Anti-microRNA targeting using peptide-based nanocomplexes to inhibit differentiation of human pancreatic stellate cells.

Aim: To develop novel peptide-based nanocomplexes (NCs) for delivery of anti-miRNA oligonucleotides to human-derived pancreatic stellate cells (hPSCs), precursors of cancer-associated fibroblasts.

Materials & Methods: NCs of anti-miRNA oligonucleotides and cell-penetrating peptides (different variants) were formed and characterized. The effects of anti-miR-199a delivery on hPSC differentiation and 3D heterospheroid formation were investigated.

Results: Dimeric cell-penetrating peptide based NCs (NC-2) showed 130-fold higher uptake by hPSCs compared with monomer-based NCs (NC-1) and tenfold higher uptake compared with general fibroblasts and different pancreatic tumor cells. Interestingly, delivery of anti-miR-199a inhibited hPSC differentiation into cancer-associated fibroblasts and inhibited the size of 3D heterospheroids comprised of hPSCs and tumor cells.

Conclusion: Our NCs present a highly efficient anti-miRNA delivery system to hPSCs to inhibit their protumorigenic activity.