique properties, such as small size, large surface area, and the ability to encapsulate biomolecules, making them ideal candidates for RNA delivery. These nanoparticles can be designed from various lipid-polymer, or inorganic-based materials, each with distinct advantages and functionalities. Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs) have been particularly effective in RNA delivery, including the development of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. LNPs provide an efficient way to encapsulate RNA, protecting it from enzymatic degradation while facilitating its delivery into cells. The lipid bilayer of LNPs can fuse with the cell membrane, promoting the release of RNA into the cytoplasm. In addition, LNPs can be functionalized with targeting ligands to improve specificity, directing RNA to specific tissues or cell types.

Polymeric Nanoparticles (PNPs), those are made from PLGA (Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid), offer additional benefits. They can be engineered to degrade over time, allowing for the controlled release of RNA molecules. PNPs can also be modified to improve biocompatibility, stability, and cellular uptake. Due to their versatility, polymeric nanoparticles can be adapted for a variety of RNA-based therapeutics, including gene silencing with siRNA or gene editing with CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) tools. Inorganic nanoparticles, such as gold and silica-based NPs, have also been explored for RNA delivery. These nanoparticles can be designed with surface modifications that improve their stability and interaction with RNA, thereby facilitating their cellular uptake. Inorganic nanoparticles often provide a powerful platform for loading large amounts of RNA, making them suitable for applications requiring large payloads, such as cancer immunotherapy or multigene treatments.

One of the main advantages of using nanoparticles for RNA delivery is the ability to improve tissue-specific targeting. By attaching ligands such as antibodies, peptides, or aptamers to the surface of nanoparticles, researchers can direct the RNA payload to specific cell types, reducing off-target effects and minimizing toxicity. This is particularly important in cancer treatment, where RNA-based therapies must be delivered selectively to tumour cells while sparing healthy tissue. Additionally, the use of nanoparticles can reduce the immunogenicity of RNA-based therapies. While free RNA can induce unwanted immune responses, nanoparticles can protect RNA, allowing it to avoid early detection and degradation by the immune system. It also extends the half-life of circulating RNA, thereby improving its therapeutic efficacy. The integration of nanotechnology and RNA-based biology has seen tremendous progress in recent years. One of the most notable examples is the success of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. The use of LNP as distribution systems demonstrated the potential of nanotechnology to overcome many traditional barriers to RNA delivery, paving the way for broader applications in infectious diseases and therapeutic interventions for chronic diseases such as cancer and genetic disorders.

As our understanding of RNA biology and nanotechnology continues to evolve, we can expect RNA-based therapies to become more personalized, more precise, and more effective. By integrating these two fields, researchers are paving the way for breakthrough treatments that could transform the medical landscape, offering new hope to patients suffering from previously incurable diseases. The combination of nanotechnology and RNA-based biology represents a revolutionary approach in the development of modern therapeutics. By addressing the key challenges of RNA delivery (stability, cellular uptake, and targeted release), nanoparticles allow RNA-based therapies to reach their full potential. With continued advances in the design of nanoparticles and RNA delivery systems, the future of RNA-based therapies looks incredibly promising, offering novel solutions to a wide range of diseases and paving the way for the next generation of precision medicine.