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Ahmad A, Khan JM. pH-sensitive endosomolytic peptides in gene and drug delivery: Endosomal escape and current challenges. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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2
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de Pinho Favaro MT, Sánchez-García L, Sánchez-Chardi A, Roldán M, Unzueta U, Serna N, Cano-Garrido O, Azzoni AR, Ferrer-Miralles N, Villaverde A, Vázquez E. Protein nanoparticles are nontoxic, tuneable cell stressors. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2018; 13:255-268. [DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2017-0294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Nanoparticle–cell interactions can promote cell toxicity and stimulate particular behavioral patterns, but cell responses to protein nanomaterials have been poorly studied. Results: By repositioning oligomerization domains in a simple, modular self-assembling protein platform, we have generated closely related but distinguishable homomeric nanoparticles. Composed by building blocks with modular domains arranged in different order, they share amino acid composition. These materials, once exposed to cultured cells, are differentially internalized in absence of toxicity and trigger distinctive cell adaptive responses, monitored by the emission of tubular filopodia and enhanced drug sensitivity. Conclusion: The capability to rapidly modulate such cell responses by conventional protein engineering reveals protein nanoparticles as tuneable, versatile and potent cell stressors for cell-targeted conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Teixeira de Pinho Favaro
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av Candido Rondon, 400, 13083–875 Campinas, SP, Brazil
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez-García
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | | | - Mónica Roldán
- Unitat de Microscòpia Confocal, IPER, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Passeig de Sant Joan de Déu, 2, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona
| | - Ugutz Unzueta
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Naroa Serna
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Olivia Cano-Garrido
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Adriano Rodrigues Azzoni
- Departamento de Engenharia Química, Escola Politécnica, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, Trav. 3, No. 380, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Neus Ferrer-Miralles
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Esther Vázquez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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3
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Intracellular trafficking of a dynein-based nanoparticle designed for gene delivery. Eur J Pharm Sci 2018; 112:71-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2017.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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4
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Unzueta U, Céspedes MV, Vázquez E, Ferrer-Miralles N, Mangues R, Villaverde A. Towards protein-based viral mimetics for cancer therapies. Trends Biotechnol 2015; 33:253-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2015.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Revised: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Liu M, Feng B, Shi Y, Su C, Song H, Cheng W, Zhao L. Protamine nanoparticles for improving shRNA-mediated anti-cancer effects. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2015; 10:134. [PMID: 25852425 PMCID: PMC4385308 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-015-0845-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Protamine nanoparticles were designed by encapsulating small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-expressing plasmid DNA targeting the Bcl-2 gene (shBcl-2) to silence apoptosis-related Bcl-2 protein for improving the transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity in cancer therapy. Our findings demonstrated that the obtained protamine nanoparticles possessed excellent characterizations of small particle size, homogenous distribution, positive charge, and high encapsulation efficiency of gene. shBcl-2 loaded in nanoparticles (NPs) was protected effectively from the degradation of DNase I and serum. More importantly, it significantly improved the efficiency of transfection of shRNA in vitro in A549 cells and increased its cytotoxicity and induced more cell apoptosis by silencing Bcl-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Liu
- />School of Pharmacy, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Bo Feng
- />School of Pharmacy, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yijie Shi
- />School of Pharmacy, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Chang Su
- />School of Veterinary Medicine, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Huijuan Song
- />Central Laboratory of Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Cheng
- />School of Pharmacy, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Liang Zhao
- />School of Pharmacy, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000 People’s Republic of China
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6
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Jahns AC, Maspolim Y, Chen S, Guthrie JM, Blackwell LF, Rehm BHA. In vivo self-assembly of fluorescent protein microparticles displaying specific binding domains. Bioconjug Chem 2014; 24:1314-23. [PMID: 23876002 DOI: 10.1021/bc300551j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In this study, fluorescent proteins (FPs) were engineered to self-assemble into protein particles inside recombinant Escherichia coli while mediating the display of various protein functionalities such as maltose binding protein or IgG binding domains of Protein A or G, respectively. Escherichia coli produced functional FP particles of up to 30% of cellular dry weight. The use of respective FP particles displaying certain binding domains in diagnostics and as bioseparation resins was demonstrated by direct comparison to commercial offerings. It was demonstrated that variable extensions (AVTS, FHKP, LAVG, or TS) of the N-terminus of FPs (GFP, YFP, CFP, HcRed) in combination with large C-terminal extensions such as translational fusion of the polyester synthase from Ralstonia eutropha or an aldolase from Escherichia coli led to extensive intracellular self-assembly of strongly fluorescent fusion protein particles of oval shape (0.5×1 μm). The strong fluorescent label of these bioparticles in combination with covalent display of protein functions provides a molecular toolbox for the design of self-assembled microparticles suitable for antibody-capture or ligand binding based diagnostic assays as well as the high affinity purification of target compounds such as antibodies.
