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Mani Giri P, Banerjee A, Ghosal A, Salu P, Reindl K, Layek B. Mesenchymal stem cell-delivered paclitaxel nanoparticles exhibit enhanced efficacy against a syngeneic orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer. Int J Pharm 2024:124753. [PMID: 39321899 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2024] [Revised: 09/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is considered the deadliest among various solid tumors, with a five-year survival rate of 13 %. One of the major challenges in the management of advanced pancreatic cancer is the inefficient delivery of chemotherapeutics to the tumor site. Even though nanocarriers have been developed to improve tumoral delivery of chemotherapeutics, less than 1 % of the drugs reach tumors, rendering inadequate concentration for effective inhibition of tumors. As a potential alternative, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can effectively deliver their cargo to tumor sites because of their resistance to chemotherapeutics and inherent tumor tropism. In this study, we used MSCs for the delivery of dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO)-functionalized paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-b-poly (ethylene glycol) (PLGA) nanoparticles. MSCs were modified to generate artificial azide groups on their surface, allowing nanoparticle loading via endocytosis and surface conjugation via click chemistry. This dual drug loading strategy significantly improves the PTX-loading capacity of azide-expressed MSCs (MSC-Az, 55.4 pg/cell) compared to unmodified MSCs (28.1 pg/cell). The in vitro studies revealed that PTX-loaded MSC-Az, nano-MSCs, exhibited cytotoxic effects against pancreatic cancer without altering their inherent phenotype, differentiation abilities, and tumor tropism. In an orthotopic pancreatic tumor model, nano-MSCs demonstrated significant inhibition of tumor growth (p < 0.05) and improved survival (p < 0.0001) compared to PTX solution, PTX nanocarriers, and Abraxane. Thus, nano-MSCs could be an effective delivery system for targeted pancreatic cancer chemotherapy and other solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paras Mani Giri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, United States
| | - Anurag Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, United States
| | - Arpita Ghosal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, United States
| | - Philip Salu
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, United States
| | - Katie Reindl
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, United States
| | - Buddhadev Layek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, United States.
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Abo Qoura L, Balakin KV, Hoffman RM, Pokrovsky VS. The potential of methioninase for cancer treatment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189122. [PMID: 38796027 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189122] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer cells are addicted to L-methionine (L-Met) and have a much greater requirement for L-Met than normal cells due to excess transmethylation, termed the Hoffman effect. By targeting this vulnerability through dietary restriction of L-Met, researchers have been able to achieve promising results in inhibiting tumor growth and eradicating cancer cells. Methioninase (EC 4.4.1.11; METase) catalyzes the transformation of L-Met into α-ketobutyrate, ammonia, and methanethiol. The use of METase was initially limited due to its poor stability in vivo, high immunogenicity, and enzyme-induced inactivating antibodies. These issues could be partially resolved by PEGylation, encapsulation in erythrocytes, and various site-directed mutagenesis. The big breakthrough came when it was discovered that METase is effectively administered orally. The enzyme L-asparaginase is approved by the FDA for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. METase has more potential as a therapeutic since addiction to L-Met is a general and fundamental hallmark of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louay Abo Qoura
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 117198 Moscow, Russia; N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, 115478 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA 92111, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037-7400, USA
| | - Vadim S Pokrovsky
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 117198 Moscow, Russia; N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, 115478 Moscow, Russia.
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Raboni S, Faggiano S, Bettati S, Mozzarelli A. Methionine gamma lyase: Structure-activity relationships and therapeutic applications. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2024; 1872:140991. [PMID: 38147934 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2023.140991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Methionine gamma lyase (MGL) is a bacterial and plant enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of methionine in methanthiol, 2-oxobutanoate and ammonia. The enzyme belongs to fold type I of the pyridoxal 5'-dependent family. The catalytic mechanism and the structure of wild type MGL and variants were determined in the presence of the natural substrate as well as of many sulfur-containing derivatives. Structure-function relationship studies were pivotal for MGL exploitation in the treatment of cancer, bacterial infections, and other diseases. MGL administration to cancer cells leads to methionine starvation, thus decreasing cells viability and increasing their vulnerability towards other drugs. In antibiotic therapy, MGL acts by transforming prodrugs in powerful drugs. Numerous strategies have been pursued for the delivering of MGL in vivo to prolong its bioavailability and decrease its immunogenicity. These include conjugation with polyethylene glycol and encapsulation in synthetic or natural vesicles, eventually decorated with tumor targeting molecules, such as the natural phytoestrogens daidzein and genistein. The scientific achievements in studying MGL structure, function and perspective therapeutic applications came from the efforts of many talented scientists, among which late Tatyana Demidkina to whom we dedicate this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samanta Raboni
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Serena Faggiano
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Bettati
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy; National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Rome, Italy; Department of Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
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4
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Raboni S, Fumagalli F, Ceccone G, La Spina R, Ponti J, Mehn D, Guerrini G, Bettati S, Mozzarelli A, D'Acunto M, Presciuttini G, Cristallini C, Gabellieri E, Cioni P. Conjugation to gold nanoparticles of methionine gamma-lyase, a cancer-starving enzyme. Physicochemical characterization of the nanocomplex for prospective nanomedicine applications. Int J Pharm 2024; 653:123882. [PMID: 38342324 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.123882] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
The pyridoxal 5'-dependent enzyme methionine γ-lyase (MGL) catalyzes the degradation of methionine. This activity has been profitable to develop an antitumor agent exploiting the strict dependence of most malignant cells on the availability of methionine. Indeed, methionine depletion blocks tumor proliferation and leads to an increased susceptibility to anticancer drugs. Here, we explore the conjugation of MGL to gold nanoparticles capped with citrate (AuNPs) as a novel strategy to deliver MGL to cancer cells. Measurements of Transmission Electron Microscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, and Circular Dichroism allowed to achieve an extensive biophysical and biochemical characterization of the MGL-AuNP complex including particle size, size distribution, MGL loading yield, enzymatic activity, and impact of gold surface on protein structure. Noticeably, we found that activity retention was improved over time for the enzyme adsorbed to AuNPs with respect to the enzyme free in solution. The acquired body of knowledge on the nanocomplex properties and this encouraging stabilizing effect upon conjugation are the necessary basis for further studies aimed at the evaluation of the therapeutic potential of MGL-AuNP complex in a biological milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samanta Raboni
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 23/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; Institute of Biophysics, IBF Pisa - CNR, via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Francesco Fumagalli
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via Enrico Fermi, 2749, 21027 Ispra, Italy.
