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Jangra S, De Vrieze J, Choi A, Rathnasinghe R, Laghlali G, Uvyn A, Van Herck S, Nuhn L, Deswarte K, Zhong Z, Sanders N, Lienenklaus S, David S, Strohmeier S, Amanat F, Krammer F, Hammad H, Lambrecht BN, Coughlan L, García-Sastre A, De Geest BG, Schotsaert M. Sterilizing Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Mice by a Single-Shot and Modified Imidazoquinoline TLR7/8 Agonist-Adjuvanted Recombinant Spike Protein Vaccine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.10.23.344085. [PMID: 33106810 PMCID: PMC7587831 DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.23.344085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The search for vaccines that protect from severe morbidity and mortality as a result of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a race against the clock and the virus. Several vaccine candidates are currently being tested in the clinic. Inactivated virus and recombinant protein vaccines can be safe options but may require adjuvants to induce robust immune responses efficiently. In this work we describe the use of a novel amphiphilic imidazoquinoline (IMDQ-PEG-CHOL) TLR7/8 adjuvant, consisting of an imidazoquinoline conjugated to the chain end of a cholesterol-poly(ethylene glycol) macromolecular amphiphile). This amphiphile is water soluble and exhibits massive translocation to lymph nodes upon local administration, likely through binding to albumin. IMDQ-PEG-CHOL is used to induce a protective immune response against SARS-CoV-2 after single vaccination with trimeric recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the BALB/c mouse model. Inclusion of amphiphilic IMDQ-PEG-CHOL in the SARS-CoV-2 spike vaccine formulation resulted in enhanced immune cell recruitment and activation in the draining lymph node. IMDQ-PEG-CHOL has a better safety profile compared to native soluble IMDQ as the former induces a more localized immune response upon local injection, preventing systemic inflammation. Moreover, IMDQ-PEG-CHOL adjuvanted vaccine induced enhanced ELISA and in vitro microneutralization titers, and a more balanced IgG2a/IgG1 response. To correlate vaccine responses with control of virus replication in vivo, vaccinated mice were challenged with SARS-CoV-2 virus after being sensitized by intranasal adenovirus-mediated expression of the human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene. Animals vaccinated with trimeric recombinant spike protein vaccine without adjuvant had lung virus titers comparable to non-vaccinated control mice, whereas animals vaccinated with IMDQ-PEG-CHOL-adjuvanted vaccine controlled viral replication and infectious viruses could not be recovered from their lungs at day 4 post infection. In order to test whether IMDQ-PEG-CHOL could also be used to adjuvant vaccines currently licensed for use in humans, proof of concept was also provided by using the same IMDQ-PEG-CHOL to adjuvant human quadrivalent inactivated influenza virus split vaccine, which resulted in enhanced hemagglutination inhibition titers and a more balanced IgG2a/IgG1 antibody response. Enhanced influenza vaccine responses correlated with better virus control when mice were given a lethal influenza virus challenge. Our results underscore the potential use of IMDQ-PEG-CHOL as an adjuvant to achieve protection after single immunization with recombinant protein and inactivated virus vaccines against respiratory viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses.
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Fuchs N, Meta M, Schuppan D, Nuhn L, Schirmeister T. Novel Opportunities for Cathepsin S Inhibitors in Cancer Immunotherapy by Nanocarrier-Mediated Delivery. Cells 2020; 9:E2021. [PMID: 32887380 PMCID: PMC7565055 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cathepsin S (CatS) is a secreted cysteine protease that cleaves certain extracellular matrix proteins, regulates antigen presentation in antigen-presenting cells (APC), and promotes M2-type macrophage and dendritic cell polarization. CatS is overexpressed in many solid cancers, and overall, it appears to promote an immune-suppressive and tumor-promoting microenvironment. While most data suggest that CatS inhibition or knockdown promotes anti-cancer immunity, cell-specific inhibition, especially in myeloid cells, appears to be important for therapeutic efficacy. This makes the design of CatS selective inhibitors and their targeting to tumor-associated M2-type macrophages (TAM) and DC an attractive therapeutic strategy compared to the use of non-selective immunosuppressive compounds or untargeted approaches. The selective inhibition of CatS can be achieved through optimized small molecule inhibitors that show good pharmacokinetic profiles and are orally bioavailable. The targeting of these inhibitors to TAM is now more feasible using nanocarriers that are functionalized for a directed delivery. This review discusses the role of CatS in the immunological tumor microenvironment and upcoming possibilities for a nanocarrier-mediated delivery of potent and selective CatS inhibitors to TAM and related APC to promote anti-tumor immunity.
