1
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Sunaga N, Miura Y, Masuda T, Sakurai R. Role of Epiregulin in Lung Tumorigenesis and Therapeutic Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:710. [PMID: 38398101 PMCID: PMC10886815 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040710] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling regulates multiple cellular processes and plays an essential role in tumorigenesis. Epiregulin (EREG), a member of the EGF family, binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ErbB4, and it stimulates EGFR-related downstream pathways. Increasing evidence indicates that both the aberrant expression and oncogenic function of EREG play pivotal roles in tumor development in many human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EREG overexpression is induced by activating mutations in the EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF and contributes to the aggressive phenotypes of NSCLC with oncogenic drivers. Recent studies have elucidated the roles of EREG in a tumor microenvironment, including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, immune evasion, and resistance to anticancer therapy. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of EREG as an oncogene and discussed its oncogenic role in lung tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriaki Sunaga
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan; (Y.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Yosuke Miura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan; (Y.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Tomomi Masuda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan; (Y.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Reiko Sakurai
- Oncology Center, Gunma University Hospital, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan;
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2
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Kosaka T, Yamaguchi S, Izuta S, Yamahira S, Shibasaki Y, Tateno H, Okamoto A. Bioorthogonal Photoreactive Surfaces for Single-Cell Analysis of Intercellular Communications. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:17980-17988. [PMID: 36126284 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Methods to construct single-cell pairs of heterogeneous cells attract attention because of their potential in cell biological and medical applications for analyzing individual intercellular communications such as immune and nerve synaptic interactions. Photoactivatable substrate surfaces for cell anchoring are promising tools to achieve single-cell pairing. However, conventional surfaces that photoactivate a single type of cell anchoring moiety restrict the combination of cell pair types and their applications. We developed a photoresponsive material comprising a bioorthogonal photoreactive moiety and non-cell adhesive hydrophilic polymer. The material-coated surface allows conjugation with various cell anchoring molecules in response to light at specific timings and consequently achieves light-induced anchoring of a variety of cells at defined regions. Using the platform surface, an array of cancer cell and natural-killer (NK) cell pairs was constructed on a flat substrate surface and the dynamic morphological changes of the cancer cells were monitored by cytotoxic interaction with NK cells at a single-cell level. The photoreactive surface is a useful tool for image-based investigation of the communications between a variety of cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Kosaka
- Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yamaguchi
- Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.,PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 7, Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0076, Japan
| | - Shin Izuta
- Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Shinya Yamahira
- Center for Medical Sciences, St. Luke's International University, 9-1 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8560, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Shibasaki
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tateno
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan
| | - Akimitsu Okamoto
- Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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3
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Ishijima A, Yamaguchi S, Azuma T, Kobayashi E, Shibasaki Y, Nagamune T, Sakuma I. Selective intracellular delivery of perfluorocarbon nanodroplets for cytotoxicity threshold reduction on ultrasound-induced vaporization. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2020; 2:e1165. [PMID: 32721118 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phase-change nanodroplets (PCNDs), which are liquid perfluorocarbon nanoparticles, have garnered much attention as ultrasound-responsive nanomedicines. The vaporization phenomenon has been employed to treat tumors mechanically. However, the ultrasound pressure applied to induce vaporization must be low to avoid damage to nontarget tissues. AIMS Here, we report that the pressure threshold for vaporization to induce cytotoxicity can be significantly reduced by selective intracellular delivery of PCNDs into targeted tumors. METHODS AND RESULTS In vitro experiments revealed that selective intracellular delivery of PCNDs induced PCND aggregation specifically inside the targeted cells. This close-packed configuration decreased the pressure threshold for vaporization to induce cytotoxicity. Moreover, following ultrasound exposure, significant decrease was observed in the viability of cells that incorporated PCNDs (35%) but not in the viability of cells that did not incorporate PCNDs (88%). CONCLUSIONS Intracellular delivery of PCNDs reduced ultrasound pressure applied for vaporization to induce cytotoxicity. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry revealed that prolonged PCND-cell incubation increased PCND uptake and aggregation. This aggregation effect might have contributed to the cytotoxicity threshold reduction effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumu Ishijima
- Medical Device Development and Regulation Research Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yamaguchi
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Azuma
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Etsuko Kobayashi
- Department of Precision Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Shibasaki
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Teruyuki Nagamune
- Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Bioengineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ichiro Sakuma
- Medical Device Development and Regulation Research Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Precision Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Bioengineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Epiregulin-blocking antibody inhibits epiregulin-dependent EGFR signaling. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 489:83-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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5
