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Hua Y, Qin Z, Gao L, Zhou M, Xue Y, Li Y, Xie J. Protein nanoparticles as drug delivery systems for cancer theranostics. J Control Release 2024; 371:429-444. [PMID: 38849096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Protein-based nanoparticles have garnered significant attention in theranostic applications due to their superior biocompatibility, exceptional biodegradability and ease of functionality. Compared to other nanocarriers, protein-based nanoparticles offer additional advantages, including biofunctionality and precise molecular recognition abilities, which make them highly effective in navigating complex biological environments. Moreover, proteins can serve as powerful tools with self-assembling structures and reagents that enhance cell penetration. And their derivation from abundant renewable sources and ability to degrade into harmless amino acids further enhance their suitability for biomedical applications. However, protein-based nanoparticles have so far not realized their full potential. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the use of protein nanoparticles in tumor diagnosis and treatment and outline typical methods for preparing protein nanoparticles. The review of protein nanoparticles may provide useful new insights into the development of biomaterial fabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Hua
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Zibo Qin
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology; Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center of Ministry of Education; Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lin Gao
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology; Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center of Ministry of Education; Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Mei Zhou
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology; Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center of Ministry of Education; Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yonger Xue
- Center for BioDelivery Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Rd, Shanghai, 200240, PR China.
| | - Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Macau SAR, China.
| | - Jinbing Xie
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology; Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center of Ministry of Education; Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China.
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2
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Bhardwaj R, Mishra P. Engineered Recombinant EGFP-Azurin Theranostic Nanosystem for Targeted Therapy of Prostate Cancer. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:6066-6078. [PMID: 37906960 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (Eph) receptors and their ligands, ephrins, are the largest subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) that have emerged as a new class of cancer biomarkers due to their aberrant expression in cancer progression. The activation of Eph receptors either due to their hyperexpression or via high affinity binding with their respective ephrin ligands initiates a cascade of signals that impacts cancer development and progression. In prostate cancer, the overexpression of the EphA6 receptor has been correlated with increased metastatic potential. Azurin, a small redox protein, is known to prevent tumor progression by binding to cell surface Eph receptors, inhibiting its autophosphorylation in the kinase domain and thereby disrupting Eph-ephrin signaling. Hence, a self-assembled, theranostic nanosystem of recombinant fusion protein his6EGFP-azu (80-128) was designed by conjugating enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) with the C-terminal region of azurin. This design was inspired by the in silico binding study, where the analogue of ephrinA, his6EGFP-azu (80-128) showed higher binding affinity for the EphA6 receptor than the ephrinA ligands. The his6EGFP-azu (80-128) nanosystem which assembled as nanoparticles was tested for its ability to simultaneously detect and kill the prostate cancer cells, LNCaP. This was achieved by specifically targeting EphA6 receptors overexpressed on the cancer cell surface via C-terminal peptide, azu (80-128). Herein, we report antiproliferative, apoptotic, antimigratory, and anti-invasive effects of this nanosystem on LNCaP cells, while having no similar effects on EphA6 negative human normal lung cells, WI-38.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Bhardwaj
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Prashant Mishra
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
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3