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Lückerath T, Koynov K, Loescher S, Whitfield CJ, Nuhn L, Walther A, Barner‐Kowollik C, Ng DYW, Weil T. DNA-Polymer Nanostructures by RAFT Polymerization and Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:15474-15479. [PMID: 32301556 PMCID: PMC7496909 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201916177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Nanostructures derived from amphiphilic DNA-polymer conjugates have emerged prominently due to their rich self-assembly behavior; however, their synthesis is traditionally challenging. Here, we report a novel platform technology towards DNA-polymer nanostructures of various shapes by leveraging polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) for polymerization from single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). A "grafting from" protocol for thermal RAFT polymerization from ssDNA under ambient conditions was developed and utilized for the synthesis of functional DNA-polymer conjugates and DNA-diblock conjugates derived from acrylates and acrylamides. Using this method, PISA was applied to manufacture isotropic and anisotropic DNA-polymer nanostructures by varying the chain length of the polymer block. The resulting nanostructures were further functionalized by hybridization with a dye-labelled complementary ssDNA, thus establishing PISA as a powerful route towards intrinsically functional DNA-polymer nanostructures.
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Lückerath T, Koynov K, Loescher S, Whitfield CJ, Nuhn L, Walther A, Barner‐Kowollik C, Ng DYW, Weil T. DNA‐Polymer‐Nanostrukturen durch RAFT‐Polymerisation und polymerisationsinduzierte Selbstassemblierung. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201916177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Li H, Van Herck S, Liu Y, Hao Y, Ding X, Nuhn L, Zhong Z, Combes F, Sanders NN, Lienenklaus S, Koker SD, David SA, Wang Y, De Geest BG, Zhang Z. Imidazoquinoline-Conjugated Degradable Coacervate Conjugate for Local Cancer Immunotherapy. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:4993-5000. [PMID: 33455292 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Strategies that can reduce the harmful side effects of potent immunomodulatory drugs are in high demand to facilitate clinical translation of the newest generation of immunotherapy. Indeed, uncontrolled triggering of the immune system can lead to life-threatening cascade reactions, such as e.g. cytokine storm. In particular, drug formulations that combine simplicity and degradability are of formidable relevance. Imidazoquinolines are an excellent example of such small molecule immunomodulatory drugs that exhibit in unformulated form a highly undesirable pharmacokinetic profile. Imidazoquinolines are potent inducers of type I interferons that are of great interest in the context of anticancer and antiviral therapy through triggering of Toll like receptors 7 and 8. In this work we aimed to alter the pharmacokinetic profile of imidazoquinolines using a simple, yet efficient, strategy that holds high potential for clinical translation. Hereto, we conjugated an imidazoquinoline to the backbone of poly(aspartate) and further formulated this into a degradable coacervate through complex coacervation with a nontoxic degradable polycation. The intrinsic TLR activity of the imidazoquinoline was well preserved and our formulation strategy offered spatial control over its biological activity in vivo.
