Stereochemical identity of lipid nanoparticles modulates protein expression via internal lipid organization

Stereochemistry plays a crucial role in how molecules interact with complex physiological environments, affecting pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and toxicity. Although these effects are well studied for small-molecular drugs, they are largely overlooked for supramolecular assemblies used in drug delivery. Even for lipid nanoparticles (LNPs)—the most advanced RNA delivery platform—stereochemical effects are rarely investigated and, when considered, are typically limited to the ionizable lipid rather than the overall stereochemical identity of the LNP.

Here we separate the ionizable lipid cKK-E12 into its two stereoisomers ( trans : R,S / S,R ; cis : R,R / S,S ), which are normally used as a mixture. LNPs containing the cis isomer exhibit improved physicochemical properties, stability, and protein expression. By systematically varying the stereochemistry of the ionizable lipid, phospholipid, and cholesterol, we reveal stereochemistry-dependent differences in uptake and protein expression across six cell lines and in vivo in zebrafish embryos and mice. AI-assisted cryo-TEM analysis and SAXS link enhanced protein expression to structural differences, demonstrating control over internal lipid phases (lamellar and inverse hexagonal), influencing sample uniformity, and identifying stereochemical identity as a key determinant of functional RNA delivery.