Genome‐Wide CRISPR Screen Reveals PIK3CA Inhibition Enhances Lipid Nanoparticle‐Mediated siRNA Delivery
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are useful carriers for therapeutic siRNA delivery, yet their clinical efficacy remains constrained by insufficient cellular uptake. Here, using a genome-wide CRISPR knockout screen, multiple genetic modulators of LNP uptake is uncovered, with PIK3CA emerging as a top druggable target. Pharmacologic inhibition of PIK3CA with BAY1082439 - a clinically evaluated small molecule - significantly enhances LNP uptake, siRNA delivery, and gene silencing across diverse epithelial cancer cell lines in vitro. Co-administration of BAY1082439 with siRNA-loaded LNPs also better suppressed tumor growth and reduced liver inflammation in vivo, respectively. These findings establish PIK3CA inhibition as a broadly applicable strategy to boost LNP-mediated RNA interference and highlight the promise of combining functional genomics with nanomaterials to advance RNA-based therapeutics.
Authors
- Kangfu Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5077-2223)
- Zongjie Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9900-7197)
- Wenhan Wang
Institutions
- Northwestern University (US)
- Beijing Institute of Technology (CN)
- McCormick (United States) (US)
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (United States) (US)
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Science
- Published
- 2025-12-07
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202517617
- Primary Topic
- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Northwestern University
- International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
- National Cancer Institute