1
|
Fazry S, Najm AA, Mahdi IM, Ang A, Lee L, Loh CT, Syed Alwi SS, Li F, Law D. In silico directed evolution of Anabas testudineus AtMP1 antimicrobial peptide to improve in vitro anticancer activity. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17894. [PMID: 39346049 PMCID: PMC11439379 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Various studies have demonstrated that directed evolution is a powerful tool in enhancing protein properties. In this study, directed evolution was used to enhance the efficacy of synthesised Anabas testudineus AtMP1 antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. The modification of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and prediction of peptide properties using bioinformatic tools were carried out using four databases, including ADP3, CAMP-R3, AMPfun, and ANTICP. One modified antimicrobial peptide (AMP), ATMP6 (THPPTTTTTTTTTTTTTAAPARTT), was chosen based on its projected potent anticancer effect, taking into account factors such as amino acid length, net charge, anticancer activity score, and hydrophobicity. The selected AMPs were subjected to study in deep-learning databases, namely ToxIBTL and ToxinPred2, to predict their toxicity. Furthermore, the allergic properties of these antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) were verified by utilising AllerTOP and AllergenFP. Based on the results obtained from the database study, it was projected that antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) demonstrate a lack of toxicity towards human cells that is indicative of the broader population. After 48 hours of incubation, the IC50 values of ATMP6 against the HS27 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were found to be 48.03 ± 0.013 µg/ml and 7.52 ± 0.027 µg/ml, respectively. The IC50 values of the original peptide ATMP1 against the MDA-MB-231 and HS27 cell lines were determined to be 59.6 ± 0.14 µg/ml and 8.25 ± 0.14 µg/ml, respectively, when compared. Furthermore, the results indicated that the injection of ATMP6 induced apoptosis in the MDA-MB-231 cell lines. The present investigation has revealed new opportunities for advancing novel targeted peptide therapeutics to tackle cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shazrul Fazry
- Department of Food Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ahmed Abdulkareem Najm
- Department of Food Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ibrahim Mahmood Mahdi
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
- Dentistry Department, Al-Rafidain University College, Baghad, Iraq
| | - Arnold Ang
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
| | - LiTing Lee
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
| | - Choy-Theng Loh
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
- Hangzhou Foreseebio Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, China
| | | | - Fang Li
- Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, China
| | - Douglas Law
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bashi M, Madanchi H, Yousefi B. Investigation of cytotoxic effect and action mechanism of a synthetic peptide derivative of rabbit cathelicidin against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13497. [PMID: 38866982 PMCID: PMC11169400 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64400-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have sparked significant interest as potential anti-cancer agents, thereby becoming a focal point in pursuing novel cancer-fighting strategies. These peptides possess distinctive properties, underscoring the importance of developing more potent and selectively targeted versions with diverse mechanisms of action against human cancer cells. Such advancements would offer notable advantages compared to existing cancer therapies. This research aimed to examine the toxicity and selectivity of the nrCap18 peptide in both cancer and normal cell lines. Furthermore, the rate of cellular death was assessed using apoptosis and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double staining at three distinct incubation times. Additionally, the impact of this peptide on the cancer cell cycle and migration was evaluated, and ultimately, the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) genes was investigated. The results obtained from the study demonstrated significant toxicity and selectivity in cancer cells compared to normal cells. Moreover, a strong progressive increase in cell death was observed over time. Furthermore, the peptide exhibited the ability to halt the progression of cancer cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and impede their migration by suppressing the expression of CDK4/6 genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Bashi
- Department of Immunology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hamid Madanchi
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 35131-38111, Iran.
- Drug Design and Bioinformatics Unit, Medical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, 13198, Iran.
| | - Bahman Yousefi
- Department of Immunology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
- Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cavaco M, Pérez-Peinado C, Valle J, Silva RDM, Gano L, Correia JDG, Andreu D, Castanho MARB, Neves V. The use of a selective, nontoxic dual-acting peptide for breast cancer patients with brain metastasis. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116573. [PMID: 38613996 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116573] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype characterized by the absence of commonly targeted receptors. Unspecific chemotherapy is currently the main therapeutic option, with poor results. Another major challenge is the frequent appearance of brain metastasis (BM) associated with a significant decrease in patient overall survival. The treatment of BM is even more challenging due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Here, we present a dual-acting peptide (PepH3-vCPP2319) designed to tackle TNBC/BM, in which a TNBC-specific anticancer peptide (ACP) motif (vCPP2319) is joined to a BBB peptide shuttle (BBBpS) motif (PepH3). PepH3-vCPP2319 demonstrated selectivity and efficiency in eliminating TNBC both in monolayers (IC50≈5.0 µM) and in spheroids (IC50≈25.0 µM), with no stringent toxicity toward noncancerous cell lines and red blood cells (RBCs). PepH3-vCPP2319 was also able to cross the BBB in vitro and penetrate the brain in vivo, and was stable in serum with a half-life above 120 min. Tumor cell-peptide interaction is fast, with quick peptide internalization via clathrin-mediated endocytosis without membrane disruption. Upon internalization, the peptide is detected in the nucleus and the cytoplasm, indicating a multi-targeted mechanism of action that ultimately induces irreversible cell damage and apoptosis. In conclusion, we have designed a dual-acting peptide capable of brain penetration and TNBC cell elimination, thus expanding the drug arsenal to fight this BC subtype and its BM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cavaco
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal; Proteomics and Protein Chemistry Unit, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Clara Pérez-Peinado
- Proteomics and Protein Chemistry Unit, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Javier Valle
- Proteomics and Protein Chemistry Unit, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Ruben D M Silva
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, CTN, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), LRS, Bobadela 2695-066, Portugal
| | - Lurdes Gano
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, CTN, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), LRS, Bobadela 2695-066, Portugal; Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, CTN, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), LRS, Bobadela 2695-066, Portugal
| | - João D G Correia
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, CTN, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), LRS, Bobadela 2695-066, Portugal; Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, CTN, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), LRS, Bobadela 2695-066, Portugal
| | - David Andreu
- Proteomics and Protein Chemistry Unit, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona 08003, Spain.
| | - Miguel A R B Castanho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Vera Neves
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Song Y, Lei L, Cai X, Wei H, Yu CY. Immunomodulatory Peptides for Tumor Treatment. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2400512. [PMID: 38657003 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Peptides exhibit various biological activities, including biorecognition, cell targeting, and tumor penetration, and can stimulate immune cells to elicit immune responses for tumor immunotherapy. Peptide self-assemblies and peptide-functionalized nanocarriers can reduce the effect of various biological barriers and the degradation by peptidases, enhancing the efficiency of peptide delivery and improving antitumor immune responses. To date, the design and development of peptides with various functionalities have been extensively reviewed for enhanced chemotherapy; however, peptide-mediated tumor immunotherapy using peptides acting on different immune cells, to the knowledge, has not yet been summarized. Thus, this work provides a review of this emerging subject of research, focusing on immunomodulatory anticancer peptides. This review introduces the role of peptides in the immunomodulation of innate and adaptive immune cells, followed by a link between peptides in the innate and adaptive immune systems. The peptides are discussed in detail, following a classification according to their effects on different innate and adaptive immune cells, as well as immune checkpoints. Subsequently, two delivery strategies for peptides as drugs are presented: peptide self-assemblies and peptide-functionalized nanocarriers. The concluding remarks regarding the challenges and potential solutions of peptides for tumor immunotherapy are presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Song
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Longtianyang Lei
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Xingyu Cai
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Hua Wei
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Cui-Yun Yu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
- Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410013, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li C, Jin K. Chemical Strategies towards the Development of Effective Anticancer Peptides. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:1839-1873. [PMID: 37170992 DOI: 10.2174/0929867330666230426111157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is increasingly recognized as one of the primary causes of death and has become a multifaceted global health issue. Modern medical science has made significant advancements in the diagnosis and therapy of cancer over the past decade. The detrimental side effects, lack of efficacy, and multidrug resistance of conventional cancer therapies have created an urgent need for novel anticancer therapeutics or treatments with low cytotoxicity and drug resistance. The pharmaceutical groups have recognized the crucial role that peptide therapeutic agents can play in addressing unsatisfied healthcare demands and how these become great supplements or even preferable alternatives to biological therapies and small molecules. Anticancer peptides, as a vibrant therapeutic strategy against various cancer cells, have demonstrated incredible anticancer potential due to high specificity and selectivity, low toxicity, and the ability to target the surface of traditional "undruggable" proteins. This review will provide the research progression of anticancer peptides, mainly focusing on the discovery and modifications along with the optimization and application of these peptides in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cuicui Li
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Kang Jin
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Alamdari-Palangi V, Jaberi KR, Shahverdi M, Naeimzadeh Y, Tajbakhsh A, Khajeh S, Razban V, Fallahi J. Recent advances and applications of peptide-agent conjugates for targeting tumor cells. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:15249-15273. [PMID: 37581648 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05144-9] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer, being a complex disease, presents a major challenge for the scientific and medical communities. Peptide therapeutics have played a significant role in different medical practices, including cancer treatment. METHOD This review provides an overview of the current situation and potential development prospects of anticancer peptides (ACPs), with a particular focus on peptide vaccines and peptide-drug conjugates for cancer treatment. RESULTS ACPs can be used directly as cytotoxic agents (molecularly targeted peptides) or can act as carriers (guiding missile) of chemotherapeutic agents and radionuclides by specifically targeting cancer cells. More than 60 natural and synthetic cationic peptides are approved in the USA and other major markets for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Compared to traditional cancer treatments, peptides exhibit anticancer activity with high specificity and the ability to rapidly kill target cancer cells. ACP's target and kill cancer cells via different mechanisms, including membrane disruption, pore formation, induction of apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, and regulation of the immune system. Modified peptides have been developed as carriers for drugs, vaccines, and peptide-drug conjugates, which have been evaluated in various phases of clinical trials for the treatment of different types of solid and leukemia cancer. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the potential of ACPs as a promising therapeutic option for cancer treatment, particularly through the use of peptide vaccines and peptide-drug conjugates. Despite the limitations of peptides, such as poor metabolic stability and low bioavailability, modified peptides show promise in addressing these challenges. Various mechanism of action of anticancer peptides. Modes of action against cancer cells including: inducing apoptosis by cytochrome c release, direct cell membrane lysis (necrosis), inhibiting angiogenesis, inducing autophagy-mediated cell death and immune cell regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vahab Alamdari-Palangi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran
| | - Khojaste Rahimi Jaberi
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahshid Shahverdi
- Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Yasaman Naeimzadeh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran
| | - Amir Tajbakhsh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sahar Khajeh
- Bone and Joint Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Vahid Razban
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran.
