Reinforced plant-derived lipid nanoparticles for oral precise epigenome editing in colonic diseases.

Abstract

The clinical application of CRISPR-Cas9 remains limited by delivery challenges, particularly for oral administration. Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (<i>Lsd1</i>) plays a key role in colonic inflammation and tumorigenesis. Here, we developed an oral genome-editing platform (TPGS-RNP@LNP), where <i>Lsd1</i>-targeting ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) were encapsulated in mulberry leaf lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and formulated with d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS). TPGS reinforced the lipid bilayer of LNPs, enhanced gastrointestinal stability, and facilitated colonic mucus penetration. Upon the galactose receptor-mediated endocytosis of TPGS-RNP@LNPs by macrophages, their fusion with the endosomal membrane and the presence of nuclear localization signals ensured the nuclear delivery of RNPs. TPGS-RNP@LNPs achieved 59.7% <i>Lsd1</i> editing efficiency in macrophages, surpassing the commercial CRISPRMAX (43.0%). Oral TPGS-RNP@LNPs promoted H3K4 methylation to modulate epigenetic states, achieving inflammation mitigation, epithelial barrier restoration, and retardation of colitis and its associated tumorigenesis. As an LNP-based oral RNP delivery system, TPGS-RNP@LNPs provide a promising platform for precise treatment of colorectal diseases.