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7
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Negro-Demontel ML, Saccardo P, Giacomini C, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ, Ferrer-Miralles N, Vazquez E, Villaverde A, Peluffo H. Comparative analysis of lentiviral vectors and modular protein nanovectors for traumatic brain injury gene therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2014; 1:14047. [PMID: 26015985 PMCID: PMC4362363 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2014.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains as one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide and there are no effective treatments currently available. Gene therapy applications have emerged as important alternatives for the treatment of diverse nervous system injuries. New strategies are evolving with the notion that each particular pathological condition may require a specific vector. Moreover, the lack of detailed comparative studies between different vectors under similar conditions hampers the selection of an ideal vector for a given pathological condition. The potential use of lentiviral vectors versus several modular protein-based nanovectors was compared using a controlled cortical impact model of TBI under the same gene therapy conditions. We show that variables such as protein/DNA ratio, incubation volume, and presence of serum or chloroquine in the transfection medium impact on both nanovector formation and transfection efficiency in vitro. While lentiviral vectors showed GFP protein 1 day after TBI and increased expression at 14 days, nanovectors showed stable and lower GFP transgene expression from 1 to 14 days. No toxicity after TBI by any of the vectors was observed as determined by resulting levels of IL-1β or using neurological sticky tape test. In fact, both vector types induced functional improvement per se.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Luciana Negro-Demontel
- Neuroinflammation and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Montevideo, Uruguay ; Departmento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, UDELAR , Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paolo Saccardo
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cecilia Giacomini
- Cátedra de Bioquímica, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, UDELAR , Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Neus Ferrer-Miralles
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Vazquez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hugo Peluffo
- Neuroinflammation and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Montevideo, Uruguay ; Departmento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, UDELAR , Montevideo, Uruguay
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8
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Intracellular targeting of CD44+ cells with self-assembling, protein only nanoparticles. Int J Pharm 2014; 473:286-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2014.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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9
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Céspedes MV, Unzueta U, Tatkiewicz W, Sánchez-Chardi A, Conchillo-Solé O, Álamo P, Xu Z, Casanova I, Corchero JL, Pesarrodona M, Cedano J, Daura X, Ratera I, Veciana J, Ferrer-Miralles N, Vazquez E, Villaverde A, Mangues R. In vivo architectonic stability of fully de novo designed protein-only nanoparticles. ACS NANO 2014; 8:4166-76. [PMID: 24708510 DOI: 10.1021/nn4055732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The fully de novo design of protein building blocks for self-assembling as functional nanoparticles is a challenging task in emerging nanomedicines, which urgently demand novel, versatile, and biologically safe vehicles for imaging, drug delivery, and gene therapy. While the use of viruses and virus-like particles is limited by severe constraints, the generation of protein-only nanocarriers is progressively reachable by the engineering of protein-protein interactions, resulting in self-assembling functional building blocks. In particular, end-terminal cationic peptides drive the organization of structurally diverse protein species as regular nanosized oligomers, offering promise in the rational engineering of protein self-assembling. However, the in vivo stability of these constructs, being a critical issue for their medical applicability, needs to be assessed. We have explored here if the cross-molecular contacts between protein monomers, generated by end-terminal cationic peptides and oligohistidine tags, are stable enough for the resulting nanoparticles to overcome biological barriers in assembled form. The analyses of renal clearance and biodistribution of several tagged modular proteins reveal long-term architectonic stability, allowing systemic circulation and tissue targeting in form of nanoparticulate material. This observation fully supports the value of the engineered of protein building blocks addressed to the biofabrication of smart, robust, and multifunctional nanoparticles with medical applicability that mimic structure and functional capabilities of viral capsids.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Virtudes Céspedes
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drug Group, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB-SantPau) , Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, C/Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167, 08025 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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10
