ROELOFS-HAARHUIS HENDRIKA MARIA (NL)
VAN DER WAL STEFFEN (NL)
RIP JACOB (NL)
WO2021069920A1 | 2021-04-15 | |||
WO2012165953A1 | 2012-12-06 | |||
WO2021069920A1 | 2021-04-15 |
US20120149630A1 | 2012-06-14 |
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Claims 1. Nanoparticles comprising an azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer and a biologically active component selected from the group consisting of nucleotides, polynucleotides, oligonucleotides, peptides, proteins and combination thereof, wherein said polymer comprises a polyamine segment of formula (I), wherein X is based on a bis(α,β-unsaturated carbonyl) monomer, B is based on an amine monomer, Q is based on an azanaphthalene-containing amine monomer comprising an azanaphthalene moiety, m is at least 1, and n is at least 1, preferably n + m is in the range of 2-250. 2. Nanoparticle according to claim 1, wherein the azanaphthalene moiety is selected from the group consisting of benzopyridines including 1- benzazines (quinolines) and 2-benzazines (isoquinolines) and diazanaphthalenes including 1,2-diazanaphthalenes (cinnolines), 1,3- diazanaphthalenes (quinazolines), 1,4-diazanaphthalenes (quinoxalines), 2,3-diazanaphthalenes (phthalazines), 1,8-diazanaphthalenes, 1,7- diazanaphthalenes, 2,7-diazanaphthalenes, 1,6-diazanaphthalenes, 1,5- diazanaphthalenes, and 2,6-diazanaphthalenes, preferably benzopyridines, more preferably quinolines. 3. Nanoparticle according to any of the previous claims, wherein X is based on a bis(α,β-unsaturated carbonyl) monomer according to formula (Ix), wherein A is selected from the group consisting of C(R1)2, O, N(R1), S, and combinations thereof, R1 is selected from the group consisting of H, halides and C1-C22 hydrocarbyls such as alkyls, alkenyls and polyalkenyls, which are optionally substituted with one or more halides, and combinations thereof; and R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C40 linear, cyclic and branched hydrocarbylenes, which are optionally substituted and/or interrupted with one or more heteroatoms, and combinations thereof. 4. Nanoparticle according to any of claims 1-2, wherein X comprises a disulfide moiety, preferably wherein X is as defined in claim 3 and wherein R2 comprises a disulfide moiety, more preferably wherein R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C10 hydrocarbylenes, preferably linear alkylenes, interrupted with at least one disulfide moiety, and combinations thereof. 5. Nanoparticle according to any of the previous claims, wherein B is based on a primary amine according to formula (IB1), or on a diamine according to formula (IB2), wherein R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C40 linear, cyclic and branched hydrocarbyls, which are optionally substituted and/or interrupted with one or more heteroatoms, and combinations thereof; and R4 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C40 linear, cyclic and branched hydrocarbylenes, which are optionally substituted and/or interrupted with one or more heteroatoms, and combinations thereof. 6. Nanoparticle according to any of claims 1-4, wherein B comprises a hydroxyl moiety, preferably wherein B is as defined in claim 5 and wherein R3 comprises a hydroxy moiety, more preferably wherein R3 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C10 hydrocarbyl hydroxide, preferably linear alkyl C1-C10 hydroxide, and combinations thereof. 7. Nanoparticle according to any of the previous claims, wherein Q is based on a primary amine according to formula (IQ1), and/or on a diamine according to formula (IQ2), Z1 represents a group comprising the azanaphthalene moiety; Z2 represents a group comprising the azanaphthalene moiety or is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C40 linear, cyclic and branched hydrocarbyls, which are optionally substituted and/or interrupted with one or more heteroatoms, and combinations thereof; R4 is as defined in claim 5. 8. Nanoparticle according to the previous claim, wherein Z1 and optionally Z2 independently represent a moiety according to any of the following structures, wherein R5 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C40, preferably C1-C10, more preferably C1-C6 linear, cyclic and branched hydrocarbylenes, which are optionally substituted and/or interrupted with one or more heteroatoms, and combinations thereof; and wherein the azanaphthalene moiety is optionally substituted with one or more substituents, preferably selected from the group consisting of halides, alkyls and alkoxides, optionally substituted with one or more heteroatoms. 