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Dichiara M, Cosentino G, Giordano G, Pasquinucci L, Marrazzo A, Costanzo G, Amata E. Designing drugs optimized for both blood-brain barrier permeation and intra-cerebral partition. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:317-329. [PMID: 38145409 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2294118] [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: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With the increasing incidence and prevalence of neurological disorders globally, there is a paramount need for new pharmacotherapies. BBB effectively protects the brain but raises a profound challenge to drug permeation, with less than 2% of most drugs reaching the CNS. AREAS COVERED This article reviews aspects of the most recent design strategies, providing insights into ideas and concepts in CNS drug discovery. An overview of the products available on the market is given and why clinical trials are continuously failing is discussed. EXPERT OPINION Among the available CNS drugs, small molecules account for most successful CNS therapeutics due to their ability to penetrate the BBB through passive or carrier-mediated mechanisms. The development of new CNS drugs is very difficult. To date, there is a lack of effective drugs for alleviating or even reversing the progression of brain diseases. Particularly, the use of artificial intelligence strategies, together with more appropriate animal models, may enable the design of molecules with appropriate permeation, to elicit a biological response from the neurotherapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dichiara
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cosentino
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giorgia Giordano
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuliana Costanzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
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Kharga K, Jha S, Vishwakarma T, Kumar L. Current developments and prospects of the antibiotic delivery systems. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024:1-40. [PMID: 38425122 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2024.2321480] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotics have remained the cornerstone for the treatment of bacterial infections ever since their discovery in the twentieth century. The uproar over antibiotic resistance among bacteria arising from genome plasticity and biofilm development has rendered current antibiotic therapies ineffective, urging the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. The development of antibiotic resistance among bacteria has further heightened the clinical failure of antibiotic therapy, which is often linked to its low bioavailability, side effects, and poor penetration and accumulation at the site of infection. In this review, we highlight the potential use of siderophores, antibodies, cell-penetrating peptides, antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophages, and nanoparticles to smuggle antibiotics across impermeable biological membranes to achieve therapeutically relevant concentrations of antibiotics and combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We will discuss the general mechanisms via which each delivery system functions and how it can be tailored to deliver antibiotics against the paradigm of mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kusum Kharga
- School of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Shubhang Jha
- School of Bioengineering and Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Tanvi Vishwakarma
- School of Bioengineering and Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Lokender Kumar
- School of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India
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3
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Wu MC, Wang EY, Lai TW. TAT peptide at treatment-level concentrations crossed brain endothelial cell monolayer independent of receptor-mediated endocytosis or peptide-inflicted barrier disruption. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292681. [PMID: 37819924 PMCID: PMC10566733 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The peptide domain extending from residues 49 to 57 of the HIV-1 Tat protein (TAT) has been widely shown to facilitate cell entry of and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability to covalently bound macromolecules; therefore, TAT-linked therapeutic peptides trafficked through peripheral routes have been used to treat brain diseases in preclinical and clinical studies. Although the mechanisms underlying cell entry by similar peptides have been established to be temperature-dependent and cell-type specific and to involve receptor-mediated endocytosis, how these peptides cross the BBB remains unclear. Here, using an in vitro model, we studied the permeability of TAT, which was covalently bound to the fluorescent probe fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), and evaluated whether it crossed the "in vitro BBB", a monolayer of brain endothelial cells, and whether the mechanisms were similar to those involved in TAT entry into cells. Our results show that although TAT crossed the monolayer of brain endothelial cells in a temperature-dependent manner, in contrast to the reported mechanism of cell entry, it did not require receptor-mediated endocytosis. Furthermore, we revisited the hypothesis that TAT facilitates brain delivery of covalently bound macromolecules by causing BBB disruption. Our results demonstrated that the dose of TAT commonly used in preclinical and clinical studies did not exert an effect on BBB permeability in vitro or in vivo; however, an extremely high TAT concentration caused BBB disruption in vitro. In conclusion, the BBB permeability to TAT is temperature-dependent, but at treatment-level concentrations, it does not involve receptor-mediated endocytosis or BBB disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Chih Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Eric Yuhsiang Wang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ted Weita Lai
