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Kumar N, Sharma AK, Guleria M, Shelar SB, Chakraborty A, Rakshit S, Kolay S, Satpati D, Das T. Nuclear Localization Signal Enhances the Targeting and Therapeutic Efficacy of a Porphyrin-Based Molecular Cargo: A Systemic In Vitro and Ex Vivo Evaluation. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:2351-2364. [PMID: 38477252 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c01152] [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: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The objective of the present work was to evaluate the potential of a nuclear localization signal (NLS) toward facilitating intracellular delivery and enhancement in the therapeutic efficacy of the molecular cargo. Toward this, an in-house synthesized porphyrin derivative, namely, 5-carboxymethyelene-oxyphenyl-10,15,20-tris(4-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (UTriMA), was utilized for conjugation with the NLS sequence [PKKKRKV]. The three compounds synthesized during the course of the present work, namely DOTA-Lys-NLS, DOTA-UTriMA-Lys-NLS, and DOTA-Lys-UTriMA, were evaluated for cellular toxicity in cancer cell lines (HT1080), wherein all exhibited minimal dark toxicity. However, during photocytotoxicity studies with DOTA-Lys-UTriMA and DOTA-UTriMA-Lys-NLS conjugates in the same cell line, the latter exhibited significantly higher light-dependent toxicity compared to the former. Furthermore, the photocytotoxicity for DOTA-UTriMA-Lys-NLS in a healthy cell line (WI26VA4) was found to be significantly lower than that observed in the cancer cells. Fluorescence cell imaging studies carried out in HT1080 cancer cells revealed intracellular accumulation for the NLS-conjugated porphyrin (DOTA-UTriMA-Lys-NLS), whereas unconjugated porphyrin (DOTA-Lys-UTriMA) failed to do so. To evaluate the radiotherapeutic effects of the synthesized conjugates, all three compounds were radiolabeled with 177Lu, a well-known therapeutic radionuclide with high radiochemical purity (>95%). During in vitro studies, the [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-UTriMA-Lys-NLS complex exhibited the highest cell binding as well as internalization among the three radiolabeled complexes. Biological distribution studies for the radiolabeled compounds were performed in a fibrosarcoma-bearing small animal model, wherein significantly higher accumulation and prolonged retention of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-UTriMA-Lys-NLS (9.32 ± 1.27% IA/g at 24 h p.i.) in the tumorous lesion compared to [177Lu]Lu-UTriMA-Lys-DOTA (2.3 ± 0.13% IA/g at 24 h p.i.) and [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-Lys-NLS complexes (0.26 ± 0.17% IA/g at 24 h p.i.) were observed. The results of the biodistribution studies were further corroborated by recording serial SPECT-CT images of fibrosarcoma-bearing Swiss mice administered with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-UTriMA-Lys-NLS at different time points. Tumor regression studies performed with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-UTriMA-Lys-NLS in the same animal model with two different doses [250 μCi (9.25 MBq) and 500 μCi (18.5 MBq)] resulted in a significant reduction in tumor mass in the treated group of animals. The above results revealed a definite enhancement in the targeting ability of molecular cargo upon conjugation with NLS and hence indicated that this strategy may be helpful for the preparation of drug-NLS conjugates as multimodal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Kumar
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Amit K Sharma
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Mohini Guleria
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Sandeep B Shelar
- Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Avik Chakraborty
- Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India
| | - Sutapa Rakshit
- Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India
| | - Soumi Kolay
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Drishty Satpati
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Tapas Das
- Radiopharmaceuticals Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
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Cheung TL, Tam LKB, Tam WS, Zhang L, Kai HY, Thor W, Wu Y, Lam PL, Yeung YH, Xie C, Chau HF, Lo WS, Zhang T, Wong KL. Facile Peptide Macrocyclization and Multifunctionalization via Cyclen Installation. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2400006. [PMID: 38593368 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202400006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Cyclen-peptide bioconjugates are usually prepared in multiple steps that require individual preparation and purification of the cyclic peptide and hydrophilic cyclen derivatives. An efficient strategy is discovered for peptide cyclization and functionalization toward lanthanide probe via three components intermolecular crosslinking on solid-phase peptide synthesis with high conversion yield. Multifunctionality can be conferred by introducing different modular parts or/and metal ions on the cyclen-embedded cyclopeptide. As a proof-of-concept, a luminescent Eu3+ complex and a Gd3+-based contrasting agent for in vitro optical imaging and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging, respectively, are demonstrated through utilizing this preparation of cyclen-embedded cyclic arginylglycylaspartic acid (RGD) peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsz-Lam Cheung
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, 224 Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Leo K B Tam
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wing-Sze Tam
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, 224 Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Leilei Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, and College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Hei-Yui Kai
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Waygen Thor
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yue Wu
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pak-Lun Lam
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yik-Hoi Yeung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chen Xie
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ho-Fai Chau
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai-Sum Lo
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, and College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Ka-Leung Wong
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
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Ghosh C, Ali LMA, Bessin Y, Clément S, Richeter S, Bettache N, Ulrich S. Self-assembled porphyrin-peptide cages for photodynamic therapy. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:1484-1494. [PMID: 38289387 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob01887c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
The development of photodynamic therapy requires access to smart photosensitizers which combine appropriate photophysical and biological properties. Interestingly, supramolecular and dynamic covalent chemistries have recently shown their ability to produce novel architectures and responsive systems through simple self-assembly approaches. Herein, we report the straightforward formation of porphyrin-peptide conjugates and cage compounds which feature on their surface chemical groups promoting cell uptake and specific organelle targeting. We show that they self-assemble, in aqueous media, into positively-charged nanoparticles which generate singlet oxygen upon green light irradiation, while also undergoing a chemically-controlled disassembly due to the presence of reversible covalent linkages. Finally, the biological evaluation in cells revealed that they act as effective photosensitizers and promote synergistic effects in combination with Doxorubicin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandramouli Ghosh
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Université of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Lamiaa M A Ali
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Université of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
- Department of Biochemistry Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria, 21561 Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Yannick Bessin
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Université of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Sébastien Clément
- Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier (ICGM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Sébastien Richeter
- Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier (ICGM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Nadir Bettache
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Université of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Sébastien Ulrich
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Université of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
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