9. Nanoparticle according to any of claim 7-8, wherein Z1 and optionally Z2 independently represent a moiety of formula (IZ2), preferably a moiety of formula (IZ3), wherein R5 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C40, preferably C1-C10, more preferably C1-C6 linear, cyclic and branched hydrocarbylenes, which are optionally substituted and/or interrupted with one or more heteroatoms, and combinations thereof; and wherein the azanaphthalene moiety is optionally substituted with one or more substituents, preferably selected from the group consisting of halides, alkyls and alkoxides, optionally substituted with one or more heteroatoms. 10. Nanoparticle according to any of claims 7-9, wherein Z1 and optionally Z2 independently represent a moiety of formula (IZ4) wherein R5 is as defined in claim 9, preferably wherein R5 represents a C1- C10 alkylene, more preferably a C1-C6 alkylene, most preferably a C1-C4 alkylene, and combinations thereof; and wherein R6 is selected from the group consisting of halides, alkoxides alkyls and mixtures thereof, optionally substituted with one or more heteroatoms, preferably halides, more preferably wherein R6 is Cl. , said polyamine segment has a structure according to any of formulae (IIa), (IIb), (IIc) and (IId), and combinations thereof, wherein n, m, A, R1, R2, R3, R4, Z1 and Z2 are each individually as defined in any of the previous claims. 12. Nanoparticle according to any of the previous claims, wherein said polyamine segment, preferably said polymer, has a structure according to formula (III), preferably according to any of formulae (IVa), (IVb), (IVc), (IVd), and combinations thereof, wherein n, m, A, R1, R2, R3, R4, Z1 and Z2 are each individually as defined in any of the previous claims; wherein T represents a core having a weight average molecular weight Mw of about 60 to about 25000; q is in the range of 1 to 64; and R6 is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C40 linear, cyclic and branched hydrocarbyls, which are optionally substituted and/or interrupted with one or more heteroatoms, and combinations thereof. 13. Nanoparticle according to any of the previous claims, wherein the ratio m to n is in the range of 1:20 or more, preferably in the range of 1:10 to 10:1, more preferably in the range of 1:5 to 2:1, most preferably in the range of 1:4 to 1:1 such as about 1:3. 14. Nanoparticle according to any of the previous claims, wherein the biologically active component comprises an RNA, DNA or derivatives thereof. 15. Nanoparticles in accordance with any of the previous claims for use in a medical method, preferably for use in a medical method as a vaccine. 16. Use of the nanoparticle in accordance with any of the previous claims 1-14 in in vitro transfection with nucleic acids in eukaryotic cells. |
wherein R 5 is selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 40 , preferably C 1 -C 10 , more preferably C 1 -C 6 linear, cyclic and branched hydrocarbylenes, which are optionally substituted and/or interrupted with one or more heteroatoms, and combinations thereof; and wherein the azanaphthalene moiety is optionally substituted with one or more substituents, preferably selected from the group consisting of halides, alkyls and alkoxides, optionally substituted with one or more heteroatoms. The azanaphthalene moiety can be attached to the primary or secondary amine group(s) of formulae (I Q1 ) and (I Q2 ) in various ways. Preferably, the moiety is attached via a spacer R 5 to the backbone of the polyamine segment. More preferably, Z 1 and optionally Z 2 in any of formulae (I Q1 ) and (I Q2 ) independently represent a quinoline moiety of formula (I Z1 ), (I Z2 ) or (I Z3 ), preferably a quinoline moiety of formula (I Z3 ), wherein R 5 is selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 40 , preferably C 1 -C 10 , more preferably C 1 -C 6 linear, cyclic and branched hydrocarbylenes, which formulae are optionally substituted and/or interrupted with one or more heteroatoms, and combinations thereof, of which a preferred example is given in I Z3 . The azanaphthalene moiety may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents, preferably selected from the group consisting of halides, alkyls and alkoxides, both which groups may again be optionally substituted with one or more heteroatoms. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the quinoline moiety comprises a substituent on the 7-position and Z 1 and optionally Z 2 in any of formulae (I Q1 ) and (I Q2 ) independently represent a moiety of formula (I Z4 ) wherein R 6 is selected from the group consisting of halides, alkyls, alkoxides and mixtures thereof, optionally substituted with one or more heteroatoms, preferably halides, more preferably wherein R 6 is Cl. The present inventors found that the spacer R 5 can be of a relatively simple structure, for example a linear unsubstituted alkylene such as butylene (C 4 H 8 ), hexylene (C 6 H 12 ) or octylene (C 8 H 16 ) while retaining the advantageous effect of improving transfection. Thus, although it is possible to use a spacer that comprises a quinuclidine such