| | - Giacomo Ceccone
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via Enrico Fermi, 2749, 21027 Ispra, Italy.
| | - Rita La Spina
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via Enrico Fermi, 2749, 21027 Ispra, Italy.
| | - Jessica Ponti
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via Enrico Fermi, 2749, 21027 Ispra, Italy.
| | - Dora Mehn
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via Enrico Fermi, 2749, 21027 Ispra, Italy.
| | - Giuditta Guerrini
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via Enrico Fermi, 2749, 21027 Ispra, Italy.
| | - Stefano Bettati
- Institute of Biophysics, IBF Pisa - CNR, via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43126 Parma, Italy; Interdepartmental Center Biopharmanet-TEC, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- Institute of Biophysics, IBF Pisa - CNR, via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Mario D'Acunto
- Institute of Biophysics, IBF Pisa - CNR, via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | | | - Caterina Cristallini
- Institute for Chemical and Physical Processes, IPCF Pisa - CNR, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Edi Gabellieri
- Institute of Biophysics, IBF Pisa - CNR, via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Cioni
- Institute of Biophysics, IBF Pisa - CNR, via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
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Bianchi M, Rossi L, Pierigè F, Biagiotti S, Bregalda A, Tasini F, Magnani M. Preclinical and clinical developments in enzyme-loaded red blood cells: an update. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2023; 20:921-935. [PMID: 37249524 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2219890] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We have previously described the preclinical developments in enzyme-loaded red blood cells to be used in the treatment of several rare diseases, as well as in chronic conditions. AREA COVERED Since our previous publication we have seen further progress in the previously discussed approaches and, interestingly enough, in additional new studies that further strengthen the idea that red blood cell-based therapeutics may have unique advantages over conventional enzyme replacement therapies in terms of efficacy and safety. Here we highlight these investigations and compare, when possible, the reported results versus the current therapeutic approaches. EXPERT OPINION The continuous increase in the number of new potential applications and the progress from the encapsulation of a single enzyme to the engineering of an entire metabolic pathway open the field to unexpected developments and confirm the role of red blood cells as cellular bioreactors that can be conveniently manipulated to acquire useful therapeutic metabolic abilities. Positioning of these new approaches versus newly approved drugs is essential for the successful transition of this technology from the preclinical to the clinical stage and hopefully to final approval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Bianchi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Luigia Rossi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
- EryDel SpA, Bresso, MI, Italy
| | - Francesca Pierigè
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Sara Biagiotti
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bregalda
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Filippo Tasini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Mauro Magnani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
- EryDel SpA, Bresso, MI, Italy
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6
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Nguyen PHD, Jayasinghe MK, Le AH, Peng B, Le MTN. Advances in Drug Delivery Systems Based on Red Blood Cells and Their Membrane-Derived Nanoparticles. ACS NANO 2023; 17:5187-5210. [PMID: 36896898 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c11965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Red blood cells (RBCs) and RBC membrane-derived nanoparticles have been historically developed as bioinspired drug delivery systems to combat the issues of premature clearance, toxicity, and immunogenicity of synthetic nanocarriers. RBC-based delivery systems possess characteristics including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and long circulation time, which make them suited for systemic administration. Therefore, they have been employed in designing optimal drug formulations in various preclinical models and clinical trials to treat a wide range of diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the biology, synthesis, and characterization of drug delivery systems based on RBCs and their membrane including whole RBCs, RBC membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles, RBC-derived extracellular vesicles, and RBC hitchhiking. We also highlight conventional and latest engineering strategies, along with various therapeutic modalities, for enhanced precision and effectiveness of drug delivery. Additionally, we focus on the current state of RBC-based therapeutic applications and their clinical translation as drug carriers, as well as discussing opportunities and challenges associated with these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Hoang Diem Nguyen
- Department of Pharmacology, and Institute for Digital Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
- Department of Surgery, Immunology Programme, Cancer Programme and Nanomedicine Translational Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Migara Kavishka Jayasinghe
- Department of Pharmacology, and Institute for Digital Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
- Department of Surgery, Immunology Programme, Cancer Programme and Nanomedicine Translational Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Anh Hong Le
- Department of Pharmacology, and Institute for Digital Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
- Department of Surgery, Immunology Programme, Cancer Programme and Nanomedicine Translational Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Boya Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, and Institute for Digital Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
- Department of Surgery, Immunology Programme, Cancer Programme and Nanomedicine Translational Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Minh T N Le
- Department of Pharmacology, and Institute for Digital Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
- Department of Surgery, Immunology Programme, Cancer Programme and Nanomedicine Translational Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
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7
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Majtan T, Kožich V, Kruger WD. Recent therapeutic approaches to cystathionine beta-synthase-deficient homocystinuria. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:264-278. [PMID: 36417581 PMCID: PMC9822868 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS)-deficient homocystinuria (HCU) is the most common inborn error of sulfur amino acid metabolism. The pyridoxine non-responsive form of the disease manifests itself by massively increasing plasma and tissue concentrations of homocysteine, a toxic intermediate of methionine metabolism that is thought to be the major cause of clinical complications including skeletal deformities, connective tissue defects, thromboembolism and cognitive impairment. The current standard of care involves significant dietary interventions that, despite being effective, often adversely affect quality of life of HCU patients, leading to poor adherence to therapy and inadequate biochemical control with clinical complications. In recent years, the unmet need for better therapeutic options has resulted in development of novel enzyme and gene therapies and exploration of pharmacological approaches to rescue CBS folding defects caused by missense pathogenic mutations. Here, we review scientific evidence and current state of affairs in development of recent approaches to treat HCU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Majtan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Fribourg, Faculty of Science and Medicine, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
