1
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Hsiao MH, Miao Y, Liu Z, Schütze K, Limjunyawong N, Chien DCC, Monteiro WD, Chu LS, Morgenlander W, Jayaraman S, Jang SE, Gray JJ, Zhu H, Dong X, Steinegger M, Larman HB. Molecular Display of the Animal Meta-Venome for Discovery of Novel Therapeutic Peptides. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.27.595990. [PMID: 38854075 PMCID: PMC11160688 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.27.595990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Animal venoms, distinguished by their unique structural features and potent bioactivities, represent a vast and relatively untapped reservoir of therapeutic molecules. However, limitations associated with extracting or expressing large numbers of individual venoms and venom-like molecules have precluded their therapeutic evaluation via high throughput screening. Here, we developed an innovative computational approach to design a highly diverse library of animal venoms and "metavenoms". We employed programmable M13 hyperphage display to preserve critical disulfide-bonded structures for highly parallelized single-round biopanning with quantitation via high-throughput DNA sequencing. Our approach led to the discovery of Kunitz type domain containing proteins that target the human itch receptor Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X4 (MRGPRX4), which plays a crucial role in itch perception. Deep learning-based structural homology mining identified two endogenous human homologs, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and serine peptidase inhibitor, Kunitz type 2 (SPINT2), which exhibit agonist-dependent potentiation of MRGPRX4. Highly multiplexed screening of animal venoms and metavenoms is therefore a promising approach to uncover new drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Hsuan Hsiao
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Yang Miao
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Zixing Liu
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Biology, Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Konstantin Schütze
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Nathachit Limjunyawong
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center of Research Excellence in Allergy and Immunology, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand
| | - Daphne Chun-Che Chien
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Wayne Denis Monteiro
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Lee-Shin Chu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - William Morgenlander
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sahana Jayaraman
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sung-eun Jang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jeffrey J. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Heng Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Viral Oncology Program, Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Xinzhong Dong
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Martin Steinegger
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Artificial Intelligence Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - H. Benjamin Larman
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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2
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Wang Y, Kilic O, Rozumalski L, Distefano MD, Wagner CR. Targeted Drug Delivery by MMAE Farnesyl-Bioconjugated Multivalent Chemically Self-Assembled Nanorings Induces Potent Receptor-Dependent Immunogenic Cell Death. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:582-592. [PMID: 38701361 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.4c00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates, nanoparticles, and liposomes have been used for anticancer drug delivery. The success of targeted killing of cancer cells relies heavily on the selectivity of the drug delivery systems. In most systems, antibodies or their fragments were used as targeting ligands. In this study, we have investigated the potential for protein-based octomeric chemically self-assembled nanorings (CSANs) to be used for anticancer drug delivery. The CSANs are composed of a DHFR-DHFR fusion protein incorporating an EGFR-targeting fibronectin and the anticancer drug MMAE conjugated through a C-terminal farnesyl azide. The anti-EGFR-MMAE CSANs were shown to undergo rapid internalization and have potent cytotoxicity to cancer cells across a 9000-fold difference in EGFR expression. In addition, anti-EGFR-MMAE CSANs were shown to induce immunological cell death. Thus, multivalent and modular CSANs are a potential alternative anticancer drug delivery platform with the capability of targeting tumor cells with heterogeneous antigen expression while activating the anticancer immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Ozgun Kilic
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Lakmal Rozumalski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mark D Distefano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Carston R Wagner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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3
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Mierzwicka JM, Petroková H, Kafková LR, Kosztyu P, Černý J, Kuchař M, Petřík M, Bendová K, Krasulová K, Groza Y, Vaňková L, Bharadwaj S, Panova N, Křupka M, Škarda J, Raška M, Malý P. Engineering PD-1-targeted small protein variants for in vitro diagnostics and in vivo PET imaging. J Transl Med 2024; 22:426. [PMID: 38711085 PMCID: PMC11071268 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05210-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) belongs to immune checkpoint proteins ensuring negative regulation of the immune response. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the sensitivity to treatment with anti-PD-1 therapeutics, and its efficacy, mostly correlated with the increase of tumor infiltrating PD-1+ lymphocytes. Due to solid tumor heterogeneity of PD-1+ populations, novel low molecular weight anti-PD-1 high-affinity diagnostic probes can increase the reliability of expression profiling of PD-1+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in tumor tissue biopsies and in vivo mapping efficiency using immune-PET imaging. METHODS We designed a 13 kDa β-sheet Myomedin scaffold combinatorial library by randomization of 12 mutable residues, and in combination with ribosome display, we identified anti-PD-1 Myomedin variants (MBA ligands) that specifically bound to human and murine PD-1-transfected HEK293T cells and human SUP-T1 cells spontaneously overexpressing cell surface PD-1. RESULTS Binding affinity to cell-surface expressed human and murine PD-1 on transfected HEK293T cells was measured by fluorescence with LigandTracer and resulted in the selection of most promising variants MBA066 (hPD-1 KD = 6.9 nM; mPD-1 KD = 40.5 nM), MBA197 (hPD-1 KD = 29.7 nM; mPD-1 KD = 21.4 nM) and MBA414 (hPD-1 KD = 8.6 nM; mPD-1 KD = 2.4 nM). The potential of MBA proteins for imaging of PD-1+ populations in vivo was demonstrated using deferoxamine-conjugated MBA labeled with 68Galium isotope. Radiochemical purity of 68Ga-MBA proteins reached values 94.7-99.3% and in vitro stability in human serum after 120 min was in the range 94.6-98.2%. The distribution of 68Ga-MBA proteins in mice was monitored using whole-body positron emission tomography combined with computerized tomography (PET/CT) imaging up to 90 min post-injection and post mortem examined in 12 mouse organs. The specificity of MBA proteins was proven by co-staining frozen sections of human tonsils and NSCLC tissue biopsies with anti-PD-1 antibody, and demonstrated their potential for mapping PD-1+ populations in solid tumors. CONCLUSIONS Using directed evolution, we developed a unique set of small binding proteins that can improve PD-1 diagnostics in vitro as well as in vivo using PET/CT imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Maria Mierzwicka
- Laboratory of Ligand Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV Research Center, Průmyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Petroková
- Laboratory of Ligand Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV Research Center, Průmyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Leona Rašková Kafková
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Olomouc, Zdravotníků 248/7, 77900, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Hněvotínská 3, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kosztyu
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Olomouc, Zdravotníků 248/7, 77900, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Hněvotínská 3, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Černý
- Laboratory of Structural Bioinformatics of Proteins, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV Research Center, Průmyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Kuchař
- Laboratory of Ligand Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV Research Center, Průmyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Miloš Petřík
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University Olomouc, Hněvotínská 5, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Bendová
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University Olomouc, Hněvotínská 5, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Krasulová
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University Olomouc, Hněvotínská 5, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Yaroslava Groza
- Laboratory of Ligand Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV Research Center, Průmyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Vaňková
- Laboratory of Ligand Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV Research Center, Průmyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Shiv Bharadwaj
- Laboratory of Ligand Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV Research Center, Průmyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Natalya Panova
- Laboratory of Ligand Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV Research Center, Průmyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Křupka
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Olomouc, Zdravotníků 248/7, 77900, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Hněvotínská 3, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jozef Škarda
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Olomouc, Zdravotníků 248/7, 77900, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Hněvotínská 3, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Hněvotínská 3, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Raška
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Olomouc, Zdravotníků 248/7, 77900, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Hněvotínská 3, 779 00, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Malý
- Laboratory of Ligand Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV Research Center, Průmyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic.
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4
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Dinh-Fricke AV, Hantschel O. Improving the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and plasma stability of monobodies. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:fphar.2024.1393112. [PMID: 38617793 PMCID: PMC7615827 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1393112] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Several targeted anticancer drugs entered clinical practice and improved survival of cancer patients with selected tumor types, but therapy resistance and metastatic disease remains a challenge. A major class of targeted anticancer drugs are therapeutic antibodies, but their use is limited to extracellular targets. Hence, alternative binding scaffolds have been investigated for intracellular use and better tumor tissue penetration. Among those, monobodies are small synthetic protein binders that were engineered to bind with high affinity and selectivity to central intracellular oncoproteins and inhibit their signaling. Despite their use as basic research tools, the potential of monobodies as protein therapeutics remains to be explored. In particular, the pharmacological properties of monobodies, including plasma stability, toxicity and pharmacokinetics have not been investigated. Here, we show that monobodies have high plasma stability, are well-tolerated in mice, but have a short half-life in vivo due to rapid renal clearance. Therefore, we engineered monobody fusions with an albumin-binding domain (ABD), which showed enhanced pharmacological properties without affecting their target binding: We found that ABD-monobody fusions display increased stability in mouse plasma. Most importantly, ABD-monobodies have a dramatically prolonged in vivo half-life and are not rapidly excreted by renal clearance, remaining in the blood significantly longer, while not accumulating in specific internal organs. Our results demonstrate the promise and versatility of monobodies to be developed into future therapeutics for cancer treatment. We anticipate that monobodies may be able to extend the spectrum of intracellular targets, resulting in a significant benefit to patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Oliver Hantschel