as present in the natural product quinine, this is not required. General polymer formula and a core In embodiments wherein X, B and Q are based on monomers according to formulae (I X ), (I B1 ) or (I B2 ), and (I Q1 ) or (I Q2 ), the polyamine can be represented by any of formulae (IIa)-(IId) and combinations thereof, wherein n, m, p, A, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , Z 1 and Z 2 can be as defined for (I), (I X ), (I B1 ), (I B2 ), (I Q1 ) and (I Q2 ). In particular embodiments of the present invention, the polyamine is linked to a core, preferably a polymeric core (T). Accordingly, in particular embodiments of the present invention, the polyamine segment and preferably the polymer according to the present invention has a structure according to formula (III), wherein n and m can be as defined for formula (I) and q represents the number of poly(amino amide) segments per core (T), i.e. the number of arms. In a typical embodiment, q is in the range of 1 to 64. In a particular preferred embodiment, the polyamine segment and preferably the polymer according to the present invention has a structure according to any of formulae (IVa), (IVb), (IVc), (IVd), and combinations thereof, wherein n, m, A, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , Z 1 and Z 2 can be as defined for formulae (I), (I X ), (I B1 ), (I B2 ), (I Q1 ) and (I Q2 ).
Further, in formulae (III) and (IVa)-(IVd), T represents a core that preferably has an weight average molecular weight M w of about 60 to about 25000; q is in the range of 1 to 64; and R 6 is selected from the group consisting of H, C 1 -C 40 linear, cyclic and branched hydrocarbyls, which are optionally substituted and/or interrupted with one or more heteroatoms, and combinations thereof. The core T is generally based on a structure with one or more primary and/or secondary amines. These amines are represented in formulae (IVa)-(IVd) with the group NR 6 . Particularly suitable cores include oligo- or polyamine cores such as 1,2-ethylenediamine, tris-(2- aminoethyl)amine as well as polymeric cores bearing primary and/or secondary amines such as polyethyleneimines (PEI), poly(aminoamide) polymers or dendrimers (PAMAM), polypropylene imines (PPI), poly(ester amine) polymers (PEAN) and poly(ether amine) polymers (PEAC) and other polymers as described in WO 2012/165953 (referred therein a POL). PEI is particularly preferred as the core and most preferred is PEI 800 with on average 6 primary amines in this respect, as this gave particular good results. It may be appreciated that both ends of the poly(aminoamide) polymer can potentially react with POL, which may result in two or more cores being incorporated into the same macromolecule. In certain embodiments however, reaction conditions can be chosen to limit crosslinking. The present inventors found that the relative amount of the azanaphthalene-containing amine monomer Q vis-à-vis the amine monomer B in the polyamine and/or the polymer influences the transfection efficiency and toxicity. Additionally, it was found that the higher the relative amount of Q becomes, the more the solubility concomitantly decreases during the synthesis of the polymer and similarly results in polymers with lower solubility in aqueous systems. The relative amount of Q vis-à-vis B can be expressed as the ratio m to n. As the amine monomer B is present, n is at least 1 and the ratio may accordingly be 1:1, i.e.1. However, preferably the polyamine segment and/or the polymer contains more B than Q. In particular embodiments, the ratio m to n is in the range of 1:20 or more (i.e.0.05 or more, e.g.0.05 to 20). Preferably, the ratio m to n is in the range of 1:10 to 10:1, more preferably in the range of 1:5 to 2:1, most preferably in the range of 1:4 to 1:1 such as about 1:3, as particular good results were obtained in that range. Suitable embodiments of the monomers according to formulae (I x ) and (I B1 ) and (I B2 ) for the polymer according to the present invention are described in WO 2012/165953, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Accordingly, preferably, the following applies to the polyamine segment and/or the polymer according to the present invention and/or its monomers on which it is based: - R 2 is independently selected from the group consisting of: a) C 1 - C 40 alkylene, wherein the alkylene group may be linear or branched and is optionally substituted and/or is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or is optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S, and/or wherein the alkylene group is interrupted by one or more -S-S- groups; b) C 3 - C 40 cycloalkylene, wherein the cycloalkylene group is optionally substituted and/or is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or optionally comprises one or more heteroatoms in the ring, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S, and/or