| | - Viktor Kožich
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Charles University-First Faculty of Medicine, Prague, 12808, Czech Republic
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, 12808, Czech Republic
| | - Warren D. Kruger
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
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Montalbano S, Raboni S, Sidoli S, Mozzarelli A, Bettati S, Buschini A. Post-Translational Modifications of Histone Variants in the Absence and Presence of a Methionine-Depleting Enzyme in Normal and Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020527. [PMID: 36672476 PMCID: PMC9857184 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Methionine is an essential amino acid involved in the formation of polyamines and a precursor metabolite for DNA and protein methylation. The dependence of cancer cells on methionine has triggered extensive investigations aimed at its targeting for cancer therapy, including the exploitation as a therapeutic tool of methionine γ-lyase (MGL), a bacterial enzyme that degrades methionine, capable of inhibiting cancer cells growth due to methionine starvation. We have exploited the high-resolution power of mass spectrometry to compare the effects of reduced availability of the methyl donor SAM, induced by MGL treatment, on the post-translational modifications of the histone tails in normal Hs27 and cancer HT-29 cells. In the absence of MGL, our analysis detected a three-fold higher relative abundance of trimethylated K25 of H1.4 in HT-29 than Hs27 cells, and a complex pattern of methylated, unmethylated and acetylated peptides in H2 and H3.3. In the presence of MGL, in HT-29, the peptide H2A1_4_11 is predominantly unmodified with mono-methylated K5 increasing upon treatment, whereas in Hs27 cells, H2A1_4_11 is monomethylated at K5 and K9 with these marks decreasing upon treatment. The time dependence of the effects of MGL-mediated methionine depletion on PTMs of histone variants in HT-29 cancer cells was also monitored. Overall, our present data on histone variants H1, H2A, H2B as well as H3.3 integrated with our previous studies on histones H3 and H4, shed light on the epigenetic modifications associated with methionine starvation and associated cancer cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Montalbano
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
- COMT (Interdepartmental Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology), University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Samanta Raboni
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 23/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Center, Area della Ricerca di Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 1, San Cataldo, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center SITEIA.PARMA, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Center, Area della Ricerca di Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 1, San Cataldo, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Bettati
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Center, Area della Ricerca di Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 1, San Cataldo, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center SITEIA.PARMA, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Annamaria Buschini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
- COMT (Interdepartmental Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology), University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Safrhansova L, Hlozkova K, Starkova J. Targeting amino acid metabolism in cancer. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 373:37-79. [PMID: 36283767 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic rewiring is a characteristic hallmark of cancer cells. This phenomenon sustains uncontrolled proliferation and resistance to apoptosis by increasing nutrients and energy supply. However, reprogramming comes together with vulnerabilities that can be used against tumor and can be applied in targeted therapy. In the last years, the genetic background of tumors has been identified thoroughly and new therapies targeting those mutations tested. Nevertheless, we propose that targeting the phenotype of cancer cells could be another way of treatment aiming to avoid drug resistance and non-responsiveness of cancer patients. Amino acid metabolism is part of the altered processes in cancer cells. Amino acids are building blocks and also sensors of signaling pathways regulating main biological processes. In this comprehensive review, we described four amino acids (asparagine, arginine, methionine, and cysteine) which have been actively investigated as potential targets for anti-tumor therapy. Asparagine depletion is successfully used for decades in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and there is a strong implication to apply it to other types of tumors. Arginine auxotrophic tumors are great candidates for arginine-starvation therapy. Higher requirement for essential amino acids such as methionine and cysteine point out promising targetable weaknesses of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Safrhansova
- CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Hlozkova
- CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Julia Starkova
- CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; Dept. of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Sharma B, Devi S, Kumar R, Kanwar SS. Screening, characterization and anti-cancer application of purified intracellular MGL. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 217:96-110. [PMID: 35817235 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
L-methionine-γ-lyase (MGL) producing bacterial isolates were screened from soil samples that further characterized as 'Klebsiella oxytoca BLM-1' by biochemical and 16S rDNA sequencing. Intracellular MGL obtained from K. oxytoca BLM-1 by sonication was purified by Octyl-Sepharose and Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of protein band (Mr ~ 63 kDa) confirmed the PLP-dependence and structural similarity with MGL enzyme. Purified MGL (1.1 μg) exhibited the maximum activity in potassium phosphate buffer (80 mM; with L-met 20 mM pH 7.0) at 37 °C. That further enhanced in the presence of NaCl (2 mM), Tween-80 (1.0 %; v/v) and EDTA (5 mM). Km and Vmax for purified MGL by using L-met as substrate was found to be 5.32 mM and 0.386 U/mL/min. The purified MGL showed PLP dependence and the half-life was 365.59 min. The MGL was effective against breast cancer (MCF7), gastric adenocarcinoma and human glioblastoma (U87MG) cancer cell lines with IC50 values of purified MGL 0.041 U/mL, 0.008 U/mL and 0.009 U/mL, respectively. The U87MG, greatly affected by MGL treatment, when cultured in DMEM medium (10 mL) with PLP, homocysteine and 10 % FCS as compared to control/untransformed mouse spleen cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhupender Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla 171 005, India
| | - Sunita Devi
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla 171 005, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla 171 005, India
| | - Shamsher Singh Kanwar
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla 171 005, India.