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Unzueta U, Saccardo P, Domingo-Espín J, Cedano J, Conchillo-Solé O, García-Fruitós E, Céspedes MV, Corchero JL, Daura X, Mangues R, Ferrer-Miralles N, Villaverde A, Vázquez E. Sheltering DNA in self-organizing, protein-only nano-shells as artificial viruses for gene delivery. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2013; 10:535-41. [PMID: 24269989 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2013.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Revised: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 11/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED By recruiting functional domains supporting DNA condensation, cell binding, internalization, endosomal escape and nuclear transport, modular single-chain polypeptides can be tailored to associate with cargo DNA for cell-targeted gene therapy. Recently, an emerging architectonic principle at the nanoscale has permitted tagging protein monomers for self-organization as protein-only nanoparticles. We have studied here the accommodation of plasmid DNA into protein nanoparticles assembled with the synergistic assistance of end terminal poly-arginines (R9) and poly-histidines (H6). Data indicate a virus-like organization of the complexes, in which a DNA core is surrounded by a solvent-exposed protein layer. This finding validates end-terminal cationic peptides as pleiotropic tags in protein building blocks for the mimicry of viral architecture in artificial viruses, representing a promising alternative to the conventional use of viruses and virus-like particles for nanomedicine and gene therapy. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR Finding efficient gene delivery methods still represents a challenge and is one of the bottlenecks to the more widespread application of gene therapy. The findings presented in this paper validate the application of end-terminal cationic peptides as pleiotropic tags in protein building blocks for "viral architecture mimicking" in artificial viruses, representing a promising alternative to the use of viruses and virus-like particles for gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugutz Unzueta
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paolo Saccardo
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Domingo-Espín
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Cedano
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regional Norte, Universidad de la República,, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Oscar Conchillo-Solé
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena García-Fruitós
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Virtudes Céspedes
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Grup d'Oncogènesi i Antitumorals, Institut de Recerca, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Luis Corchero
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Daura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramón Mangues
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Grup d'Oncogènesi i Antitumorals, Institut de Recerca, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Ferrer-Miralles
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Esther Vázquez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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Ferrer-Miralles N, Rodríguez-Carmona E, Corchero JL, García-Fruitós E, Vázquez E, Villaverde A. Engineering protein self-assembling in protein-based nanomedicines for drug delivery and gene therapy. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2013; 35:209-21. [DOI: 10.3109/07388551.2013.833163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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12
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Unzueta U, Ferrer-Miralles N, Cedano J, Zikung X, Pesarrodona M, Saccardo P, García-Fruitós E, Domingo-Espín J, Kumar P, Gupta KC, Mangues R, Villaverde A, Vazquez E. Non-amyloidogenic peptide tags for the regulatable self-assembling of protein-only nanoparticles. Biomaterials 2012; 33:8714-22. [PMID: 22954515 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 08/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Controlling the self-assembling of building blocks as nanoscale entities is a requisite for the generation of bio-inspired vehicles for nanomedicines. A wide spectrum of functional peptides has been incorporated to different types of nanoparticles for the delivery of conventional drugs and nucleic acids, enabling receptor-specific cell binding and internalization, endosomal escape, cytosolic trafficking, nuclear targeting and DNA condensation. However, the development of architectonic tags to induce the self-assembling of functionalized monomers has been essentially neglected. We have examined here the nanoscale architectonic capabilities of arginine-rich cationic peptides, that when displayed on His-tagged proteins, promote their self-assembling as monodisperse, protein-only nanoparticles. The scrutiny of the cross-molecular interactivity cooperatively conferred by poly-arginines and poly-histidines has identified regulatable electrostatic interactions between building blocks that can also be engineered to encapsulate cargo DNA. The combined use of cationic peptides and poly-histidine tags offers an unusually versatile approach for the tailored design and biofabrication of protein-based nano-therapeutics, beyond the more limited spectrum of possibilities so far offered by self-assembling amyloidogenic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugutz Unzueta