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Kim KR, Lee AS, Kim SM, Heo HR, Kim CS. Virus-like nanoparticles as a theranostic platform for cancer. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 10:1106767. [PMID: 36714624 PMCID: PMC9878189 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1106767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-like nanoparticles (VLPs) are natural polymer-based nanomaterials that mimic viral structures through the hierarchical assembly of viral coat proteins, while lacking viral genomes. VLPs have received enormous attention in a wide range of nanotechnology-based medical diagnostics and therapies, including cancer therapy, imaging, and theranostics. VLPs are biocompatible and biodegradable and have a uniform structure and controllable assembly. They can encapsulate a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic agents, and can be genetically or chemically modified. These properties have led to sophisticated multifunctional theranostic platforms. This article reviews the current progress in developing and applying engineered VLPs for molecular imaging, drug delivery, and multifunctional theranostics in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyeong Rok Kim
- Graduate School of Biochemistry, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Ae Sol Lee
- Graduate School of Biochemistry, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Su Min Kim
- Graduate School of Biochemistry, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Hye Ryoung Heo
- Senotherapy-Based Metabolic Disease Control Research Center, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea,*Correspondence: Chang Sup Kim, ; Hye Ryoung Heo,
| | - Chang Sup Kim
- Graduate School of Biochemistry, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea,School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea,*Correspondence: Chang Sup Kim, ; Hye Ryoung Heo,
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Shipunova VO, Deyev SM. Artificial Scaffold Polypeptides As an Efficient Tool for the Targeted Delivery of Nanostructures In Vitro and In Vivo. Acta Naturae 2022; 14:54-72. [PMID: 35441046 PMCID: PMC9013437 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.11545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of traditional tools for the targeted delivery of nanostructures, such
as antibodies, transferrin, lectins, or aptamers, often leads to an entire
range of undesirable effects. The large size of antibodies often does not allow
one to reach the required number of molecules on the surface of nanostructures
during modification, and the constant domains of heavy chains, due to their
effector functions, can induce phagocytosis. In the recent two decades,
targeted polypeptide scaffold molecules of a non-immunoglobulin nature,
antibody mimetics, have emerged as much more effective targeting tools. They
are small in size (3–20 kDa), possess high affinity (from subnano- to
femtomolar binding constants), low immunogenicity, and exceptional
thermodynamic stability. These molecules can be effectively produced in
bacterial cells, and, using genetic engineering manipulations, it is possible
to create multispecific fusion proteins for the targeting of nanoparticles to
cells with a given molecular portrait, which makes scaffold polypeptides an
optimal tool for theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. O. Shipunova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia
| | - S. M. Deyev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russia
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Yur D, Lieser RM, Sullivan MO, Chen W. Engineering bionanoparticles for improved biosensing and bioimaging. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 71:41-48. [PMID: 34157601 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The importance of bioimaging and biosensing has been clear with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to viral detection, detection of tumors, glucose levels, and microbes is necessary for improved disease treatment and prevention. Bionanoparticles, such as extracellular vesicles and protein nanoparticles, are ideal platforms for biosensing and bioimaging applications because of their propensity for high density surface functionalization and large loading capacity. Scaffolding large numbers of sensing modules and detection modules onto bionanoparticles allows for enhanced analyte affinity and specificity as well as signal amplification for highly sensitive detection even at low analyte concentrations. Here we demonstrate the potential of bionanoparticles for bioimaging and biosensing by highlighting recent examples in literature that utilize protein nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles to generate highly sensitive detection devices with impressive signal amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Yur
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, DE 19716 United States
| | - Rachel M Lieser
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, DE 19716 United States
| | - Millicent O Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, DE 19716 United States.
| | - Wilfred Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, DE 19716 United States.