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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5
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Barbieri E, Mollica GN, Moore BD, Sripada SA, Shastry S, Kilgore RE, Loudermilk CM, Whitacre ZH, Kilgour KM, Wuestenhagen E, Aldinger A, Graalfs H, Rammo O, Schulte MM, Johnson TF, Daniele MA, Menegatti S. Peptide ligands targeting the vesicular stomatitis virus G (VSV-G) protein for the affinity purification of lentivirus particles. Biotechnol Bioeng 2024; 121:618-639. [PMID: 37947118 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The recent uptick in the approval of ex vivo cell therapies highlights the relevance of lentivirus (LV) as an enabling viral vector of modern medicine. As labile biologics, however, LVs pose critical challenges to industrial biomanufacturing. In particular, LV purification-currently reliant on filtration and anion-exchange or size-exclusion chromatography-suffers from long process times and low yield of transducing particles, which translate into high waiting time and cost to patients. Seeking to improve LV downstream processing, this study introduces peptides targeting the enveloped protein Vesicular stomatitis virus G (VSV-G) to serve as affinity ligands for the chromatographic purification of LV particles. An ensemble of candidate ligands was initially discovered by implementing a dual-fluorescence screening technology and a targeted in silico approach designed to identify sequences with high selectivity and tunable affinity. The selected peptides were conjugated on Poros resin and their LV binding-and-release performance was optimized by adjusting the flow rate, composition, and pH of the chromatographic buffers. Ligands GKEAAFAA and SRAFVGDADRD were selected for their high product yield (50%-60% of viral genomes; 40%-50% of HT1080 cell-transducing particles) upon elution in PIPES buffer with 0.65 M NaCl at pH 7.4. The peptide-based adsorbents also presented remarkable values of binding capacity (up to 3·109 TU per mL of resin, or 5·1011 vp per mL of resin, at the residence time of 1 min) and clearance of host cell proteins (up to a 220-fold reduction of HEK293 HCPs). Additionally, GKEAAFAA demonstrated high resistance to caustic cleaning-in-place (0.5 M NaOH, 30 min) with no observable loss in product yield and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Barbieri
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gina N Mollica
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Brandyn D Moore
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sobhana A Sripada
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shriarjun Shastry
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ryan E Kilgore
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Casee M Loudermilk
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zachary H Whitacre
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Katie M Kilgour
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Thomas F Johnson
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michael A Daniele
- North Carolina Viral Vector Initiative in Research and Learning (NC-VVIRAL), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stefano Menegatti
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- North Carolina Viral Vector Initiative in Research and Learning (NC-VVIRAL), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- LigaTrap Technologies LLC, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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6
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Nielsen GH, Schmitz ZD, Hackel BJ. Sequence-developability mapping of affibody and fibronectin paratopes via library-scale variant characterization. Protein Eng Des Sel 2024; 37:gzae010. [PMID: 38836499 PMCID: PMC11170491 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein developability is requisite for use in therapeutic, diagnostic, or industrial applications. Many developability assays are low throughput, which limits their utility to the later stages of protein discovery and evolution. Recent approaches enable experimental or computational assessment of many more variants, yet the breadth of applicability across protein families and developability metrics is uncertain. Here, three library-scale assays-on-yeast protease, split green fluorescent protein (GFP), and non-specific binding-were evaluated for their ability to predict two key developability outcomes (thermal stability and recombinant expression) for the small protein scaffolds affibody and fibronectin. The assays' predictive capabilities were assessed via both linear correlation and machine learning models trained on the library-scale assay data. The on-yeast protease assay is highly predictive of thermal stability for both scaffolds, and the split-GFP assay is informative of affibody thermal stability and expression. The library-scale data was used to map sequence-developability landscapes for affibody and fibronectin binding paratopes, which guides future design of variants and libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory H Nielsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Zachary D Schmitz
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Benjamin J Hackel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
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7
