Introduction: Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the value of mRNA vaccine has been widely recognized worldwide. Messenger RNA (mRNA) therapy platform provides a promising alternative to DNA delivery in non-viral gene therapy. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), as effective mRNA delivery carriers, have been highly valued by the pharmaceutical industry, and many LNPs have entered clinical trials. Methods: We developed an ideal lipid nanoformulation, named LNP3, composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP), 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) and cholesterol, and observed its release efficiency, sustained release, organ specific targeting and thermal stability. Results: In vitro studies showed that the transfection efficiency of LNP3 was higher than that of LNPs composed of DOTAP-DOPE and DOTAP-cholesterol. The positive to negative charge ratio of LNPs is a determinant of mRNA transfer efficiency in different cell lines. We noted that the buffer affected the packaging of mRNA LNPs and identified sodium potassium magnesium calcium and glucose solution (SPMCG) as a favorable buffer formulation. LNP3 suspension can be lyophilized into a thermally stable formulation to maintain activity after rehydration both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, LNP3 showed sustained release and organ specific targeting. Conclusion: We have developed an ideal lipid nanoformulation composed of DOTAP, DOPE and cholesterol for effective mRNA delivery.

Despite observations that the lacrimal gland has been identified as the principal source of dimeric immunoglobulin A (dIgA) in tears, the mechanism used by lacrimal gland acinar cells (LGACs) to transcytose dIgA produced by interstitial plasma cells is not well-characterized. This study identifies a transcytotic pathway in LGACs regulated by Rab11a for polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) and dIgA. EGFP-tagged Rab11a expressed in primary LGACs labeled a unique membrane compartment of comparable localization to endogenous Rab11a beneath the apical plasma membrane. This compartment was enriched in pIgR and clearly distinct from the regulated secretory pathway. Comparison of dIgA uptake in LGACs expressing wild type and dominant negative EGFP-Rab11a showed that the rapid exocytosis of dIgA was inhibited in acini expressing the dominant-negative protein, which additionally redistributed subapical pIgR. The trafficking of EGFP-Rab11a-enriched vesicles was regulated by microtubule-based and myosin Vb motors at distinct steps. Our data suggest that Rab11a is a crucial regulator of dIgA trafficking in primary acinar secretory epithelial cells and further support a role for microtubules, cytoplasmic dynein, actin filaments and myosin Vb in the maintenance of the Rab11a compartment in this primary secretory epithelial cell.

Summary The polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) mediates transcytosis of dimeric immunoglobulin A (dIgA) and its release into mucosal secretions. The present study reveals the complexity of the trafficking of pIgR to the apical plasma membrane in epithelial cells with exocrine secretory functions; in rabbit lacrimal gland acinar cells (LGACs), trafficking of pIgR involves both the transcytotic pathway and one arm of the regulated secretory pathway. By specifically tracking pIgR endocytosed from the basolateral membrane, we show here that the Rab11a-regulated transcytotic pathway mediates the basal-to-apical transport of pIgR, and that pIgR sorted into the transcytotic pathway does not access the regulated secretory pathway. However, previous work in LGACs expanded in the present study has shown that some pIgR is localized to Rab3D-enriched mature secretory vesicles (SVs). Myosin Vb and myosin Vc motors modulate release of proteins from the Rab11a-regulated transcytotic pathway and the Rab3D-enriched secretory pathway in LGACs, respectively. Confocal fluorescence microscopy and biochemical assays showed that inhibition of myosin Vb and myosin Vc activity by overexpression of their dominant-negative mutants each significantly but differentially impaired aspects of apically targeted pIgR trafficking and secretory component release, suggesting that these motors function to regulate pIgR trafficking in both the transcytotic and exocytotic pathways. Intriguingly, a second mature SV population enriched in Rab27b was devoid of pIgR cargo, suggesting the specialization of Rab3D-enriched mature SVs to carry a particular subset of cargo proteins from the trans-Golgi network to the apical plasma membrane.