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Li X, Tian R, Ji Y, Liu S, Jiang X, Li F, Luo Q, Hou C, Xu J, Liu J. Construction of Ultralarge Two-Dimensional Fluorescent Protein Arrays via a Reengineered Rhodamine B-Based Molecular Tool. ACS Macro Lett 2021; 10:307-311. [PMID: 35570786 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The self-luminous property of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) makes it an extremely attractive building block for creating functional biomaterials. A practical challenge in the design of EGFP-based materials, however, stems from the structural and chemical heterogeneity of the EGFP surface. In this study, a maleimide-functionalized rhodamine B molecule (RhG2M) was designed as a versatile molecular tool to overcome this obstacle. Site-specific modification of an EGFP variant (EGFP-4C) with RhG2M allowed for the fabrication of a series of well-defined two-dimensional (2D) arrays that span nano- and micrometer scales. Furthermore, the resulting ultralarge 2D EGFP-4C arrays feature both structural uniformity and flexibility, together with the inherent optical properties, making them advanced materials with great potential for practical applications. In addition, this strategy can be further extended into three dimensions and applied to the modular generation of periodic functional materials with more complex structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiumei Li
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Ruizhen Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Yuancheng Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Shengda Liu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Xiaojia Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Fei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Quan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Chunxi Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Jiayun Xu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Junqiu Liu
- College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China
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7
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Gao X, Ding J, Long Q, Zhan C. Virus-mimetic systems for cancer diagnosis and therapy. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 13:e1692. [PMID: 33354937 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Over past decades, various strategies have been developed to enhance the delivery efficiency of therapeutics and imaging agents to tumor tissues. However, the therapeutic outcome of tumors to date have not been significantly improved, which can be partly attributed to the weak targeting ability, fast elimination, and low stability of conventional delivery systems. Viruses are the most efficient agents for gene transfer, serving as a valuable source of inspiration for designing nanoparticle-based delivery systems. Based on the properties of viruses, including well-defined geometry, precise composition, easy modification, stable construction, and specific infection, researchers attempt to design biocompatible delivery vectors by mimicking virus assembly and using the vector system to selectively concentrate drugs or imaging probes in tumors with mitigated toxicity and improved efficacy. In this review, we introduce common viruses features and provide an overview of various virus-mimetic strategies for cancer therapy and diagnosis. The challenges faced by virus-mimetic systems are also discussed. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xihui Gao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Center of Medical Research and Innovation, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junqiang Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery (Fudan University), Ministry of Education and PLA, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianqian Long
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Center of Medical Research and Innovation, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changyou Zhan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Center of Medical Research and Innovation, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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8
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Kim SE, Tieu MV, Hwang SY, Lee MH. Magnetic Particles: Their Applications from Sample Preparations to Biosensing Platforms. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:mi11030302. [PMID: 32183074 PMCID: PMC7142445 DOI: 10.3390/mi11030302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The growing interest in magnetic materials as a universal tool has been shown by an increasing number of scientific publications regarding magnetic materials and its various applications. Substantial progress has been recently made on the synthesis of magnetic iron oxide particles in terms of size, chemical composition, and surface chemistry. In addition, surface layers of polymers, silica, biomolecules, etc., on magnetic particles, can be modified to obtain affinity to target molecules. The developed magnetic iron oxide particles have been significantly utilized for diagnostic applications, such as sample preparations and biosensing platforms, leading to the selectivity and sensitivity against target molecules and the ease of use in the sensing systems. For the process of sample preparations, the magnetic particles do assist in target isolation from biological environments, having non-specific molecules and undesired molecules. Moreover, the magnetic particles can be easily applied for various methods of biosensing devices, such as optical, electrochemical, and magnetic phenomena-based methods, and also any methods combined with microfluidic systems. Here we review the utilization of magnetic materials in the isolation/preconcentration of various molecules and cells, and their use in various techniques for diagnostic biosensors that may greatly contribute to future innovation in point-of-care and high-throughput automation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Eun Kim
- Human IT Convergence Research Center, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, Gyeonggi-do 13509, Korea;
| | - My Van Tieu
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Seoul 06974, Korea; (M.V.T.); (S.Y.H.)
| | - Sei Young Hwang
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Seoul 06974, Korea; (M.V.T.); (S.Y.H.)