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Kockelmann J, Stickdorn J, Kasmi S, De Vrieze J, Pieszka M, Ng DYW, David SA, De Geest BG, Nuhn L. Control over Imidazoquinoline Immune Stimulation by pH-Degradable Poly(norbornene) Nanogels. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:2246-2257. [PMID: 32255626 PMCID: PMC7304817 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
![]()
The
reactivation of the innate immune system by toll-like receptor
(TLR) agonists holds promise for anticancer immunotherapy. Severe
side effects caused by unspecific and systemic activation of the immune
system upon intravenous injection prevent the use of small-molecule
TLR agonists for such purposes. However, a covalent attachment of
small-molecule imidazoquinoline (IMDQ) TLR7/8 agonists to pH-degradable
polymeric nanogels could be shown to drastically reduce the systemic
inflammation but retain the activity to tumoral tissues and their
draining lymph nodes. Here, we introduce the synthesis of poly(norbornene)-based,
acid-degradable nanogels for the covalent ligation of IMDQs. While
the intact nanogels trigger sufficient TLR7/8 receptor stimulation,
their degraded version of soluble, IMDQ-conjugated poly(norbornene)
chains hardly activates TLR7/8. This renders their clinical safety
profile, as degradation products are obtained, which would not only
circumvent nanoparticle accumulation in the body but also provide
nonactive, polymer-bound IMDQ species. Their immunologically silent
behavior guarantees both spatial and temporal control over immune
activity and, thus, holds promise for improved clinical applications.
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De Vrieze J, Van Herck S, Nuhn L, De Geest BG. Design of pH-Degradable Polymer-Lipid Amphiphiles Using a Ketal-Functionalized RAFT Chain Transfer Agent. Macromol Rapid Commun 2020; 41:e2000034. [PMID: 32154953 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202000034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Conjugation of small molecule drug to lipid-polymer amphiphiles is a powerful strategy to alter the pharmacokinetic profile of these molecules by promoting binding to albumin or other serum molecules. Incorporation of a responsive linker between the lipid anchor and the polymer chain can be of interest to avoid indefinite binding of the conjugates to hydrophobic pockets of serum proteins or phospholipid membranes when reaching a target cell or tissue. Here, the synthesis of pH-sensitive lipid-polymer conjugates by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using a RAFT chain transfer agent that is equipped with a pH-sensitive ketal bond between a cholesterol moiety and the trithiocarbonate RAFT chain transfer group is reported. It is demonstrated that in native form these conjugates exhibit a high affinity to albumin and cell membranes but loose this ability in response to a mild acidic trigger in aqueous medium.
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34
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Bixenmann L, Stickdorn J, Nuhn L. Amphiphilic poly(esteracetal)s as dual pH- and enzyme-responsive micellar immunodrug delivery systems. Polym Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/c9py01716j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Amphiphilic poly(esteracetal) micelles encapsulate potent immune modulatory drugs, but fall apart and release them upon dual pH or enzymatic stimuli.
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De Coen R, Nuhn L, Perera C, Arista-Romero M, Risseeuw MDP, Freyn A, Nachbagauer R, Albertazzi L, Van Calenbergh S, Spiegel DA, Peterson BR, De Geest BG. Synthetic Rhamnose Glycopolymer Cell-Surface Receptor for Endogenous Antibody Recruitment. Biomacromolecules 2019; 21:793-802. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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36
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De Vrieze J, Louage B, Deswarte K, Zhong Z, De Coen R, Van Herck S, Nuhn L, Kaas Frich C, Zelikin AN, Lienenklaus S, Sanders NN, Lambrecht BN, David SA, De Geest BG. Potent Lymphatic Translocation and Spatial Control Over Innate Immune Activation by Polymer-Lipid Amphiphile Conjugates of Small-Molecule TLR7/8 Agonists. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:15390-15395. [PMID: 31397948 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201905687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Uncontrolled systemic inflammatory immune triggering has hampered the clinical translation of several classes of small-molecule immunomodulators, such as imidazoquinoline TLR7/8 agonists for vaccine design and cancer immunotherapy. By taking advantage of the inherent serum-protein-binding property of lipid motifs and their tendency to accumulate in lymphoid tissue, we designed amphiphilic lipid-polymer conjugates that suppress systemic inflammation but provoke potent lymph-node immune activation. This work provides a rational basis for the design of lipid-polymer amphiphiles for optimized lymphoid targeting.
