POS4-0166
DMSO-Mediated Assembly of Lipid-PLGA Hybrid Nanoparticles
Topic
S4. Colloids, Interfaces, and Molecular Assemblies for Functional Soft Materials
When and Where
Sep 29, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Hae Jung SON
Boseok KANG
Presenter(s)
Sang Ryeol Jeong (POSTECH)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
DMSO-Mediated Assembly of Lipid-PLGA Hybrid Nanoparticles
Sang Ryeol Jeong, Gi-Su Na, Hyomin Lee*
Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology
E-mail : srjeong@postech.ac.kr
Abstract
While lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have achieved remarkable success in mRNA vaccines, expanding their application to mRNA therapeutics requires overcoming challenges related to transient expression and structural instability. In this study, we present DMSO-mediated assembly of lipid-PLGA hybrid nanoparticles (D-LPHNs) to address these limitations. By replacing the cholesterol with a structurally robust poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), we aimed to enhance the structural stability of the nanoparticles and enable sustained cargo release via tunable polymer degradation, while maintaining high biocompatibility using an FDA-approved biomaterial. To overcome the distinct solubility profiles of highly hydrophobic PLGA and various lipid components, a single organic solvent system using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was utilized, enabling robust encapsulation and uniform self-assembly. The formulated D-LPHNs exhibited highly favorable physicochemical properties, characterized by a narrow polydispersity index (PDI < 0.1), a controlled Z-average particle size (< 100 nm), and a high mRNA encapsulation efficiency (EE > 80%). These results suggest that D-LPHNs hold structural feasibility as a candidate platform for mRNA-based therapeutics, warranting further in vitro and in vivo evaluations for sustained release profiles.
KEYWORDS: mRNA vaccine, Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), mRNA therapeutics, Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNs), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Physicochemical characterization, Sustained release
Sang Ryeol Jeong, Gi-Su Na, Hyomin Lee*
Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology
E-mail : srjeong@postech.ac.kr
Abstract
While lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have achieved remarkable success in mRNA vaccines, expanding their application to mRNA therapeutics requires overcoming challenges related to transient expression and structural instability. In this study, we present DMSO-mediated assembly of lipid-PLGA hybrid nanoparticles (D-LPHNs) to address these limitations. By replacing the cholesterol with a structurally robust poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), we aimed to enhance the structural stability of the nanoparticles and enable sustained cargo release via tunable polymer degradation, while maintaining high biocompatibility using an FDA-approved biomaterial. To overcome the distinct solubility profiles of highly hydrophobic PLGA and various lipid components, a single organic solvent system using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was utilized, enabling robust encapsulation and uniform self-assembly. The formulated D-LPHNs exhibited highly favorable physicochemical properties, characterized by a narrow polydispersity index (PDI < 0.1), a controlled Z-average particle size (< 100 nm), and a high mRNA encapsulation efficiency (EE > 80%). These results suggest that D-LPHNs hold structural feasibility as a candidate platform for mRNA-based therapeutics, warranting further in vitro and in vivo evaluations for sustained release profiles.
KEYWORDS: mRNA vaccine, Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), mRNA therapeutics, Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNs), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Physicochemical characterization, Sustained release
