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Teruya K, Doh-Ura K. Therapeutic development of polymers for prion disease. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 392:349-365. [PMID: 35307792 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03604-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases, also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, are caused by the accumulation of abnormal isoforms of the prion protein (scrapie isoform of the prion protein, PrPSc) in the central nervous system. Many compounds with anti-prion activities have been found using in silico screening, in vitro models, persistently prion-infected cell models, and prion-infected rodent models. Some of these compounds include several types of polymers. Although the inhibition or removal of PrPSc production is the main target of therapy, the unique features of prions, namely protein aggregation and assembly accompanied by steric structural transformation, may require different strategies for the development of anti-prion drugs than those for conventional therapeutics targeting enzyme inhibition, agonist ligands, or modulation of signaling. In this paper, we first overview the history of the application of polymers to prion disease research. Next, we describe the characteristics of each type of polymer with anti-prion activity. Finally, we discuss the common features of these polymers. Although drug delivery of these polymers to the brain is a challenge, they are useful not only as leads for therapeutic drugs but also as tools to explore the structure of PrPSc and are indispensable for prion disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Teruya
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Katsumi Doh-Ura
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan.
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Lee H, Kim J, Lee YJ, Lee S, Ryou C. The Effect of Plasminogen-Derived Peptides to PrPSc Formation. Int J Pept Res Ther 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-022-10364-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Teruya K, Oguma A, Arai K, Nishizawa K, Iwabuchi S, Watanabe-Matsui M, Sakasegawa Y, Schätzl H, Gilch S, Doh-Ura K. Polymorphisms in glia maturation factor β gene are markers of cellulose ether effectiveness in prion-infected mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 560:105-111. [PMID: 33984767 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.04.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Anti-prion effects of cellulose ether (CE) are reported in rodents, but the molecular mechanism is fully unknown. Here, we investigated the genetic background of CE effectiveness by proteomic and genetic analysis in mice. Proteomic analysis in the two mouse lines showing a dramatic difference in CE effectiveness revealed a distinct polymorphism in the glia maturation factor β gene. This polymorphism was significantly associated with the CE effectiveness in various prion-infected mouse lines. Sequencing of this gene and its vicinity genes also revealed several other polymorphisms that were significantly related to the CE effectiveness. These polymorphisms are useful as genetic markers for finding more suitable mouse lines and exploring the genetic factors of CE effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Teruya
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Ayumi Oguma
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Keita Arai
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Keiko Nishizawa
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Sara Iwabuchi
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Miki Watanabe-Matsui
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yuji Sakasegawa
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Hermann Schätzl
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sabine Gilch
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Katsumi Doh-Ura
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
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Honda R, Yamaguchi KI, Elhelaly AE, Fuji M, Kuwata K. Poly-L-histidine inhibits prion propagation in a prion-infected cell line. Prion 2018; 12:226-233. [PMID: 30074430 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2018.1505395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of lethal neurodegenerative diseases involving the structural conversion of cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the pathogenic isoform (PrPSc) for which no effective treatment is currently available. Previous studies have implicated that a polymeric molecule with a repeating unit, such as pentosane polysulfate and polyamidoamide dendrimers, exhibits a potent anti-prion activity, suggesting that poly-(amino acid)s could be a candidate molecule for inhibiting prion propagation. Here, by screening a series of poly-(amino acid)s in a prion-infected neuroblastoma cell line (GTFK), we identified poly-L-His as a novel anti-prion compound with an IC50 value of 1.8 µg/mL (0.18 µM). This potent anti-prion activity was specific to a high-molecular-weight poly-L-His and absent in monomeric histidine or low-molecular-weight poly-L-His. Solution NMR data indicated that poly-L-His directly binds to the loop region connecting Helix 2 and Helix 3 of PrPC and sterically blocks the structural conversion toward PrPSc. Poly-L-His, however, did not inhibit prion propagation in a prion-infected mouse when administered intraperitoneally, suggesting that the penetration of blood-brain barrier and/or the chemical stability of this polypeptide must be addressed before its application in vivo. Taken together, this study revealed the potential use of poly-L-His as a novel treatment against TSEs. (203 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Honda
- a United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences , Gifu University , Gifu , Japan
| | | | - Abdelazim Elsayed Elhelaly
- a United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences , Gifu University , Gifu , Japan
| | - Mitsuhiko Fuji
- a United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences , Gifu University , Gifu , Japan
| | - Kazuo Kuwata
- a United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences , Gifu University , Gifu , Japan.,c Department of Gene and Development , Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University , Gifu , Japan
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Waqas M, Jeong WJ, Lee YJ, Kim DH, Ryou C, Lim YB. pH-Dependent In-Cell Self-Assembly of Peptide Inhibitors Increases the Anti-Prion Activity While Decreasing the Cytotoxicity. Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:943-950. [PMID: 28128930 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.6b01816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The first step in the conventional approach to self-assembled biomaterials is to develop well-defined nanostructures in vitro, which is followed by disruption of the preformed nanostructures at the inside of the cell to achieve bioactivity. Here, we propose an inverse strategy to develop in-cell gain-of-function self-assembled nanostructures. In this approach, the supramolecular building blocks exist in a unimolecular/unordered state in vitro or at the outside of the cell and assemble into well-defined nanostructures after cell internalization. We used block copolypeptides of an oligoarginine and a self-assembling peptide as building blocks and investigated correlations among the nanostructural state, antiprion bioactivity, and cytotoxicity. The optimal bioactivity (i.e., the highest antiprion activity and lowest cytotoxicity) was obtained when the building blocks existed in a unimolecular/unordered state in vitro and during the cell internalization process, exerting minimal cytotoxic damage to cell membranes, and were subsequently converted into high-charge-density vesicles in the low pH endosome/lysosomes in vivo, thus, resulting in the significantly enhanced antiprion activity. In particular, the in-cell self-assembly concept presents a feasible approach to developing therapeutics against protein misfolding diseases. In general, the in-cell self-assembly provides a novel inverse methodology to supramolecular bionanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Waqas
