Polysorbate 80-containing ionizable lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery

Ionizable lipid nanoparticles have demonstrated remarkable success as mRNA vaccine carriers and represent one of the most promising gene drug delivery vehicles. However, polyethylene glycol (PEG), one of the major components, can cause immunogenic reactions, anaphylaxis and increased blood clearance, leading to toxic side effects and reduced efficacy. In this study, we utilize polysorbate 80 (PS80) as a PEG alternative in formulating eGFP mRNA-loaded ionizable lipid nanoparticles (PS80-iLNPs), aiming to enhance stealth properties, uptake efficiency, and biosafety. Our findings revealed that PS80-iLNPs enhanced the stealthiness and resistance to serum interference. Compared to PEG-containing ionizable lipid nanoparticles (PEG-iLNPs), PS80-iLNPs showed a 1.14-fold increase in stealthiness. Moreover, at a total lipid concentration of 50 μg mL