| | - Jafar Fallahi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sowers A, Wang G, Xing M, Li B. Advances in Antimicrobial Peptide Discovery via Machine Learning and Delivery via Nanotechnology. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1129. [PMID: 37317103 PMCID: PMC10223199 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been investigated for their potential use as an alternative to antibiotics due to the increased demand for new antimicrobial agents. AMPs, widely found in nature and obtained from microorganisms, have a broad range of antimicrobial protection, allowing them to be applied in the treatment of infections caused by various pathogenic microorganisms. Since these peptides are primarily cationic, they prefer anionic bacterial membranes due to electrostatic interactions. However, the applications of AMPs are currently limited owing to their hemolytic activity, poor bioavailability, degradation from proteolytic enzymes, and high-cost production. To overcome these limitations, nanotechnology has been used to improve AMP bioavailability, permeation across barriers, and/or protection against degradation. In addition, machine learning has been investigated due to its time-saving and cost-effective algorithms to predict AMPs. There are numerous databases available to train machine learning models. In this review, we focus on nanotechnology approaches for AMP delivery and advances in AMP design via machine learning. The AMP sources, classification, structures, antimicrobial mechanisms, their role in diseases, peptide engineering technologies, currently available databases, and machine learning techniques used to predict AMPs with minimal toxicity are discussed in detail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Sowers
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
- School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Malcolm Xing
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Bingyun Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Association between Immunologic Markers and Cirrhosis in Individuals from a Prospective Chronic Hepatitis C Cohort. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14215280. [PMID: 36358697 PMCID: PMC9657502 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215280] [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: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can affect immune response and inflammatory pathways, leading to severe liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: In a prospective cohort of chronically HCV-infected individuals, we sampled 68 individuals who developed cirrhosis, 91 controls who did not develop cirrhosis, and 94 individuals who developed HCC. Unconditional odds ratios (ORs) from polytomous logistic regression models and canonical discriminant analyses (CDAs) were used to compare categorical (C) baseline plasma levels for 102 markers in individuals who developed cirrhosis vs. controls and those who developed HCC vs. cirrhosis. Leave-one-out cross validation was used to produce receiver operating characteristic curves to assess predictive ability of markers. Lastly, biological pathways were assessed in association with cirrhotic development compared to controls. Results: After multivariable adjustment, DEFA-1 (OR: C2v.C1 = 7.73; p < 0.0001), ITGAM (OR: C2v.C1 = 4.03; p = 0.0002), SCF (OR: C4v.C1 = 0.19; p-trend = 0.0001), and CCL11 (OR: C4v.C1 = 0.31; p-trend= 0.002) were all associated with development of cirrhosis compared to controls; these markers, together with clinical/demographics variables, improved prediction of cirrhosis from 55.7% (in clinical/demographic-only model) to 74.9% accuracy. A twelve-marker model based on CDA results further increased prediction of cirrhosis to 88.0%. While six biological pathways were found to be associated with cirrhosis, cell adhesion was the only pathway associated with cirrhosis after Bonferroni correction. In contrast to cirrhosis, DEFA-1 and ITGAM levels were inversely associated with HCC risk. Conclusions: Pending validation, these findings highlight the important role of immunological markers in predicting HCV-related cirrhosis even 11 years post-enrollment.
Collapse
|
9
|
In Silico Prediction of Anti-Infective and Cell-Penetrating Peptides from Thalassophryne nattereri Natterin Toxins. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15091141. [PMID: 36145362 PMCID: PMC9501638 DOI: 10.3390/ph15091141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of venom-derived peptides, such as bioactive peptides (BAPs), is determined by specificity, stability, and pharmacokinetics properties. BAPs, including anti-infective or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), share several physicochemical characteristics and are potential alternatives to antibiotic-based therapies and drug delivery systems, respectively. This study used in silico methods to predict AMPs and CPPs derived from natterins from the venomous fish Thalassophryne nattereri. Fifty-seven BAPs (19 AMPs, 8 CPPs, and 30 AMPs/CPPs) were identified using the web servers CAMP, AMPA, AmpGram, C2Pred, and CellPPD. The physicochemical properties were analyzed using ProtParam, PepCalc, and DispHred tools. The membrane-binding potential and cellular location of each peptide were analyzed using the Boman index by APD3, and TMHMM web servers. All CPPs and two AMPs showed high membrane-binding potential. Fifty-four peptides were located in the plasma membrane. Peptide immunogenicity, toxicity, allergenicity, and ADMET parameters were evaluated using several web servers. Sixteen antiviral peptides and 37 anticancer peptides were predicted using the web servers Meta-iAVP and ACPred. Secondary structures and helical wheel projections were predicted using the PEP-FOLD3 and Heliquest web servers. Fifteen peptides are potential lead compounds and were selected to be further synthesized and tested experimentally in vitro to validate the in silico screening. The use of computer-aided design for predicting peptide structure and activity is fast and cost-effective and facilitates the design of potent therapeutic peptides. The results demonstrate that toxins form a natural biotechnological platform in drug discovery, and the presence of CPP and AMP sequences in toxin families opens new possibilities in toxin biochemistry research.
Collapse
|
10
|
Ting DSJ, Mohammed I, Lakshminarayanan R, Beuerman RW, Dua HS. Host Defense Peptides at the Ocular Surface: Roles in Health and Major Diseases, and Therapeutic Potentials. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:835843. [PMID: 35783647 PMCID: PMC9243558 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.835843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sight is arguably the most important sense in human. Being constantly exposed to the environmental stress, irritants and pathogens, the ocular surface – a specialized functional and anatomical unit composed of tear film, conjunctival and corneal epithelium, lacrimal glands, meibomian glands, and nasolacrimal drainage apparatus – serves as a crucial front-line defense of the eye. Host defense peptides (HDPs), also known as antimicrobial peptides, are evolutionarily conserved molecular components of innate immunity that are found in all classes of life. Since the first discovery of lysozyme in 1922, a wide range of HDPs have been identified at the ocular surface. In addition to their antimicrobial activity, HDPs are increasingly recognized for their wide array of biological functions, including anti-biofilm, immunomodulation, wound healing, and anti-cancer properties. In this review, we provide an updated review on: (1) spectrum and expression of HDPs at the ocular surface; (2) participation of HDPs in ocular surface diseases/conditions such as infectious keratitis, conjunctivitis, dry eye disease, keratoconus, allergic eye disease, rosacea keratitis, and post-ocular surgery; (3) HDPs that are currently in the development pipeline for treatment of ocular diseases and infections; and (4) future potential of HDP-based clinical pharmacotherapy for ocular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Shu Jeng Ting
- Academic Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Darren Shu Jeng Ting
| | - Imran Mohammed
- Academic Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Roger W. Beuerman
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Harminder S. Dua
- Academic Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lath A, Santal AR, Kaur N, Kumari P, Singh NP. Anti-cancer peptides: their current trends in the development of peptide-based therapy and anti-tumor drugs. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2022; 39:45-84. [PMID: 35699384 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2022.2082157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Human cancer remains a cause of high mortality throughout the world. The conventional methods and therapies currently employed for treatment are followed by moderate-to-severe side effects. They have not generated curative results due to the ineffectiveness of treatments. Besides, the associated high costs, technical requirements, and cytotoxicity further characterize their limitations. Due to relatively higher presidencies, bioactive peptides with anti-cancer attributes have recently become treatment choices within the therapeutic arsenal. The peptides act as potential anti-cancer agents explicitly targeting tumor cells while being less toxic to normal cells. The anti-cancer peptides are isolated from various natural sources, exhibit high selectivity and high penetration efficiency, and could be quickly restructured. The therapeutic benefits of compatible anti-cancer peptides have contributed to the significant expansion of cancer treatment; albeit, the mechanisms by which bioactive peptides inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells remain unclear. This review will provide a framework for assessing anti-cancer peptides' structural and functional aspects. It shall provide appropriate information on their mode of action to support and strengthen efforts to improve cancer prevention. The article will mention the therapeutic health benefits of anti-cancer peptides. Their importance in clinical studies is elaborated for reducing cancer incidences and developing sustainable treatment models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amit Lath
- Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Anita Rani Santal
- Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Nameet Kaur
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, India
| | - Poonam Kumari
- Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility, CIL and UCIM, Punjab University, Chandigarh, Inida
| | - Nater Pal Singh
- Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Valenti GE, Alfei S, Caviglia D, Domenicotti C, Marengo B. Antimicrobial Peptides and Cationic Nanoparticles: A Broad-Spectrum Weapon to Fight Multi-Drug Resistance Not Only in Bacteria. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116108. [PMID: 35682787 PMCID: PMC9181033 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, antibiotic resistance and, analogously, anticancer drug resistance have increased considerably, becoming one of the main public health problems. For this reason, it is crucial to find therapeutic strategies able to counteract the onset of multi-drug resistance (MDR). In this review, a critical overview of the innovative tools available today to fight MDR is reported. In this direction, the use of membrane-disruptive peptides/peptidomimetics (MDPs), such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), has received particular attention, due to their high selectivity and to their limited side effects. Moreover, similarities between bacteria and cancer cells are herein reported and the hypothesis of the possible use of AMPs also in anticancer therapies is discussed. However, it is important to take into account the limitations that could negatively impact clinical application and, in particular, the need for an efficient delivery system. In this regard, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) is proposed as a potential strategy to improve therapy; moreover, among polymeric NPs, cationic ones are emerging as promising tools able to fight the onset of MDR both in bacteria and in cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia E. Valenti
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.E.V.); (B.M.)
