S-Ac7-DOG

S-Ac7-DOg​​ is an ​​ionizable lipid​​ engineered for optimized mRNA delivery to the retina, featuring a ​​sulfur-based ester bond​​ (S-Ac) and ​​dual oleyl glyceride chains​​ (DOg). Its pKa (~6.74) is finely tuned to enhance ​​endosomal escape​​ in acidic environments, enabling efficient cytosolic mRNA release. Unlike traditional lipids (e.g., C12-200, MC3), S-Ac7-DOg incorporates ​​biodegradable ester linkages​​ that hydrolyze intracellularly, minimizing lipid accumulation and reducing innate immune activation. In vitro, S-Ac7-DOg LNPs achieved >80% transfection efficiency in retinal cells (ARPE-19, MIO-M1) with ​​negligible cytokine secretion​​, outperforming MC3 and rivaling C12-200 while avoiding the latter’s high immunogenicity. In vivo, intravitreal delivery in mice showed ​​robust protein expression​​ in the optic nerve head (ONH) and Müller glia (75–100% of eyes), sustained for ≥7 days. Critically, it induced the ​​lowest immunogenicity​​ among tested lipids: minimal leukocyte infiltration (<1.5-fold vs. PBS), no microglial reactivity, and reduced GFAP upregulation.