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Neuroscience and Brain Disease Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Drug Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Translational Medicine Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Bachler S, Ort M, Krämer SD, Dittrich PS. Permeation Studies across Symmetric and Asymmetric Membranes in Microdroplet Arrays. Anal Chem 2021; 93:5137-5144. [PMID: 33721989 PMCID: PMC8014892 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the permeation of molecules across lipid membranes on an open microfluidic platform. An array of droplet pairs was created by spotting aqueous droplets, dispersed in a lipid oil solution, onto a plate with cavities surrounded by a hydrophobic substrate. Droplets in two adjacent cavities come in contact and form an artificial lipid bilayer, called a droplet interface bilayer (DIB). The method allows for monitoring permeation of fluorescently tagged compounds from a donor droplet to an acceptor droplet. A mathematical model was applied to describe the kinetics and determine the permeation coefficient. We also demonstrate that permeation kinetics can be followed over a series of droplets, all connected via DIBs. Moreover, by changing the lipid oil composition after spotting donor droplets, we were able to create asymmetric membranes that we used to mimic the asymmetry of the cellular plasma membrane. Finally, we developed a protocol to separate and extract the droplets for label-free analysis of permeating compounds by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Our versatile platform has the potential to become a new tool for the screening of drug membrane permeability in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Bachler
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marion Ort
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie D Krämer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Petra S Dittrich
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
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Cao Z, Liu L, Hu G, Bian Y, Li H, Wang J, Zhou Y. Interplay of hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions in sequence-dependent cell penetration of spontaneous membrane-translocating peptides revealed by bias-exchange metadynamics simulations. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183402. [PMID: 32569587 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Spontaneous Membrane Translocating Peptides (SMTPs) can translocate silently across the bilayer and, thus, have the best potential to improve the delivery of therapeutic molecules to cells without toxicity. However, how their translocation mechanisms are affected by a specific peptide sequence remains poorly understood. Here, bias-exchange metadynamics simulations were employed to investigate the translocation mechanisms of five SMTPs with the same composition of amino acids (LLRLR, LRLLR, LLLRR, RLLLR, and LRLRL). Simulation results yield sequence-dependent free energy barrier using the FESs along the z-directional distance. An in-depth analysis of sequence-dependent interactions in different regions of the bilayers indicates that the free-energy barrier height of a specific sequence is resulted from the accessibility balance of isolated or clustered hydrophobic residues (L) and hydrophilic residues (R) that leads to different levels of resistance for moving of a peptide into the hydrophobic center of the membrane. At the maximal of the free-energy barrier, all peptides have a conformation parallel to the membrane surface with the barrier height determined by their affinity to the hydrophobic region. The appropriate bilayer perturbation and GDM+ pairing are beneficial for peptide translocation. These results provide an improved microscopic understanding of how peptide sequence influences the translocation efficiency and mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zanxia Cao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China.
| | - Lei Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China; College of Information Management, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China.
| | - Guodong Hu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China.
| | - Yunqiang Bian
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China.
| | - Haiyan Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China; College of Physics and Electronic Information, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China.
| | - Jihua Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China.
| | - Yaoqi Zhou
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China; Institute for Glycomics, School of Information and Communication Technology, Griffith University, Parklands Dr, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia.
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Yamaguchi S, Ito S, Masuda T, Couraud PO, Ohtsuki S. Novel cyclic peptides facilitating transcellular blood-brain barrier transport of macromolecules in vitro and in vivo. J Control Release 2020; 321:744-755. [PMID: 32135226 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Brain delivery of nanoparticles and macromolecular drugs depends on blood-brain barrier (BBB)-permeable carriers. In this study, we searched for cyclic heptapeptides facilitating BBB permeation of M13 phages by phage library screening using a transcellular permeability assay with hCMEC/D3 cell monolayers, a human BBB model. The M13 phage, which is larger than macromolecular drugs and nanoparticles, served as a model macromolecule. The screen identified cyclic heptapeptide SLSHSPQ (SLS) as a human BBB-permeable peptide. The SLS-displaying phage (SLS-phage) exhibited improved permeation across the cell monolayer of monkey and rat BBB co-culture models. The SLS-phage internalized into hCMEC/D3 cells via macropinocytosis and externalized via the exosome excretion pathway. SLS-phage distribution into brain parenchyma was observed in mice after intravenous administration. Moreover, liposome permeated across the BBB as cyclic SLS peptide conjugates. In conclusion, the cyclic SLS heptapeptide is a novel carrier candidate for brain delivery of macromolecular drugs and nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Yamaguchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Research Fellowship for Young Scientists, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shingo Ito
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan; Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Takeshi Masuda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan; Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Pierre-Olivier Couraud
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Sumio Ohtsuki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan; Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan.