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Sowers ML, Sowers LC. Glioblastoma and Methionine Addiction. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:7156. [PMID: 35806160 PMCID: PMC9266821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a fatal brain tumor with a bleak prognosis. The use of chemotherapy, primarily the alkylating agent temozolomide, coupled with radiation and surgical resection, has provided some benefit. Despite this multipronged approach, average patient survival rarely extends beyond 18 months. Challenges to glioblastoma treatment include the identification of functional pharmacologic targets as well as identifying drugs that can cross the blood-brain barrier. To address these challenges, current research efforts are examining metabolic differences between normal and tumor cells that could be targeted. Among the metabolic differences examined to date, the apparent addiction to exogenous methionine by glioblastoma tumors is a critical factor that is not well understood and may serve as an effective therapeutic target. Others have proposed this property could be exploited by methionine dietary restriction or other approaches to reduce methionine availability. However, methionine links the tumor microenvironment with cell metabolism, epigenetic regulation, and even mitosis. Therefore methionine depletion could result in complex and potentially undesirable responses, such as aneuploidy and the aberrant expression of genes that drive tumor progression. If methionine manipulation is to be a therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma patients, it is essential that we enhance our understanding of the role of methionine in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark L. Sowers
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
- MD-PhD Combined Degree Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Lawrence C. Sowers
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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12
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Sedillo JC, Cryns VL. Targeting the methionine addiction of cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:2249-2276. [PMID: 35693095 PMCID: PMC9185618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Methionine is the initiator amino acid for protein synthesis, the methyl source for most nucleotide, chromatin, and protein methylation, and the carbon backbone for various aspects of the cellular antioxidant response and nucleotide biosynthesis. Methionine is provided in the diet and serum methionine levels fluctuate based on dietary methionine content. Within the cell, methionine is recycled from homocysteine via the methionine cycle, which is linked to nutrient status via one-carbon metabolism. Unlike normal cells, many cancer cells, both in vitro and in vivo, show high methionine cycle activity and are dependent on exogenous methionine for continued growth. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the methionine dependence of diverse malignancies are poorly understood. Methionine deprivation initiates widespread metabolic alterations in cancer cells that enable them to survive despite limited methionine availability, and these adaptive alterations can be specifically targeted to enhance the activity of methionine deprivation, a strategy we have termed "metabolic priming". Chemotherapy-resistant cell populations such as cancer stem cells, which drive treatment-resistance, are also sensitive to methionine deprivation, suggesting dietary methionine restriction may inhibit metastasis and recurrence. Several clinical trials in cancer are investigating methionine restriction in combination with other agents. This review will explore new insights into the mechanisms of methionine dependence in cancer and therapeutic efforts to translate these insights into enhanced clinical activity of methionine restriction in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joni C Sedillo
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison, WI, USA
| | - Vincent L Cryns
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison, WI, USA
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13
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Resealed erythrocytes: Towards a novel approach for anticancer therapy. J INDIAN CHEM SOC 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jics.2021.100257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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14
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Lukasheva EV, Babayeva G, Karshieva SS, Zhdanov DD, Pokrovsky VS. L-Lysine α-Oxidase: Enzyme with Anticancer Properties. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:1070. [PMID: 34832852 PMCID: PMC8618108 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
L-lysine α-oxidase (LO), one of L-amino acid oxidases, deaminates L-lysine with the yield of H2O2, ammonia, and α-keto-ε-aminocaproate. Multiple in vitro and in vivo studies have reported cytotoxic, antitumor, antimetastatic, and antitumor activity of LO. Unlike asparaginase, LO has a dual mechanism of action: depletion of L-lysine and formation of H2O2, both targeting tumor growth. Prominent results were obtained on murine and human tumor models, including human colon cancer xenografts HCT 116, LS174T, and T47D with maximum T/C 12, 37, and 36%, respectively. The data obtained from human cancer xenografts in immunodeficient mice confirm the potential of LO as an agent for colon cancer treatment. In this review, we discuss recently discovered molecular mechanisms of biological action and the potential of LO as anticancer enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V. Lukasheva
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho—Maklaya Street 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (E.V.L.); (G.B.)
| | - Gulalek Babayeva
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho—Maklaya Street 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (E.V.L.); (G.B.)
- Laboratory of Combined Treatment, N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center, Kashirskoe Shosse 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Saida Sh. Karshieva
- Laboratory of Combined Treatment, N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center, Kashirskoe Shosse 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Street 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Vadim S. Pokrovsky
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho—Maklaya Street 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (E.V.L.); (G.B.)