| | - Min-Ho Lee
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Seoul 06974, Korea; (M.V.T.); (S.Y.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-820-5503; Fax: +82-2-814-2651
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Pant K, Neuber C, Zarschler K, Wodtke J, Meister S, Haag R, Pietzsch J, Stephan H. Active Targeting of Dendritic Polyglycerols for Diagnostic Cancer Imaging. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1905013. [PMID: 31880080 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201905013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Active tumor targeting involves the decoration of nanomaterials (NMs) with oncotropic vector biomolecules that selectively recognize certain antigens on malignant cells or in the tumor microenvironment. This strategy can facilitate intracellular uptake of NM through specific interactions such as receptor-mediated endocytosis and can lead to prolonged retention in the malignant tissues by preventing rapid efflux from the tumor. Here, the design of actively targeting, renally excretible bimodal dendritic polyglycerols (dPGs) for diagnostic cancer imaging is described. Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) specifically binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are employed herein as targeting warheads owing to their small size and high affinity for their corresponding antigen. The dPGs equipped with EGFR-targeting feature are compared head-to-head with their nontargeting counterparts in terms of interaction with EGFR-overexpressing cells in vitro as well as accumulation at receptor-positive tumors in vivo. Experimental results reveal a higher specificity and preferential tumor accumulation for the α-EGFR dPGs, resulting from the introduction of active targeting capabilities on their backbone. These results highlight the potential for improving the tumor uptake properties of dPGs by strategic use of sdAb functionalization, which can ultimately prove useful to the development of ultrasmall NM with highly specific tumor accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritee Pant
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, D-01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christin Neuber
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, D-01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kristof Zarschler
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, D-01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Johanna Wodtke
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, D-01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sebastian Meister
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, D-01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rainer Haag
- Organische Chemie, Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustrasse 3, D-14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, D-01328, Dresden, Germany
- School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Holger Stephan
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, D-01328, Dresden, Germany
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Unzueta U, Roldán M, Pesarrodona M, Benitez R, Sánchez-Chardi A, Conchillo-Solé O, Mangues R, Villaverde A, Vázquez E. Self-assembling as regular nanoparticles dramatically minimizes photobleaching of tumour-targeted GFP. Acta Biomater 2020; 103:272-280. [PMID: 31812843 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Fluorescent proteins are useful imaging and theranostic agents, but their potential superiority over alternative dyes is weakened by substantial photobleaching under irradiation. Enhancing protein photostability has been attempted through diverse strategies, with irregular results and limited applicability. In this context, we wondered if the controlled oligomerization of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) as nanoscale supramolecular complexes could stabilize the fluorophore through the newly formed protein-protein contacts, and thus, enhance its global photostability. For that, we have here analyzed the photobleaching profile of several GFP versions, engineered to self-assemble as tumour-homing nanoparticles with different targeting, size and structural stability. This has been done under prolonged irradiation in confocal laser scanning microscopy and by small-angle X-ray scattering. The results show that the oligomerization of GFP at the nanoscale enhances, by more than seven-fold, the stability of fluorescence emission. Interestingly, GFP nanoparticles are much more resistant to X-ray damage than the building block counterparts, indicating that the gained photostability is linked to enhanced structural resistance to radiation. Therefore, the controlled oligomerization of self-assembling fluorescent proteins as protein nanoparticles is a simple, versatile and powerful method to enhance their photostability for uses in precision imaging and therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Fluorescent protein assembly into regular and highly symmetric nanoscale structures has been identified to confer enhanced structural stability against radiation stresses dramatically reducing their photobleaching. Being this the main bottleneck in the use of fluorescent proteins for imaging and theranostics, this protein architecture engineering principle appears as a powerful method to enhance their photostability for a broad applicability in precision imaging, drug delivery and theranostics.