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Falanga A, Iachetta G, Lombardi L, Perillo E, Lombardi A, Morelli G, Valiante S, Galdiero S. Enhanced uptake of gH625 by blood brain barrier compared to liver in vivo: characterization of the mechanism by an in vitro model and implications for delivery. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13836. [PMID: 30218088 PMCID: PMC6138628 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32095-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We have investigated the crossing of the blood brain barrier (BBB) by the peptide gH625 and compared to the uptake by liver in vivo. We clearly observed that in vivo administration of gH625 allows the crossing of the BBB, although part of the peptide is sequestered by the liver. Furthermore, we used a combination of biophysical techniques to gain insight into the mechanism of interaction with model membranes mimicking the BBB and the liver. We observed a stronger interaction for membranes mimicking the BBB where gH625 clearly undergoes a change in secondary structure, indicating the key role of the structural change in the uptake mechanism. We report model studies on liposomes which can be exploited for the optimization of delivery tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annarita Falanga
- Department of Pharmacy, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy.,CiRPEB- University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Iachetta
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Lucia Lombardi
- Department of Pharmacy, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Emiliana Perillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Assunta Lombardi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy.,CiRPEB- University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Salvatore Valiante
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134, Napoli, Italy.,National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), V. le Medaglie d'Oro, 00136, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Galdiero
- Department of Pharmacy, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy. .,CiRPEB- University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy.
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8
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Zhou Z, Li Y, Yuan C, Doucet D, Zhang Y, Qu L. Overexpression of TAT-PTD-diapause hormone fusion protein in tobacco and its effect on the larval development of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2017; 73:1197-1203. [PMID: 27644054 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4443] [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: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diapause hormone (DH) has been shown either to induce or to terminate diapause, depending on the insect species. In a previous study we demonstrated that the DH from Clostera anastomosis (caDH) has biological activity in Helicoverpa armigera, which prompted us to examine the potential growth-inhibiting or antiherbivory effects of the TAT-caDH fusion protein when expressed in transgenic plants. RESULTS In this study, we produced transgenic tobacco plants expressing either the TAT-caDH protein or a TAT-caDH-eGFP fusion version that allowed tracking of the fluorescent protein in plant tissues. Our results indicate that H. armigera larvae feeding on transgenic tobacco expressing TAT-caDH exhibited a significantly reduced survival rate and weight gain. However, larvae feeding on transgenic tobacco expressing TAT-caDH-eGFP were unaffected. While fusion of the eGFP gene influenced the bioactivity of caDH in larvae, TAT-caDH-eGFP can still penetrate the insect midgut cell membrane. CONCLUSION TAT-caDH increases DH stability in oral delivery. Our results may help in targeting DH-dependent physiological processes in insects for improving herbivore tolerance in economically important crops. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Zhou
- College of Forestry, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Yongli Li
- College of Forestry, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Chunyan Yuan
- College of Forestry, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Daniel Doucet
- Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, Sault Sainte Marie, ON, Canada
| | - Yongan Zhang
- Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
| | - Liangjian Qu
- Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
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Guidotti G, Brambilla L, Rossi D. Cell-Penetrating Peptides: From Basic Research to Clinics. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2017; 38:406-424. [PMID: 28209404 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 721] [Impact Index Per Article: 103.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The presence of cell and tissue barriers together with the low biomembrane permeability of various therapeutics often hampers systemic drug distribution; thus, most of the available molecules are of limited therapeutic value. Opportunities to increase medicament concentrations in areas that are difficult to access now exist with the advent of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), which can transport into the cell a wide variety of biologically active conjugates (cargoes). Numerous preclinical evaluations with CPP-derived therapeutics have provided promising results in various disease models that, in some cases, prompted clinical trials. The outcome of these investigations has thus opened new perspectives for CPP application in the development of unprecedented human therapies that are well tolerated and directed to intracellular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Guidotti
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, IRCCS Maugeri Clinical and Scientific Institutes SpA SB, Via Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Liliana Brambilla
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, IRCCS Maugeri Clinical and Scientific Institutes SpA SB, Via Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Daniela Rossi
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, IRCCS Maugeri Clinical and Scientific Institutes SpA SB, Via Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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Peptide-based strategies for enhanced cell uptake, transcellular transport, and circulation: Mechanisms and challenges. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 110-111:52-64. [PMID: 27313077 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Peptides are emerging as a new tool in drug and gene delivery. Peptide-drug conjugates and peptide-modified drug delivery systems provide new opportunities to avoid macrophage recognition and subsequent phagocytosis, cross endothelial and epithelial barriers, and enter the cytoplasm of target cells. Peptides are relatively small, low-cost, and are stable in a wide range of biological conditions. In this review, we summarize recent work in designing peptides to enhance penetration of biological barriers, increase cell uptake, and avoid the immune system. We highlight recent successes and contradictory results, and outline common emerging concepts and design rules. The development of sequence-structure-function relationships and standard protocols for benchmarking will be a key to progress in the field.
