About this Research Topic
Non-viral lipid-based nanovectors including liposomes, lipoplexes, lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and non-lipid vectors have enormous potential for the delivery of biotherapeutics that far exceeds the success of the LNP encapsulated mRNA encoded COVID-19 vaccines. Nucleoside modifications that have markedly improved the stability, reduced unwanted immunogenicity, and increased the translation efficacy of mRNA, and advances in LNP targeting has allowed a range of therapeutic molecules to be delivered and expressed in target tissues. For example, in cancer therapy this includes expressing anti-tumor monoclonal antibodies such as checkpoint inhibitors or killing tumor cells directly by expressing tumor suppressor proteins. LNPs and other vehicles also have enormous potential in enzyme replacement therapy and for the delivery of base editing enzymes for one-time curative therapies of genetic diseases without the limitations of virus vectors. The principal limitation of encapsulated biotherapeutics, however, is the non-specific humoral and cellular response to both the cargo DNA, or mRNA encoded protein, and the lipid envelope that can potentially compromise both pharmacokinetics and efficacy.
This research topic aims to publish high-quality review articles and articles describing the results of important original research or major clinical studies with the objective of making the Special Issue of Frontiers in Immunology on “The immune response to lipid encapsulated biotherapeutics” the leading journal in this emerging area that is considered by many to be the next transformative area in human health care.
Manuscripts will be considered that address topics that are relevant to the scope of the issue including but not limited to: the relationship between the formulation of lipid encapsulated vectors and the activation of either innate or adaptive immunity; the relationship between manufacturing processes and unwanted immunogenicity; studies on the relationship between the activation of endosomal pattern recognition receptors including Toll-like receptors and RNA sensors such as RIG-1 and MAD-5 leading to the activation of cytokines and induction of innate immunity; novel strategies to minimize activation of cytokines such as Type I interferons by mRNA and its secondary structure with the consequent inhibition of protein translation; activation of complement and complement associated toxicity including complement activated pseudo-allergy; the immune response to cancer therapy including tumor associated antigens and anti-tumor monoclonal antibodies such as checkpoint inhibitors or tumor suppressor proteins; pre-clinical or clinical studies addressing the immune response to LNP encapsulated base editing enzymes for the therapy of genetic diseases. Studies addressing lipid-encapsulated vaccines are beyond the scope of the Volume and will not be considered for publication.
The topic editors declare no conflicts of interest
This research topic aims to publish high-quality review articles and articles describing the results of important original research or major clinical studies with the objective of making the Special Issue of Frontiers in Immunology on “The immune response to lipid encapsulated biotherapeutics” the leading journal in this emerging area that is considered by many to be the next transformative area in human health care.
Manuscripts will be considered that address topics that are relevant to the scope of the issue including but not limited to: the relationship between the formulation of lipid encapsulated vectors and the activation of either innate or adaptive immunity; the relationship between manufacturing processes and unwanted immunogenicity; studies on the relationship between the activation of endosomal pattern recognition receptors including Toll-like receptors and RNA sensors such as RIG-1 and MAD-5 leading to the activation of cytokines and induction of innate immunity; novel strategies to minimize activation of cytokines such as Type I interferons by mRNA and its secondary structure with the consequent inhibition of protein translation; activation of complement and complement associated toxicity including complement activated pseudo-allergy; the immune response to cancer therapy including tumor associated antigens and anti-tumor monoclonal antibodies such as checkpoint inhibitors or tumor suppressor proteins; pre-clinical or clinical studies addressing the immune response to LNP encapsulated base editing enzymes for the therapy of genetic diseases. Studies addressing lipid-encapsulated vaccines are beyond the scope of the Volume and will not be considered for publication.
The topic editors declare no conflicts of interest
Keywords: Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), Immunogenicity, Biotherapeutics delivery, mRNA stability, Endosomal pattern recognition receptors, Cytokine activation, Cancer therapy
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