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De Vrieze J, Louage B, Deswarte K, Zhong Z, De Coen R, Van Herck S, Nuhn L, Kaas Frich C, Zelikin AN, Lienenklaus S, Sanders NN, Lambrecht BN, David SA, De Geest BG. Amphiphile Polymer‐Lipidkonjugate zur potenten lymphatischen Anreicherung von TLR7/8‐Agonisten ermöglichen eine örtlich begrenzte Aktivierung des angeborenen Immunsystems. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201905687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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38
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Leber N, Kaps L, Yang A, Aslam M, Giardino M, Klefenz A, Choteschovsky N, Rosigkeit S, Mostafa A, Nuhn L, Schuppan D, Zentel R. α-Mannosyl-Functionalized Cationic Nanohydrogel Particles for Targeted Gene Knockdown in Immunosuppressive Macrophages. Macromol Biosci 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201970019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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39
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Leber N, Kaps L, Yang A, Aslam M, Giardino M, Klefenz A, Choteschovsky N, Rosigkeit S, Mostafa A, Nuhn L, Schuppan D, Zentel R. α‐Mannosyl‐Functionalized Cationic Nanohydrogel Particles for Targeted Gene Knockdown in Immunosuppressive Macrophages. Macromol Biosci 2019; 19:e1900162. [DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201900162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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40
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Zhang Z, Li H, Kasmi S, Van Herck S, Deswarte K, Lambrecht BN, Hoogenboom R, Nuhn L, De Geest BG. A Synthetic, Transiently Thermoresponsive Homopolymer with UCST Behaviour within a Physiologically Relevant Window. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:7866-7872. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201900224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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41
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Zhang Z, Li H, Kasmi S, Van Herck S, Deswarte K, Lambrecht BN, Hoogenboom R, Nuhn L, De Geest BG. Synthetisch hergestellte, transient thermoresponsive Homopolymere mit einer oberen kritischen Lösungstemperatur für physiologisch relevante Anwendungen. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201900224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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42
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De Coen R, Nuhn L, De Geest BG. Engineering mannosylated nanogels with membrane-disrupting properties. Polym Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c9py00492k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In this work, mannosylated core-cross-linked nanogels are designed that contain cationic moieties in their core.
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Lybaert L, Vermaelen K, De Geest BG, Nuhn L. Immunoengineering through cancer vaccines – A personalized and multi-step vaccine approach towards precise cancer immunity. J Control Release 2018; 289:125-145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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44
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Nuhn L, De Koker S, Van Lint S, Zhong Z, Catani JP, Combes F, Deswarte K, Li Y, Lambrecht BN, Lienenklaus S, Sanders NN, David SA, Tavernier J, De Geest BG. Nanoparticle-Conjugate TLR7/8 Agonist Localized Immunotherapy Provokes Safe Antitumoral Responses. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1803397. [PMID: 30276880 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201803397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Localized therapeutic modalities that subvert the tumor microenvironment from immune-suppressive to pro-immunogenic can elicit systemic antitumor immune responses that induce regression of directly treated as well as nontreated distal tumors. A key toward generating robust antitumor T cell responses is the activation of dendritic cells (DCs) in the tumor microenvironment. Treatment with agonists triggering various pattern recognition receptors is very efficient to activate DCs, yet suffers from the induction of serious immune-related adverse effects, which is closely linked to their unfavorable PK/PD profile causing systemic immune activation and cytokine release. Here, it is reported that nanoparticle conjugation of a highly potent TLR7/8 agonist restricts immune activation to the tumor bed and its sentinel lymph nodes without hampering therapeutic antitumor efficacy. On a mechanistic level, it is confirmed that localized treatment with a nanoparticle-conjugated TLR7/8 agonist leads to potent activation of DCs in the sentinel lymph nodes and promotes proliferation of tumor antigen-specific CD8 T cells. Furthermore, therapeutic improvement upon combination with anti-PDL1 checkpoint inhibition and Flt3L, a growth factor that expands and mobilizes DCs from the bone marrow, is demonstrated. The findings provide a rational base for localized tumor engineering by nanomedicine strategies that provide spatial control over immune-activation.