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Unzueta U, Céspedes MV, Ferrer-Miralles N, Casanova I, Cedano J, Corchero JL, Domingo-Espín J, Villaverde A, Mangues R, Vázquez E. Intracellular CXCR4⁺ cell targeting with T22-empowered protein-only nanoparticles. Int J Nanomedicine 2012; 7:4533-44. [PMID: 22923991 PMCID: PMC3423154 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s34450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell-targeting peptides or proteins are appealing tools in nanomedicine and innovative medicines because they increase the local drug concentration and reduce potential side effects. CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is a cell surface marker associated with several severe human pathologies, including colorectal cancer, for which intracellular targeting agents are currently missing. RESULTS Four different peptides that bind CXCR4 were tested for their ability to internalize a green fluorescent protein-based reporter nanoparticle into CXCR4⁺ cells. Among them, only the 18 mer peptide T22, an engineered segment derivative of polyphemusin II from the horseshoe crab, efficiently penetrated target cells via a rapid, receptor-specific endosomal route. This resulted in accumulation of the reporter nanoparticle in a fully fluorescent and stable form in the perinuclear region of the target cells, without toxicity either in cell culture or in an in vivo model of metastatic colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION Given the urgent demand for targeting agents in the research, diagnosis, and treatment of CXCR4-linked diseases, including colorectal cancer and human immunodeficiency virus infection, T22 appears to be a promising tag for the intracellular delivery of protein drugs, nanoparticles, and imaging agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugutz Unzueta
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- Departamento de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Bellaterra, Barcelona
| | - María Virtudes Céspedes
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drug Group, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Ferrer-Miralles
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- Departamento de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Bellaterra, Barcelona
| | - Isolda Casanova
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drug Group, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Cedano
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regional Norte, Universidad de la Republica, Salto, Uruguay
| | - José Luis Corchero
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- Departamento de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Bellaterra, Barcelona
| | - Joan Domingo-Espín
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- Departamento de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Bellaterra, Barcelona
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- Departamento de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Bellaterra, Barcelona
| | - Ramón Mangues
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- Oncogenesis and Antitumor Drug Group, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Vázquez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- Departamento de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Bellaterra, Barcelona
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Yang J, Lei Q, Han K, Gong YH, Chen S, Cheng H, Cheng SX, Zhuo RX, Zhang XZ. Reduction-sensitive polypeptides incorporated with nuclear localization signal sequences for enhanced gene delivery. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1039/c2jm32223d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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15
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Zelzer M, Scurr DJ, Alexander MR, Ulijn RV. Development and validation of a fluorescence method to follow the build-up of short peptide sequences on solid 2D surfaces. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2012; 4:53-8. [PMID: 22191453 DOI: 10.1021/am2015266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The modification of material surfaces with short peptide sequences has become an essential step in many biotechnological and biomedical applications. Due to their simple architecture compared to more complex 3D substrates, 2D surfaces are of particular interest for high throughput applications and as model surfaces for dynamic or responsive surface modifications. The decoration of these surfaces with peptides is commonly accomplished by synthesizing the peptide first and subsequently transferring it onto the surface of the substrate. Recently, several procedures have been described for the synthesis of peptides directly onto a 2D surface, thereby simplifying and accelerating the modification of flat surfaces with peptides. However, the wider use of these techniques requires a routine method to monitor the amino acid build-up on the surface. Here, we describe a fast, inexpensive and nondestructive fluorescence based method which is readily accessible to follow the amino acid build-up on solid 2D samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mischa Zelzer
- WestCHEM, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
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16
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Abstract
Diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS are caused by intracellular pathogens and are a major burden to the global medical community. Conventional treatments for these diseases typically consist of long-term therapy with a combination of drugs, which may lead to side effects and contribute to low patient compliance. The pathogens reside within intracellular compartments of the cell, which provide additional barriers to effective treatment. Therefore, there is a need for improved and more effective therapies for such intracellular diseases. This review will summarize, for the first time, the intracellular compartments in which pathogens can reside and discuss how nanomedicine has the potential to improve intracellular disease therapy by offering properties such as targeting, sustained drug release, and drug delivery to the pathogen’s intracellular location. The characteristics of nanomedicine may prove advantageous in developing improved or alternative therapies for intracellular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Armstead
- Biomaterials, Bioengineering and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-9196, USA
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17
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Ferrer-Miralles N, Corchero JL, Kumar P, Cedano JA, Gupta KC, Villaverde A, Vazquez E. Biological activities of histidine-rich peptides; merging biotechnology and nanomedicine. Microb Cell Fact 2011; 10:101. [PMID: 22136342 PMCID: PMC3339332 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-10-101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2011] [Accepted: 12/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Histidine-rich peptides are commonly used in recombinant protein production as purification tags, allowing the one-step affinity separation of the His-tagged proteins from the extracellular media or cell extracts. Genetic engineering makes feasible the post-purification His-tag removal by inserting, between the tag and the main protein body, a target site for trans-acting proteases or a self-proteolytic peptide with regulatable activities. However, for technical ease, His tags are often not removed and the fusion proteins eventually used in this form. In this commentary, we revise the powerful biological properties of histidine-rich peptides as endosomolytic agents and as architectonic tags in nanoparticle formation, for which they are exploited in drug delivery and other nanomedical applications. These activities, generally unknown to biotechnologists, can unwillingly modulate the functionality and biotechnological performance of recombinant proteins in which they remain trivially attached.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neus Ferrer-Miralles
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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18
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Domingo-Espín J, Vazquez E, Ganz J, Conchillo O, García-Fruitós E, Cedano J, Unzueta U, Petegnief V, Gonzalez-Montalbán N, Planas AM, Daura X, Peluffo H, Ferrer-Miralles N, Villaverde A. Nanoparticulate architecture of protein-based artificial viruses is supported by protein-DNA interactions. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2011; 6:1047-61. [PMID: 21651444 DOI: 10.2217/nnm.11.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED AIM & METHODS: We have produced two chimerical peptides of 10.2 kDa, each contain four biologically active domains, which act as building blocks of protein-based nonviral vehicles for gene therapy. In solution, these peptides tend to aggregate as amorphous clusters of more than 1000 nm, while the presence of DNA promotes their architectonic reorganization as mechanically stable nanometric spherical entities of approximately 80 nm that penetrate mammalian cells through arginine-glycine-aspartic acid cell-binding domains and promote significant transgene expression levels. RESULTS & CONCLUSION The structural analysis of the protein in these hybrid nanoparticles indicates a molecular conformation with predominance of α-helix and the absence of cross-molecular, β-sheet-supported protein interactions. The nanoscale organizing forces generated by DNA-protein interactions can then be observed as a potentially tunable, critical factor in the design of protein-only based artificial viruses for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Domingo-Espín
- Institute for Biotechnology & Biomedicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
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Vázquez E, Villaverde A. Engineering building blocks for self-assembling protein nanoparticles. Microb Cell Fact 2010; 9:101. [PMID: 21192790 PMCID: PMC3022712 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-9-101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2010] [Accepted: 12/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Like natural viruses, manmade protein cages for drug delivery are to be ideally formed by repetitive subunits with self-assembling properties, mimicking viral functions and molecular organization. Naturally formed nanostructures (such as viruses, flagella or simpler protein oligomers) can be engineered to acquire specific traits of interest in biomedicine, for instance through the addition of cell targeting agents for desired biodistribution and specific delivery of associated drugs. However, fully artificial constructs would be highly desirable regarding finest tuning and adaptation to precise therapeutic purposes. Although engineering of protein assembling is still in its infancy, arising principles and promising strategies of protein manipulation point out the rational construction of nanoscale protein cages as a feasible concept, reachable through conventional recombinant DNA technologies and microbial protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Vázquez
- Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
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