Compositions for transfecting a nucleic acid molecule into a cell comprising triazole compounds grafted to a cationic polymer, and their applications

Abstract

Disclosed are compositions for transfecting a nucleic acid molecule into a cell and their applications. Specifically, this relates to a composition suitable for transfecting a nucleic acid molecule into a cell, preferably a eukaryotic cell, including (i) at least one compound of general formula (I), preferably of general formula (III), or a tautomer, mesomer, racemate, enantiomer, diastereomer, or mixture thereof, or an acceptable salt thereof, and (ii) an acceptable excipient, buffering agent, cell culture medium, or transfection medium, wherein Y1, Y2, Y3, Z1, Z2, Z3, X1, X2, R3, P+, R and V are as defined in the description. Also disclosed are uses of the composition and to a method for in vitro or ex vivo transfection of live cells.

1 . A composition suitable for transfecting a nucleic acid molecule into a cell, preferably a eukaryotic cell, comprising (i) at least one compound of general formula (III) or a tautomer, mesomer, racemate, enantiomer, diastereomer, or mixture thereof, or an acceptable salt thereof, and (ii) an acceptable excipient, buffering agent, cell culture medium, or transfection medium: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein:
 Z 1  represents H, X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —R 3 —P + , X 1 —X 2 —P + , R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —P + , R 3 —P + , or X 2 —P + ; or Z 1  is absent; 
 Z 2  represents H, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 6 -C 18  aryl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 6 -C 18  aryl-C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 2 -C 18  heteroalkyl, C 5 -C 10  heteroaryl, halogen, OH, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkylamine, a C 1 -C 12  alkoxy, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl-C 1 -C 12  alkoxy, X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —R 3 —P + , X 1 —X 2 —P + , R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —P + , R 3 —P + , or X 2 —P + ; or Z 2  is absent; 
 Z 3  represents H, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 6 -C 18  aryl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 6 -C 18  aryl-C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 5 -C 10  heteroaryl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 2 -C 18  heteroalkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkylidene, OH, guanidine, halogen, X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —R 3 —P + , X 1 —X 2 —P + , R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —P + , R 3 —P + , or X 2 —P + ; or Z 3  is absent; 
 X 1  and X 2 , which may be identical or different, represent CO or CH 2 ; 
 R 3  represents (CH 2 ) m , (CH 2 ) m —CHCH 3 —(CH 2 ) n —, (CH 2 ) m —C(CH 3 ) 2 —(CH 2 ) n —, (CH 2 ) m —O—(CH 2 ) n —, (CH 2 ) m —S—(CH 2 ) n —, (CH 2 ) m —CH 2 —O—, with m representing an integer between 1 and 3 and n representing an integer between 1 and 3; 
 P +  represents a graft cationic polymer, which is a polyamine comprising secondary amines, tertiary amines, a mixture of primary and secondary amines, a mixture of primary and tertiary amines, a mixture of secondary and tertiary amines, or a mixture of primary, secondary and tertiary amines; 
 R or V represents H, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl or cycloalkyl, a C 6 -C 18  aryl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 6 -C 18  aryl-C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 2 -C 18  heteroalkyl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 24  ester, a C 5 -C 10  heterocyclyl, a C 5 -C 10  heteroaryl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl-C 5 -C 10  heteroaryl, X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —R 3 —P + , X 1 —X 2 —P + , R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —P + , R 3 —P + , or X 2 —P + ; 
 
       with the provisos that:
 at least one of Z 1 , Z 2  or Z 3  is present; and 
 only one of Z 1 , Z 2 , Z 3 , R or V represents X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —R 3 —P + , X 1 —X 2 —P + , R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —P + , R 3 —P + , or X 2 —P + . 
 