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45
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Van Herck S, Deswarte K, Nuhn L, Zhong Z, Portela Catani JP, Li Y, Sanders NN, Lienenklaus S, De Koker S, Lambrecht BN, David SA, De Geest BG. Lymph-Node-Targeted Immune Activation by Engineered Block Copolymer Amphiphiles–TLR7/8 Agonist Conjugates. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:14300-14307. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b08595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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46
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Nuhn L, Van Herck S, Best A, Deswarte K, Kokkinopoulou M, Lieberwirth I, Koynov K, Lambrecht BN, De Geest BG. FRET Monitoring of Intracellular Ketal Hydrolysis in Synthetic Nanoparticles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:10760-10764. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201803847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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47
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Nuhn L, Van Herck S, Best A, Deswarte K, Kokkinopoulou M, Lieberwirth I, Koynov K, Lambrecht BN, De Geest BG. Förster‐Resonanzenergietransfer‐basierter Nachweis intrazellulärer Ketal‐Hydrolyse in synthetisch vernetzten Nanopartikeln. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201803847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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48
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Bros M, Nuhn L, Simon J, Moll L, Mailänder V, Landfester K, Grabbe S. The Protein Corona as a Confounding Variable of Nanoparticle-Mediated Targeted Vaccine Delivery. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1760. [PMID: 30116246 PMCID: PMC6082927 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanocarriers (NC) are very promising tools for cancer immunotherapy. Whereas conventional vaccines are based on the administration of an antigen and an adjuvant in an independent fashion, nanovaccines can facilitate cell-specific co-delivery of antigen and adjuvant. Furthermore, nanovaccines can be decorated on their surface with molecules that facilitate target-specific antigen delivery to certain antigen-presenting cell types or tumor cells. However, the target cell-specific uptake of nanovaccines is highly dependent on the modifications of the nanocarrier itself. One of these is the formation of a protein corona around NC after in vivo administration, which may potently affect cell-specific targeting and uptake of the NC. Understanding the formation and composition of the protein corona is, therefore, of major importance for the use of nanocarriers in vaccine approaches. This Mini Review will give a short overview of potential non-specific interactions of NC with body fluids or cell surfaces that need to be considered for the design of NC vaccines for immunotherapy of cancer.
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Nuhn L, Bolli E, Massa S, Vandenberghe I, Movahedi K, Devreese B, Van Ginderachter JA, De Geest BG. Targeting Protumoral Tumor-Associated Macrophages with Nanobody-Functionalized Nanogels through Strain Promoted Azide Alkyne Cycloaddition Ligation. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:2394-2405. [PMID: 29889515 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) with high expression levels of the Macrophage Mannose Receptor (MMR, CD206) exhibit a strong angiogenic and immune suppressive activity. Thus, they are a highly attractive target in cancer immunotherapy, with the aim to modulate their protumoral behavior. Here, we introduce polymer nanogels as potential drug nanocarriers which were site-specifically decorated with a Nanobody (Nb) specific for the MMR. Using azide-functionalized RAFT chain transfer agents, they provide access to amphiphilic reactive ester block copolymers that self-assemble into micelles and are afterwards core-cross-linked toward fully hydrophilic nanogels with terminal azide groups on their surface. MMR-targeting Nb can site-selectively be functionalized with one single cyclooctyne moiety by maleimide-cysteine chemistry under mildly reducing conditions which enables successful chemoorthogonal conjugation to the nanogels. The resulting Nb-functionalized nanogels were highly efficient in targeting MMR-expressing cells and TAMs both in vitro and in vivo. We believe that these findings pave the road for targeted eradication or modulation of pro-tumoral MMRhigh TAMs.
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50
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Vanparijs N, Nuhn L, De Geest BG. Transiently thermoresponsive polymers and their applications in biomedicine. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 46:1193-1239. [PMID: 28165097 DOI: 10.1039/c6cs00748a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The focus of this review is on the class of transiently thermoresponsive polymers. These polymers are thermoresponsive, but gradually lose this property upon chemical transformation - often a hydrolysis reaction - in the polymer side chain or backbone. An overview of the different approaches used for the design of these polymers along with their physicochemical properties is given. Their amphiphilic properties and degradability into fully soluble compounds make this class of responsive polymers attractive for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Examples of these are also provided in this review.
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