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Danielewicz N, Rosato F, Tomisch J, Gräber J, Wiltschi B, Striedner G, Römer W, Mairhofer J. Clickable Shiga Toxin B Subunit for Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:15406-15421. [PMID: 37151527 PMCID: PMC10157870 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c00667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, receptor-mediated drug delivery has gained major attention in the treatment of cancer. The pathogen-derived Shiga Toxin B subunit (STxB) can be used as a carrier that detects the tumor-associated glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) receptors. While drug conjugation via lysine or cysteine offers random drug attachment to carriers, click chemistry has the potential to improve the engineering of delivery systems as the site specificity can eliminate interference with the active binding site of tumor ligands. We present the production of recombinant STxB in its wild-type (STxBwt) version or incorporating the noncanonical amino acid azido lysine (STxBAzK). The STxBwt and STxBAzK were manufactured using a growth-decoupled Escherichia coli (E. coli)-based expression strain and analyzed via flow cytometry for Gb3 receptor recognition and specificity on two human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines-HT-29 and LS-174-characterized by high and low Gb3 abundance, respectively. Furthermore, STxBAzK was clicked to the antineoplastic agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) and evaluated in cell-killing assays for its ability to deliver the drug to Gb3-expressing tumor cells. The STxBAzK-MMAE conjugate induced uptake and release of the MMAE drug in Gb3-positive tumor cells, reaching 94% of HT-29 cell elimination at 72 h post-treatment and low nanomolar doses while sparing LS-174 cells. STxBAzK is therefore presented as a well-functioning drug carrier, with a possible application in cancer therapy. This research demonstrates the feasibility of lectin carriers used in delivering drugs to tumor cells, with prospects for improved cancer therapy in terms of straightforward drug attachment and effective cancer cell elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Danielewicz
- enGenes
Biotech GmbH, Muthgasse
11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
- Department
of Biotechnology, University of Natural
Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Francesca Rosato
- Faculty
of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Signaling
Research Centers BIOSS and CIBSS, University
of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße
18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jana Tomisch
- Faculty
of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Signaling
Research Centers BIOSS and CIBSS, University
of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße
18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Gräber
- Faculty
of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Signaling
Research Centers BIOSS and CIBSS, University
of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße
18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Birgit Wiltschi
- Department
of Biotechnology, University of Natural
Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
- Austrian
Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerald Striedner
- Department
of Biotechnology, University of Natural
Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Winfried Römer
- Faculty
of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Signaling
Research Centers BIOSS and CIBSS, University
of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße
18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburg
Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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Dimeric Lectin Chimeras as Novel Candidates for Gb3-Mediated Transcytotic Drug Delivery through Cellular Barriers. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15010225. [PMID: 36678854 PMCID: PMC9864468 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Receptor-mediated transcytosis is an elegant and promising strategy for drug delivery across biological barriers. Here, we describe a novel ligand-receptor pair based on a dimeric, engineered derivative of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecA, here termed Di-LecA, and the host cell glycosphingolipid Gb3. We characterized the trafficking kinetics and transcytosis efficiencies in polarized Gb3-positive and -negative MDCK cells using mainly immunofluorescence in combination with confocal microscopy. To evaluate the delivery capacity of dimeric LecA chimeras, EGFP was chosen as a fluorescent model protein representing macromolecules, such as antibody fragments, and fused to either the N- or C-terminus of monomeric LecA using recombinant DNA technology. Both LecA/EGFP fusion proteins crossed cellular monolayers in vitro. Of note, the conjugate with EGFP at the N-terminus of LecA (EGFP-LecA) showed a higher release rate than the conjugate with EGFP at the C-terminus (LecA-EGFP). Based on molecular dynamics simulations and cross-linking studies of giant unilamellar vesicles, we speculate that EGFP-LecA tends to be a dimer while LecA-EGFP forms a tetramer. Overall, we confidently propose the dimeric LecA chimeras as transcytotic drug delivery tools through Gb3-positive cellular barriers for future in vivo tests.
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Rosato F, Pasupuleti R, Tomisch J, Meléndez AV, Kolanovic D, Makshakova ON, Wiltschi B, Römer W. A bispecific, crosslinking lectibody activates cytotoxic T cells and induces cancer cell death. J Transl Med 2022; 20:578. [PMID: 36494671 PMCID: PMC9733292 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03794-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant glycosylation patterns play a crucial role in the development of cancer cells as they promote tumor growth and aggressiveness. Lectins recognize carbohydrate antigens attached to proteins and lipids on cell surfaces and represent potential tools for application in cancer diagnostics and therapy. Among the emerging cancer therapies, immunotherapy has become a promising treatment modality for various hematological and solid malignancies. Here we present an approach to redirect the immune system into fighting cancer by targeting altered glycans at the surface of malignant cells. We developed a so-called "lectibody", a bispecific construct composed of a lectin linked to an antibody fragment. This lectibody is inspired by bispecific T cell engager (BiTEs) antibodies that recruit cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) while simultaneously binding to tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) on cancer cells. The tumor-related glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) represents the target of this proof-of-concept study. It is recognized with high selectivity by the B-subunit of the pathogen-derived Shiga toxin, presenting opportunities for clinical development. METHODS The lectibody was realized by conjugating an anti-CD3 single-chain antibody fragment to the B-subunit of Shiga toxin to target Gb3+ cancer cells. The reactive non-canonical amino acid azidolysine (AzK) was inserted at predefined single positions in both proteins. The azido groups were functionalized by bioorthogonal conjugation with individual linkers that facilitated selective coupling via an alternative bioorthogonal click chemistry reaction. In vitro cell-based assays were conducted to evaluate the antitumoral activity of the lectibody. CTLs, Burkitt´s lymphoma-derived cells and colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines were screened in flow cytometry and cytotoxicity assays for activation and lysis, respectively. RESULTS This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that the lectibody activates T cells for their cytotoxic signaling, redirecting CTLs´ cytotoxicity in a highly selective manner and resulting in nearly complete tumor cell lysis-up to 93%-of Gb3+ tumor cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS This research highlights the potential of lectins in targeting certain tumors, with an opportunity for new cancer treatments. When considering a combinatorial strategy, lectin-based platforms of this type offer the possibility to target glycan epitopes on tumor cells and boost the efficacy of current therapies, providing an additional strategy for tumor eradication and improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Rosato
- grid.5963.9Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.5963.9Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rajeev Pasupuleti
- grid.432147.70000 0004 0591 4434ACIB - The Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Graz, Austria ,grid.410413.30000 0001 2294 748XInstitute of Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Jana Tomisch
- grid.5963.9Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.5963.9Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ana Valeria Meléndez
- grid.5963.9Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.5963.9Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.5963.9Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dajana Kolanovic
- grid.432147.70000 0004 0591 4434ACIB - The Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Graz, Austria ,grid.410413.30000 0001 2294 748XInstitute of Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Olga N. Makshakova
- grid.5963.9Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.419733.b0000 0004 0487 3538Kazan Institute for Biochemistry and Biophysics, FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS, Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - Birgit Wiltschi
- grid.432147.70000 0004 0591 4434ACIB - The Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Graz, Austria ,grid.410413.30000 0001 2294 748XInstitute of Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria ,grid.5173.00000 0001 2298 5320Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Winfried Römer
- grid.5963.9Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.5963.9Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.5963.9Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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