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Zhou Z, Li Y, Yuan C, Zhang Y, Qu L. Transgenic Tobacco Expressing the TAT-Helicokinin I-CpTI Fusion Protein Show Increased Resistance and Toxicity to Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8010028. [PMID: 28085119 PMCID: PMC5295023 DOI: 10.3390/genes8010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect kinins were shown to have diuretic activity, inhibit weight gain, and have antifeedant activity in insects. In order to study the potential of the TAT-fusion approach to deliver diuretic peptides per os to pest insects, the HezK I peptide from Helicoverpa zea, as a representative of the kinin family, was selected. The fusion gene TAT-HezK I was designed and was used to transform tobacco plants. As a means to further improve the stability of TAT-HezK I, a fusion protein incorporating HezK I, transactivator of transcription (TAT), and the cowpea trypsin inhibitor (CpTI) was also designed. Finally, the toxicity of the different tobacco transgenic strains toward Helicoverpa armigera was compared. The results demonstrated that TAT-HezK I had high toxicity against insects via transgenic expression of the peptide in planta and intake through larval feeding. The toxicity of the fusion TAT-HezK I and CpTI was higher than the CpTI single gene in transgenic tobacco, and the fusion TAT-HezK I and CpTI further enhanced the stability and bioavailability of agents in oral administration. Our research helps in targeting new genes for improving herbivore tolerance in transgenic plant breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Forest Protection, State Forestry Administration, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China.
- College of Forestry, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China.
| | - Yongli Li
- College of Forestry, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China.
| | - Chunyan Yuan
- College of Forestry, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China.
| | - Yongan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Protection, State Forestry Administration, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China.
| | - Liangjian Qu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Protection, State Forestry Administration, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China.
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Lin W, Zheng X, Wang H, Yu L, Zhou X, Sun Y, Zhao S, Du Z, Zhang K. Purification and characterization of a novel cell-penetrating carrier similar to cholera toxin chimeric protein. Protein Expr Purif 2017; 129:128-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2016.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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13
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Stalmans S, Bracke N, Wynendaele E, Gevaert B, Peremans K, Burvenich C, Polis I, De Spiegeleer B. Cell-Penetrating Peptides Selectively Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier In Vivo. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139652. [PMID: 26465925 PMCID: PMC4605843 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are a group of peptides, which have the ability to cross cell membrane bilayers. CPPs themselves can exert biological activity and can be formed endogenously. Fragmentary studies demonstrate their ability to enhance transport of different cargoes across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, comparative, quantitative data on the BBB permeability of different CPPs are currently lacking. Therefore, the in vivo BBB transport characteristics of five chemically diverse CPPs, i.e. pVEC, SynB3, Tat 47-57, transportan 10 (TP10) and TP10-2, were determined. The results of the multiple time regression (MTR) analysis revealed that CPPs show divergent BBB influx properties: Tat 47-57, SynB3, and especially pVEC showed very high unidirectional influx rates of 4.73 μl/(g × min), 5.63 μl/(g × min) and 6.02 μl/(g × min), respectively, while the transportan analogs showed a negligible to low brain influx. Using capillary depletion, it was found that 80% of the influxed peptides effectively reached the brain parenchyma. Except for pVEC, all peptides showed a significant efflux out of the brain. Co-injection of pVEC with radioiodinated bovine serum albumin (BSA) did not enhance the brain influx of radiodionated BSA, indicating that pVEC does not itself significantly alter the BBB properties. A saturable mechanism could not be demonstrated by co-injecting an excess dose of non-radiolabeled CPP. No significant regional differences in brain influx were observed, with the exception for pVEC, for which the regional variations were only marginal. The observed BBB influx transport properties cannot be correlated with their cell-penetrating ability, and therefore, good CPP properties do not imply efficient brain influx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Stalmans
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Bracke
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Wynendaele
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bert Gevaert
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kathelijne Peremans
- Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Christian Burvenich
- Department of Comparative Physiology and Biometrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Ingeborgh Polis
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bart De Spiegeleer
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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14