wherein the cycloalkylene group is interrupted by one or more -S-S- groups outside the ring; c) C 6 - C 40 arylene, wherein the arylene group is optionally substituted; d) C 6 - C 40 heteroarylene, wherein the heteroarylene group comprises one or more heteroatoms independently selected from O, N and S and/or wherein the heteroarylene group is optionally substituted; e) C 7 - C 40 alkylarylene wherein the alkylarylene group is optionally substituted and/or wherein an alkyl part of the alkylarylene group is linear or branched and is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or is optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from 0, N and S, and/or wherein an alkyl part of the alkylarylene group is interrupted by one or more -S-S- groups; f) C 7 - C 40 alkylheteroarylene, wherein the alkylheteroarylene group comprises one or more heteroatoms independently selected from O, N and S and/or wherein the alkylheteroarylene group is optionally substituted, and/or wherein an alkyl part of the alkylheteroarylene group is linear or branched and is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or is optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from 0, N and S, and/or wherein an alkyl part of the alkylheteroarylene group is interrupted by one or more -S-S- groups; and g) a group wherein two C 7 - C 40 (hetero)arylene groups and/or C 7 - C 40 alkyl(hetero)arylene groups are connected to each other by a -S-S- group, wherein the alkyl part of the alkyl(hetero)arylene group is linear or branched and is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or is optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S; and combinations thereof; - R 3 is independently selected from the group consisting of: a) H; b) C 1 – C 10 alkyl, wherein the alkyl group may be linear or branched and is optionally substituted and/or is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or is optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S; c) C3 - C 12 cycloalkyl, wherein the cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted and/or is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or optionally comprises one or more heteroatoms in the ring, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S; d) C 6 - C 12 aryl, wherein the aryl group is optionally substituted; e) C 6 - C 12 heteroaryl, wherein the heteroaryl group comprises one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S, and wherein the heteroaryl group is optionally substituted; f) C 7 - C 14 alkylaryl wherein the alkylaryl group is optionally substituted and/or wherein an alkyl part of the alkylarylene group is linear or branched and is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or is optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S; and g) C 7 - C 14 alkylheteroaryl, wherein the alkylheteroaryl group comprises one or more heteroatoms independently selected from O, N and S and/or wherein the alkylheteroarylene group is optionally substituted, and/or wherein an alkyl part of the alkylheteroarylene group is linear or branched and is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or is optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S; and combinations thereof, preferably wherein R 3 has an overall neutral or negative charge at slightly acidic to neutral pH; - R 4 is independently selected from the group consisting of a) C 1 - C 12 alkylene, wherein the alkylene group may be linear or branched and is optionally substituted and/or is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or is optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S; b) C 3 - C 12 cycloalkylene, wherein the cycloalkylene group is optionally substituted and/or is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or optionally comprises one or more heteroatoms in the ring, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S; c) C 6 - C 12 arylene, wherein the arylene group is optionally substituted; d) C 6 - C 12 heteroarylene, wherein the heteroarylene group comprises one or more heteroatoms independently selected from O, N and S and/or wherein the heteroarylene group is optionally substituted; e) C 7 - C 12 alkylarylene wherein the alkylarylene group is optionally substituted and/or wherein an alkyl part of the alkylarylene group is linear or branched and is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or is optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S; and f) C 7 - C 12 alkylheteroarylene, wherein the alkylheteroarylene group comprises one or more heteroatoms independently selected from O, N and S and/or wherein the alkylheteroarylene group is optionally substituted, and/or wherein an alkyl part of the alkylheteroarylene group is linear or branched and is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or is optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S; and combinations thereof; - R 6 is independently selected from the group consisting of a) H; b) C 1 – C 10 alkyl, wherein the alkyl group may be linear or branched and is optionally substituted and/or is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or is optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S; c) C 3 - C 12 cycloalkyl, wherein the cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted and/or is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or optionally comprises one or more heteroatoms in the ring, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S; d) C 6 - C 12 aryl, wherein the aryl group is optionally substituted; e) C 6 - C 12 heteroaryl, wherein the heteroaryl group comprises one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S, and wherein the heteroaryl group is optionally substituted; f) C 7 - C 14 alkylaryl wherein the alkylaryl group is optionally substituted and/or wherein an alkyl part of the alkylarylene group is linear or branched and is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or is optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S; and g) C 7 - C 14 alkylheteroaryl, wherein the alkylheteroaryl group comprises one or more heteroatoms independently selected from O, N and S and/or wherein the alkylheteroarylene group is optionally substituted, and/or wherein an alkyl part of the alkylheteroarylene group is linear or branched and is optionally (partly) unsaturated and/or is optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are independently selected from O, N and S; and combinations thereof. Nanoparticles and medical use The present invention is directed to nanoparticles comprising the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer that comprises the polyamine segment as described herein. Under particular conditions, the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer can self-assemble into nanoparticles. In addition to the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer, these nanoparticles further contain a biologically active component that can be used for medical purposes. In general, the biological active component is embedded within the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer. The biological active component may be any material or combination of materials that can induce a biological or physical response in the human body. Examples for the biologically active component include nucleotides, polynucleotides, oligonucleotides, peptides, proteins and combinations thereof. These for instance include all types of RNA and DNA and their derivatives and analogues, i.a. plasmid DNA, dbDNA, hpDNA, c3DNA, minicircles, phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs), siRNA, mRNA, miRNA, endless RNA, circular RNA, single and/or double stranded RNA including designed guide RNAs (gRNA or sgRNA) used in gene editing techniques. The origin of these materials is irrelevant, thus any artificially constructed or chemically modified nucleotide, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, oligopeptides, polypeptides and/or proteins are also to be understood to be included by the term biologically active payload. One or more gene constructs are therefore also to be considered a biologically active payload. Moreover, the polynucleotide, oligonucleotide, peptide, nucleotide and/or protein may be based on natural-occurring building blocks, but also on non- natural occurring building blocks such as non-natural nucleosides or non- natural amino acids. Although the present nanoparticles are particularly suitable for polymeric and oligomeric biologically active components, which are accordingly preferred, the biologically active component may also be non-polymeric and non-oligomeric and may include any active pharmaceutical ingredient. The nanoparticles in accordance with the present invention may further comprise a non-functionalized polymer. With non-functionalized polymer is herein meant a polymer that is not functionalized with a azanaphthalene moiety. The structure of the non-functionalized polymer may be similar to the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer, with the main difference being the absence of the azanaphthalene moiety. Suitable polymers in this respect are described in WO 2012/165953. For example, in preferred embodiments, the non-functionalized polymer comprises non-functionalized polyamine segment according to formula (V), more preferably according to formula (VIa), (VIb) or a combination thereof. Moreover, similar to the azanaphthalene-comprising polymer, the non-functionalized polymer for use in the nanoparticles according to the present invention may comprise a core (T), and may accordingly have a structure according to formula (VII), more preferably according to formula (IIXa), (IIXb) or a combination thereof.