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Zhang S, Wu L, Dang M. Antibody mimetics: The next generation antibody engineering, a retrospective and prospective analysis. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300532. [PMID: 38059436 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Antibody mimetics represent the fourth generation of antibody engineering, following polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, and genetically engineered antibody fragments. Despite cumulative studies highlighting the advantages of antibody mimetics, including enhanced recognition properties, superior affinity, stability, penetrability, and cost-effectiveness, a comprehensive review of this evolving field is notably absent. In this study, spanning 1986-2023 and analyzing 24,318 publications, we undertake a retrospective and prospective analysis to elucidate the evolution roadmap of antibody mimetics, providing insights into the current landscape, global contributions, and future trajectories. Concurrently, our aim is to establish standardized terminology and delineate the research scope within the realm of antibody mimetics. These endeavors not only chart the trajectory and scope of antibody mimetics research but also underscore its potential to revolutionize medicine, technology, and science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siran Zhang
- Xi'an Middle School of Shaanxi Province, Weiyang, Xi'an, China
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
- HSS, Stanford University, Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Longjiang Wu
- Qinba State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment, College of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, China
| | - Mei Dang
- Qinba State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment, College of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, China
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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8
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Joseph J, Mathew J, Alexander J. Scaffold Proteins in Autoimmune Disorders. Curr Rheumatol Rev 2024; 20:14-26. [PMID: 37670692 DOI: 10.2174/1573397119666230904151024] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Cells transmit information to the external environment and within themselves through signaling molecules that modulate cellular activities. Aberrant cell signaling disturbs cellular homeostasis causing a number of different diseases, including autoimmunity. Scaffold proteins, as the name suggests, serve as the anchor for binding and stabilizing signaling proteins at a particular locale, allowing both intra and intercellular signal amplification and effective signal transmission. Scaffold proteins play a critical role in the functioning of tight junctions present at the intersection of two cells. In addition, they also participate in cleavage formation during cytokinesis, and in the organization of neural synapses, and modulate receptor management outcomes. In autoimmune settings such as lupus, scaffold proteins can lower the cell activation threshold resulting in uncontrolled signaling and hyperactivity. Scaffold proteins, through their binding domains, mediate protein- protein interaction and play numerous roles in cellular communication and homeostasis. This review presents an overview of scaffold proteins, their influence on the different signaling pathways, and their role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and auto inflammatory diseases. Since these proteins participate in many roles and interact with several other signaling pathways, it is necessary to gain a thorough understanding of these proteins and their nuances to facilitate effective target identification and therapeutic design for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josna Joseph
- Department of Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology, CMC Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - John Mathew
- Department of Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology, CMC Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jessy Alexander
- Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Buffalo, New York, USA
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9
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Kudo G, Yanagisawa K, Yoshino R, Hirokawa T. AAp-MSMD: Amino Acid Preference Mapping on Protein-Protein Interaction Surfaces Using Mixed-Solvent Molecular Dynamics. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:7768-7777. [PMID: 38085669 PMCID: PMC10751795 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01677] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Peptides have attracted much attention recently owing to their well-balanced properties as drugs against protein-protein interaction (PPI) surfaces. Molecular simulation-based predictions of binding sites and amino acid residues with high affinity to PPI surfaces are expected to accelerate the design of peptide drugs. Mixed-solvent molecular dynamics (MSMD), which adds probe molecules or fragments of functional groups as solutes to the hydration model, detects the binding hotspots and cryptic sites induced by small molecules. The detection results vary depending on the type of probe molecule; thus, they provide important information for drug design. For rational peptide drug design using MSMD, we proposed MSMD with amino acid residue probes, named amino acid probe-based MSMD (AAp-MSMD), to detect hotspots and identify favorable amino acid types on protein surfaces to which peptide drugs bind. We assessed our method in terms of hotspot detection at the amino acid probe level and binding free energy prediction with amino acid probes at the PPI site for the complex structure that formed the PPI. In hotspot detection, the max-spatial probability distribution map (max-PMAP) obtained from AAp-MSMD detected the PPI site, to which each type of amino acid can bind favorably. In the binding free energy prediction using amino acid probes, ΔGFE obtained from AAp-MSMD roughly estimated the experimental binding affinities from the structure-activity relationship. AAp-MSMD, with amino acid probes, provides estimated binding sites and favorable amino acid types at the PPI site of a target protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genki Kudo
- Physics
Department, Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8571, Ibaraki Japan
| | - Keisuke Yanagisawa
- Department
of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro 152-8550, Tokyo Japan
- Middle
Molecule IT-based Drug Discovery Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro 152-8550, Tokyo Japan
| | - Ryunosuke Yoshino
- Faculty
of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8575, Ibaraki Japan
- Transborder
Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8577, Ibaraki Japan
| | - Takatsugu Hirokawa
- Faculty
of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8575, Ibaraki Japan
- Transborder
Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8577, Ibaraki Japan
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10
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Thumtecho S, Burlet NJ, Ljungars A, Laustsen AH. Towards better antivenoms: navigating the road to new types of snakebite envenoming therapies. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2023; 29:e20230057. [PMID: 38116472 PMCID: PMC10729942 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2023-0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a significant global health challenge, and for over a century, traditional plasma-derived antivenoms from hyperimmunized animals have been the primary treatment against this infliction. However, these antivenoms have several inherent limitations, including the risk of causing adverse reactions when administered to patients, batch-to-batch variation, and high production costs. To address these issues and improve treatment outcomes, the development of new types of antivenoms is crucial. During this development, key aspects such as improved clinical efficacy, enhanced safety profiles, and greater affordability should be in focus. To achieve these goals, modern biotechnological methods can be applied to the discovery and development of therapeutic agents that can neutralize medically important toxins from multiple snake species. This review highlights some of these agents, including monoclonal antibodies, nanobodies, and selected small molecules, that can achieve broad toxin neutralization, have favorable safety profiles, and can be produced on a large scale with standardized manufacturing processes. Considering the inherent strengths and limitations related to the pharmacokinetics of these different agents, a combination of them might be beneficial in the development of new types of antivenom products with improved therapeutic properties. While the implementation of new therapies requires time, it is foreseeable that the application of biotechnological advancements represents a promising trajectory toward the development of improved therapies for snakebite envenoming. As research and development continue to advance, these new products could emerge as the mainstay treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suthimon Thumtecho
- Division of Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nick J. Burlet
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anne Ljungars
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andreas H. Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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11
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Blanchard PL, Knick BJ, Whelan SA, Hackel BJ. Hyperstable Synthetic Mini-Proteins as Effective Ligand Scaffolds. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3608-3622. [PMID: 38010428 PMCID: PMC10822706 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Small, single-domain protein scaffolds are compelling sources of molecular binding ligands with the potential for efficient physiological transport, modularity, and manufacturing. Yet, mini-proteins require a balance between biophysical robustness and diversity to enable new functions. We tested the developability and evolvability of millions of variants of 43 designed libraries of synthetic 40-amino acid βαββ proteins with diversified sheet, loop, or helix paratopes. We discovered a scaffold library that yielded hundreds of binders to seven targets while exhibiting high stability and soluble expression. Binder discovery yielded 6-122 nM affinities without affinity maturation and Tms averaging ≥78 °C. Broader βαββ libraries exhibited varied developability and evolvability. Sheet paratopes were the most consistently developable, and framework 1 was the most evolvable. Paratope evolvability was dependent on target, though several libraries were evolvable across many targets while exhibiting high stability and soluble expression. Select βαββ proteins are strong starting points for engineering performant binders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul L. Blanchard
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Brandon J. Knick
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Sarah A. Whelan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Benjamin J. Hackel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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12
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Thran M, Pönisch M, Danz H, Horscroft N, Ichtchenko K, Tzipori S, Shoemaker CB. Co-administration of an effector antibody enhances the half-life and therapeutic potential of RNA-encoded nanobodies. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14632. [PMID: 37670025 PMCID: PMC10480410 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41092-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and associated mortality have increased rapidly worldwide in recent years. Therefore, it is critical to develop new therapies for CDI. Here we report on the development of mRNA-LNPs encoding camelid-derived VHH-based neutralizing agents (VNAs) targeting toxins A and/or B of C. difficile. In preclinical models, intravenous administration of the mRNA-LNPs provided serum VNA levels sufficient to confer protection of mice against severe disease progression following toxin challenge. Furthermore, we employed an mRNA-LNP encoded effector antibody, a molecular tool designed to specifically bind an epitopic tag linked to the VNAs, to prolong VNA serum half-life. Co-administration of VNA-encoding mRNA-LNPs and an effector antibody, either provided as recombinant protein or encoded by mRNA-LNP, increased serum VNA half-life in mice and in gnotobiotic piglets. Prolonged serum half-life was associated with higher concentrations of serum VNA and enhanced prophylactic protection of mice in challenge models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hillary Danz
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | | | - Konstantin Ichtchenko
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Saul Tzipori
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Charles B Shoemaker
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA.
