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Improving the Transduction Efficiency and Antitumor Effect of Conditionally Replicative Adenovirus by Application of 6-cyclohexyl Methyl-β-D-maltoside. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 28:molecules28020528. [PMID: 36677587 PMCID: PMC9862058 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
As a tumor-targeting oncolytic adenovirus (Ad), conditionally replicating adenovirus (CRAd) can access the cell interior by binding to coxsackievirus-Ad receptors (CARs) and specifically replicate and destroy cancer cells without lethal effects on normal cells. The transduction efficiency of CRAd is highly dependent on the number of CARs on the cell membrane. However, not all tumor cells highly express CARs; therefore, improving the transduction efficiency of CRAd is beneficial for improving its antitumor effect. In this study, 6-cyclohexyl methyl-β-D-maltoside (6-β-D), as maltoside transfection agent, showed several advantages, including high transfection efficiency, low toxicity, and potential for intensive use and easy operation. With pretreatment of cancer cells with low concentration of 6-β-D (≤5 μg/mL), the transduction efficiency of "model" Ad (eGFP-Ad) was improved 18-fold compared to eGFP-Ad alone. 6-β-D improved the antitumor effect of CRAd while being safe for normal cells, in which treatment with 6-β-D helped the lethal effects of CRAd at a multiplicity-of-infection ratio of 10 (MOI 10) achieve the oncolytic outcomes of MOI 50. This means that if CRAd is combined with 6-β-D, the amount of CRAd used in clinical practice could be greatly reduced without diminishing its curative effect or exposing patients to the potential side effects of high-titer CRAd. Finally, the underlying mechanism of antitumor effect of CRAd + 6-β-D was primarily investigated, and we found that 6-β-D increased the virus's replication in cancer cells at the early stage of infection and activated the apoptosis signaling pathway at the late stage of the cell cycle. This research will provide an effective technical reference for further improving Ad-mediated cancer gene therapy in clinical practice.
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Piwowarczyk-Nowak A, Pałasz A, Suszka-Świtek A, Della Vecchia A, Grajoszek A, Krzystanek M, Worthington JJ. Escitalopram alters local expression of noncanonical stress-related neuropeptides in the rat brain via NPS receptor signaling. Pharmacol Rep 2022; 74:637-653. [PMID: 35653031 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-022-00374-z] [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: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a multifunctional regulatory factor that exhibits a potent anxiolytic activity in animal models. However, there are no reports dealing with the potential molecular relationships between the anxiolytic activity of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and NPS signaling, especially in the context of novel stress-related neuropeptides action. The present work therefore focused on gene expression of novel stress neuropeptides in the rat brain after acute treatment with escitalopram and in combination with neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR) blockade. METHODS Studies were carried out on adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats that were divided into five groups: animals injected with saline (control) and experimental rats treated with escitalopram (at single dose 10 mg/kg daily), escitalopram and SHA-68, a selective NPSR antagonist (at a single dose of 40 mg/kg), SHA-68 alone and corresponding vehicle (solvent SHA-68) control. To measure anxiety-like behavior and locomotor activity the open field test was performed. All individuals were killed under anaesthesia and the whole brain was excised. Total mRNA was isolated from homogenized samples of the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebellum, and brainstem. Real-time PCR was used for estimation of related NPS, NPSR, neuromedin U (NMU), NMU receptor 2 (NMUR2) and nesfatin-1 precursor nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2) gene expression. RESULTS Acute escitalopram administration affects the local expression of the examined neuropeptides mRNA in a varied manner depending on brain location. An increase in NPSR and NUCB2 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus and brainstem was abolished by SHA-68 coadministration, while NMU mRNA expression was upregulated after NPSR blockade in the hippocampus and cerebellum. CONCLUSIONS The pharmacological effects of escitalopram may be connected with local NPSR-related alterations in NPS/NMU/NMUR2 and nesfatin-1 gene expression at the level of selected rat brain regions. A novel alternative mode of SSRI action can be therefore cautiously proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Piwowarczyk-Nowak
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Artur Pałasz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Suszka-Świtek
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Alessandra Della Vecchia
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 67, Via Roma, 56100, Pisa, Italy
| | - Aniela Grajoszek
- Department for Experimental Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 4, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Marek Krzystanek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Clinic of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Ziolowa 45/47, 40-635, Katowice, Poland
| | - John J Worthington
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
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Piwowarczyk-Nowak A, Pałasz A, Suszka-Świtek A, Błaszczyk I, Bogus K, Łasut-Szyszka B, Krzystanek M, Worthington JJ. Effect of Escitalopram on the Number of DCX-Positive Cells and NMUR2 Receptor Expression in the Rat Hippocampus under the Condition of NPSR Receptor Blockade. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:631. [PMID: 35631458 PMCID: PMC9143903 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a multifunctional regulatory factor that exhibits a potent anxiolytic activity in animal models. However, there are no reports dealing with the potential molecular interactions between the activity of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and NPS signaling, especially in the context of adult neurogenesis and the expression of noncanonical stress-related neuropeptides such as neuromedin U (NMU). The present work therefore focused on immunoexpression of neuromedin U receptor 2 (NMUR2) and doublecortin (DCX) in the rat hippocampus after acute treatment with escitalopram and in combination with selective neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR) blockade. METHODS Studies were carried out on adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats that were divided into five groups: animals injected with saline (control) and experimental individuals treated with escitalopram (at single dose 10 mg/kg daily), escitalopram + SHA-68, a selective NPSR antagonist (at single dose 40 mg/kg), SHA-68 alone, and corresponding vehicle control. All animals were sacrificed under halothane anaesthesia. The whole hippocampi were quickly excised, fixed, and finally sliced for general qualitative immunohistochemical assessment of the NPSR and NMUR2 expression. The number of immature neurons was enumerated using immunofluorescent detection of doublecortin (DCX) expression within the subgranular zone (SGZ). RESULTS Acute escitalopram administration affects the number of DCX and NMUR2-expressing cells in the adult rat hippocampus. A decreased number of DCX-expressing neuroblasts after treatment with escitalopram was augmented by SHA-68 coadministration. CONCLUSIONS Early pharmacological effects of escitalopram may be at least partly connected with local NPSR-related alterations of neuroblast maturation in the rat hippocampus. Escitalopram may affect neuropeptide and DCX-expression starting even from the first dose. Adult neurogenesis may be regulated via paracrine neuropeptide S and NMU-related signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Piwowarczyk-Nowak
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Artur Pałasz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland; (A.S.-Ś.); (I.B.); (K.B.)