In formula (V), (VIa), (VIb), (VII), (IIXa) and (IIXb), the variables X, B, n, A, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 6 , T and q may independently be as defined herein for the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer. With independently is meant that said substituents and groups represented by the variables may be the same or different for the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer and non-functionalized polymer present in the nanoparticles. In preferred embodiments, both the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer and non- functionalized polymer present in the nanoparticles have the same substituents and groups represented by X, B, A, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 6 , T and q, and preferably wherein n of the non-functionalized polymer equals n + m of the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer as well. The non-functionalized polymer is optionally present in the nanoparticles and in typical embodiment, the nanoparticles are only based on the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer and not on the non- functionalized polymer. This is particularly preferred for good homogeneity of the nanoparticles and their properties. If the non-functionalized polymer is present, the ratio of the non-functionalized polymer and the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer in the nanoparticles can be suitably varied. Factors that may influence the optimal ratio include the ratio of Q and B in the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer, the (structural) similarity between the non-functionalized polymer and the azanaphthalene- functionalized polymer and the biologically active ingredient. Preferably, the ratio of the non-functionalized polymer and the azanaphthalene- functionalized polymer in the nanoparticles is such that the molecular ratio of Q to B (counting the sum of B units in the non-functionalized polymer and in the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer) is in the range of 1:20 or with higher Q content, preferably in the range of 1:10 to 10:1, more preferably in the range of 1:5 to 2:1, most preferably in the range of 1:4 to 1:1 such as about 1:3. The azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer and the nanoparticles show improved transfection efficiency compared to nanoparticles based on non-functionalized polymers only. The nanoparticles may suitably be used for in vitro or in vivo transfection with nucleic acids in eukaryotic cells to express proteins, that are advantageous for medical purposes. A further aspect of the present invention is accordingly directed to a method for use of the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer and the nanoparticles in a medical treatment (medical method). In other words, the present invention is further directed to the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer and the nanoparticles for use as a medicament. The term medical treatment herein includes in vivo transfection with nucleic acids in eukaryotic cells to express proteins, and includes curative treatments, preventive treatments, prophylactic treatments, diagnostic treatments, and the like. Particularly, the azanaphthalene-functionalized polymer and/or the nanoparticles can be used as a vaccine, such as a prophylactic vaccine and/or for use as a therapeutic vaccine. The vaccine comprising the nanoparticles may accordingly be used to express therapeutic proteins. The most preferred administration method for the vaccine is typically injection, such as intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular injection using parental administration or alternatively using microneedle administration or needle- free injection methods. Other methods, such as oral administration or intranasal administration, are also to be included. Preferably, the polymer- coated nanoparticle is for use as a vaccine by injection, e.g. by intramuscular injection. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" specify the presence of stated features but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described. The present invention can be illustrated with the following non- limiting examples. Example 1 – Synthesis of N1-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)- hexane-1,6-diamine (Q6) 1,6-diamino hexane (20.6 g, 0.18 mol) and 4,7-dichloroquinoline (10.3 g, 0.052 mol) were heated to about 150 °C while stirring, thereby melting the solids and the resulting mixture is stirred for 3 hours under nitrogen. To the reaction mixture 50 mL methanol was added and subsequently 50 mL 1M NaOH solution was slowly added while stirring. A visible precipitate was formed. The precipitate was filtered off and the filtrate was further purified