| | - Silvana Alfei
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Debora Caviglia
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genova, Italy;
| | - Cinzia Domenicotti
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.E.V.); (B.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-010-353-8830
| | - Barbara Marengo
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.E.V.); (B.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Basingab F, Alsaiary A, Almontashri S, Alrofaidi A, Alharbi M, Azhari S, Algothmi K, Alhazmi S. Alterations in Immune-Related Defensin Alpha 4 ( DEFA4) Gene Expression in Health and Disease. Int J Inflam 2022; 2022:9099136. [PMID: 35668817 PMCID: PMC9167129 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9099136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Defensin Alpha 4 (DEFA4) is the fourth member of the Alpha Defensins family known as a part of antimicrobial peptides in the innate immune system. DEFA4 has a strong preference to kill Gram-negative bacteria more than Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, DEFA4 exhibits antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in vitro. Moreover, DEFA4 can act as an inhibitor of corticosterone production (Corticostatin). On the other hand, alternations in DEFA4 gene expression have been reported in different disorders such as diseases related to inflammation and immunity dysfunction, brain-related disorders, and various cancers. The up-regulation of DEFA4 appears to be involved in the malignant transformation or aggressive form of cancer. Interestingly, the modified version of DEFA4 fragment (1-11) was potent and efficient against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This review provides a general background abSaudi Arabia out DEFA4 and sheds light on changes in DEFA4 gene expression in different diseases. The paper also discusses other aspects related to DEFA4 as an antimicrobial and antiviral agent. The research was conducted based on available articles obtained from databases starting from 1988 to the present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemah Basingab
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Immunology Unit, King Fahad for Medical Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer Alsaiary
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Biology Department, College of Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahad Almontashri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha Alrofaidi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona Alharbi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sheren Azhari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khloud Algothmi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Safiah Alhazmi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Jafari A, Babajani A, Sarrami Forooshani R, Yazdani M, Rezaei-Tavirani M. Clinical Applications and Anticancer Effects of Antimicrobial Peptides: From Bench to Bedside. Front Oncol 2022; 12:819563. [PMID: 35280755 PMCID: PMC8904739 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.819563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a multifaceted global health issue and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In recent years, medical science has achieved great advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Despite the numerous advantages of conventional cancer therapies, there are major drawbacks including severe side effects, toxicities, and drug resistance. Therefore, the urgency of developing new drugs with low cytotoxicity and treatment resistance is increasing. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted attention as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of various cancers, targeting tumor cells with less toxicity to normal tissues. In this review, we present the structure, biological function, and underlying mechanisms of AMPs. The recent experimental studies and clinical trials on anticancer peptides in different cancer types as well as the challenges of their clinical application have also been discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ameneh Jafari
- Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhesam Babajani
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Sarrami Forooshani
- Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Yazdani
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Drug Design, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Rezaei-Tavirani
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bindra GK, Williams SA, Lay FT, Baxter AA, Poon IKH, Hulett MD, Phan TK. Human β-Defensin 2 (HBD-2) Displays Oncolytic Activity but Does Not Affect Tumour Cell Migration. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020264. [PMID: 35204765 PMCID: PMC8961614 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Defensins form an integral part of the cationic host defence peptide (HDP) family, a key component of innate immunity. Apart from their antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities, many HDPs exert multifaceted effects on tumour cells, notably direct oncolysis and/or inhibition of tumour cell migration. Therefore, HDPs have been explored as promising anticancer therapeutics. Human β-defensin 2 (HBD-2) represents a prominent member of human HDPs, being well-characterised for its potent pathogen-killing, wound-healing, cytokine-inducing and leukocyte-chemoattracting functions. However, its anticancer effects remain largely unknown. Recently, we demonstrated that HBD-2 binds strongly to phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2), a key mediator of defensin-induced cell death and an instructional messenger during cell migration. Hence, in this study, we sought to investigate the lytic and anti-migratory effects of HBD-2 on tumour cells. Using various cell biological assays and confocal microscopy, we showed that HBD-2 killed tumour cells via acute lytic cell death rather than apoptosis. In addition, our data suggested that, despite the reported PI(4,5)P2 interaction, HBD-2 does not affect cytoskeletal-dependent tumour cell migration. Together, our findings provide further insights into defensin biology and informs future defensin-based drug development.
Collapse
|
16
|
Tian T, Xie W, Liu L, Fan S, Zhang H, Qin Z, Yang C. Industrial application of antimicrobial peptides based on their biological activity and structure-activity relationship. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021:1-16. [PMID: 34955061 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.2019673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Last several years, a rapid increase in drug resistance to traditional antibiotics has driven the emergence and development of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMPs have also gained considerable attention from scientists due to their high potency in combatting infectious pathogens. A subset of analogues and their derivatives with specific targets have been successfully designed based on natural peptide patterns. In this review, scientific knowledge on the mechanisms of action related to biological activity and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of AMPs are summarized, and the biological applications in several important fields are critically discussed. SAR shows that the positive charge, secondary structure, special amino acid residues, hydrophobicity, and helicity of AMPs are closely related to their biological activities. The combination of nanotechnology, bioinformatics, and genetic engineering can accelerate to achieve the application of AMPs as effective, safe, economical, and nonresistant antimicrobial agents in medicine, the food and feed industries, and agriculture in coming years. Given the intense interest in AMPs, further investigations are needed in the future to evaluate the specific structure and function that make their use favorable in several industries. This review may provide a comprehensive reference for future studies on chemical modifications, mechanistic exploration, and applications of AMPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Tian
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China
| | - Wansheng Xie
- Hainan Center for Drug and Medical Device Evaluation and Service, Hainan Provincial Drug Administration, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Luxuan Liu
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China
| | - Siting Fan
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China
| | - Heqian Zhang
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China
| | - Zhiwei Qin
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China.,State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied research in Medicine and Health, University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Najm AAK, Azfaralariff A, Dyari HRE, Othman BA, Shahid M, Khalili N, Law D, Syed Alwi SS, Fazry S. Anti-breast cancer synthetic peptides derived from the Anabas testudineus skin mucus fractions. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23182. [PMID: 34848729 PMCID: PMC8632885 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02007-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous study has shown the antimicrobial activities of mucus protein extracted from Anabastestudineus. In this study, we are interested in characterizing the anticancer activity of the A.testudineus antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The mucus was extracted, fractioned, and subjected to antibacterial activity testing to confirm the fish's AMPs production. The cytotoxic activity of each fraction was also identified. Fraction 2 (F2), which shows toxicity against MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 were sent for peptide sequencing to identify the bioactive peptide. The two peptides were then synthetically produced and subjected to cytotoxic assay to prove their efficacy against cancer cell lines. The IC50 for AtMP1 against MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 were 8.25 ± 0.14 μg/ml and 9.35 ± 0.25 μg/ml respectively, while for AtMP2 it is 5.89 ± 0.14 μg/ml and 6.97 ± 0.24 μg/ml respectively. AtMP1 and AtMP2 treatment for 48 h induced breast cancer cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by upregulating the p53, which lead to upregulate pro-apoptotic BAX gene and downregulate the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 gene, consequently, trigger the activation of the caspase-3. This interaction was supported by docking analysis (QuickDBD, HPEPDOCK, and ZDOCK) and immunoprecipitation. This study provided new prospects in the development of highly effective and selective cancer therapeutics based on antimicrobial peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Abdul Kareem Najm
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Azfaralariff
- Department of Food Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.,Innovative Center for Confectionery Technology (MANIS), Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Herryawan Ryadi Eziwar Dyari
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environmental, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Babul Airianah Othman
- Department of Food Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Shahid
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Nahid Khalili
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Douglas Law
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Inti International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN Putra Nilai, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
| | - Sharifah Sakinah Syed Alwi
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Shazrul Fazry
- Department of Food Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. .,Innovative Center for Confectionery Technology (MANIS), Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. .,Chini Lake Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Shabalina AV, Sharko DO, Glazyrin YE, Bolshevich EA, Dubinina OV, Kim AM, Veprintsev DV, Lapin IN, Zamay GS, Krat AV, Zamay SS, Svetlichnyi VA, Kichkailo AS, Berezovski MV. Development of Electrochemical Aptasensor for Lung Cancer Diagnostics in Human Blood. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21237851. [PMID: 34883850 PMCID: PMC8659852 DOI: 10.3390/s21237851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
We describe the preparation and characterization of an aptamer-based electrochemical sensor to lung cancer tumor markers in human blood. The highly reproducible aptamer sensing layer with a high density (up to 70% coverage) on the gold electrode was made. Electrochemical methods and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to study the stability of the aptamer layer structure and binding ability. A new blocking agent, a thiolated oligonucleotide with an unrelated sequence, was applied to fill the aptamer layer’s defects. Electrochemical aptasensor signal processing was enhanced using deep learning and computer simulation of the experimental data array. It was found that the combinations (coupled and tripled) of cyclic voltammogram features allowed for distinguishing between the samples from lung cancer patients and healthy candidates with a mean accuracy of 0.73. The capacitive component from the non-Faradic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data indicated the tumor marker’s presence in a sample. These findings allowed for the creation of highly informative aptasensors for early lung cancer diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia V. Shabalina
- Siberian Physical-Technical Institute, Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.V.S.); (D.O.S.); (E.A.B.); (O.V.D.); (A.M.K.); (I.N.L.); (V.A.S.)
| | - Darya O. Sharko
- Siberian Physical-Technical Institute, Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.V.S.); (D.O.S.); (E.A.B.); (O.V.D.); (A.M.K.); (I.N.L.); (V.A.S.)
| | - Yury E. Glazyrin
- Federal Research Center, Krasnoyarsk Science Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (Y.E.G.); (D.V.V.); (G.S.Z.); (S.S.Z.)
