Molecular conversion of MIG6 hotspot-3 peptide from the nonbinder to a moderate binder of HER2 by rational design of an orthogonal interaction system at the HER2-peptide interface

A Multivalent DNA Nanoparticle/Peptide Hybrid Molecular Modality for the Modulation of Protein-Protein Interactions in the Tumor Microenvironment

Despite success in the treatment of some blood cancers and melanoma, positive response to immunotherapies remains disappointingly low in the treatment of solid tumors. The context of the molecular crosstalk within the tumor microenvironment can result in dysfunctional immune cell activation, leading to tumor tolerance and progression. Although modulating these protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is vital for appropriate immune cell activation and recognition, targeting nonenzymatic PPIs has proven to be fraught with challenges. To address this, we introduce a synthetic, multivalent molecular modality comprised of small interfering peptides precisely hybridized to a semi-rigid DNA scaffold. Herein, we describe a prototype of this modality that targets the IL-33/ST2 signaling axis, which is associated with tumor tolerance and immunotherapy treatment failure. Using peptides that mimic the specific high energy "hotspot" residues with which the IL-33/ST2 co-receptor, IL-1RAcP, interacts with the initial binary complex, we show this platform to effectively bind IL-33/ST2 with aK D of 110 nM. Additionally, this molecule effectively abrogates signal transduction in cell models at high nanomolar concentrations and is exquisitely selective for this complex over structurally similar PPIs within the same cytokine superfamily.