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11
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Du B, Tang C, Zhao D, Zhang H, Yu D, Yu M, Balram KC, Gersen H, Yang B, Cao W, Gu C, Besenbacher F, Li J, Sun Y. Diameter-optimized high-order waveguide nanorods for fluorescence enhancement applied in ultrasensitive bioassays. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:14322-14329. [PMID: 31323078 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr02330e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Development of fluorescence enhancement (FE) platforms based on ZnO nanorods (NRs) has sparked considerable interest, thanks to their well-demonstrated potential in chemical and biological detection. Among the multiple factors determining the FE performance, high-order waveguide modes are specifically promising in boosting the sensitivity and realizing selective detection. However, quantitative experimental studies on the influence of the NR diameter, substrate, and surrounding medium, on the waveguide-based FE properties remain lacking. In this work, we have designed and fabricated a FE platform based on patterned and well-defined arrays of vertical, hexagonal prism ZnO NRs with six distinct diameters. Both direct experimental evidence and theoretical simulations demonstrate that high-order waveguide modes play a crucial role in FE, and are strongly dependent on the NR diameter, substrate, and surrounding medium. Using the optimized FE platform, a significant limit of detection (LOD) of 10-16 mol L-1 for Rhodamine-6G probe detection is achieved. Especially, a LOD as low as 10-14 g mL-1 is demonstrated for a prototype biomarker of carcinoembryonic antigen, which is improved by one order compared with the best LOD ever reported using fluorescence-based detection. This work provides an efficient path to design waveguiding NRs-based biochips for ultrasensitive and highly-selective biosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baosheng Du
- Condensed Matter Science and Technology Institute, School of Instrumentation Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080, China.
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12
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Cook ZT, Brockway NL, Tobias ZJC, Pajarla J, Boardman IS, Ippolito H, Nkombo Nkoula S, Weissman TA. Combining near-infrared fluorescence with Brainbow to visualize expression of specific genes within a multicolor context. Mol Biol Cell 2019; 30:491-505. [PMID: 30586321 PMCID: PMC6594444 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e18-06-0340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent proteins are a powerful experimental tool, allowing the visualization of gene expression and cellular behaviors in a variety of systems. Multicolor combinations of fluorescent proteins, such as Brainbow, have expanded the range of possible research questions and are useful for distinguishing and tracking cells. The addition of a separately driven color, however, would allow researchers to report expression of a manipulated gene within the multicolor context to investigate mechanistic effects. A far-red or near-infrared protein could be particularly suitable in this context, as these can be distinguished spectrally from Brainbow. We investigated five far-red/near-infrared proteins in zebrafish: TagRFP657, mCardinal, miRFP670, iRFP670, and mIFP. Our results show that both mCardinal and iRFP670 are useful fluorescent proteins for zebrafish expression. We also introduce a new transgenic zebrafish line that expresses Brainbow under the control of the neuroD promoter. We demonstrate that mCardinal can be used to track the expression of a manipulated bone morphogenetic protein receptor within the Brainbow context. The overlay of near-infrared fluorescence onto a Brainbow background defines a clear strategy for future research questions that aim to manipulate or track the effects of specific genes within a population of cells that are delineated using multicolor approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe T. Cook
- Biology Department, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR 97219
| | | | | | - Joy Pajarla
- Biology Department, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR 97219
| | | | - Helen Ippolito
- Biology Department, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR 97219
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Lee B, Jo E, Yoon HY, Yoon CJ, Lee H, Kwon KC, Kim TW, Lee J. Nonimmunogenetic Viral Capsid Carrier with Cancer Targeting Activity. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2018; 5:1800494. [PMID: 30128257 PMCID: PMC6097151 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201800494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Although protein nanoparticles (PNPs) (e.g., viral capsids) capable of delivering a broad range of drug agents have shown distinctive advantages over synthetic nanomaterials, PNPs have an intrinsic drawback that hampers their clinical application, that is, potential immunogenicity. Here, a novel method for resolving the immunogenicity problem of PNPs, which is based on the genetic presentation of albumin-binding peptides (ABPs) on the surface of PNP, is reported. ABPs are inserted into the surface of a viral capsid (hepatitis B virus capsid/HBVC) while preserving the native self-assembly function of HBVC. The ABPs effectively gather human serum albumins around HBVC and significantly reduce both inflammatory response and immunoglobulin titer in live mice compared to ABP-free HBVC. Furthermore, ABP-conjugated HBVCs remain within tumors for a longer period than HBVCs conjugated to tumor cell receptor-bindingpeptides, indicating that the ABPs are also capable of enhancing tumor-targeting performance. Although applied to HBVC for proof of concept, this novel approach may provide a general platform for resolving immunogenicity and cancer-targeting problems of PNPs, which enables the development of a variety of PNP-based drug delivery carriers with high safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo‐Ram Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCollege of EngineeringKorea UniversityAnam‐Ro 145Seoul136‐713Republic of Korea
| | - Eunji Jo
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCollege of EngineeringKorea UniversityAnam‐Ro 145Seoul136‐713Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Yeol Yoon
- Center for TheragnosisBiomedical Research InstituteKorea Institute of Science and Technology39‐1 Hawolgok‐dong, Seongbuk‐guSeoul136‐791Republic of Korea
| | - Chul Joo Yoon
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCollege of EngineeringKorea UniversityAnam‐Ro 145Seoul136‐713Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo‐Jung Lee
- Division of Infection and ImmunologyGraduate School of MedicineKorea UniversityAnam‐Ro 145Seoul136‐713Republic of Korea
| | - Koo Chul Kwon
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCollege of EngineeringKorea UniversityAnam‐Ro 145Seoul136‐713Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Woo Kim
- Division of Infection and ImmunologyGraduate School of MedicineKorea UniversityAnam‐Ro 145Seoul136‐713Republic of Korea
| | - Jeewon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCollege of EngineeringKorea UniversityAnam‐Ro 145Seoul136‐713Republic of Korea
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Jo E, Heo JS, Lim JY, Lee BR, Yoon CJ, Kim J, Lee J. Peptide ligand-mediated endocytosis of nanoparticles to cancer cells: Cell receptor-binding- versus cell membrane-penetrating peptides. Biotechnol Bioeng 2018; 115:1437-1449. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.26575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eunji Jo
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering; Korea University; Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - June Seok Heo
- Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Sciences, College of Health Science; Korea University; Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Ja-Yun Lim
- Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Sciences, College of Health Science; Korea University; Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Ram Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering; Korea University; Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Chul Joo Yoon
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering; Korea University; Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Jinkwan Kim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science; Jungwon University; Chung-buk Republic of Korea
| | - Jeewon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering; Korea University; Seoul Republic of Korea
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Near-Infrared Plasmonic Assemblies of Gold Nanoparticles with Multimodal Function for Targeted Cancer Theragnosis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17327. [PMID: 29229979 PMCID: PMC5725556 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17714-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we report a novel assembly structure of near-infrared plasmonic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), possessing both photoacoustic (PA) and photothermal (PT) properties. The template for the plasmonic AuNP assembly is a bioconjugate between short double-strand DNA (sh-dsDNA) and human methyl binding domain protein 1 (MBD1). MBD1 binds to methylated cytosine-guanine dinucleotides (mCGs) within the sequence of sh-dsDNA. Hexahistidine peptides on the engineered MBD1 function as a nucleation site for AuNP synthesis, allowing the construction of hybrid conjugates, sh-dsDNA-MBD1-AuNPs (named DMAs). By varying the length of sh-dsDNA backbone and the spacer between two adjacent mCGs, we synthesized three different DMAs (DMA_5mCG, DMA_9mCG, and DMA_21mCG), among which DMA_21mCG exhibited a comparable photothermal and surprisingly a higher photoacoustic signals, compared to a plasmonic gold nanorod. Further, epidermal growth factor receptor I (EGFR)-binding peptides are genetically attached to the MBD1 of DMA_21mCG, enabling its efficient endocytosis into EGFR-overexpressing cancer cells. Notably, the denaturation of MBD1 disassembled the DMA and accordingly released the individual small AuNPs (<5 nm) that can be easily cleared from the body through renal excretion without causing accumulation/toxicity problems. This DMA-based novel approach offers a promising platform for targeted cancer theragnosis based on simultaneous PA imaging and PT therapy.
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