- Laboratory of Biomolecular and Medical Technologies, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Named after Prof. V.F. Voyno-Yasenetsky, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia;
| | - Elena A. Bolshevich
- Siberian Physical-Technical Institute, Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.V.S.); (D.O.S.); (E.A.B.); (O.V.D.); (A.M.K.); (I.N.L.); (V.A.S.)
| | - Oksana V. Dubinina
- Siberian Physical-Technical Institute, Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.V.S.); (D.O.S.); (E.A.B.); (O.V.D.); (A.M.K.); (I.N.L.); (V.A.S.)
| | - Anastasiia M. Kim
- Siberian Physical-Technical Institute, Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.V.S.); (D.O.S.); (E.A.B.); (O.V.D.); (A.M.K.); (I.N.L.); (V.A.S.)
| | - Dmitry V. Veprintsev
- Federal Research Center, Krasnoyarsk Science Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (Y.E.G.); (D.V.V.); (G.S.Z.); (S.S.Z.)
| | - Ivan N. Lapin
- Siberian Physical-Technical Institute, Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.V.S.); (D.O.S.); (E.A.B.); (O.V.D.); (A.M.K.); (I.N.L.); (V.A.S.)
| | - Galina S. Zamay
- Federal Research Center, Krasnoyarsk Science Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (Y.E.G.); (D.V.V.); (G.S.Z.); (S.S.Z.)
- Laboratory of Biomolecular and Medical Technologies, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Named after Prof. V.F. Voyno-Yasenetsky, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia;
| | - Alexey V. Krat
- Laboratory of Biomolecular and Medical Technologies, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Named after Prof. V.F. Voyno-Yasenetsky, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia;
- Krasnoyarsk Regional Clinical Cancer Center Named after A.I. Kryzhanovsky, 660133 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Sergey S. Zamay
- Federal Research Center, Krasnoyarsk Science Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (Y.E.G.); (D.V.V.); (G.S.Z.); (S.S.Z.)
- Laboratory of Biomolecular and Medical Technologies, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Named after Prof. V.F. Voyno-Yasenetsky, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia;
| | - Valery A. Svetlichnyi
- Siberian Physical-Technical Institute, Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (A.V.S.); (D.O.S.); (E.A.B.); (O.V.D.); (A.M.K.); (I.N.L.); (V.A.S.)
| | - Anna S. Kichkailo
- Federal Research Center, Krasnoyarsk Science Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (Y.E.G.); (D.V.V.); (G.S.Z.); (S.S.Z.)
- Laboratory of Biomolecular and Medical Technologies, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Named after Prof. V.F. Voyno-Yasenetsky, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia;
- Correspondence: (A.S.K.); (M.V.B.)
| | - Maxim V. Berezovski
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, AB K1N 6N5, Canada
- Correspondence: (A.S.K.); (M.V.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Recent Advances in the Discovery and Function of Antimicrobial Molecules in Platelets. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910230. [PMID: 34638568 PMCID: PMC8508203 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The conventional function described for platelets is maintaining vascular integrity. Nevertheless, increasing evidence reveals that platelets can additionally play a crucial role in responding against microorganisms. Activated platelets release molecules with antimicrobial activity. This ability was first demonstrated in rabbit serum after coagulation and later in rabbit platelets stimulated with thrombin. Currently, multiple discoveries have allowed the identification and characterization of PMPs (platelet microbicidal proteins) and opened the way to identify kinocidins and CHDPs (cationic host defense peptides) in human platelets. These molecules are endowed with microbicidal activity through different mechanisms that broaden the platelet participation in normal and pathologic conditions. Therefore, this review aims to integrate the currently described platelet molecules with antimicrobial properties by summarizing the pathways towards their identification, characterization, and functional evaluation that have promoted new avenues for studying platelets based on kinocidins and CHDPs secretion.
Collapse
|
20
|
Li D, Guo F, Chen K, Yang X, Wang Y. Preclinical Safety Evaluation of a Recombinant Plasmid Vector Encoding Mature Human Neutrophil Peptide-1 by Repeated Local Administrations in Nonhuman Primates. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:1382-1389. [PMID: 33858232 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.289] [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: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In our previous studies, a novel gene therapy approach was developed based on a plasmid vector pSecTag2B in which recombinant HNP1 gene was regulated under a cytomegalovirus promoter to encode a mature human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP1) form. We showed for the first time in various tumor models, including human cancer xenografts, that overexpression of HNP1 in the tumor milieu by intratumoral pSecTag-HNP1 (pHNP1) administration efficiently attenuated in vivo tumor progression, mediated host immune responses to tumors, and produced a synergistic effect when combined with chemotherapeutics. In this study, a preclinical safety investigation of HNP1 gene therapy was conducted in nonhuman primates. Eleven cynomolgus monkeys were divided into three groups of three to four animals each and received either repeated s.c. injections of pHNP1/cationic liposome complexes at a low (0.625 mg/kg) or a high (2.5 mg/kg) dose or glucose as control. Significant HNP1 in vivo accumulation was detected after consecutive administrations. All primates reached the end of the study with good body conditions. Injection site inflammation was the only obvious toxic reaction during observation period. In addition, elevation of monocyte/macrophage and neutrophil as well as decline of lymphocyte were detected in the peripheral blood of pHNP1-treated primates. These alterations were partially alleviated at the end of observation period. Besides, dose-related histopathological changes of the immune organs were observed at necropsy, including a minimal thymic lymphocyte decrease and a minimal-to-mild lymph node erythrocyte increase, but which cannot be excluded from HNP1-induced immune reactions. Together, these data support future clinical studies of pHNP1-based local gene delivery in tumor patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, and Precision Medicine Center, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fuchun Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ke Chen
- WestChina-Frontier Pharma Tech Co., Ltd. (WCFP), National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs (NCCSED), Chengdu, China
| | - Xunning Yang
- WestChina-Frontier Pharma Tech Co., Ltd. (WCFP), National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs (NCCSED), Chengdu, China
| | - Yongsheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Drug Clinical Trial, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Dynamic cellular biomechanics in responses to chemotherapeutic drug in hypoxia probed by atomic force spectroscopy. Oncotarget 2021; 12:1165-1177. [PMID: 34136085 PMCID: PMC8202777 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The changes in cellular structure play an important role in cancer cell development, progression, and metastasis. By exploiting single-cell, force spectroscopy methods, we probed biophysical and biomechanical kinetics (stiffness, morphology, roughness, adhesion) of brain, breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancer cells with standard chemotherapeutic drugs in normoxia and hypoxia over 12–24 hours. After exposure to the drugs, we found that brain, breast, and pancreatic cancer cells became approximately 55–75% less stiff, while prostate cancer cells became more stiff, due to either drug-induced disruption or reinforcement of cytoskeletal structure. However, the rate of the stiffness change decreased up to 2-folds in hypoxia, suggesting a correlation between cellular stiffness and drug resistance of cancer cells in hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Also, we observed significant changes in the cell body height, surface roughness, and cytoadhesion of cancer cells after exposure to drugs, which followed the trend of stiffness. Our results show that a degree of chemotherapeutic drug effects on biomechanical and biophysical properties of cancer cells is distinguishable in normoxia and hypoxia, which are correlated with alteration of cytoskeletal structure and integrity during drug-induced apoptotic process.
Collapse
|
22
|
Zhao Y, Wang S, Fei W, Feng Y, Shen L, Yang X, Wang M, Wu M. Prediction of Anticancer Peptides with High Efficacy and Low Toxicity by Hybrid Model Based on 3D Structure of Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5630. [PMID: 34073203 PMCID: PMC8198792 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, anticancer peptides (ACPs) have emerged as unique and promising therapeutic agents for cancer treatment compared with antibody and small molecule drugs. In addition to experimental methods of ACPs discovery, it is also necessary to develop accurate machine learning models for ACP prediction. In this study, features were extracted from the three-dimensional (3D) structure of peptides to develop the model, compared to most of the previous computational models, which are based on sequence information. In order to develop ACPs with more potency, more selectivity and less toxicity, the model for predicting ACPs, hemolytic peptides and toxic peptides were established by peptides 3D structure separately. Multiple datasets were collected according to whether the peptide sequence was chemically modified. After feature extraction and screening, diverse algorithms were used to build the model. Twelve models with excellent performance (Acc > 90%) in the ACPs mixed datasets were used to form a hybrid model to predict the candidate ACPs, and then the optimal model of hemolytic peptides (Acc = 73.68%) and toxic peptides (Acc = 85.5%) was used for safety prediction. Novel ACPs were found by using those models, and five peptides were randomly selected to determine their anticancer activity and toxic side effects in vitro experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (Y.Z.); (S.W.); (W.F.); (Y.F.); (L.S.); (X.Y.)
| | - Min Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (Y.Z.); (S.W.); (W.F.); (Y.F.); (L.S.); (X.Y.)