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one nucleic acid molecule to be transfected in a cell, preferably a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a ribonucleic acid (RNA), a DNA/RNA hybrid, a short interfering RNA (siRNA), a microRNA (miRNA), a short hairpin RNA (shRNA), a messenger RNA (mRNA), a CRISPR guide RNA, and an expression vector encoding said nucleic acid molecule, in particular a plasmid encoding said nucleic acid molecule or a plasmid expressing said nucleic acid molecule. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one nucleic acid molecule is a DNA. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein R or V represents H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, cyclopropyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl, cyclopentyl, phenyl, fluorophenyl, benzyl, pyridine, 2-pyridine, 3-pyridine, fluorobenzyl, substituted morpholinyl, substituted piperazinyl, 4-hydroxybenzyl, or 4-hydroxyphenethyl; more preferably R or V represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, cyclopropyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl, cyclopentyl, phenyl, benzyl, fluorobenzyl, 4-hydroxyphenethyl, 2-pyridine or 3-pyridine. 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 (i) only one of Z 1 , Z 2  or Z 3  represents X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —R 3 —P + , X 1 —X 2 —P + , R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —P + , R 3 —P + , or X 2 —P + , wherein X 1 , X 2 , R 3  and P +  are as defined in  claim 1 ; preferably only one of Z 1 , Z 2  or Z 3  represents X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , wherein X 1  represents CH 2 , X 2  represents CO, and R 3  represents (CH 2 ) m , with m representing an integer between 1 and 3, preferably m is equal to 2; and/or   (ii) Z 1  represents H; and/or   (iii) Z 2  represents H, a C 1 -C 12  alkoxy, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl, preferably a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 6  alkyl; more preferably Z 2  represents H, CH 3 , CF 3  or OCH 3 ; and/or   (iv) Z 3  represents H, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl, preferably a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 6  alkyl.   
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 if (i) Z 1  represents X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —R 3 —P + , X 1 —X 2 —P + , R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —P + , R 3 —P + , or X 2 —P + , preferably X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , wherein X 1 , X 2 , R 3  and P +  are as defined herein; more preferably Z 1  represents X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , wherein X 1  represents CH 2 , X 2  represents CO, and R 3  represents (CH 2 ) m , with m representing an integer between 1 and 3, preferably m is equal to 2 then   (ii) Z 2  represents H, a C 1 -C 12  alkoxy, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl, preferably a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 6  alkyl; more preferably Z 2  represents H, CH 3 , CF 3  or OCH 3 ; and/or   (iii) Z 3  represents H, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl, preferably a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 6  alkyl, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 6 -C 18  aryl-C 1 -C 18  alkyl, preferably fluorobenzyl or 4-hydroxyphenethyl; and/or   (iv) R or V represents H, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl or cycloalkyl, a C 6 -C 18  aryl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 6 -C 18  aryl-C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 2 -C 18  heteroalkyl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 24  ester, a C 5 -C 10  heterocyclyl, a C 5 -C 10  heteroaryl, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl-C 5 -C 10  heteroaryl.   
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 if (i) Z 2  represents X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —R 3 —P + , X 1 —X 2 —P + , R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —P + , R 3 —P + , or X 2 —P + , preferably X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , wherein X 1 , X 2 , R 3  and P +  are as defined herein; more preferably Z 2  represents X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , wherein X 1  represents CH 2 , X 2  represents CO, and R 3  represents (CH 2 ) m , with m representing an integer between 1 and 3, preferably m is equal to 2 then   (ii) Z 1  represents H; and/or   (iii) Z 3  represents H, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl, preferably a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 6  alkyl, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 6 -C 18  aryl-C 1 -C 18  alkyl, preferably fluorobenzyl or 4-hydroxyphenethyl; and/or   (iv) R or V represents H, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl or cycloalkyl, a C 6 -C 18  aryl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 6 -C 18  aryl-C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 2 -C 18  heteroalkyl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 24  ester, a C 5 -C 10  heterocyclyl, a C 5 -C 10  heteroaryl, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl-C 5 -C 10  heteroaryl.   
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 if (i) Z 3  represents X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —R 3 —P + , X 1 —X 2 —P + , R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —P + , R 3 —P + , or X 2 —P + , preferably X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , wherein X 1 , X 2 , R 3  and P +  are as defined herein; more preferably Z 3  represents X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , wherein X 1  represents CH 2 , X 2  represents CO, and R 3  represents (CH 2 ) m , with m representing an integer between 1 and 3, preferably m is equal to 2 then   (ii) Z 1  represents H; and/or   (iii) Z 2  represents H, a C 1 -C 12  alkoxy, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl, preferably a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 6  alkyl; more preferably Z 2  represents H, CH 3 , CF 3  or OCH 3 ; and/or   (iv) R or V represents H, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl or cycloalkyl, a C 6 -C 18  aryl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 6 -C 18  aryl-C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 2 -C 18  heteroalkyl, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 24  ester, a C 5 -C 10  heterocyclyl, a C 5 -C 10  heteroaryl, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl-C 5 -C 10  heteroaryl.   
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 if (i) R or V represents X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —R 3 —P + , X 1 —X 2 —P + , R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —P + , R 3 —P + , or X 2 —P + , preferably X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , wherein X 1 , X 2 , R 3  and P +  are as defined herein; more preferably Z 3  represents X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , wherein X 1  represents CH 2 , X 2  represents CO, and R 3  represents (CH 2 ) m , with m representing an integer between 1 and 3, preferably m is equal to 2 then   (ii) Z 1  represents H; and/or   (iii) Z 2  represents H, a C 1 -C 12  alkoxy, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl, preferably a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 6  alkyl; and/or   (iv) Z 3  represents H, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl, preferably a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 6  alkyl, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 6 -C 18  aryl-C 1 -C 18  alkyl, preferably fluorobenzyl or 4-hydroxyphenethyl.   
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 if (i) R or V represents X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —R 3 —P + , X 1 —X 2 —P + , R 3 —X 2 —P + , X 1 —P + , R 3 —P + , or X 2 —P + , preferably X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + , wherein X 1 , X 2 , R 3  and P +  are as defined herein; more preferably Z 3  represents X 1 —R 3 —X 2 —P + ,   wherein X 1  represents CH 2 , X 2  represents CO, and R 3  represents (CH 2 ) m , with m representing an integer between 1 and 3, preferably m is equal to 2 then   (ii) Z 3  is present and Z 3  represents H, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 18  alkyl, preferably a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 1 -C 6  alkyl, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 6 -C 18  aryl-C 1 -C 18  alkyl, preferably fluorobenzyl or 4-hydroxyphenethyl.   
     