- Laboratory of Combined Treatment, N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center, Kashirskoe Shosse 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia;
- Center of Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Federal Territory Sirius, 1 Olimpiisky Prospect, 354340 Sochi, Russia
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15
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Raboni S, Montalbano S, Stransky S, Garcia BA, Buschini A, Bettati S, Sidoli S, Mozzarelli A. A Key Silencing Histone Mark on Chromatin Is Lost When Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells Are Depleted of Methionine by Methionine γ-Lyase. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:735303. [PMID: 34660696 PMCID: PMC8517235 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.735303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Methionine is an essential amino acid used, beyond protein synthesis, for polyamine formation and DNA/RNA/protein methylation. Cancer cells require particularly high methionine supply for their homeostasis. A successful approach for decreasing methionine concentration is based on the systemic delivery of methionine γ-lyase (MGL), with in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrating its efficacy in cancer therapy. However, the mechanisms explaining how cancer cells suffer from the absence of methionine more significantly than non-malignant cells are still unclear. We analyzed the outcome of the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cancer cell line HT29 to the exposure of MGL for up to 72 h by monitoring cell viability, proteome expression, histone post-translational modifications, and presence of spurious transcription. The rationale of this study was to verify whether reduced methionine supply would affect chromatin decondensation by changing the levels of histone methylation and therefore increasing genomic instability. MGL treatment showed a time-dependent cytotoxic effect on HT29 cancer cells, with an IC50 of 30 µg/ml, while Hs27 normal cells were less affected, with an IC50 of >460 µg/ml. Although the levels of total histone methylation were not altered, a loss of the silencing histone mark H3K9me2 was observed, as well as a decrease in H4K20me3. Since H3K9me2/3 decorate repetitive DNA elements, we proved by qRT-PCR that MGL treatment leads to an increased expression of major satellite units. Our data indicate that selected histone methylation marks may play major roles in the mechanism of methionine starvation in cancer cells, proving that MGL treatment directly impacts chromatin homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samanta Raboni
- Interdepartmental Center SITEIA.PARMA, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,Institute of Biophysics, National Research Center, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Montalbano
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stephanie Stransky
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Annamaria Buschini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,Interdepartmental Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology COMT, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefano Bettati
- Interdepartmental Center SITEIA.PARMA, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,Institute of Biophysics, National Research Center, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Center, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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16
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Cioni P, Gabellieri E, Campanini B, Bettati S, Raboni S. Use of Exogenous Enzymes in Human Therapy: Approved Drugs and Potential Applications. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:411-452. [PMID: 34259137 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210713094722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The development of safe and efficacious enzyme-based human therapies has increased greatly in the last decades, thanks to remarkable advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for different diseases, and the characterization of the catalytic activity of relevant exogenous enzymes that may play a remedial effect in the treatment of such pathologies. Several enzyme-based biotherapeutics have been approved by FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and EMA (the European Medicines Agency) and many are undergoing clinical trials. Apart from enzyme replacement therapy in human genetic diseases, which is not discussed in this review, approved enzymes for human therapy find applications in several fields, from cancer therapy to thrombolysis and the treatment, e.g., of clotting disorders, cystic fibrosis, lactose intolerance and collagen-based disorders. The majority of therapeutic enzymes are of microbial origin, the most convenient source due to fast, simple and cost-effective production and manipulation. The use of microbial recombinant enzymes has broadened prospects for human therapy but some hurdles such as high immunogenicity, protein instability, short half-life and low substrate affinity, still need to be tackled. Alternative sources of enzymes, with reduced side effects and improved activity, as well as genetic modification of the enzymes and novel delivery systems are constantly searched. Chemical modification strategies, targeted- and/or nanocarrier-mediated delivery, directed evolution and site-specific mutagenesis, fusion proteins generated by genetic manipulation are the most explored tools to reduce toxicity and improve bioavailability and cellular targeting. This review provides a description of exogenous enzymes that are presently employed for the therapeutic management of human diseases with their current FDA/EMA-approved status, along with those already experimented at the clinical level and potential promising candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Cioni
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa. Italy
| | - Edi Gabellieri
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa. Italy
| | - Barbara Campanini
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 23/A, 43124 Parma. Italy
| | - Stefano Bettati
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa. Italy
| | - Samanta Raboni
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa. Italy
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17
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Della Pelle G, Kostevšek N. Nucleic Acid Delivery with Red-Blood-Cell-Based Carriers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5264. [PMID: 34067699 PMCID: PMC8156122 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy has the potential to become a staple of 21st-century medicine. However, to overcome the limitations of existing gene-delivery therapies, that is, poor stability and inefficient and delivery and accumulation of nucleic acids (NAs), safe drug-delivery systems (DDSs) allowing the prolonged circulation and expression of the administered genes in vivo are needed. In this review article, the development of DDSs over the past 70 years is briefly described. Since synthetic DDSs can be recognized and eliminated as foreign substances by the immune system, new approaches must be found. Using the body's own cells as DDSs is a unique and exciting strategy and can be used in a completely new way to overcome the critical limitations of existing drug-delivery approaches. Among the different circulatory cells, red blood cells (RBCs) are the most abundant and thus can be isolated in sufficiently large quantities to decrease the complexity and cost of the treatment compared to other cell-based carriers. Therefore, in the second part, this article describes 70 years of research on the development of RBCs as DDSs, covering the most important RBC properties and loading methods. In the third part, it focuses on RBCs as the NA delivery system with advantages and drawbacks discussed to decide whether they are suitable for NA delivery in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Della Pelle
- Department for Nanostructured Materials, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Kostevšek
- Department for Nanostructured Materials, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
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18