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Kardani K, Bolhassani A. Antimicrobial/anticancer peptides: bioactive molecules and therapeutic agents. Immunotherapy 2021; 13:669-684. [PMID: 33878901 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2020-0312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been known as host-defense peptides. These cationic and amphipathic peptides are relatively short (∼5-50 L-amino acids) with molecular weight less than 10 kDa. AMPs have various roles including immunomodulatory, angiogenic and antitumor activities. Anticancer peptides (ACPs) are a main subset of AMPs as a novel therapeutic approach against tumor cells. The physicochemical properties of the ACPs influence their cell penetration, stability and efficiency of targeting. Up to now, several databases and web servers for in silico prediction of AMPs/ACPs have been established prior to the lab analysis. The present review focuses on the recent advancement about AMPs/ACPs activities including their in silico prediction by computational tools and their potential applications as therapeutic agents especially in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimia Kardani
- Department of Hepatitis & AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis & AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Kubiak A, Zieliński T, Pabijan J, Lekka M. Nanomechanics in Monitoring the Effectiveness of Drugs Targeting the Cancer Cell Cytoskeleton. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8786. [PMID: 33233645 PMCID: PMC7699791 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing attention is devoted to the use of nanomechanics as a marker of various pathologies. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is one of the techniques that could be applied to quantify the nanomechanical properties of living cells with a high spatial resolution. Thus, AFM offers the possibility to trace changes in the reorganization of the cytoskeleton in living cells. Impairments in the structure, organization, and functioning of two main cytoskeletal components, namely, actin filaments and microtubules, cause severe effects, leading to cell death. That is why these cytoskeletal components are targets for antitumor therapy. This review intends to describe the gathered knowledge on the capability of AFM to trace the alterations in the nanomechanical properties of living cells induced by the action of antitumor drugs that could translate into their effectiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Małgorzata Lekka
- Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Kraków, Poland; (A.K.); (T.Z.); (J.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Agrawal P, Bhagat D, Mahalwal M, Sharma N, Raghava GPS. AntiCP 2.0: an updated model for predicting anticancer peptides. Brief Bioinform 2020; 22:5881378. [PMID: 32770192 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbaa153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing use of therapeutic peptides for treating cancer has received considerable attention of the scientific community in the recent years. The present study describes the in silico model developed for predicting and designing anticancer peptides (ACPs). ACPs residue composition analysis show the preference of A, F, K, L and W. Positional preference analysis revealed that residues A, F and K are favored at N-terminus and residues L and K are preferred at C-terminus. Motif analysis revealed the presence of motifs like LAKLA, AKLAK, FAKL and LAKL in ACPs. Machine learning models were developed using various input features and implementing different machine learning classifiers on two datasets main and alternate dataset. In the case of main dataset, dipeptide composition based ETree classifier model achieved maximum Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) of 0.51 and 0.83 area under receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) on the training dataset. In the case of alternate dataset, amino acid composition based ETree classifier performed best and achieved the highest MCC of 0.80 and AUROC of 0.97 on the training dataset. Five-fold cross-validation technique was implemented for model training and testing, and their performance was also evaluated on the validation dataset. Best models were implemented in the webserver AntiCP 2.0, which is freely available at https://webs.iiitd.edu.in/raghava/anticp2/. The webserver is compatible with multiple screens such as iPhone, iPad, laptop and android phones. The standalone version of the software is available at GitHub; docker-based container also developed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piyush Agrawal
- Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Dhruv Bhagat
- Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Manish Mahalwal
- Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Neelam Sharma
- Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Gajendra P S Raghava
- Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Xie M, Liu D, Yang Y. Anti-cancer peptides: classification, mechanism of action, reconstruction and modification. Open Biol 2020; 10:200004. [PMID: 32692959 PMCID: PMC7574553 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-cancer peptides (ACPs) are a series of short peptides composed of 10-60 amino acids that can inhibit tumour cell proliferation or migration, or suppress the formation of tumour blood vessels, and are less likely to cause drug resistance. The aforementioned merits make ACPs the most promising anti-cancer candidate. However, ACPs may be degraded by proteases, or result in cytotoxicity in many cases. To overcome these drawbacks, a plethora of research has focused on reconstruction or modification of ACPs to improve their anti-cancer activity, while reducing their cytotoxicity. The modification of ACPs mainly includes main chain reconstruction and side chain modification. After summarizing the classification and mechanism of action of ACPs, this paper focuses on recent development and progress about their reconstruction and modification. The information collected here may provide some ideas for further research on ACPs, in particular their modification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingfeng Xie
- Department of Bioengineering, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519040, People's Republic of China
| | - Dijia Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519040, People's Republic of China
| | - Yufeng Yang
- Department of Bioengineering, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519040, People's Republic of China.,Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519040, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Câmara GA, Nishiyama-Jr MY, Kitano ES, Oliveira UC, da Silva PI, Junqueira-de-Azevedo IL, Tashima AK. A Multiomics Approach Unravels New Toxins With Possible In Silico Antimicrobial, Antiviral, and Antitumoral Activities in the Venom of Acanthoscurria rondoniae. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1075. [PMID: 32774304 PMCID: PMC7388414 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Araneae order is considered one of the most successful groups among venomous animals in the world. An important factor for this success is the production of venoms, a refined biological fluid rich in proteins, short peptides and cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs). These toxins may present pharmacologically relevant biological actions, as antimicrobial, antiviral and anticancer activities, for instance. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in the exploration of venom toxins for therapeutic reasons, such as drug development. However, the process of peptide sequencing and mainly the evaluation of potential biological activities of these peptides are laborious, considering the low yield of venom extraction and the high variability of toxins present in spider venoms. Here we show a robust methodology for identification, sequencing, and initial screening of potential bioactive peptides found in the venom of Acanthoscurria rondoniae. This methodology consists in a multiomics approach involving proteomics, peptidomics and transcriptomics analyses allied to in silico predictions of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer activities. Through the application of this strategy, a total of 92,889 venom gland transcripts were assembled and 84 novel toxins were identified at the protein level, including seven short peptides and 10 fully sequenced CRPs (belonging to seven toxin families). In silico analysis suggests that seven CRPs families may have potential antimicrobial or antiviral activities, while two CRPs and four short peptides are potentially anticancer. Taken together, our results demonstrate an effective multiomics strategy for the discovery of new toxins and in silico screening of potential bioactivities. This strategy may be useful in toxin discovery, as well as in the screening of possible activities for the vast diversity of molecules produced by venomous animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme A Câmara
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Milton Y Nishiyama-Jr
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signaling, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo S Kitano
- Laboratory of Immunology, Heart Institute (InCor), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ursula C Oliveira
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signaling, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro I da Silva
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signaling, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Inácio L Junqueira-de-Azevedo
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signaling, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre K Tashima
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada, Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signaling, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Feng P, Wang Z. Recent Advances in Computational Methods for Identifying Anticancer Peptides. Curr Drug Targets 2020; 20:481-487. [PMID: 30068270 DOI: 10.2174/1389450119666180801121548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Anticancer peptide (ACP) is a kind of small peptides that can kill cancer cells without damaging normal cells. In recent years, ACP has been pre-clinically used for cancer treatment. Therefore, accurate identification of ACPs will promote their clinical applications. In contrast to labor-intensive experimental techniques, a series of computational methods have been proposed for identifying ACPs. In this review, we briefly summarized the current progress in computational identification of ACPs. The challenges and future perspectives in developing reliable methods for identification of ACPs were also discussed. We anticipate that this review could provide novel insights into future researches on anticancer peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengmian Feng
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, 063000, China
| | - Zhenyi Wang
- Center for Genomics and Computational Biology, School of Life Science, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, 063000, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
Defensins are a major family of host defense peptides expressed predominantly in neutrophils and epithelial cells. Their broad antimicrobial activities and multifaceted immunomodulatory functions have been extensively studied, cementing their role in innate immunity as a core host-protective component against bacterial, viral and fungal infections. More recent studies, however, paint defensins in a bad light such that they are "alleged" to promote viral and bacterial infections in certain biological settings. This mini review summarizes the latest findings on the potential pathogenic properties of defensins against the backdrop of their protective roles in antiviral and antibacterial immunity. Further, a succinct description of both tumor-proliferative and -suppressive activities of defensins is also given to highlight their functional and mechanistic complexity in antitumor immunity. We posit that given an enabling environment defensins, widely heralded as the "Swiss army knife," can function as a "double-edged sword" in host immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- Institute of Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wuyuan Lu
- Institute of Human Virology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Berghmans E, Jacobs J, Deben C, Hermans C, Broeckx G, Smits E, Maes E, Raskin J, Pauwels P, Baggerman G. Mass Spectrometry Imaging Reveals Neutrophil Defensins as Additional Biomarkers for Anti-PD-(L)1 Immunotherapy Response in NSCLC Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E863. [PMID: 32252405 PMCID: PMC7225984 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Therapeutic blocking of the interaction between programmed death-1 (PD-1) with its ligand PD-L1, an immune checkpoint, is a promising approach to restore the antitumor immune response. Improved clinical outcomes have been shown in different human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Unfortunately, still a high number of NSCLC patients are treated with immunotherapy without obtaining any clinical benefit, due to the limitations of PD-L1 protein expression as the currently sole predictive biomarker for clinical use; (2) Methods: In this study, we applied mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) to discover new protein biomarkers, and to assess the possible correlation between candidate biomarkers and a positive immunotherapy response by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) MSI in 25 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) pretreatment tumor biopsies (Biobank@UZA); (3) Results: Using MALDI MSI, we revealed that the addition of neutrophil defensin 1, 2 and 3 as pretreatment biomarkers may more accurately predict the outcome of immunotherapy treatment in NSCLC. These results were verified and confirmed with immunohistochemical analyses. In addition, we provide in-vitro evidence of the immune stimulatory effect of neutrophil defensins towards cancer cells; and (4) Conclusions: With proteomic approaches, we have discovered neutrophil defensins as additional prospective biomarkers for an anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapy response. Thereby, we also demonstrated that the neutrophil defensins contribute in the activation of the immune response towards cancer cells, which could provide a new lead towards an anticancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eline Berghmans
- Centre for Proteomics, University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium;
- Health Unit, VITO, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Julie Jacobs
- Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (J.J.); (C.D.); (C.H.); (G.B.); (E.S.); (P.P.)