| | - Aleksandra Suszka-Świtek
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland; (A.S.-Ś.); (I.B.); (K.B.)
| | - Iwona Błaszczyk
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland; (A.S.-Ś.); (I.B.); (K.B.)
| | - Katarzyna Bogus
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland; (A.S.-Ś.); (I.B.); (K.B.)
| | - Barbara Łasut-Szyszka
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland;
| | - Marek Krzystanek
- Clinic of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Ziolowa 45/47, 40-635 Katowice, Poland;
| | - John J. Worthington
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK;
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Pedro AQ, Martins LM, Dias JML, Bonifácio MJ, Queiroz JA, Passarinha LA. An artificial neural network for membrane-bound catechol-O-methyltransferase biosynthesis with Pichia pastoris methanol-induced cultures. Microb Cell Fact 2015; 14:113. [PMID: 26246150 PMCID: PMC4527236 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-015-0304-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 07/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Membrane proteins are important drug targets in many human diseases and gathering structural information regarding these proteins encourages the pharmaceutical industry to develop new molecules using structure-based drug design studies. Specifically, membrane-bound catechol-O-methyltransferase (MBCOMT) is an integral membrane protein that catalyzes the methylation of catechol substrates and has been linked to several diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Schizophrenia. Thereby, improvements in the clinical outcome of the therapy to these diseases may come from structure-based drug design where reaching MBCOMT samples in milligram quantities are crucial for acquiring structural information regarding this target protein. Therefore, the main aim of this work was to optimize the temperature, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) concentration and the methanol flow-rate for the biosynthesis of recombinant MBCOMT by Pichia pastoris bioreactor methanol-induced cultures using artificial neural networks (ANN). RESULTS The optimization trials intended to evaluate MBCOMT expression by P. pastoris bioreactor cultures led to the development of a first standard strategy for MBCOMT bioreactor biosynthesis with a batch growth on glycerol until the dissolved oxygen spike, 3 h of glycerol feeding and 12 h of methanol induction. The ANN modeling of the aforementioned fermentation parameters predicted a maximum MBCOMT specific activity of 384.8 nmol/h/mg of protein at 30°C, 2.9 mL/L/H methanol constant flow-rate and with the addition of 6% (v/v) DMSO with almost 90% of healthy cells at the end of the induction phase. These results allowed an improvement of MBCOMT specific activity of 6.4-fold in comparison to that from the small-scale biosynthesis in baffled shake-flasks. CONCLUSIONS The ANN model was able to describe the effects of temperature, DMSO concentration and methanol flow-rate on MBCOMT specific activity, as shown by the good fitness between predicted and observed values. This experimental procedure highlights the potential role of chemical chaperones such as DMSO in improving yields of recombinant membrane proteins with a different topology than G-coupled receptors. Finally, the proposed ANN shows that the manipulation of classic fermentation parameters coupled with the addition of specific molecules can open and reinforce new perspectives in the optimization of P. pastoris bioprocesses for membrane proteins biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augusto Q Pedro
- CICS-UBI, Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Luís M Martins
- CICS-UBI, Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - João M L Dias
- Department of Biochemistry, Cambridge System Biology Centre, University of Cambridge, Sanger Building, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK.
| | - Maria J Bonifácio
- Departamento de Investigação e Desenvolvimento, Bial, 4745-457, São Mamede do Coronado, Portugal.
| | - João A Queiroz
- CICS-UBI, Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Luís A Passarinha
- CICS-UBI, Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal.