by crystallization or silica column chromatography to furnish N1-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)-hexane-1,6-diamine (Q6). Example 2 – Synthesis of p(CBA-ABOL-Q)/PEI 4-amino-1-butanol (ABOL, 0.60 g, 6.75 mmol), Q6 (0.60 g, 2.16 mmol) and cystamine bis(acrylamide) (CBA, 2.60, 10.0 mmol) were dissolved in methanol (10 mL) at 50 °C under a N 2 atmosphere. MilliQ (2 mL) and CaCl2 (0.44 g, 4.0 mmol) were added, and the mixture was stirred at 50 °C for 48 hours. A branched PEI 800 PEI solution in MilliQ water was prepared by weighing 100 mg of PEI in a test tube, adding 1 mL of MilliQ water and mixing to dissolve. Then, 0.680 mL of the prepared PEI solution (100mg/mL) was added to the reaction mixture and allowed to stir at 50°C for 48 hours. Subsequently the reaction mixture was acidified using 6M HCl to pH 4 and solvents were evaporated to obtain the crude quinoline- functionalized polymer that is further purified by dialysis. Example 3 – In vitro transfection efficiency of mRNA-GFP loaded nanoparticles with increasing quantities of Q6 in the used polymers Polymers p(CBA-ABOL-Q)/PEI were synthesized similarly as in example 2 with 5 mmol CBA and the amounts of ABOL and Q as described in table 1 as feedstock for the polymerization and 220 mg of CaCl2 as catalyst.340 μL of PEI stock (100 mg/mL) was added after 48 hours and allowed to stir for 72 hours. A solution was made of 120 ng/µL mRNA encoding eGFP (Trilink, cat# L-7201-1000) in 10 mM Histidine pH 6.5. The polymers from table 1 were dissolved at a concentration of 3 mg/mL in 10mM Histidine pH 6.5. The 120 ng/µL solution of mRNA was added 1:1 (v/v) to the cationic polymers. The solutions were incubated for at least 15 min at room temperature before used for transfections. COS7 cells were seeded in 48-wells cell culture plates (1.6x10 4 cells per well) in culture medium DMEM with 10% FBS. Twenty-four hours after seeding the cells the culture medium was replaced with DMEM with 10% FBS and 2% 1M HEPES pH 7.2 and 15 µg polymer/mL of the in table 1 listed polymers with mRNA. After 24 hours the cells were analyzed for the expression of eGFP using FACS analysis. The percentage cells positive for eGFP increased with increasing amounts of Q6 in the polymers as shown in Figure 1. The viability of the cells was determined with Alamar blue reagent. The viability of the cells decreased with increasing amounts of Q6 in the used polymers. The percentage cells positive for eGFP (identical to the percentages illustrated in Figure 1) and the cell viability are shown in Figure 2. Example 4 – Number of transfected cells with mRNA-EGFP loaded nanoparticles with and without Q6 Polymers p(CBA-ABOL-Q6)PEI and p(CBA-ABOL)PEI were synthesized and tested in transfection as described in examples 2 and 3. Polymer p(CBA-ABOL-Q6)PEI containing 25% Q6 was compared to polymer without Q6. C 2 C 12 cells were transfected with 50 ug polymer /mL culture medium during 24 hours and the number of eGFP positive cells was quantified by FACS analysis. The results are given in Figure 3. Example 5 – Transfection efficiency of polymers with Q6 and N1-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)-butane-1,4-diamine (Q4) Q4 was made following a similar procedure as described in Example 1 substituting 1,4-diaminobutane for 1,6-diaminohexane. Q4- containing polymers are synthesized following the same procedure as described in Example 2. The in vitro transfection efficiency of mRNA-eGFP loaded nanoparticles based on 25% Q6 and 25% Q4 are determined and compared. COS7 cells were transfected with 30 ug polymer /mL culture medium during 4 hours after which the cell culture medium was replaced. The number of eGFP positive cells was quantified by FACS analysis 24 hours later. The results are given in Figure 4. Example 6 – RNA encapsulation stability of nanoparticles with and without Q6 Polymers p(CBA-ABOL-Q6)PEI and p(CBA-ABOL)PEI were synthesized and used in nanoparticle formulations with RNA as described in examples 2 and 3. Polymer p(CBA-ABOL-Q6)PEI containing 25% Q6 was compared to a polymer incorporating only ABOL monomer without Q6. The formed nanoparticles were used in a release assay using heparin competition to displace the RNA nucleic acid from the nanoparticle. Increasing the heparin concentration leads to increasing competition with the binding of RNA to the polymers, which causes release of RNA from the nanoparticles. Released RNA was then quantified using Ribogreen reagent. Higher concentrations of heparin are needed to release RNA from the Q6 containing nanoparticles, indicating stronger interaction between the Q6- containing polymer and RNA and increased nanoparticles stability . The results are given in Figure 5.
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