- Pathology Department, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Christophe Deben
- Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (J.J.); (C.D.); (C.H.); (G.B.); (E.S.); (P.P.)
- Pathology Department, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Christophe Hermans
- Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (J.J.); (C.D.); (C.H.); (G.B.); (E.S.); (P.P.)
- Pathology Department, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Glenn Broeckx
- Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (J.J.); (C.D.); (C.H.); (G.B.); (E.S.); (P.P.)
- Pathology Department, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (J.J.); (C.D.); (C.H.); (G.B.); (E.S.); (P.P.)
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Evelyne Maes
- Food & Bio-Based Products, AgResearch Ltd., Lincoln 7674, New Zealand;
| | - Jo Raskin
- Thoracic Oncology Department, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium;
| | - Patrick Pauwels
- Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (J.J.); (C.D.); (C.H.); (G.B.); (E.S.); (P.P.)
- Pathology Department, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Geert Baggerman
- Centre for Proteomics, University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium;
- Health Unit, VITO, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Skalska J, Oliveira FD, Figueira TN, Mello ÉO, Gomes VM, McNaughton-Smith G, Castanho MARB, Gaspar D. Plant defensin PvD 1 modulates the membrane composition of breast tumour-derived exosomes. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:23366-23381. [PMID: 31793603 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr07843f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
One of the most important causes of failure in tumour treatment is the development of resistance to therapy. Cancer cells can develop the ability to lose sensitivity to anti-neoplastic drugs during reciprocal crosstalk between cells and their interaction with the tumour microenvironment (TME). Cell-to-cell communication regulates a cascade of interdependent events essential for disease development and progression and can be mediated by several signalling pathways. Exosome-mediated communication is one of the pathways regulating these events. Tumour-derived exosomes (TDE) are believed to have the ability to modulate TMEs and participate in multidrug resistance mechanisms. In this work, we studied the effect of the natural defensin from common bean, PvD1, on the formation of exosomes by breast cancer MCF-7 cells, mainly the modulatory effect it has on the level of CD63 and CD9 tetraspanins. Moreover, we followed the interaction of PvD1 with biological and model membranes of selected composition, by biophysical and imaging techniques. Overall, the results show that PvD1 induces a dual effect on MCF-7 derived exosomes: the peptide attenuates the recruitment of CD63 and CD9 to exosomes intracellularly and binds to the mature exosomes in the extracellular environment. This work uncovers the exosome-mediated anticancer action of PvD1, a potential nutraceutical agent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Skalska
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Filipa D Oliveira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Tiago N Figueira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Érica O Mello
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos do Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Valdirene M Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos do Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Grant McNaughton-Smith
- CEAMED - Centro Atlántico del Medicamento, S.A., San Cristobal de La Laguna, S/C Tenerife, Spain
| | - Miguel A R B Castanho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Diana Gaspar
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Zhang L, Huang Y, Lindstrom AR, Lin TY, Lam KS, Li Y. Peptide-based materials for cancer immunotherapy. Theranostics 2019; 9:7807-7825. [PMID: 31695802 PMCID: PMC6831480 DOI: 10.7150/thno.37194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based materials hold great promise as immunotherapeutic agents for the treatment of many malignant cancers. Extensive studies have focused on the development of peptide-based cancer vaccines and delivery systems by mimicking the functional domains of proteins with highly specific immuno-regulatory functions or tumor cells fate controls. However, a systemic understanding of the interactions between the different peptides and immune systems remains unknown. This review describes the role of peptides in regulating the functions of the innate and adaptive immune systems and provides a comprehensive focus on the design, categories, and applications of peptide-based cancer vaccines. By elucidating the impacts of peptide length and formulations on their immunogenicity, peptide-based immunomodulating agents can be better utilized and dramatic breakthroughs may also be realized. Moreover, some critical challenges for translating peptides into large-scale synthesis, safe delivery, and efficient cancer immunotherapy are posed to improve the next-generation peptide-based immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Yuanpei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California 95817, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Philippe GJB, Gaspar D, Sheng C, Huang YH, Benfield AH, Condon ND, Weidmann J, Lawrence N, Löwer A, Castanho MARB, Craik DJ, Troeira Henriques S. Cell Membrane Composition Drives Selectivity and Toxicity of Designed Cyclic Helix-Loop-Helix Peptides with Cell Penetrating and Tumor Suppressor Properties. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:2071-2087. [PMID: 31390185 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The tumor suppressor protein p53 is inactive in a large number of cancers, including some forms of sarcoma, breast cancer, and leukemia, due to overexpression of its intrinsic inhibitors MDM2 and MDMX. Reactivation of p53 tumor suppressor activity, via disruption of interactions between MDM2/X and p53 in the cytosol, is a promising strategy to treat cancer. Peptides able to bind MDM2 and/or MDMX were shown to prevent MDM2/X:p53 interactions, but most possess low cell penetrability, low stability, and/or high toxicity to healthy cells. Recently, the designed peptide cHLH-p53-R was reported to possess high affinity for MDM2, resistance toward proteases, cell-penetrating properties, and toxicity toward cancer cells. This peptide uses a stable cyclic helix-loop-helix (cHLH) scaffold, which includes two helices connected with a Gly loop and cyclized to improve stability. In the current study, we were interested in examining the cell selectivity of cHLH-p53-R, its cellular internalization, and ability to reactivate the p53 pathway. We designed analogues of cHLH-p53-R and employed biochemical and biophysical methodologies using in vitro model membranes and cell-based assays to compare their structure, activity, and mode-of-action. Our studies show that cHLH is an excellent scaffold to stabilize and constrain p53-mimetic peptides with helical conformation, and reveal that anticancer properties of cHLH-p53-R are mediated by its ability to selectively target, cross, and disrupt cancer cell membranes, and not by activation of the p53 pathway. These findings highlight the importance of examining the mode-of-action of designed peptides to fully exploit their potential to develop targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire J.-B. Philippe
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Diana Gaspar
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Caibin Sheng
- Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Aurélie H. Benfield
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Nicholas D. Condon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Joachim Weidmann
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Miguel A. R. B. Castanho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Schaduangrat N, Nantasenamat C, Prachayasittikul V, Shoombuatong W. ACPred: A Computational Tool for the Prediction and Analysis of Anticancer Peptides. Molecules 2019; 24:E1973. [PMID: 31121946 PMCID: PMC6571645 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24101973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Anticancer peptides (ACPs) have emerged as a new class of therapeutic agent for cancer treatment due to their lower toxicity as well as greater efficacy, selectivity and specificity when compared to conventional small molecule drugs. However, the experimental identification of ACPs still remains a time-consuming and expensive endeavor. Therefore, it is desirable to develop and improve upon existing computational models for predicting and characterizing ACPs. In this study, we present a bioinformatics tool called the ACPred, which is an interpretable tool for the prediction and characterization of the anticancer activities of peptides. ACPred was developed by utilizing powerful machine learning models (support vector machine and random forest) and various classes of peptide features. It was observed by a jackknife cross-validation test that ACPred can achieve an overall accuracy of 95.61% in identifying ACPs. In addition, analysis revealed the following distinguishing characteristics that ACPs possess: (i) hydrophobic residue enhances the cationic properties of α-helical ACPs resulting in better cell penetration; (ii) the amphipathic nature of the α-helical structure plays a crucial role in its mechanism of cytotoxicity; and (iii) the formation of disulfide bridges on β-sheets is vital for structural maintenance which correlates with its ability to kill cancer cells. Finally, for the convenience of experimental scientists, the ACPred web server was established and made freely available online.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nalini Schaduangrat
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Chanin Nantasenamat
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Virapong Prachayasittikul
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Watshara Shoombuatong
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Maraming P, Klaynongsruang S, Boonsiri P, Peng S, Daduang S, Leelayuwat C, Pientong C, Chung J, Daduang J. The cationic cell‐penetrating KT2 peptide promotes cell membrane defects and apoptosis with autophagy inhibition in human HCT 116 colon cancer cells. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:22116-22129. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Pornsuda Maraming
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Graduate School Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen Thailand
| | - Sompong Klaynongsruang
- Department of Biochemistry, Protein and Proteomics Research Center for Commercial and Industrial Purposes (ProCCI), Faculty of Science Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen Thailand
| | - Patcharee Boonsiri
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen Thailand
| | - Shu‐Fen Peng
- Department of Biological Science and Technology China Medical University Taichung Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research China Medical University Hospital Taichung Taiwan
| | - Sakda Daduang
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen Thailand
| | - Chanvit Leelayuwat
- Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen Thailand
| | - Chamsai Pientong
- HPV & EBV and Carcinogenesis Research Group Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen Thailand
| | - Jing‐Gung Chung
- Department of Biological Science and Technology China Medical University Taichung Taiwan
| | - Jureerut Daduang
- Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Are peptides a solution for the treatment of hyperactivated JAK3 pathways? Inflammopharmacology 2019; 27:433-452. [PMID: 30929155 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-019-00589-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
While the inactivation mutations that eliminate JAK3 function lead to the immunological disorders such as severe combined immunodeficiency, activation mutations, causing constitutive JAK3 signaling, are known to trigger various types of cancer or are responsible for autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or inflammatory bowel diseases. Treatment of hyperactivated JAK3 is still an obstacle, due to different sensibility of mutation types to conventional drugs and unwanted side effects, because these drugs are not absolutely specific for JAK3, thus inhibiting other members of the JAK family, too. Lack of information, in which way sole inhibition of JAK3 is necessary for elimination of the disease, calls for the development of isoform-specific JAK3 inhibitors. Beside this strategy, up to date peptides are a rising alternative as chemo- or immunotherapeutics, but still sparsely represented in drug development and clinical trials. Beyond a possible direct inhibition function, crossing the cancer cell membrane and interfering in disease-causing pathways or triggering apoptosis, peptides could be used in future as adjunct remedies to potentialize traditional therapy and preserve non-affected cells. To discuss such feasible topics, this review deals with the knowledge about the structure-function of JAK3 and the actual state-of-the-art of isoform-specific inhibitor development, as well as the function of currently approved drugs or those currently being tested in clinical trials. Furthermore, several strategies for the application of peptide-based drugs for cancer therapy and the physicochemical and structural relations to peptide efficacy are discussed, and an overview of peptide sequences, which were qualified for clinical trials, is given.