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13
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Kivitz A, Wang L, Alevizos I, Gunsior M, Falloon J, Illei G, St Clair EW. The MIDORA trial: a phase II, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, mechanistic insight and dosage optimisation study of the efficacy and safety of dazodalibep in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. RMD Open 2023; 9:e003317. [PMID: 37541743 PMCID: PMC10407378 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the safety, efficacy and response duration of four different dosing regimens of dazodalibep (DAZ), a non-antibody biological antagonist of CD40L, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS This double-blind study included adult patients with moderate-to-severe active RA with a positive test for serum rheumatoid factor and/or anticitrullinated protein antibodies, an inadequate response to methotrexate, other conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors, and no prior treatment with B-cell depleting agents. Eligible participants were randomised equally to five groups receiving intravenous infusions of DAZ or placebo. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in the Disease Activity Score-28 with C reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) at day 113. Participants were followed through day 309. RESULTS The study randomised 78 eligible participants. The change from baseline in DAS28-CRP (least squares means±SE) at day 113 was significantly greater for all DAZ groups (-1.83±0.28 to -1.90±0.27; p<0.05) relative to PBO (-1.06±0.26); significant reductions in DAS28-CRP were also observed for all DAZ groups at day 309. The distribution of adverse events was generally balanced among DAZ and PBO groups (74% and 63%, respectively). There were four serious adverse events deemed by investigators to be unrelated to study medication. CONCLUSIONS DAZ treatment for all dosage regimens significantly reduced DAS28-CRP at day 113 relative to PBO. The safety data suggest an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. Treatment effects at day 113 and the prolonged duration of responses after DAZ cessation support the use of longer dosing intervals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04163991.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Kivitz
- Department of Rheumatology, Altoona Center for Clinical Research, Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Gabor Illei
- Horizon Therapeutics plc, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- IRD Biomedical Consulting, LLC, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - E William St Clair
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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14
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Passon M, De Smedt S, Svilenov HL. Principles of antibodies with ultralong complementarity-determining regions and picobodies. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 64:108120. [PMID: 36764335 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108120] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
In contrast to other species, cattle possess exceptional antibodies with ultra-long complementarity-determining regions (ulCDRs) that can consist of 40-70 amino acids. The bovine ulCDR is folded into a stalk and a disulfide-rich knob domain. The binding to the antigen is via the 3-6 kDa knob. There exists an immense sequence and structural diversity in the knob that enables binding to different antigens. Here we summarize the current knowledge of the ulCDR structure and provide an overview of the approaches to discover ulCDRs against novel antigens. Furthermore, we outline protein engineering approaches inspired by the natural ulCDRs. Finally, we discuss the enormous potential of using isolated bovine knobs, also named picobodies, as the smallest antigen-binding domains derived from natural antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Passon
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Stefaan De Smedt
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Hristo L Svilenov
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
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15
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Vunnam N, Been M, Huber E, Paulson C, Szymonski S, Hackel BJ, Sachs JN. Discovery of a Non-competitive TNFR1 Antagonist Affibody with Picomolar Monovalent Potency That Does Not Affect TNFR2 Function. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:1884-1897. [PMID: 36897792 PMCID: PMC10849843 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a key regulator of immune responses and plays a significant role in the initiation and maintenance of inflammation. Upregulation of TNF expression leads to several inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Despite the clinical success of anti-TNF treatments, the use of these therapies is limited because they can induce adverse side effects through inhibition of TNF biological activity, including blockade of TNF-induced immunosuppressive function of TNFR2. Using yeast display, we identified a synthetic affibody ligand (ABYTNFR1-1) with high binding affinity and specificity for TNFR1. Functional assays showed that the lead affibody potently inhibits TNF-induced NF-κB activation (IC50 of 0.23 nM) and, crucially, does not block the TNFR2 function. Additionally, ABYTNFR1-1 acts non-competitively─it does not block TNF binding or inhibit receptor-receptor interactions in pre-ligand-assembled dimers─thereby enhancing inhibitory robustness. The mechanism, monovalent potency, and affibody scaffold give this lead molecule uniquely strong potential as a therapeutic candidate for inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagamani Vunnam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - MaryJane Been
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Evan Huber
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Carolyn Paulson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Sophia Szymonski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Benjamin J. Hackel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Jonathan N. Sachs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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16
