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Nemecz D, Nowak WA, Nemecz Á. VHH Nanobody Versatility against Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channels. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8502-8518. [PMID: 38829690 PMCID: PMC11181324 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels provide rapid chemical-electrical signal transmission between cells in the central and peripheral nervous system. Their dysfunction is associated with many nervous system disorders. They are composed of five identical (homomeric receptors) or homologous (heteromeric receptors) subunits. VHH nanobodies, or single-chain antibodies, are the variable domain, VHH, of antibodies that are composed of the heavy chain only from camelids. Their unique structure results in many specific biochemical and biophysical properties that make them an excellent alternative to conventional antibodies. This Perspective explores the published VHH nanobodies which have been isolated against pentameric ligand-gated ion channel subfamilies. It outlines the genetic and chemical modifications available to alter nanobody function. An assessment of the available functional and structural data indicate that it is feasible to create therapeutic agents and impart, through their modification, a given desired modulatory effect of its target receptor for current stoichiometric-specific VHH nanobodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Nemecz
- Biochemistry
Department, Nicolaus Copernicus University
in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Weronika A. Nowak
- Biochemistry
Department, Nicolaus Copernicus University
in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Ákos Nemecz
- Biochemistry
Department, Nicolaus Copernicus University
in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland
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Geisler HC, Ghalsasi AA, Safford HC, Swingle KL, Thatte AS, Mukalel AJ, Gong N, Hamilton AG, Han EL, Nachod BE, Padilla MS, Mitchell MJ. EGFR-targeted ionizable lipid nanoparticles enhance in vivo mRNA delivery to the placenta. J Control Release 2024; 371:455-469. [PMID: 38789090 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.05.036] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The full potential of ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as an in vivo nucleic acid delivery platform has not yet been realized given that LNPs primarily accumulate in the liver following systemic administration, limiting their success to liver-centric conditions. The engineering of LNPs with antibody targeting moieties can enable extrahepatic tropism by facilitating site-specific LNP tethering and driving preferential LNP uptake into receptor-expressing cell types via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Obstetric conditions stemming from placental dysfunction, such as preeclampsia, are characterized by overexpression of cellular receptors, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), making targeted LNP platforms an exciting potential treatment strategy for placental dysfunction during pregnancy. Herein, an EGFR antibody-conjugated LNP (aEGFR-LNP) platform was developed by engineering LNPs with increasing densities of antibody functionalization. aEGFR-LNPs were screened in vitro in immortalized placental trophoblasts and in vivo in non-pregnant and pregnant mice and compared to non-targeted formulations for extrahepatic, antibody-targeted mRNA LNP delivery to the placenta. Our top performing LNP with an intermediate density of antibody functionalization (1:5 aEGFR-LNP) mediated a ∼twofold increase in mRNA delivery in murine placentas and a ∼twofold increase in LNP uptake in EGFR-expressing trophoblasts compared to non-targeted counterparts. These results demonstrate the potential of antibody-conjugated LNPs for achieving extrahepatic tropism, and the ability of aEGFR-LNPs in promoting mRNA delivery to EGFR-expressing cell types in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah C Geisler
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Aditi A Ghalsasi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hannah C Safford
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kelsey L Swingle
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ajay S Thatte
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alvin J Mukalel
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ningqiang Gong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alex G Hamilton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Emily L Han
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Benjamin E Nachod
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Marshall S Padilla
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael J Mitchell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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Aboshouk DR, Youssef MA, Bekheit MS, Hamed AR, Girgis AS. Antineoplastic indole-containing compounds with potential VEGFR inhibitory properties. RSC Adv 2024; 14:5690-5728. [PMID: 38362086 PMCID: PMC10866129 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra08962b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most significant health challenges worldwide. Various techniques, tools and therapeutics/materials have been developed in the last few decades for the treatment of cancer, together with great interest, funding and efforts from the scientific society. However, all the reported studies and efforts seem insufficient to combat the various types of cancer, especially the advanced ones. The overexpression of tyrosine kinases is associated with cancer proliferation and/or metastasis. VEGF, an important category of tyrosine kinases, and its receptors (VEGFR) are hyper-activated in different cancers. Accordingly, they are known as important factors in the angiogenesis of different tumors and are considered in the development of effective therapeutic approaches for controlling many types of cancer. In this case, targeted therapeutic approaches are preferable to the traditional non-selective approaches to minimize the side effects and drawbacks associated with treatment. Several indole-containing compounds have been identified as effective agents against VEGFR. Herein, we present a summary of the recent indolyl analogs reported within the last decade (2012-2023) with potential antineoplastic and VEGFR inhibitory properties. The most important drugs, natural products, synthesized potent compounds and promising hits/leads are highlighted. Indoles functionalized and conjugated with various heterocycles beside spiroindoles are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia R Aboshouk
- Department of Pesticide Chemistry, National Research Centre Dokki Giza 12622 Egypt
| | - M Adel Youssef
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Helwan University Helwan Egypt
| | - Mohamed S Bekheit
- Department of Pesticide Chemistry, National Research Centre Dokki Giza 12622 Egypt
| | - Ahmed R Hamed
- Chemistry of Medicinal Plants Department, National Research Centre Dokki Giza 12622 Egypt
| | - Adel S Girgis
- Department of Pesticide Chemistry, National Research Centre Dokki Giza 12622 Egypt
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Podolak M, Holota S, Deyak Y, Dziduch K, Dudchak R, Wujec M, Bielawski K, Lesyk R, Bielawska A. Tubulin inhibitors. Selected scaffolds and main trends in the design of novel anticancer and antiparasitic agents. Bioorg Chem 2024; 143:107076. [PMID: 38163424 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.107076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Design of tubulin inhibitors as anticancer drugs dynamically developed over the past 20 years. The modern arsenal of potential tubulin-targeting anticancer agents is represented by small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates. Moreover, targeting tubulin has been a successful strategy in the development of antiparasitic drugs. In the present review, an overall picture of the research and development of potential tubulin-targeting agents using small molecules between 2018 and 2023 is provided. The data about some most often used and prospective chemotypes of small molecules (privileged heterocycles, moieties of natural molecules) and synthetic methodologies (analogue-based, fragment-based drug design, molecular hybridization) applied for the design of novel agents with an impact on the tubulin system are summarized. The design and prospects of multi-target agents with an impact on the tubulin system were also highlighted. Reported in the review data contribute to the "structure-activity" profile of tubulin-targeting small molecules as anticancer and antiparasitic agents and will be useful for the application by medicinal chemists in further exploration, design, improvement, and optimization of this class of molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Podolak
- Department of Biotechnology, Medical University of Bialystok, Kilinskiego 1, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Serhii Holota
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Pekarska 69, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Yaroslava Deyak
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Pekarska 69, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine; Department of Pharmaceutical Disciplines, Uzhhorod National University, Narodna Square 3, 88000 Uzhhorod, Ukraine
| | - Katarzyna Dziduch
- Doctoral School, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 7, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Rostyslav Dudchak
- Department of Biotechnology, Medical University of Bialystok, Kilinskiego 1, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Monika Wujec
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Bielawski
- Department of Synthesis and Technology of Drugs, Medical University of Bialystok, Kilinskiego 1, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Roman Lesyk
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Pekarska 69, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine.
| | - Anna Bielawska
- Department of Biotechnology, Medical University of Bialystok, Kilinskiego 1, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
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