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Ishijima A, Minamihata K, Yamaguchi S, Yamahira S, Ichikawa R, Kobayashi E, Iijima M, Shibasaki Y, Azuma T, Nagamune T, Sakuma I. Selective intracellular vaporisation of antibody-conjugated phase-change nano-droplets in vitro. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44077. [PMID: 28333127 PMCID: PMC5363066 DOI: 10.1038/srep44077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
While chemotherapy is a major mode of cancer therapeutics, its efficacy is limited by systemic toxicities and drug resistance. Recent advances in nanomedicine provide the opportunity to reduce systemic toxicities. However, drug resistance remains a major challenge in cancer treatment research. Here we developed a nanomedicine composed of a phase-change nano-droplet (PCND) and an anti-cancer antibody (9E5), proposing the concept of ultrasound cancer therapy with intracellular vaporisation. PCND is a liquid perfluorocarbon nanoparticle with a liquid–gas phase that is transformable upon exposure to ultrasound. 9E5 is a monoclonal antibody targeting epiregulin (EREG). We found that 9E5-conjugated PCNDs are selectively internalised into targeted cancer cells and kill the cells dynamically by ultrasound-induced intracellular vaporisation. In vitro experiments show that 9E5-conjugated PCND targets 97.8% of high-EREG-expressing cancer cells and kills 57% of those targeted upon exposure to ultrasound. Furthermore, direct observation of the intracellular vaporisation process revealed the significant morphological alterations of cells and the release of intracellular contents.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ishijima
- Department of Precision Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - K Minamihata
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.,Department of Chemistry &Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - S Yamaguchi
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - S Yamahira
- Department of Chemistry &Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - R Ichikawa
- Department of Precision Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - E Kobayashi
- Department of Precision Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - M Iijima
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Y Shibasaki
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - T Azuma
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - T Nagamune
- Department of Chemistry &Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.,Department of Bioengineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - I Sakuma
- Department of Precision Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.,Department of Bioengineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.,Medical Device Development and Regulation Research Center, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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6
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Abstract
Over the last 3 decades, monoclonal antibodies have become the most important class of therapeutic biologicals on the market. Development of therapeutic antibodies was accelerated by recombinant DNA technologies, which allowed the humanization of murine monoclonal antibodies to make them more similar to those of the human body and suitable for a broad range of chronic diseases like cancer and autoimmune diseases. In the early 1990s in vitro antibody selection technologies were developed that enabled the discovery of “fully” human antibodies with potentially superior clinical efficacy and lowest immunogenicity. Antibody phage display is the first and most widely used of the in vitro selection technologies. It has proven to be a robust, versatile platform technology for the discovery of human antibodies and a powerful engineering tool to improve antibody properties. As of the beginning of 2016, 6 human antibodies discovered or further developed by phage display were approved for therapy. In 2002, adalimumab (Humira®) became the first phage display-derived antibody granted a marketing approval. Humira® was also the first approved human antibody, and it is currently the best-selling antibody drug on the market. Numerous phage display-derived antibodies are currently under advanced clinical investigation, and, despite the availability of other technologies such as human antibody-producing transgenic mice, phage display has not lost its importance for the discovery and engineering of therapeutic antibodies. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview about phage display-derived antibodies that are approved for therapy or in clinical development. A selection of these antibodies is described in more detail to demonstrate different aspects of the phage display technology and its development over the last 25 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Frenzel
- a YUMAB GmbH , Rebenring , Braunschweig.,b Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie , Braunschweig , Germany
| | | | - Michael Hust
- b Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie , Braunschweig , Germany
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7
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Kado Y, Mizohata E, Nagatoishi S, Iijima M, Shinoda K, Miyafusa T, Nakayama T, Yoshizumi T, Sugiyama A, Kawamura T, Lee YH, Matsumura H, Doi H, Fujitani H, Kodama T, Shibasaki Y, Tsumoto K, Inoue T. Epiregulin Recognition Mechanisms by Anti-epiregulin Antibody 9E5: STRUCTURAL, FUNCTIONAL, AND MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATION ANALYSES. J Biol Chem 2015; 291:2319-30. [PMID: 26627827 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.656009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Epiregulin (EPR) is a ligand of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family that upon binding to its epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) stimulates proliferative signaling, especially in colon cancer cells. Here, we describe the three-dimensional structure of the EPR antibody (the 9E5(Fab) fragment) in the presence and absence of EPR. Among the six complementarity-determining regions (CDRs), CDR1-3 in the light chain and CDR2 in the heavy chain predominantly recognize EPR. In particular, CDR3 in the heavy chain dramatically moves with cis-trans isomerization of Pro(103). A molecular dynamics simulation and mutational analyses revealed that Arg(40) in EPR is a key residue for the specific binding of 9E5 IgG. From isothermal titration calorimetry analysis, the dissociation constant was determined to be 6.5 nm. Surface plasmon resonance analysis revealed that the dissociation rate of 9E5 IgG is extremely slow. The superimposed structure of 9E5(Fab)·EPR on the known complex structure of EGF·EGFR showed that the 9E5(Fab) paratope overlaps with Domains I and III on the EGFR, which reveals that the 9E5(Fab)·EPR complex could not bind to the EGFR. The 9E5 antibody will also be useful in medicine as a neutralizing antibody specific for colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Kado
- From the Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-Oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, Interdisciplinary Program for Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Academic Initiatives, Osaka University, 1-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Eiichi Mizohata
- From the Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-Oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Satoru Nagatoishi