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Zhou Z, Li Y, Yuan C, Zhang Y, Qu L. Oral Administration of TAT-PTD-Diapause Hormone Fusion Protein Interferes With Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Development. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2015; 15:iev102. [PMID: 26320262 PMCID: PMC4672221 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iev102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/08/2015] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Diapause hormone (DH), which can terminate diapause in Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), has shown promise as a pest control method. However, the main challenge in using DH as an insecticide lies in achieving effective oral delivery, since the peptide may be degraded by digestive enzymes in the gut. To improve the efficacy of oral DH application, the Clostera anastomosis (L.) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) diapause hormone (caDH) was fused to the Protein Transduction Domain (PTD) of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 transactivator of transcription (TAT). Cellular transduction of TAT-caDH was verified with the use of a green fluorescent protein fusion, and its ability to terminate diapause was verified by injection into diapausing H. armigera pupae. Orally administered TAT-caDH resulted in larval growth inhibition. In TAT-caDH-treated insects, larval duration was delayed and the pupation rates were decreased at both development promoting conditions [27 °C, a photoperiod of 14:10(L:D) h] and diapause inducing conditions [20 °C, a photoperiod of 10:14(L:D) h]. No significant difference in diapause rate was observed between the TAT-caDH-treated and caDH-treated or control pupae maintained at diapause inducing conditions. Our results show that treatment with a recombinant TAT-caDH protein can affect larval development in H. armigera, and it suggest that TAT-DH treatment may be useful for controlling pests. This study is the first record of oral DH application in insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Zhou
- College of Forestry, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongli Li
- College of Forestry, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyan Yuan
- College of Forestry, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongan Zhang
- Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Haidian District, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
| | - Liangjian Qu
- Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Haidian District, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
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15
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Gotanda Y, Wei FY, Harada H, Ohta K, Nakamura KI, Tomizawa K, Ushijima K. Efficient transduction of 11 poly-arginine peptide in an ischemic lesion of mouse brain. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2014; 23:2023-2030. [PMID: 25081308 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2014.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Revised: 02/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct intracellular delivery of intact proteins has been successfully achieved by tagging cell-penetrating peptide (CPP), which consists of short positively charged amino acids, such as 11 poly-arginine (11R); however, in vivo delivery of the proteins to the brain has remained challenging because it is unclear whether CPP would enable proteins to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this study, we conducted an in vivo kinetic study to investigate the efficiency of 11R-mediated peptide delivery in the normal and ischemic brain. The 11R was observed in the microvessels and neurons surrounding the microvessels throughout the brain 1 hour after systemic administration, but the signal of the peptide was faint after 2 hours. In a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion mouse model, 11R was markedly enhanced and remained detectable in the cells on the ipsilateral side for as long as 8 hours after administration compared with the contralateral side. These results suggest that 11R is capable of in vivo delivery to the brain by passing through the BBB. Furthermore, 11R-mediated protein transduction could be used for the delivery of therapeutic molecules in cerebral ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Gotanda
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Fan-Yan Wei
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hideki Harada
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ohta
- Division of Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Nakamura
- Division of Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Tomizawa
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
| | - Kazuo Ushijima
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
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16
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Hue CD, Cao S, Dale Bass CR, Meaney DF, Morrison B. Repeated primary blast injury causes delayed recovery, but not additive disruption, in an in vitro blood-brain barrier model. J Neurotrauma 2014; 31:951-60. [PMID: 24372353 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2013.3149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated increased susceptibility to breakdown of the cerebral vasculature associated with repetitive traumatic brain injury. We hypothesized that exposure to two consecutive blast injuries would result in exacerbated damage to an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) compared with exposure to a single blast of the same severity. Contrary to our hypothesis, however, repeated mild or moderate primary blast delivered with a 24 or 72 h interval between injuries did not significantly exacerbate reductions in transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) across a brain endothelial monolayer compared with sister cultures receiving a single exposure of the same intensity. Permeability of the barrier to a range of different-sized solutes remained unaltered after single and repeated blast, supporting that the effects of repeated blast on BBB integrity were not additive. Single blast exposure significantly reduced immunostaining of ZO-1 and claudin-5 tight junction proteins, but subsequent exposure did not cause additional damage to tight junctions. Although repeated blast did not further reduce TEER, the second exposure delayed TEER recovery in BBB cultures. Similarly, recovery of hydraulic conductivity through the BBB was delayed by a second exposure. Extending the interinjury interval to 72 h, the effects of multiple injuries on the BBB were found to be independent given sufficient recovery time between consecutive exposures. Careful investigation of the effects of repeated blast on the BBB will help identify injury levels and a temporal window of vulnerability associated with BBB dysfunction, ultimately leading to improved strategies for protecting warfighters against repeated blast-induced disruption of the cerebral vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Hue