Collapse
|
37
|
Ferdowsi S, Pourfathollah AA, Amiri F, Rafiee MH, Aghaei A. Evaluation of anticancer activity of α-defensins purified from neutrophils trapped in leukoreduction filters. Life Sci 2019; 224:249-254. [PMID: 30935951 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.03.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The α-defensins or human neutrophil peptides (HNP 1-3) that exist in azurophilic granules are found to have anticancer activity. The pattern of disulfide bonds in α-defensins is crucial for the functional properties. Therefore, synthesis using the chemical and recombinant approaches is a challenging. A safe source for the production of α-defensins can be the use of leukoreduction filters in blood banks that contain large quantities of neutrophils and are discarded after use. The aim of this study was to purify α-defensins from neutrophils trapped in leukofilters and to investigate its anticancer activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunoprecipitation was performed to purify α-defensins and the presence of protein was confirmed by Western Blot. The Jurkat T-cell line was incubated with different concentrations (5, 10 and 15 μg/ml) of purified HNP1-3 for 16 h. Cell viability was measured using a WST-1 assay and apoptosis was analyzed for Annexin V/PI markers. Caspase-3/7 activity was determined using fluorescence assay. The effects of purified α-defensins were compared to commercial HNP 1-3. KEY FINDINGS Purified HNP 1-3 decreased the viability at 10 and 15 μg/ml and commercial HNP 1-3 at 15 μg/ml concentrations. Following to the purified HNP1-3 treatment, the percentage of Annexin V positive population and caspase-3 activity were significantly increased compared to control (p = 0.000 and p = 0.001, respectively) and commercial HNP1-3 (p = 0.034 and p = 0.018, respectively). SIGNIFICANCE Results indicated the anticancer activity of HNP1-3 which can be used as future chemotherapeutic drugs. Furthermore, leukofilters can be considered as economic source for purifying these peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Ferdowsi
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Pourfathollah
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran; Tarbiat Modares University, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Immunology, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fatemeh Amiri
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Para Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hessam Rafiee
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Aghaei
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Maraming P, Maijaroen S, Klaynongsruang S, Boonsiri P, Daduang S, Chung JG, Daduang J. Antitumor Ability of KT2 Peptide Derived from Leukocyte Peptide of Crocodile Against Human HCT116 Colon Cancer Xenografts. In Vivo 2018; 32:1137-1144. [PMID: 30150436 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Many antimicrobial peptides have been shown to have anticancer activity against human cancer cell lines. Cationic KT2 peptide, derived from white blood cell extract of Crocodylus siamensis has antibacterial activity and antitumor activity against human cervical cancer cells, but there are no data on the effect of KT2 peptide on tumor growth in vivo. The anticancer activity of KT2 peptide on human colon cancer xenografts was investigated in nude mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tumors in nude mice (BALB/c -nu/nu mice) were induced by subcutaneous injection with HCT116 cells. Twelve days after cancer cell xenograft, mice were treated by intratumoral injection with phosphate-buffered saline or KT2 peptide (25 and 50 mg/kg) once every 2 days for a total of four times and mice were sacrificed at 2 days after the last treatment. RESULTS KT2 peptide treatment did not lead to significant difference in mouse body weight among groups, but reduced both tumor volume and weight of colon cancer xenografts. Moreover, KT2 peptide increased the expression of apoptotic proteins, such as BCL2-associated X (BAX), cleaved caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and reduced that of BCL2 apoptosis regulator in xenograft tumors. CONCLUSION This finding suggests that KT2 peptide may inhibit tumor growth via apoptosis induction in this mouse model and supports the antitumor ability of KT2 peptide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pornsuda Maraming
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Graduate School, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Surachai Maijaroen
- Protein and Proteomics Research Center for Commercial and Industrial Purposes (ProCCI), Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Sompong Klaynongsruang
- Protein and Proteomics Research Center for Commercial and Industrial Purposes (ProCCI), Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Patcharee Boonsiri
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Sakda Daduang
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Jing-Gung Chung
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biopharmaceutical and Food Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Jureerut Daduang
- Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Shoombuatong W, Schaduangrat N, Nantasenamat C. Unraveling the bioactivity of anticancer peptides as deduced from machine learning. EXCLI JOURNAL 2018; 17:734-752. [PMID: 30190664 PMCID: PMC6123611 DOI: 10.17179/excli2018-1447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer imposes a global health burden as it represents one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality while also giving rise to significant economic burden owing to the associated expenditures for its monitoring and treatment. In spite of advancements in cancer therapy, the low success rate and recurrence of tumor has necessitated the ongoing search for new therapeutic agents. Aside from drugs based on small molecules and protein-based biopharmaceuticals, there has been an intense effort geared towards the development of peptide-based therapeutics owing to its favorable and intrinsic properties of being relatively small, highly selective, potent, safe and low in production costs. In spite of these advantages, there are several inherent weaknesses that are in need of attention in the design and development of therapeutic peptides. An abundance of data on bioactive and therapeutic peptides have been accumulated over the years and the burgeoning area of artificial intelligence has set the stage for the lucrative utilization of machine learning to make sense of these large and high-dimensional data. This review summarizes the current state-of-the-art on the application of machine learning for studying the bioactivity of anticancer peptides along with future outlook of the field. Data and R codes used in the analysis herein are available on GitHub at https://github.com/Shoombuatong2527/anticancer-peptides-review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Watshara Shoombuatong
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Nalini Schaduangrat
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Chanin Nantasenamat
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Howell K, de Leeuw E. Cell adhesion properties of human defensins. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 502:238-242. [PMID: 29800568 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.05.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Effector peptides of innate immunity play an important role in host defense. They act directly by inactivating microbes but also link innate to adaptive immunity. A variety of innate immune functions has been described for these peptides, including chemoattraction and cytokine release. In this study, we describe the effect on cell morphology and cell adhesion of human defensins. We find that Human Defensin 5, the major product of specialized gut epithelial cells, causes changes in cell morphology. HD-5 induces cell adhesion, binds to fibronectin and facilitates binding of T cells to intestinal epithelial cells. These effects were found also for a second prominent defensing, termed Human Neutrophil peptide-1, but not for other human defensins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katie Howell
- Integrated Biotherapeutics, Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Erik de Leeuw
- Institute of Human Virology of the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Antimicrobial peptides, nanotechnology, and natural metabolites as novel approaches for cancer treatment. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 183:160-176. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
|
42
|
Chanu KV, Thakuria D, Kumar S. Antimicrobial peptides of buffalo and their role in host defenses. Vet World 2018; 11:192-200. [PMID: 29657403 PMCID: PMC5891874 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2018.192-200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are highly conserved components of the innate immune system found among all classes of life. Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), an important livestock for milk and meat production, is known to have a better resistance to many diseases as compared to cattle. They are found to express many AMPs such as defensins, cathelicidins, and hepcidin which play an important role in neutralizing the invading pathogens. Buffalo AMPs exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Similar to its natural form, synthetic analogs of buffalo AMPs are also antimicrobial against bacteria and even fungus making them a good target for the development of therapeutic antimicrobials. In addition to its antimicrobial effect, AMPs have been demonstrated to have a number of immunomodulatory functions, and their genes are responsive to infections. Further, induction of their gene expression by external factors may help in preventing infectious diseases. This review briefly discusses the AMPs of buffalo identified to date and their possible role in innate immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimpal Thakuria
- ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal - 263 136, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Satish Kumar
- ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly - 243 122, Uttar Pradesh, India
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Zemła J, Danilkiewicz J, Orzechowska B, Pabijan J, Seweryn S, Lekka M. Atomic force microscopy as a tool for assessing the cellular elasticity and adhesiveness to identify cancer cells and tissues. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 73:115-124. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
44
|
Chongsiriwatana NP, Lin JS, Kapoor R, Wetzler M, Rea JAC, Didwania MK, Contag CH, Barron AE. Intracellular biomass flocculation as a key mechanism of rapid bacterial killing by cationic, amphipathic antimicrobial peptides and peptoids. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16718. [PMID: 29196622 PMCID: PMC5711933 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16180-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many organisms rely on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as a first line of defense against pathogens. In general, most AMPs are thought to kill bacteria by binding to and disrupting cell membranes. However, certain AMPs instead appear to inhibit biomacromolecule synthesis, while causing less membrane damage. Despite an unclear understanding of mechanism(s), there is considerable interest in mimicking AMPs with stable, synthetic molecules. Antimicrobial N-substituted glycine (peptoid) oligomers ("ampetoids") are structural, functional and mechanistic analogs of helical, cationic AMPs, which offer broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and better therapeutic potential than peptides. Here, we show through quantitative studies of membrane permeabilization, electron microscopy, and soft X-ray tomography that both AMPs and ampetoids trigger extensive and rapid non-specific aggregation of intracellular biomacromolecules that correlates with microbial death. We present data demonstrating that ampetoids are "fast killers", which rapidly aggregate bacterial ribosomes in vitro and in vivo. We suggest intracellular biomass flocculation is a key mechanism of killing for cationic, amphipathic AMPs, which may explain why most AMPs require micromolar concentrations for activity, show significant selectivity for killing bacteria over mammalian cells, and finally, why development of resistance to AMPs is less prevalent than developed resistance to conventional antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel P Chongsiriwatana
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States
| | - Jennifer S Lin
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Rinki Kapoor
- Biophysics Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Modi Wetzler
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Jennifer A C Rea
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States
| | - Maruti K Didwania
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Christopher H Contag
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Pediatrics, and Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Annelise E Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Mass Spectrometry Imaging in the Study of Gastric Cancer: A Mini Review. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18122588. [PMID: 29194417 PMCID: PMC5751191 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18122588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 11/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide and the disease outcome commonly depends upon the tumour stage at the time of diagnosis. However, this cancer can often be asymptomatic during the early stages and remain undetected until the later stages of tumour development, having a significant impact on patient prognosis. However, our comprehension of the mechanisms underlying the development of gastric malignancies is still lacking. For these reasons, the search for new diagnostic and prognostic markers for gastric cancer is an ongoing pursuit. Modern mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) techniques, in particular matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI), have emerged as a plausible tool in clinical pathology as a whole. More specifically, MALDI-MSI is being increasingly employed in the study of gastric cancer and has already elucidated some important disease checkpoints that may help us to better understand the molecular mechanisms underpinning this aggressive cancer. Here we report the state of the art of MALDI-MSI approaches, ranging from sample preparation to statistical analysis, and provide a complete review of the key findings that have been reported in the literature thus far.