- Medical Proteomics Laboratory, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku Tokyo 108-8639, Japan, and
| | - Mariko Iijima
- Laboratory for Systems Biology and Medicine, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Number 34 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Keiko Shinoda
- Laboratory for Systems Biology and Medicine, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Number 34 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Takamitsu Miyafusa
- Medical Proteomics Laboratory, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku Tokyo 108-8639, Japan, and
| | - Taisuke Nakayama
- From the Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-Oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takuma Yoshizumi
- From the Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-Oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Akira Sugiyama
- Laboratory for Systems Biology and Medicine, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Number 34 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kawamura
- Laboratory for Systems Biology and Medicine, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Number 34 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Young-Hun Lee
- Laboratory for Systems Biology and Medicine, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Number 34 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Matsumura
- From the Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-Oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Doi
- Laboratory for Systems Biology and Medicine, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Number 34 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Hideaki Fujitani
- Laboratory for Systems Biology and Medicine, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Number 34 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Kodama
- Laboratory for Systems Biology and Medicine, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Number 34 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Shibasaki
- Laboratory for Systems Biology and Medicine, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Number 34 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Kouhei Tsumoto
- Medical Proteomics Laboratory, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku Tokyo 108-8639, Japan, and
| | - Tsuyoshi Inoue
- From the Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-Oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan,
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8
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Song HN, Jang JH, Kim YW, Kim DH, Park SG, Lee MK, Paek SH, Woo EJ. Refolded scFv antibody fragment against myoglobin shows rapid reaction kinetics. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:23658-71. [PMID: 25530617 PMCID: PMC4284786 DOI: 10.3390/ijms151223658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Myoglobin is one of the early biomarkers for acute myocardial infarction. Recently, we have screened an antibody with unique rapid reaction kinetics toward human myoglobin antigen. Antibodies with rapid reaction kinetics are thought to be an early IgG form produced during early stage of in vivo immunization. We produced a recombinant scFv fragment for the premature antibody from Escherichia coli using refolding technology. The scFv gene was constructed by connection of the V(H)-V(L) sequence with a (Gly4Ser)3 linker. The scFv fragment without the pelB leader sequence was expressed at a high level, but the solubility was extremely low. A high concentration of 8 M urea was used for denaturation. The dilution refolding process in the presence of arginine and the redox reagents GSH and GSSH successfully produced a soluble scFv protein. The resultant refolded scFv protein showed association and dissociation values of 9.32 × 10⁻⁴ M⁻¹·s⁻¹ and 6.29 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹, respectively, with an affinity value exceeding 10⁷ M⁻¹ (k(on)/k(off)), maintaining the original rapid reaction kinetics of the premature antibody. The refolded scFv could provide a platform for protein engineering for the clinical application for diagnosis of heart disease and the development of a continuous biosensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-Nam Song
- Medical Proteomics Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Daejeon 305-806, Korea.
| | - Jun-Hyuck Jang
- Department of Food and Biotechnology, Korea University, Sejong 339-700, Korea.
| | - Young-Wan Kim
- Department of Food and Biotechnology, Korea University, Sejong 339-700, Korea.
| | - Dong-Hyung Kim
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejong 339-700, Korea.
| | - Sung-Goo Park
- Medical Proteomics Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Daejeon 305-806, Korea.
| | - Myung Kyu Lee
- Medical Proteomics Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Daejeon 305-806, Korea.
| | - Se-Hwan Paek
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejong 339-700, Korea.
| | - Eui-Jeon Woo
- Medical Proteomics Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Daejeon 305-806, Korea.
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9
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Molek P, Vodnik M, Strukelj B, Bratkovič T. Screening of synthetic phage display scFv libraries yields competitive ligands of human leptin receptor. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 452:479-83. [PMID: 25159846 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.08.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Initially considered the main endogenous anorexigenic factor, fat-derived leptin turned out to be a markedly pleiotropic hormone, influencing diverse physiological processes. Moreover, hyperleptinemia in obese individuals has been linked to the onset or progression of serious disorders, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and atherosclerosis, and antagonizing peripheral leptin's signalization has been shown to improve these conditions. To develop an antibody-based leptin antagonist we have devised a tailored panning procedure and screened two phage display libraries of single chain variable antibody fragments (scFvs) against recombinant leptin receptor. One of the scFvs was expressed in Escherichia coli and its interaction with leptin receptor was characterized in more detail. It was found to recognize a discontinuous epitope and to compete with leptin for receptor binding with IC50 and Kd values in the nanomolar range. The reported scFv represents a lead for development of leptin antagonists that may ultimately find use in therapy of various hyperleptinemia-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Molek
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Aškerčeva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Miha Vodnik
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Aškerčeva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Borut Strukelj
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Aškerčeva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Biotechnology, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Tomaž Bratkovič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Aškerčeva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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