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University , Gyeonggi-do 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Jin Jeong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University , Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Joo Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University , Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hwan Kim
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University , Gyeonggi-do 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Chongsuk Ryou
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University , Gyeonggi-do 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Beom Lim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University , Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
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Waqas M, Lee HM, Kim J, Telling G, Kim JK, Kim DH, Ryou C. Effect of poly-L-arginine in inhibiting scrapie prion protein of cultured cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2017; 428:57-66. [PMID: 28063003 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-016-2916-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Biological effect of poly-L-arginine (PLR), the linear homopolymer comprised of L-arginine, was investigated to determine the activity of suppressing prions. PLR decreased the level of scrapie prion protein (PrPSc) in cultured cells permanently infected with prions in a concentration-dependent manner. The PrPSc inhibition efficacy of PLR was greater than that of another prion-suppressant poly-L-lysine (PLK) in a molecular mass-dependent fashion. The effective concentration of PLR to inhibit prions was achieved safely below the cytotoxic concentrations, and overall cytotoxicity of PLR was similar to that of PLK. PLR did not alter the cellular prion protein (PrPC) level and was unable to change the states of preformed recombinant PrP aggregates and PrPSc from prion-infected cells. These data eliminate the possibility that the action mechanism of PLR is through removal of PrPC and pre-existing PrPSc. However, PLR formed complexes with plasminogen that stimulates prion propagation via conversion of PrPC to the misfolded isoform, PrPSc. The plasminogen-PLR complex demonstrated the greater positive surface charge values than the similar complex with PLK, raising the possibility that PLR interferes with the role of cofactor for PrPSc generation better than PLK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Waqas
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Mi Lee
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeeyoung Kim
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Glenn Telling
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jin-Ki Kim
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hwan Kim
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Chongsuk Ryou
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, 15588, Republic of Korea.
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Teruya K, Oguma A, Nishizawa K, Kawata M, Sakasegawa Y, Kamitakahara H, Doh-ura K. A Single Subcutaneous Injection of Cellulose Ethers Administered Long before Infection Confers Sustained Protection against Prion Diseases in Rodents. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1006045. [PMID: 27973536 PMCID: PMC5156379 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal, progressive, neurodegenerative diseases caused by prion accumulation in the brain and lymphoreticular system. Here we report that a single subcutaneous injection of cellulose ethers (CEs), which are commonly used as inactive ingredients in foods and pharmaceuticals, markedly prolonged the lives of mice and hamsters intracerebrally or intraperitoneally infected with the 263K hamster prion. CEs provided sustained protection even when a single injection was given as long as one year before infection. These effects were linked with persistent residues of CEs in various tissues. More effective CEs had less macrophage uptake ratios and hydrophobic modification of CEs abolished the effectiveness. CEs were significantly effective in other prion disease animal models; however, the effects were less remarkable than those observed in the 263K prion-infected animals. The genetic background of the animal model was suggested to influence the effects of CEs. CEs did not modify prion protein expression but inhibited abnormal prion protein formation in vitro and in prion-infected cells. Although the mechanism of CEs in vivo remains to be solved, these findings suggest that they aid in elucidating disease susceptibility and preventing prion diseases. Prion diseases are progressive, fatal, neurodegenerative transmissible illnesses in humans and animals caused by prion accumulation in the brain and lymphoreticular system. Because they are prevalent in nature, with atypical forms continuing to emerge, prion diseases are potential threats to both public health and the economy. However, there are no effective methods to prevent these diseases. Here we report that cellulose ethers (CEs), which are non-digestible water-soluble polysaccharides that are commonly used as inactive ingredients in foods and pharmaceuticals, show prophylactic efficacy in prion-infected animals. CEs persist in various tissues and confer sustained preventive efficacy for years, suggesting that they help to prevent prion diseases. Although the enteral absorption of CEs is limited, we found that a portion of the absorbed CEs influences disease progression. Therefore, CEs may be useful to assess disease susceptibility and prevent disease occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Teruya
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Ayumi Oguma
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Keiko Nishizawa
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Maki Kawata
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yuji Sakasegawa
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kamitakahara
- Division of Forest and Biomaterials Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Katsumi Doh-ura
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Poly(l-lysine) was recently discovered to inhibit prion propagation. To develop poly(l-lysine) as a potential therapeutic for prion diseases, the understanding of in vivo poly(l-lysine) behavior is pivotal. Therefore, to determine the poly(l-lysine) distribution in mouse spleen and brain, the primary and ultimate target organs for prions, we performed non-invasive longitudinal in vivo imaging and time course on live mice and ex vivo imaging on mouse organs to confirmed poly(l-lysine) was distributed, including the brain and spleen. By studying the in vivo and ex vivo fluorescence images, characteristic patterns of poly(l-lysine) accumulation and elimination depending on different administration routes were also found. Although only a portion of the administered poly(l-lysine) appears to target the brain and spleen, the specific poly(l-lysine) level in these organs was higher than that previously reported. Furthermore, the poly(l-lysine) retention in the brain and spleen was greater than that found in other organs. These results provide valuable information about poly(l-lysine) behavior in vivo, which will be an aid in designing optimal regimens for potential application of poly(l-lysine) in anti-prion therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Mi Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Chongsuk Ryou
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
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