Collapse
|
46
|
Figueira TN, Oliveira FD, Almeida I, Mello ÉO, Gomes VM, Castanho MARB, Gaspar D. Challenging metastatic breast cancer with the natural defensin PvD 1. NANOSCALE 2017; 9:16887-16899. [PMID: 29076508 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr05872a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic breast cancer is a very serious life threatening condition that poses many challenges for the pharmaceutical development of effective chemotherapeutics. As the therapeutics targeted to the localized masses in breast improve, metastatic lesions in the brain slowly increase in their incidence compromising successful treatment outcomes overall. The blood-brain-barrier (BBB) is one important obstacle for the management of breast cancer brain metastases. New therapeutic approaches are in demand for overcoming the BBB's breaching by breast tumor cells. In this work we demonstrate the potential dual role of a natural antimicrobial plant defensin, PvD1: it interferes with the formation of solid tumors in the breast and concomitantly controls adhesion of breast cancer cells to human brain endothelial cells. We have used a combination of techniques that probe PvD1's effect at the single cell level and reveal that this peptide can effectively damage breast tumor cells, leaving healthy breast and brain cells unaffected. Results suggest that PvD1 quickly internalizes in cancer cells but remains located in the membrane of normal cells with no significant damage to its structure and biomechanical properties. These interactions in turn modulate cell adhesiveness between tumor and BBB cells. PvD1 is a potential template for the design of innovative pharmacological approaches for metastatic breast cancer treatment: the manipulation of the biomechanical properties of tumor cells that ultimately prevent their attachment to the BBB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago N Figueira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal.
| | - Filipa D Oliveira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal.
| | - Inês Almeida
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal.
| | - Érica O Mello
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos do Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Valdirene M Gomes
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos do Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Miguel A R B Castanho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal.
| | - Diana Gaspar
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Liu J, Qu Y, Wang G, Wang X, Zhang W, Li J, Wang Z, Li D, Jiang J. Study of morphological and mechanical features of multinuclear and mononuclear SW480 cells by atomic force microscopy. Microsc Res Tech 2017; 81:3-12. [PMID: 28990709 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.22950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 07/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This article studies the morphological and mechanical features of multinuclear and mononuclear SW480 colon cancer cells by atomic force microscopy to understand their drug-resistance. The SW480 cells were incubated with the fullerenol concentrations of 1 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml. Morphological and mechanical features including the height, length, width, roughness, adhesion force and Young's modulus of three multinuclear cell groups and three mononuclear cell groups were imaged and analyzed. It was observed that the features of multinuclear cancer cells and mononuclear cancer cells were significantly different after the treatment with fullerenol. The experiment results indicated that the mononuclear SW480 cells were more sensitive to fullerenol than the multinuclear SW480 cells, and the multinuclear SW480 cells exhibited a stronger drug-resistance than the mononuclear SW480 cells. This work provides a guideline for the treatments of multinuclear and mononuclear cancer cells with drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinyun Liu
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, China.,Institute for Research in Applicable Computing, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, LU1 3JU, United Kingdom
| | - Yingmin Qu
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Guoliang Wang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Xinyue Wang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Wenxiao Zhang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Jingmei Li
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Zuobin Wang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, China.,Institute for Research in Applicable Computing, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, LU1 3JU, United Kingdom
| | - Dayou Li
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, China.,Institute for Research in Applicable Computing, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, LU1 3JU, United Kingdom
| | - Jinlan Jiang
- Scientific Research Centre of China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, China
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ibusuki R, Uto H, Oda K, Ohshige A, Tabu K, Mawatari S, Kumagai K, Kanmura S, Tamai T, Moriuchi A, Tsubouchi H, Ido A. Human neutrophil peptide-1 promotes alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis and hepatocyte apoptosis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174913. [PMID: 28403148 PMCID: PMC5389644 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Neutrophil infiltration of the liver is a typical feature of alcoholic liver injury. Human neutrophil peptide (HNP)-1 is an antimicrobial peptide secreted by neutrophils. The aim of this study was to determine if HNP-1 affects ethanol-induced liver injury and to examine the mechanism of liver injury induced by HNP-1. METHODS Transgenic (TG) mice expressing HNP-1 under the control of a β-actin-based promoter were established. Ethanol was orally administered to HNP-1 TG or wild-type C57BL/6N (WT) mice. SK-Hep1 hepatocellular carcinoma cells were used to investigate the effect of HNP-1 on hepatocytes in vitro. RESULTS After 24 weeks of ethanol intake, hepatic fibrosis and hepatocyte apoptosis were significantly more severe in TG mice than in WT mice. Levels of CD14, TLR4, and IL-6 in liver tissues were higher in TG mice than in WT mice. Apoptosis was accompanied by higher protein levels of caspase-3, caspase-8, and cleaved PARP in liver tissue. In addition, phosphorylated ASK1, ASK1, phosphorylated JNK, JNK1, JNK2, Bax, Bak and Bim were all more abundant in TG mice than in WT mice. In contrast, the level of anti-apoptotic Bcl2 in the liver was significantly lower in TG mice than in WT mice. Analysis of microRNAs in liver tissue showed that miR-34a-5p expression was significantly higher in TG mice than in WT mice. Furthermore, in the presence of ethanol, HNP-1 increased the apoptosis with the decreased level of Bcl2 in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. CONCLUSIONS HNP-1 secreted by neutrophils may exacerbate alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis and hepatocyte apoptosis with a decrease in Bcl2 expression and an increase in miR-34a-5p expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rie Ibusuki
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
- Department of International Island and Community Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Uto
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
- Center for Digestive and Liver Diseases, Miyazaki Medical Center Hospital, Miyazaki, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Kohei Oda
- Department of HGF Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Akihiko Ohshige
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Tabu
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Seiichi Mawatari
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kotaro Kumagai
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Shuji Kanmura
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Tamai
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Akihiro Moriuchi
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Hirohito Tsubouchi
- Department of HGF Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
- Kagoshima City Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Akio Ido
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
- Department of HGF Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Felício MR, Silva ON, Gonçalves S, Santos NC, Franco OL. Peptides with Dual Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities. Front Chem 2017; 5:5. [PMID: 28271058 PMCID: PMC5318463 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2017.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the number of people suffering from cancer and multi-resistant infections has increased, such that both diseases are already seen as current and future major causes of death. Moreover, chronic infections are one of the main causes of cancer, due to the instability in the immune system that allows cancer cells to proliferate. Likewise, the physical debility associated with cancer or with anticancer therapy itself often paves the way for opportunistic infections. It is urgent to develop new therapeutic methods, with higher efficiency and lower side effects. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are found in the innate immune system of a wide range of organisms. Identified as the most promising alternative to conventional molecules used nowadays against infections, some of them have been shown to have dual activity, both as antimicrobial and anticancer peptides (ACPs). Highly cationic and amphipathic, they have demonstrated efficacy against both conditions, with the number of nature-driven or synthetically designed peptides increasing year by year. With similar properties, AMPs that can also act as ACPs are viewed as future chemotherapeutic drugs, with the advantage of low propensity to resistance, which started this paradigm in the pharmaceutical market. These peptides have already been described as molecules presenting killing mechanisms at the membrane level, but also acting toward intracellular targets, which increases their success compartively to one-target specific drugs. This review will approach the desirable characteristics of small peptides that demonstrated dual activity against microbial infections and cancer, as well as the peptides engaged in clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mário R Felício
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Osmar N Silva
- S-Inova Biotech, Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Sônia Gonçalves
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Octávio L Franco
- S-Inova Biotech, Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom BoscoCampo Grande, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de BrasíliaBrasília, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Zhang P, Ma J, Yan Y, Chen B, Liu B, Jian C, Zhu B, Liang S, Zeng Y, Liu Z. Arginine modification of lycosin-I to improve inhibitory activity against cancer cells. Org Biomol Chem 2017; 15:9379-9388. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ob02233f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Herein, arginine modification rendered Lycosin-I with higher anticancer activity, penetrability, and dissemination ability against solid tumor cells due to the optimized physicochemical properties and high serum stability.
Collapse
|