Intracellular processing of DNA-lipid nanoparticles: A quantitative assessment by image segmentation

Apr 14, 2025Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society

Measuring how cells process DNA-delivery nanoparticles using image analysis

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Abstract

Significant differences in endosomal escape rates were observed between two DNA-loaded lipid nanoparticle formulations.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are important for the delivery of nucleic acids in gene therapy.
Current formulations have low endosomal escape rates, highlighting a challenge in effective delivery.
An automated live-cell imaging method was developed to analyze the intracellular processing of LNPs.
Fluorescent labeling allowed for tracking of DNA-loaded LNPs in engineered HuH7 hepatic cell lines.
Subpopulations of target cells were activated for endosomal escape or recycling after treatment.
Recycling inhibitors were utilized to enhance endosomal escape of the LNPs.

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Carriers for efficient delivery of nucleic acids, such as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), have gained much attention for gene therapy applications. Intracellular processing of such nanocarriers is a complex mechanism comprising cellular internalization by endocytosis pathways, endosomal release into the cytosol, lysosomal degradation, and recycling. The endosomal escape rates of current formulations are considered low, and methods to reliably quantify endocytic events are not readily available. To address this shortcoming and to support the optimization of LNP formulations, the current study presents an automated live-cell imaging-based analysis method. Engineered HuH7 hepatic cell lines overexpressing fluorescent Galectin and Rab reporters together with lysosomal co-staining enabled qualitative and quantitative tracking of DNA-loaded LNPs. The use of two fluorescently labeled DNA-LNP formulations containing either SM-102 or ALC-0315 ionizable lipids revealed significant differences in endosomal escape rates and intracellular processing. Upon treatment, only subpopulations of the HuH7 target cells could be activated with respect to escape or recycling. Recycling inhibitors were therefore used to promote endosomal escape. These findings provide valuable insights into the timing and regulation of endocytic events, which will be instrumental to optimize therapeutic LNP formulations.

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Intracellular processing of DNA-lipid nanoparticles: A quantitative assessment by image segmentation

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