     
         11 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the graft cationic polymer is selected from the group consisting of a linear or branched polyethyleneimine (PEI), PEI dendrimers, a polypropyleneimine (PPI), Poly(amidoamine) (PAA) and dendrimers (PAMAM), cationic cyclodextrin, polyalkylamine, a polyhydroxyalkylamine, poly(butyleneimine) (PBI), spermine, a N-substituted polyallylamine, N-substituted chitosan, a N-substituted polyornithine, a N-substituted polylysine (PLL), a N-substituted polyvinylamine, poly(β-amino ester), hyperbranched poly(amino ester) (h-PAE), networked poly(amino ester) (n-PAE), poly(4-hydroxy-1-proline ester) (PHP-ester) and a poly-β-aminoacid. 
     
     
         12 . The composition according to  claim 11 , wherein the graft cationic polymer is a linear or branched PEI, more preferably a linear PEI. 
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the graft cationic polymer has a grafting ratio ranging from 1 to 50%, preferably from 5 to 30%, more preferably is 20%. 
     
     
         14 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the graft cationic polymer has an average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from 1 kDa to 500 kDa, preferably from 1 kDa to 50 kDa, more preferably from 5 kDa to 50 kDa or from 1 kDa to 15 kDa. 
     
     
         15 . The composition according to  claim 14 , wherein the graft cationic polymer has an average molecular weight (Mw) of 6, 8, 10, 15, 22 or 30 kDa, preferably of 6, 8, 10, 15 or 30 kDa. 
     
     
         16 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one compound of general formula (III) is selected from the group consisting of the following compounds: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one compound of general formula (III) is selected from the group consisting of the following compounds: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         18 . The composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one compound of general formula (III) is compound 2.22. 
     
     
         19 . A method for in vitro or ex vivo transfection of live cells comprising introducing in the cells the composition according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
         20 . A method for in vitro or ex vivo transfection of at least one nucleic acid molecule into a cell, cell line or cells, preferably a cell, cell line or cells selected from the group consisting of a mammalian cell, an insect cell, a primary cell, an adherent cell, a suspension cell, a dividing cell such as a stem cell, a non-dividing cell such as a neuronal cell, and a cancer cell, said cell, cell line or cells being optionally organized into spheroids, organoids, 2D or 3D cell culture, or provided as fibre or matrix culture, and/or within a bioreactor, the method comprising introducing the composition of  claim 2  into the cell, the cell line, or the cells. 
     
     
         21 . A method for genome engineering, for cell reprogramming, for differentiating cells, or for gene-editing, comprising applying to the genome, cells, or gene the composition according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
         22 . A method for the production of:
 (i) biologics, in particular biologics encoding a recombinant protein, peptide or antibody, the method comprising applying the composition of  claim 2 ; or   (ii) recombinant virus, such as adeno-associated virus (AAV), lentivirus (LV), adenovirus, oncolytic virus, or baculovirus, the method comprising applying the composition of  claim 2 , said composition comprising multiple nucleic acid molecules for co-transfection; or   (iii) viral or virus-like particles, the method comprising applying the composition according to  claim 2 , said composition comprising multiple nucleic acid molecules for co-transfection.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , for the production of AAV, said composition comprising (i) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds 2.22, 2.23, 2.43, 2.44, 2.47, 2.54, 2.57, 2.60 and 2.61 and (ii) an acceptable excipient, buffering agent, cell culture medium, or transfection medium. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22 , for the production of LV, said composition comprising (i) at least the compound 2.22, and (ii) an acceptable excipient, buffering agent, cell culture medium, or transfection medium. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 22 , for the production of recombinant virus, said composition comprising a plurality of expression vectors such as plasmid vectors to transfect in an adherent or suspension cell, such as HEK293, HeLa, BHK-21, A549 or insect cells, wherein said vectors, in particular plasmids, are construct expressing viral structural sequences and transfer vector genome for virus or virus-like production and optionally expressing molecules of interest encoded by the transfer vector genome. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising a step of performing cell therapy or gene therapy, wherein the recombinant virus is used in vivo.