Sub-100nm biodegradable polymer spheres capable of transporting and releasing nucleic acids
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsSachiko Hirosue, Bernhard G. Mueller, Robert S. Langer, Richard C. Mulligan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides biodegradable polymer nanospheres capable of transporting and releasing therapeutic agents, specifically nucleic acids. In preferred embodiments, a sub-150 nm nanosphere is formed containing nucleic acids. Thereafter, the agent is released from the nanosphere. In one embodiment a biodegradable polymer nanosphere surface has attached to it a targeting moiety. In another embodiment, the biodegradable polymer nanosphere surface has attached to it a masking moiety. In yet another embodiment both targeting and masking moieties are attached to the nanosphere surface.
Claims41
A method for the delivery of nucleic acids comprising:
- forming nucleic acid containing nanospheres, wherein said nanospheres are sub-150 nm polymer spheres of which at least 50% of the size distribution of nanospheres is sub-100 nm;
- and
- releasing said nucleic acids from said nanospheres over a period of time.
A method for the delivery of nucleic acids to specific cells comprising:
- forming nucleic acid containing nanospheres, wherein said nanospheres are sub-150 nm polymer spheres, of which at least 50% of the size distribution of nanospheres is sub-100 nm, and wherein a targeting moiety is attached to the surface of said nanospheres;
- and
- releasing said nucleic acids from said nanospheres over a period of time.
A method for the intravenous delivery of nucleic acids comprising:
- forming nucleic acid containing nanospheres, wherein said nanospheres are sub-150 nm polymer spheres of which at least 50% of the size distribution of nanospheres is sub-100 nm, and wherein a masking moiety is attached to the surface of said nanospheres;
- and
- releasing said nucleic acids from said nanospheres over a period of time.
A method for the intravenous delivery of nucleic acids comprising:
- forming nucleic acid containing nanospheres, wherein said nanospheres are sub-150 nm polymer spheres of which at least 50% of the size distribution of nanospheres is sub-100 nm, and wherein a targeting moiety and a masking moiety is attached to the surface of said nanospheres;
- and
- releasing said nucleic acids from said nanospheres.
A system for the delivery of nucleic acids comprising:
- nanospheres containing nucleic acids, wherein said nanospheres are sub-150 nm polymer spheres of which at least 50% of the size distribution of spheres is sub-100 nm,
- whereby said nucleic acids are controllably released from said nanospheres.
A system for the biocompatible transport and release of nucleic acids comprising:
- nanospheres containing nucleic acids, wherein said nanospheres containing nucleic acids are sub-150 nm polymer spheres of which at least 50% of the size distribution of spheres is sub-100 nm, and wherein a targeting moiety is attached to the surface of said nanospheres,
- whereby said nucleic acids are controllably released from said nanospheres.
A system for the intravenous delivery of nucleic acids comprising:
- nanospheres containing nucleic acids, wherein said nanospheres containing nucleic acids are sub-150 nm polymer spheres of which at least 50% of the size distribution of spheres is sub-100 nm, and wherein a surface masking moiety is attached to the surface of said nanospheres,
- whereby said nucleic acids are controllably released from said nanospheres.
A system for the intravenous delivery of nucleic acids comprising:
- nanospheres containing nucleic acids, wherein said nanospheres containing nucleic acids are sub-150 nm polymer spheres of which at least 50% of the size distribution of spheres is sub-100 nm, and wherein both a targeting moiety and a surface masking moiety are attached to the surface of said nanospheres,
- whereby said nucleic acids are controllably released from said nanospheres.
A method for introducing nucleic acids into cells or subcellular components comprising the steps of:
- encapsulating nucleic acids within nanospheres, wherein said nanospheres encapsulating nucleic acids are sub-150 nm polymer spheres of which at least 50% of the size distribution of spheres is sub-100 nm;
- and
- contacting said nanospheres encapsulating nucleic acids with cells, whereby said encapsulated nucleic acids are released from said nanospheres.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.