Bioinspired Lipid Nanocarriers for RNA Delivery

RNA therapy is a disruptive technology comprising a rapidly expanding category of drugs. Further translation of RNA therapies to the clinic will improve the treatment of many diseases and help enable personalized medicine. However, in vivo delivery of RNA remains challenging due to the lack of appropriate delivery tools. Current state-of-the-art carriers such as ionizable lipid nanoparticles still face significant challenges, including frequent localization to clearance-associated organs and limited (1-2%) endosomal escape. Thus, delivery vehicles must be improved to further unlock the full potential of RNA therapeutics. An emerging strategy is to modify existing or new lipid nanocarriers by incorporating bioinspired design principles. This method generally aims to improve tissue targeting, cellular uptake, and endosomal escape, addressing some of the critical issues facing the field. In this review, we introduce the different strategies for creating bioinspired lipid-based RNA carriers and discuss the potential implications of each strategy based on reported findings. These strategies include incorporating naturally derived lipids into existing nanocarriers and mimicking bioderived molecules, viruses, and exosomes. We evaluate each strategy based on the critical factors required for delivery vehicles to succeed. Finally, we point to areas of research that should be furthered to enable the more successful rational design of lipid nanocarriers for RNA delivery.