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Juntit OA, Sornsuwan K, Wisitponchai T, Sanghiran Lee V, Sakkhachornphop S, Yasamut U, Tayapiwatana C. Dimeric Ankyrin with Inverted Module Promotes Bifunctional Property in Capturing Capsid to Impede HIV-1 Replication. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065266. [PMID: 36982337 PMCID: PMC10048781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Several anti-HIV scaffolds have been proposed as complementary treatments to highly active antiretroviral therapy. AnkGAG1D4, a designed ankyrin repeat protein, formerly demonstrated anti-HIV-1 replication by interfering with HIV-1 Gag polymerization. However, the improvement of the effectiveness was considered. Recently, the dimeric molecules of AnkGAG1D4 were accomplished in enhancing the binding activity against HIV-1 capsid (CAp24). In this study, the interaction of CAp24 against the dimer conformations was elucidated to elaborate the bifunctional property. The accessibility of the ankyrin binding domains was inspected by bio-layer interferometry. By inverting the second module of dimeric ankyrin (AnkGAG1D4NC-CN), the CAp24 interaction KD was significantly reduced. This reflects the capability of AnkGAG1D4NC-CN in simultaneously capturing CAp24. On the contrary, the binding activity of dimeric AnkGAG1D4NC-NC was indistinguishable from the monomeric AnkGAG1D4. The bifunctional property of AnkGAG1D4NC-CN was subsequently confirmed in the secondary reaction with additional p17p24. This data correlates with the MD simulation, which suggested the flexibility of the AnkGAG1D4NC-CN structure. The CAp24 capturing capacity was influenced by the distance of the AnkGAG1D4 binding domains to introduce the avidity mode of AnkGAG1D4NC-CN. Consequently, AnkGAG1D4NC-CN showed superior potency in interfering with HIV-1 NL4-3 WT and HIV-1 NL4-3 MIRCAI201V replication than AnkGAG1D4NC-NC and an affinity improved AnkGAG1D4-S45Y.
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Affiliation(s)
- On-anong Juntit
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (O.-a.J.); (K.S.); (T.W.); (U.Y.)
- Center of Biomolecular Therapy and Diagnostic, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Kanokporn Sornsuwan
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (O.-a.J.); (K.S.); (T.W.); (U.Y.)
- Center of Biomolecular Therapy and Diagnostic, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Tanchanok Wisitponchai
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (O.-a.J.); (K.S.); (T.W.); (U.Y.)
- Center of Biomolecular Therapy and Diagnostic, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Vannajan Sanghiran Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Drug Design Development Research Group, Center of Theoretical and Computational Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
| | | | - Umpa Yasamut
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (O.-a.J.); (K.S.); (T.W.); (U.Y.)
- Center of Biomolecular Therapy and Diagnostic, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Center of Innovative Immunodiagnostic Development, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Chatchai Tayapiwatana
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (O.-a.J.); (K.S.); (T.W.); (U.Y.)
- Center of Biomolecular Therapy and Diagnostic, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Center of Innovative Immunodiagnostic Development, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +66-8-1-8845141; Fax: +66-53-946042
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17
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Interaction of Positively Charged Oligopeptides with Blood Plasma Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032836. [PMID: 36769160 PMCID: PMC9918186 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032836] [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: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In this project, we combine two areas of research, experimental characterization and molecular docking studies of the interaction of positively charged oligopeptides with crucial blood plasma proteins. The investigated peptides are rich in NH2 groups of amino acid side chains from Dap, Orn, Lys, and Arg residues, which are relevant in protein interaction. The peptides are 9- and 11-mer with the following sequences: (Lys-Dab-Dab-Gly-Orn-Pro-His-Lys-Arg-Lys-Dbt), (Lys-Dab-Ala-Gly-Orn-Pro-His-Lys-Arg), and (Lys-Dab-Dab-Gly-Orn-Pro-Phe(2-F)-Lys-Arg). The net charge of the compound strongly depends on the pH environment and it is an important aspect of protein binding. The studied oligopeptides exhibit therapeutic properties: anti-inflammatory activity and the capacity to diminish reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, the mechanism of potential binding with blood plasma components is the next challenge. The binding interaction has been investigated under pseudo-physiological conditions with the main blood plasma proteins: albumin (BSA), α1-acid glycoprotein (AAG), and γ-globulin fraction (GGF). The biomolecular quenching constant (kq) and binding constant (Kb) were obtained by fluorescence spectroscopy at various temperatures. Simultaneously, the changes in the secondary structure of proteins were monitored by circular dichroism (CD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) by quantity analysis. Moreover, molecular docking studies were conducted to estimate the binding affinity, the binding domain, and the chemical nature of these interactions. The results show that the investigated oligopeptides could be mainly transported by albumin, and the binding domain I is the most favored cavity. The BSA and GGF are able to form stable complexes with the studied compounds as opposed to AAG. The binding reactions are spontaneous processes. The highest binding constants were determined for Lys-Dab-Dab-Gly-Orn-Pro-His-Lys-Arg-Lys-Dbt peptide, in which the values of the binding constants Kb to BSA and GGF were 10.1 × 104 dm3mol-1 and 3.39 × 103 dm3mol-1, respectively. The positively charged surface of peptides participated in salt bridge interaction with proteins; however, hydrogen bonds were also formed. The secondary structure of BSA and GGF after contact with peptides was changed. A reduction in the α-helix structure was observed with an increase in the β-sheet and β-turn and random coil structures.