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Pratsinis A, Uhl P, Bolten JS, Hauswirth P, Schenk SH, Urban S, Mier W, Witzigmann D, Huwyler J. Virus-Derived Peptides for Hepatic Enzyme Delivery. Mol Pharm 2021; 18:2004-2014. [PMID: 33844553 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c01222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Recently, a lipopeptide derived from the hepatitis B virus (HBV) large surface protein has been developed as an HBV entry inhibitor. This lipopeptide, called MyrcludexB (MyrB), selectively binds to the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) on the basolateral membrane of hepatocytes. Here, the feasibility of coupling therapeutic enzymes to MyrB was investigated for the development of enzyme delivery strategies. Hepatotropic targeting shall enable enzyme prodrug therapies and detoxification procedures. Here, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was conjugated to MyrB via maleimide chemistry, and coupling was validated by SDS-PAGE and reversed-phase HPLC. The specificity of the target recognition of HRP-MyrB could be shown in an NTCP-overexpressing liver parenchymal cell line, as demonstrated by competitive inhibition with an excess of free MyrB and displayed a strong linear dependency on the applied HRP-MyrB concentration. In vivo studies in zebrafish embryos revealed a dominating interaction of HRP-MyrB with scavenger endothelial cells vs xenografted NTCP expressing mammalian cells. In mice, radiolabeled 125I-HRP-MyrBy, as well as the non-NTCP targeted control HRP-peptide-construct (125I-HRP-alaMyrBy) demonstrated a strong liver accumulation confirming the nonspecific interaction with scavenger cells. Still, MyrB conjugation to HRP resulted in an increased and NTCP-mediated hepatotropism, as revealed by competitive inhibition. In conclusion, the model enzyme HRP was successfully conjugated to MyrB to achieve NTCP-specific targeting in vitro with the potential for ex vivo diagnostic applications. In vivo, target specificity was reduced by non-NTCP-mediated interactions. Nonetheless, tissue distribution experiments in zebrafish embryos provide mechanistic insight into underlying scavenging processes indicating partial involvement of stabilin receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pratsinis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Uhl
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Jan Stephan Bolten
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Hauswirth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Heidi Schenk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Walter Mier
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Dominik Witzigmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.,NanoMedicines Innovation Network (NMIN), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British ColumbiaV6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jörg Huwyler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
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19
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Rossi L, Pierigè F, Bregalda A, Magnani M. Preclinical developments of enzyme-loaded red blood cells. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2020; 18:43-54. [PMID: 32924643 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2020.1822320] [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] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Therapeutic enzymes are currently used in the treatment of several diseases. In most cases, the benefits are limited due to poor in vivo stability, immunogenicity, and drug-induced inactivating antibodies. A partial solution to the problem is obtained by masking the therapeutic protein by chemical modifications. Unfortunately, this is not a satisfactory solution because frequent adverse events, including anaphylaxis, can arise. AREA COVERED Among the delivery systems, we focused on red blood cells for the delivery of therapeutic enzymes. Erythrocytes possess a long circulation time, a reduced immunogenicity, there is no need of chemical modifications and the encapsulated enzyme remains active because it is protected by the cell membrane. Here we discuss some representative applications of the preclinical developments of the field. Some of these are currently in clinic, others are approaching the clinic and others are illustrative of the development process. The selected examples are not always the most recent, but they are the most useful for a comparative approach. EXPERT OPINION The results discussed confirm the central role that red blood cells can play in the treatment of several conditions and suggest the benefit in using a natural cellular carrier in terms of pharmacokinetic, biodistribution, safety, and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigia Rossi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino , Urbino, Italy.,EryDel SpA , Bresso, Italy
| | - Francesca Pierigè
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino , Urbino, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Magnani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino , Urbino, Italy.,EryDel SpA , Bresso, Italy
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20
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Enzyme-mediated depletion of serum l-Met abrogates prostate cancer growth via multiple mechanisms without evidence of systemic toxicity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:13000-13011. [PMID: 32434918 PMCID: PMC7293657 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1917362117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive studies in prostate cancer and other malignancies have revealed that l-methionine (l-Met) and its metabolites play a critical role in tumorigenesis. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that systemic restriction of serum l-Met, either via partial dietary restriction or with bacterial l-Met-degrading enzymes exerts potent antitumor effects. However, administration of bacterial l-Met-degrading enzymes has not proven practical for human therapy because of problems with immunogenicity. As the human genome does not encode l-Met-degrading enzymes, we engineered the human cystathionine-γ-lyase (hMGL-4.0) to catalyze the selective degradation of l-Met. At therapeutically relevant dosing, hMGL-4.0 reduces serum l-Met levels to >75% for >72 h and significantly inhibits the growth of multiple prostate cancer allografts/xenografts without weight loss or toxicity. We demonstrate that in vitro, hMGL-4.0 causes tumor cell death, associated with increased reactive oxygen species, S-adenosyl-methionine depletion, global hypomethylation, induction of autophagy, and robust poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage indicative of DNA damage and apoptosis.
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21
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A Translational In Vivo and In Vitro Metabolomic Study Reveals Altered Metabolic Pathways in Red Blood Cells of Type 2 Diabetes. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9061619. [PMID: 32471219 PMCID: PMC7355709 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9061619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical parameters used in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) diagnosis and monitoring such as glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) are often unable to capture important information related to diabetic control and chronic complications. In order to search for additional biomarkers, we performed a pilot study comparing T2D patients with healthy controls matched by age, gender, and weight. By using 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) based metabolomics profiling of red blood cells (RBCs), we found that the metabolic signature of RBCs in T2D subjects differed significantly from non-diabetic controls. Affected metabolites included glutathione, 2,3-bisphophoglycerate, inosinic acid, lactate, 6-phosphogluconate, creatine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and several amino acids such as leucine, glycine, alanine, lysine, aspartate, phenylalanine and tyrosine. These results were validated by an independent cohort of T2D and control patients. An analysis of the pathways in which these metabolites were involved showed that energetic and redox metabolism in RBCs were altered in T2D, as well as metabolites transported by RBCs. Taken together, our results revealed that the metabolic profile of RBCs can discriminate healthy controls from T2D patients. Further research is needed to determine whether metabolic fingerprint in RBC could be useful to complement the information obtained from HbA1c and glycemic variability as well as its potential role in the diabetes management.
