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Hanafy MS, Cui Z. Connexin-Containing Vesicles for Drug Delivery. AAPS J 2024; 26:20. [PMID: 38267725 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-024-00889-8] [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: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Connexin is a transmembrane protein present on the cell membrane of most cell types. Connexins assemble into a hexameric hemichannel known as connexon that pairs with another hemichannel present on a neighboring cell to form gap junction that acts as a channel or pore for the transport of ions and small molecules between the cytoplasm of the two cells. Extracellular vesicles released from connexin-expressing cells could carry connexin hemichannels on their surface and couple with another connexin hemichannel on a distant recipient cell to allow the transfer of the intravesicular content directly into the cytoplasm. Connexin-containing vesicles can be potentially utilized for intracellular drug delivery. In this review, we introduced cell-derived, connexin-containing extracellular vesicles and cell-free connexin-containing liposomes, methods of preparing them, procedures to load cargos in them, factors regulating the connexin hemichannel activity, (potential) applications of connexin-containing vesicles in drug delivery, and finally the challenges and future directions in realizing the promises of this platform delivery system for (intracellular) drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud S Hanafy
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Zhengrong Cui
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.
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2
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Wang D, Wang H, Fan L, Ludwig T, Wegner A, Stahl F, Harre J, Warnecke A, Zeilinger C. A Chemical Chaperone Restores Connexin 26 Mutant Activity. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:997-1005. [PMID: 37470015 PMCID: PMC10353060 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00056] [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: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in connexin 26 (Cx26) cause hearing disorders of a varying degree. Herein, to identify compounds capable of restoring the function of mutated Cx26, a novel miniaturized microarray-based screening system was developed to perform an optical assay of Cx26 functionality. These molecules were identified through a viability assay using HeLa cells expressing wild-type (WT) Cx26, which exhibited sensitivity toward the HSP90 inhibitor radicicol in the submicromolar concentration range. Open Cx26 hemichannels are assumed to mediate the passage of molecules up to 1000 Da in size. Thus, by releasing radicicol, WT Cx26 active hemichannels in HeLa cells contribute to a higher survival rate and lower cell viability when Cx26 is mutated. HeLa cells expressing Cx26 mutations exhibited reduced viability in the presence of radicicol, such as the mutants F161S or R184P. Next, molecules exhibiting chemical chaperoning activity, suspected of restoring channel function, were assessed regarding whether they induced superior sensitivity toward radicicol and increased HeLa cell viability. Through a viability assay and microarray-based flux assay that uses Lucifer yellow in HeLa cells, compounds 3 and 8 were identified to restore mutant functionality. Furthermore, thermophoresis experiments revealed that only 3 (VRT-534) exhibited dose-responsive binding to recombinant WT Cx26 and mutant Cx26K188N with half maximal effective concentration values of 19 and ∼5 μM, respectively. The findings of this study reveal that repurposing compounds already being used to treat other diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, in combination with functional bioassays and binding tests can help identify novel potential candidates that can be used to treat hearing disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahua Wang
- Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz
University of Hannover, BMWZ (Zentrum für
Biomolekulare Wirkstoffe), Schneiderberg 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany
- Clinic
for Otorhinolaryngology Surgery, Hannover
Medical School (MHH), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Hongling Wang
- Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz
University of Hannover, BMWZ (Zentrum für
Biomolekulare Wirkstoffe), Schneiderberg 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany
- Clinic
for Otorhinolaryngology Surgery, Hannover
Medical School (MHH), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Lu Fan
- Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz
University of Hannover, BMWZ (Zentrum für
Biomolekulare Wirkstoffe), Schneiderberg 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany
- Clinic
for Otorhinolaryngology Surgery, Hannover
Medical School (MHH), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Tobias Ludwig
- Technische
Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of
Systems Biology (BRICS), Department of Bioinformatics
and Biochemistry, Rebenring
56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andre Wegner
- Technische
Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig Integrated Centre of
Systems Biology (BRICS), Department of Bioinformatics
and Biochemistry, Rebenring
56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Frank Stahl
- Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz
University of Hannover, Institut für
Technische Chemie/BMWZ (Zentrum für Biomolekulare Wirkstoffe), Callinstr. 5, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jennifer Harre
- Clinic
for Otorhinolaryngology Surgery, Hannover
Medical School (MHH), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Athanasia Warnecke
- Clinic
for Otorhinolaryngology Surgery, Hannover
Medical School (MHH), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Carsten Zeilinger
- Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz
University of Hannover, BMWZ (Zentrum für
Biomolekulare Wirkstoffe), Schneiderberg 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany
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Calligari P, Torsello M, Bortoli M, Orian L, Polimeno A. Modelling of Ca2+-promoted structural effects in wild type and post-translationally modified Connexin26. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2019.1690653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Calligari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Mauro Torsello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Bortoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Laura Orian
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Antonino Polimeno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
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Wang H, Stahl F, Scheper T, Steffens M, Warnecke A, Zeilinger C. Microarray-based screening system identifies temperature-controlled activity of Connexin 26 that is distorted by mutations. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13543. [PMID: 31537823 PMCID: PMC6753059 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49423-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we show that human Connexin 26 (hCx26 or Cx26WT) hemichannel opening rapidly enables the transport of small molecules when triggered by temperature and by compensation of the Ca2+ blockade with EDTA. Point mutations within Cx26 were analysed by a novel optical microarray-based Lucifer Yellow uptake assay or by two electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) on frog oocytes to monitor simultaneous activities of channel proteins. Point mutations L90P, F161S, R184P or K188N influenced the temperature-dependent activity drastically. Since several mutations blocked trafficking, the temperature-dependent activity of the recombinant synthesized and purified wild-type Cx26WT and Cx26K188N hemichannel was tested by liposome flux assay (LFA) and on a microarray-based Lucifer Yellow uptake assay under warm conditions (>30 °C). The data from TEVC measurements and dye flux experiments showed that the mutations gave no or only a weak activity at increased temperature (>30 °C). We conclude that the position K188 in the Cx26WT forms a temperature-sensitive salt bridge with E47 whereas the exchange to K188N destabilizes the network loop- gating filter, which was recently identified as a part of the flexible Ca2+ binding site. We assume that the temperature sensitivity of Cx26 is required to protect cells from uncontrolled release or uptake activities through Cx26 hemichannels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongling Wang
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head- and Neck-Surgery, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz University of Hannover, BMWZ (Zentrum für Biomolekulare Wirkstoffe), Schneiderberg 38, 30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Stahl
- Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz University of Hannover, Institut für Technische Chemie/BMWZ (Zentrum für Biomolekulare Wirkstoffe), Callinstr. 5, 30167, Hannover, Germany.,Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz University of Hannover, BMWZ (Zentrum für Biomolekulare Wirkstoffe), Schneiderberg 38, 30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Scheper
- Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz University of Hannover, Institut für Technische Chemie/BMWZ (Zentrum für Biomolekulare Wirkstoffe), Callinstr. 5, 30167, Hannover, Germany.,Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz University of Hannover, BMWZ (Zentrum für Biomolekulare Wirkstoffe), Schneiderberg 38, 30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Melanie Steffens
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head- and Neck-Surgery, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Athanasia Warnecke
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head- and Neck-Surgery, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence EXC1077 "Hearing4all", German Research Foundation (DFG; "Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft"), Hannover, Germany
| | - Carsten Zeilinger
- Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz University of Hannover, BMWZ (Zentrum für Biomolekulare Wirkstoffe), Schneiderberg 38, 30167, Hannover, Germany.
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Höhl M, Zeilinger C, Roth B, Meinhardt-Wollweber M, Morgner U. Multivariate discrimination of heat shock proteins using a fiber optic Raman setup for in situ analysis of human perilymph. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2019; 90:043110. [PMID: 31043005 DOI: 10.1063/1.5030301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Raman spectroscopy has proven to be an effective tool for molecular analysis in different applications. In clinical diagnostics, its application has enabled nondestructive investigation of biological tissues and liquids. The human perilymph, for example, is an inner ear liquid, essential for the hearing sensation. The composition of this liquid is correlated with pathophysiological parameters and was analyzed by extraction and mass spectrometry so far. In this work, we present a fiber optic probe setup for the Raman spectroscopic sampling of inner ear proteins in solution. Multivariate data analysis is applied for the discrimination of individual proteins (heat shock proteins) linked to a specific type of hearing impairment. This proof-of-principle is a first step toward a system for sensitive and continuous in vivo perilymph investigation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Höhl
- Institut für Quantenoptik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover 30167, Germany
| | - Carsten Zeilinger
- Biomolekulares Wirkstoffzentrum, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover 30167, Germany
| | - Bernhard Roth
- Hannoversches Zentrum für Optische Technologien, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover 30167, Germany
| | | | - Uwe Morgner
- Institut für Quantenoptik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover 30167, Germany
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