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
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17
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Hue CD, Cao S, Haider SF, Vo KV, Effgen GB, Vogel E, Panzer MB, Bass CR“D, Meaney DF, Morrison B. Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction after Primary Blast Injury in vitro. J Neurotrauma 2013; 30:1652-63. [DOI: 10.1089/neu.2012.2773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D. Hue
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Siqi Cao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Syed F. Haider
- Department of Biology, The City College of New York, New York, New York
| | - Kiet V. Vo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Gwen B. Effgen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Edward Vogel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Matthew B. Panzer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - David F. Meaney
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Barclay Morrison
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York
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18
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Gomez JP, Pichon C, Midoux P. Ability of plasmid DNA complexed with histidinylated lPEI and lPEI to cross in vitro lung and muscle vascular endothelial barriers. Gene 2013; 525:182-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.03.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2013] [Revised: 02/21/2013] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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19
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Nisisako T, Portonovo SA, Schmidt JJ. Microfluidic passive permeability assay using nanoliter droplet interface lipid bilayers. Analyst 2013; 138:6793-800. [DOI: 10.1039/c3an01314f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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20
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Chen Y, Liu L. Modern methods for delivery of drugs across the blood-brain barrier. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2012; 64:640-65. [PMID: 22154620 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2011.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 606] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2011] [Revised: 11/21/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly regulated and efficient barrier that provides a sanctuary to the brain. It is designed to regulate brain homeostasis and to permit selective transport of molecules that are essential for brain function. Unfortunately, drug transport to the brain is hampered by this almost impermeable, highly selective and well coordinated barrier. With progress in molecular biology, the BBB is better understood, particularly under different pathological conditions. This review will discuss the barrier issue from a biological and pathological perspective to provide a better insight to the challenges and opportunities associated with the BBB. Modern methods which can take advantage of these opportunities will be reviewed. Applications of nanotechnology in drug transport, receptor-mediated targeting and transport, and finally cell-mediated drug transport will also be covered in the review. The challenge of delivering an effective therapy to the brain is formidable; solutions will likely involve concerted multidisciplinary approaches that take into account BBB biology as well as the unique features associated with the pathological condition to be treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, CHIRI, WABRI, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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21
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Zhang X, Zhang X, Wang F. Intracellular transduction and potential of Tat PTD and its analogs: from basic drug delivery mechanism to application. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2012; 9:457-72. [DOI: 10.1517/17425247.2012.663351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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22