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22
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Bax BE. Erythrocytes as Carriers of Therapeutic Enzymes. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E435. [PMID: 32397259 PMCID: PMC7284836 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12050435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic enzymes are administered for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. They exert their effects through binding with a high affinity and specificity to disease-causing substrates to catalyze their conversion to a non-noxious product, to induce an advantageous physiological change. However, the metabolic and clinical efficacies of parenterally or intramuscularly administered therapeutic enzymes are very often limited by short circulatory half-lives and hypersensitive and immunogenic reactions. Over the past five decades, the erythrocyte carrier has been extensively studied as a strategy for overcoming these limitations and increasing therapeutic efficacy. This review examines the rationale for the different therapeutic strategies that have been applied to erythrocyte-mediated enzyme therapy. These strategies include their application as circulating bioreactors, targeting the monocyte-macrophage system, the coupling of enzymes to the surface of the erythrocyte and the engineering of CD34+ hematopoietic precursor cells for the expression of therapeutic enzymes. An overview of the diverse biomedical applications for which they have been investigated is also provided, including the detoxification of exogenous chemicals, thrombolytic therapy, enzyme replacement therapy for metabolic diseases and antitumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget E Bax
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St. George's, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
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23
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Koleva L, Bovt E, Ataullakhanov F, Sinauridze E. Erythrocytes as Carriers: From Drug Delivery to Biosensors. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E276. [PMID: 32197542 PMCID: PMC7151026 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12030276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug delivery using natural biological carriers, especially erythrocytes, is a rapidly developing field. Such erythrocytes can act as carriers that prolong the drug's action due to its gradual release from the carrier; as bioreactors with encapsulated enzymes performing the necessary reactions, while remaining inaccessible to the immune system and plasma proteases; or as a tool for targeted drug delivery to target organs, primarily to cells of the reticuloendothelial system, liver and spleen. To date, erythrocytes have been studied as carriers for a wide range of drugs, such as enzymes, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, antiviral drugs, etc., and for diagnostic purposes (e.g. magnetic resonance imaging). The review focuses only on drugs loaded inside erythrocytes, defines the main lines of research for erythrocytes with bioactive substances, as well as the advantages and limitations of their application. Particular attention is paid to in vivo studies, opening-up the potential for the clinical use of drugs encapsulated into erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Koleva
- Laboratory of Biophysics, Dmitriy Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Samory Mashela str., 1, GSP-7, Moscow 117198, Russia; (E.B.); (F.A.)
- Laboratory of Physiology and Biophysics of the Cell, Center for Theoretical Problems of Physicochemical Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Srednyaya Kalitnikovskaya, 30, Moscow 109029, Russia
| | - Elizaveta Bovt
- Laboratory of Biophysics, Dmitriy Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Samory Mashela str., 1, GSP-7, Moscow 117198, Russia; (E.B.); (F.A.)
- Laboratory of Physiology and Biophysics of the Cell, Center for Theoretical Problems of Physicochemical Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Srednyaya Kalitnikovskaya, 30, Moscow 109029, Russia
| | - Fazoil Ataullakhanov
- Laboratory of Biophysics, Dmitriy Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Samory Mashela str., 1, GSP-7, Moscow 117198, Russia; (E.B.); (F.A.)
- Laboratory of Physiology and Biophysics of the Cell, Center for Theoretical Problems of Physicochemical Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Srednyaya Kalitnikovskaya, 30, Moscow 109029, Russia
- Department of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1, build. 2, GSP-1, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Elena Sinauridze
- Laboratory of Biophysics, Dmitriy Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Samory Mashela str., 1, GSP-7, Moscow 117198, Russia; (E.B.); (F.A.)
- Laboratory of Physiology and Biophysics of the Cell, Center for Theoretical Problems of Physicochemical Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Srednyaya Kalitnikovskaya, 30, Moscow 109029, Russia
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24
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Impact of a 10 km running trial on eryptosis, red blood cell rheology, and electrophysiology in endurance trained athletes: a pilot study. Eur J Appl Physiol 2019; 120:255-266. [PMID: 31776697 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-019-04271-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Blood rheology is a key determinant of blood flow and tissue perfusion. There are still large discrepancies regarding the effects of an acute running exercise on blood rheological properties and red blood cell (RBC) physiology. We investigated the effect of a 10 km running trial on markers of blood rheology and RBC physiology in endurance trained athletes. METHODS Blood was sampled before and after the exercise to measure lactate and glucose, hematological and hemorheological parameters (blood viscosity, RBC deformability, and aggregation), eryptosis markers (phosphatidylserine and CD47 exposure, RBC reactive oxygen species), RBC-derived microparticles (RBC-MPs), and RBC electrophysiological activity. Weight was measured before and after exercise. Peripheral oxygen saturation and heart rate were monitored before and during the trial. RESULTS Blood lactate and glucose levels increased after exercise and subjects significantly lost weight. All athletes experienced a significant fall in oxygen saturation. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was increased from 95.1 ± 3.2 to 96.0 ± 3.3 and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) decreased after exercise suggesting a slight RBC rehydration. Exercise increased RBC deformability from 0.344 ± 0.04 to 0.378 ± 0.07, decreased RBC aggregates strength and blood viscosity, while hematocrit (Hct) remained unaffected. While RBC electrophysiological recording suggested a modulation in RBC calcium content and/or chloride conductance, eryptosis markers and RBC-MPs were not modified by the exercise. CONCLUSION A 10 km acute running exercise had no effect on RBC senescence and membrane blebbing. In contrast, this exercise increased RBC deformability, probably through rehydration process which resulted in a decrease in blood viscosity.
