Simulation insights into the assembly of polyplexes for RNA delivery

Abstract

RNA-based pharmaceuticals proved successful with the COVID-19 vaccines and are now undergoing clinical trials for a broad range of therapeutic indications. Lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) have been used so far as delivery systems, although alternatives are still needed to meet efficacy and safety requirements across a broader range of applications. Polyplexes, formed by the self-assembly of cationic polymers with the anionic nucleic acids, constitute a valuable substitute, especially if precise control of the number and shape of the encapsulated RNA chains is possible. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations of a coarse-grained polyplex model to show that the most important factors controlling it are the charge ratio between polyelectrolytes and RNA and their concentration during assembly. Close to the isoelectric point, the polyplexes are large, whereas in large excess of cationic polymer, their size decreases, allowing one RNA copy per nanoparticle. Our results are consistent with recent experimental work on polyethylenimine polyplexes.