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Effgen GB, Hue CD, Vogel E, Panzer MB, Meaney DF, Bass CR, Morrison B. A Multiscale Approach to Blast Neurotrauma Modeling: Part II: Methodology for Inducing Blast Injury to in vitro Models. Front Neurol 2012; 3:23. [PMID: 22375134 PMCID: PMC3285773 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2012.00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2011] [Accepted: 02/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the prominent role of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in wounding patterns of U.S. war-fighters in Iraq and Afghanistan, blast injury has risen to a new level of importance and is recognized to be a major cause of injuries to the brain. However, an injury risk-function for microscopic, macroscopic, behavioral, and neurological deficits has yet to be defined. While operational blast injuries can be very complex and thus difficult to analyze, a simplified blast injury model would facilitate studies correlating biological outcomes with blast biomechanics to define tolerance criteria. Blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) results from the translation of a shock wave in-air, such as that produced by an IED, into a pressure wave within the skull-brain complex. Our blast injury methodology recapitulates this phenomenon in vitro, allowing for control of the injury biomechanics via a compressed-gas shock tube used in conjunction with a custom-designed, fluid-filled receiver that contains the living culture. The receiver converts the air shock wave into a fast-rising pressure transient with minimal reflections, mimicking the intracranial pressure history in blast. We have developed an organotypic hippocampal slice culture model that exhibits cell death when exposed to a 530 ± 17.7-kPa peak overpressure with a 1.026 ± 0.017-ms duration and 190 ± 10.7 kPa-ms impulse in-air. We have also injured a simplified in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier, which exhibits disrupted integrity immediately following exposure to 581 ± 10.0 kPa peak overpressure with a 1.067 ± 0.006-ms duration and 222 ± 6.9 kPa-ms impulse in-air. To better prevent and treat bTBI, both the initiating biomechanics and the ensuing pathobiology must be understood in greater detail. A well-characterized, in vitro model of bTBI, in conjunction with animal models, will be a powerful tool for developing strategies to mitigate the risks of bTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwen B Effgen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University New York, NY, USA
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23
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Marks JR, Placone J, Hristova K, Wimley WC. Spontaneous membrane-translocating peptides by orthogonal high-throughput screening. J Am Chem Soc 2011; 133:8995-9004. [PMID: 21545169 PMCID: PMC3118567 DOI: 10.1021/ja2017416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Combinatorial peptide chemistry and orthogonal high-throughput screening were used to select peptides that spontaneously translocate across synthetic lipid bilayer membranes without permeabilization. A conserved sequence motif was identified that contains several cationic residues in conserved positions in an otherwise hydrophobic sequence. This 9-residue motif rapidly translocates across synthetic multibilayer vesicles and into cells while carrying a large polar dye as a "cargo" moiety. The extraordinary ability of this family of peptides to spontaneously translocate across bilayers without an energy source of any kind is distinctly different from the behavior of the well-known, highly cationic cell-penetrating peptides, such as the HIV tat peptide, which do not translocate across synthetic bilayers, and enter cells mostly by active endocytosis. Peptides that translocate spontaneously across membranes have the potential to transform the field of drug design by enabling the delivery of otherwise membrane-impermeant polar drugs into cells and tissues. Here we describe the chemical tools needed to rapidly identify spontaneous membrane translocating peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R. Marks
- Department of Biochemistry, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans LA 70112
| | - Jesse Placone
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - William C. Wimley
- Department of Biochemistry, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans LA 70112
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24
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Simon MJ, Kang WH, Gao S, Banta S, Morrison B. Increased delivery of TAT across an endothelial monolayer following ischemic injury. Neurosci Lett 2010; 486:1-4. [PMID: 20851169 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2010.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2010] [Revised: 08/26/2010] [Accepted: 09/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
There is a great need for the development of vehicles capable of delivering therapeutic cargoes across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and into brain cells. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), such as TAT, present one such solution, and have been used successfully in vivo to deliver neuroprotective cargoes to the brain in models of stroke and seizure. However, a significant discrepancy exists in the literature, as other groups have not had the same success. One commonality between the successful studies is a compromised BBB. In this study, we hypothesized that ischemic injury increases the transport of TAT across an endothelial monolayer (comprised of bEnd.3 cells) in vitro and, consequently, increases TAT-mediated delivery into astrocytes on the other side. In the 24h following in vitro ischemia (oxygen-glucose deprivation), transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) significantly decreased, indicating disruption of BBB integrity. Concomitantly, the transport of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-TAT fusion protein significantly increased, and the transduction of GFP-TAT into astrocytes cultured on the other side of the endothelial monolayer significantly increased. These results explain why TAT-mediated delivery of therapeutic cargoes is successful in the ischemic brain but not in the uninjured brain with an intact BBB, highlighting the necessity for continued development of delivery vehicles. We conclude that although TAT may not be an efficient vehicle for trans-BBB delivery across an intact BBB, it may have utility in clinical situations when the BBB is disrupted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Simon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States
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