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Kouvatsos N, Niarchos A, Zisimopoulou P, Eliopoulos E, Poulas K, Tzartos S. Purification and functional characterization of a truncated human α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Int J Biol Macromol 2014; 70:320-6. [PMID: 25014634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.06.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2014] [Revised: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are abundant in the brain and are essential in cognitive function, learning and memory. Previous efforts on α4β2 nAChR had been focused on functional and pharmacological characterization, where high expression yield is not essential. For structural studies though, large amounts of pure protein is important but heterologous overexpression of membrane proteins can be a burdensome task, especially if high amounts are required. In the current study, a truncated mutant of the human α4β2 nAChR was designed in order to improve expression and solubility and to obtain material suitable for high resolution structural studies. We showed that the wild type α4β2 nAChR presented low expression and solubilization yield both of which were improved with the truncated construct. The truncated nAChR showed similar binding profile to the wild type, was purified by a two-step chromatography and isolated in high purity and adequate quantity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Kouvatsos
- Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vass. Sofias Avenue, GR11521 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Paraskevi Zisimopoulou
- Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vass. Sofias Avenue, GR11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Holy Street 75, GR11855 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Socrates Tzartos
- Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vass. Sofias Avenue, GR11521 Athens, Greece; Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, GR26500 Patras, Greece.
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Ghanemi A. Biological properties and perspective applications of "Bio-neuter" chemicals? Saudi Pharm J 2014; 22:1-2. [PMID: 24493967 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2013.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Abdelaziz Ghanemi
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
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Wang M, Ge B, Li R, Wang X, Lao J, Huang F. Milligram production and biological activity characterization of the human chemokine receptor CCR3. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65500. [PMID: 23755240 PMCID: PMC3670934 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Accepted: 04/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human chemokine receptor CCR3 (hCCR3) belongs to the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) superfamily of membrane proteins and plays major roles in allergic diseases and angiogenesis. In order to study the structural and functional mechanism of hCCR3, it is essential to produce pure protein with biological functions on a milligram scale. Here we report the expression of hCCR3 gene in a tetracycline-inducible stable mammalian cell line. A cell clone with high hCCR3 expression was selected from 46 stably transfected cell clones and from this cell line pure hCCR3 on a milligram scale was obtained after two-step purification. Circular dichroism spectrum with a characteristic shape and magnitude for α-helix indicated proper folding of hCCR3 after purification. The biological activity of purified hCCR3 was verified by its high binding affinity with its endogenous ligands CCL11 and CCL24, with K D in the range of 10(-8) M to 10(-6) M.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum (Huadong), Qingdao, Shandong, PR China
- Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (Huadong), Qingdao, Shandong, PR China
| | - Baosheng Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum (Huadong), Qingdao, Shandong, PR China
- Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (Huadong), Qingdao, Shandong, PR China
| | - Renmin Li
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xiaoqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum (Huadong), Qingdao, Shandong, PR China
- Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (Huadong), Qingdao, Shandong, PR China
| | - Jun Lao
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum (Huadong), Qingdao, Shandong, PR China
- Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (Huadong), Qingdao, Shandong, PR China
| | - Fang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum (Huadong), Qingdao, Shandong, PR China
- Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (Huadong), Qingdao, Shandong, PR China
- * E-mail:
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Talmont F, Mollereau C, Zajac JM. Expression of opioid and anti-opioid receptors in Chinese hamster ovary cells after exposure to dimethyl sulfoxide. Anal Biochem 2012; 420:99-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2011.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Mitchell JD, Maguire JJ, Davenport AP. Emerging pharmacology and physiology of neuromedin U and the structurally related peptide neuromedin S. Br J Pharmacol 2009; 158:87-103. [PMID: 19519756 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00252.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromedin U (NMU) has been paired with the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPRs) NMU(1) (formerly designated as the orphan GPR66 or FM-3) and NMU(2) (FM-4 or hTGR-1). Recently, a structurally related peptide, neuromedin S (NMS), which shares an amidated C-terminal heptapeptide motif, has been identified in both rat and human, and has been proposed as a second ligand for these receptors. Messenger RNA encoding NMU receptor subtypes shows differential expression: NMU(1) is predominantly expressed in peripheral tissues, particularly the gastrointestinal tract, whereas NMU(2) is abundant within the brain and spinal cord. NMU peptide parallels receptor distribution with highest expression in the gastrointestinal tract and specific structures within the brain, reflecting its major role in the regulation of energy balance. The NMU knockout mouse has an obese phenotype and, in agreement, the Arg165Trp amino acid variant of NMU-25 in humans, which is functionally inactive, co-segregated with childhood-onset obesity. Emerging physiological roles for NMU include vasoconstriction mediated predominantly via NMU(1) with nociception and bone remodelling via NMU(2). The NMU system has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of septic shock and cancers including bladder carcinoma and acute myeloid leukaemia. Intriguingly, NMS is more potent at NMU(2) receptors in vivo where it has similar central actions in suppression of feeding and regulation of circadian rhythms to NMU. Taken together with its vascular actions, NMU may be a functional link between energy balance and the cardiovascular system and may provide a future target for therapies directed against the disorders that comprise metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Mitchell
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, University of Cambridge, Level 6 Centre for Clinical Investigation, Cambridge, UK
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