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Machover D, Rossi L, Hamelin J, Desterke C, Goldschmidt E, Chadefaux-Vekemans B, Bonnarme P, Briozzo P, Kopečný D, Pierigè F, Magnani M, Mollicone R, Haghighi-Rad F, Gaston-Mathé Y, Dairou J, Boucheix C, Saffroy R. Effects in Cancer Cells of the Recombinant l-Methionine Gamma-Lyase fromBrevibacterium aurantiacum.Encapsulation in Human Erythrocytes for Sustained l-Methionine Elimination. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 369:489-502. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.256537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
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26
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Maggi M, Scotti C. Enzymes in Metabolic Anticancer Therapy. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1148:173-199. [PMID: 31482500 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-7709-9_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer treatment has greatly improved over the last 50 years, but it remains challenging in several cases. Useful therapeutic targets are normally unique peculiarities of cancer cells that distinguish them from normal cells and that can be tackled with appropriate drugs. It is now known that cell metabolism is rewired during tumorigenesis and metastasis as a consequence of oncogene activation and oncosuppressors inactivation, leading to a new cellular homeostasis typically directed towards anabolism. Because of these modifications, cells can become strongly or absolutely dependent on specific substrates, like sugars, lipids or amino acids. Cancer addictions are a relevant target for therapy, as removal of an essential substrate can lead to their selective cell-cycle arrest or even to cell death, leaving normal cells untouched. Enzymes can act as powerful agents in this respect, as demonstrated by asparaginase, which has been included in the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia for half a century. In this review, a short outline of cancer addictions will be provided, focusing on the main cancer amino acid dependencies described so far. Therapeutic enzymes which have been already experimented at the clinical level will be discussed, along with novel potential candidates that we propose as new promising molecules. The intrinsic limitations of their present molecular forms, along with molecular engineering solutions to explore, will also be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maristella Maggi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Claudia Scotti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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27
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Raboni S, Revtovich S, Demitri N, Giabbai B, Storici P, Cocconcelli C, Faggiano S, Rosini E, Pollegioni L, Galati S, Buschini A, Morozova E, Kulikova V, Nikulin A, Gabellieri E, Cioni P, Demidkina T, Mozzarelli A. Engineering methionine γ-lyase from Citrobacter freundii for anticancer activity. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2018; 1866:1260-1270. [PMID: 30268810 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Methionine deprivation of cancer cells, which are deficient in methionine biosynthesis, has been envisioned as a therapeutic strategy to reduce cancer cell viability. Methionine γ-lyase (MGL), an enzyme that degrades methionine, has been exploited to selectively remove the amino acid from cancer cell environment. In order to increase MGL catalytic activity, we performed sequence and structure conservation analysis of MGLs from various microorganisms. Whereas most of the residues in the active site and at the dimer interface were found to be conserved, residues located in the C-terminal flexible loop, forming a wall of the active site entry channel, were found to be variable. Therefore, we carried out site-saturation mutagenesis at four independent positions of the C-terminal flexible loop, P357, V358, P360 and A366 of MGL from Citrobacter freundii, generating libraries that were screened for activity. Among the active variants, V358Y exhibits a 1.9-fold increase in the catalytic rate and a 3-fold increase in KM, resulting in a catalytic efficiency similar to wild type MGL. V358Y cytotoxic activity was assessed towards a panel of cancer and nonmalignant cell lines and found to exhibit IC50 lower than the wild type. The comparison of the 3D-structure of V358Y MGL with other MGL available structures indicates that the C-terminal loop is either in an open or closed conformation that does not depend on the amino acid at position 358. Nevertheless, mutations at this position allosterically affects catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samanta Raboni
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Svetlana Revtovich
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | | | | | - Serena Faggiano
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Rosini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Loredano Pollegioni
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Serena Galati
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Annamaria Buschini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elena Morozova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vitalia Kulikova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey Nikulin
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Edi Gabellieri
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Cioni
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Tatyana Demidkina
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy; National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Rome, Italy.
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28
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Gay F, Aguera K, Sénéchal K, Tainturier A, Berlier W, Maucort-Boulch D, Honnorat J, Horand F, Godfrin Y, Bourgeaux V. Methionine tumor starvation by erythrocyte-encapsulated methionine gamma-lyase activity controlled with per os vitamin B6. Cancer Med 2017; 6:1437-1452. [PMID: 28544589 PMCID: PMC5463067 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Erymet is a new therapy resulting from the encapsulation of a methionine gamma-lyase (MGL; EC number 4.4.1.11) in red blood cells (RBC). The aim of this study was to evaluate erymet potential efficacy in methionine (Met)-dependent cancers. We produced a highly purified MGL using a cGMP process, determined the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) properties of erymet in mice, and assessed its efficacy on tumor growth prevention. Cytotoxicity of purified MGL was tested in six cancer cell lines. CD1 mice were injected with single erymet product supplemented or not with vitamin B6 vitamer pyridoxine (PN; a precursor of PLP cofactor). NMRI nude mice were xenografted in the flank with U-87 MG-luc2 glioblastoma cells for tumor growth study following five intravenous (IV) injections of erymet with daily PN oral administration. Endpoints included efficacy and event-free survival (EFS). Finally, a repeated dose toxicity study of erymet combined with PN cofactor was conducted in CD1 mice. Recombinant MGL was cytotoxic on 4/6 cell lines tested. MGL half-life was increased from <24 h to 9-12 days when encapsulated in RBC. Conversion of PN into PLP by RBC was demonstrated. Combined erymet + PN treatment led to a sustained Met depletion in plasma for several days with a 85% reduction of tumor volume after 45 days following cells implantation, and a significant EFS prolongation for treated mice. Repeated injections in mice exhibited a very good tolerability with only minor impact on clinical state (piloerection, lean aspect) and a slight decrease in hemoglobin and triglyceride concentrations. This study demonstrated that encapsulation of methioninase inside erythrocyte greatly enhanced pharmacokinetics properties of the enzyme and is efficacy against tumor growth. The perspective on these results is the clinical evaluation of the erymet product in patients with Met starvation-sensitive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Delphine Maucort-Boulch
- Service de Biostatistique, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.,CNRS UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Equipe Biostatistique-Santé, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jérôme Honnorat
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.,Service de Neuro-oncologie, Hôpital neurologique, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Institut NeuroMyoGene INSERM U1217/CNRS UMR 5310, Lyon, France
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