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18
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Advances in antibody-based therapy in oncology. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:165-180. [PMID: 36806801 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00516-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are a growing class of targeted cancer therapeutics, characterized by exquisite specificity, long serum half-life, high affinity and immune effector functions. In this review, we outline key advances in the field with a particular focus on recent and emerging classes of engineered antibody therapeutic candidates, discuss molecular structure and mechanisms of action and provide updates on clinical development and practice.
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19
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Ito T, Nguyen TD, Saito Y, Kurumida Y, Nakazawa H, Kawada S, Nishi H, Tsuda K, Kameda T, Umetsu M. Selection of target-binding proteins from the information of weakly enriched phage display libraries by deep sequencing and machine learning. MAbs 2023; 15:2168470. [PMID: 36683172 PMCID: PMC9872955 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2168470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the advances in surface-display systems for directed evolution, variants with high affinity are not always enriched due to undesirable biases that increase target-unrelated variants during biopanning. Here, our goal was to design a library containing improved variants from the information of the "weakly enriched" library where functional variants were weakly enriched. Deep sequencing for the previous biopanning result, where no functional antibody mimetics were experimentally identified, revealed that weak enrichment was partly due to undesirable biases during phage infection and amplification steps. The clustering analysis of the deep sequencing data from appropriate steps revealed no distinct sequence patterns, but a Bayesian machine learning model trained with the selected deep sequencing data supplied nine clusters with distinct sequence patterns. Phage libraries were designed on the basis of the sequence patterns identified, and four improved variants with target-specific affinity (EC50 = 80-277 nM) were identified by biopanning. The selection and use of deep sequencing data without undesirable bias enabled us to extract the information on prospective variants. In summary, the use of appropriate deep sequencing data and machine learning with the sequence data has the possibility of finding sequence space where functional variants are enriched.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Ito
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Thuy Duong Nguyen
- Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Saito
- Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan,AIST-Waseda University Computational Bio Big-Data Open Innovation Laboratory (CBBD-OIL), Tokyo, Japan,Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan,Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, RIKEN, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoichi Kurumida
- Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hikaru Nakazawa
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Sakiya Kawada
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hafumi Nishi
- Department of Applied Information Sciences, Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan,Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan,Faculty of Core Research, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Tsuda
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan,Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, RIKEN, Tokyo, Japan,Research and Services Division of Materials Data and Integrated Systems, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tomoshi Kameda
- Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan,Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, RIKEN, Tokyo, Japan,CONTACT Tomoshi Kameda Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Umetsu
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan,Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, RIKEN, Tokyo, Japan,Mitsuo Umetsu Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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20
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Giang KA, Nygren PÅ, Nilvebrant J. Selection of Affibody Affinity Proteins from Phagemid Libraries. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2702:373-392. [PMID: 37679630 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3381-6_19] [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] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we describe a general protocol for the selection of target-binding affinity protein molecules from a phagemid-encoded library. The protocol is based on our experience with phage display selections of non-immunoglobulin affibody affinity proteins but can in principle be applied to perform biopanning experiments from any phage-displayed affinity protein library available in a similar phagemid vector. The procedure begins with an amplification of the library from frozen bacterial glycerol stocks via cultivation and helper phage superinfection, followed by a step-by-step instruction of target protein preparation, selection cycles, and post-selection analyses. The described procedures in this standard protocol are relatively conservative and rely on ordinary reagents and equipment available in most molecular biology laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Anh Giang
- Division of Protein Engineering, School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per-Åke Nygren
- Division of Protein Engineering, School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
| | - Johan Nilvebrant
- Division of Protein Engineering, School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
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21
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Ranaudo A, Cosentino U, Greco C, Moro G, Bonardi A, Maiocchi A, Moroni E. Evaluation of docking procedures reliability in affitins-partners interactions. Front Chem 2022; 10:1074249. [DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1074249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Affitins constitute a class of small proteins belonging to Sul7d family, which, in microorganisms such as Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, bind DNA preventing its denaturation. Thanks to their stability and small size (60–66 residues in length) they have been considered as ideal candidates for engineering and have been used for more than 10 years now, for different applications. The individuation of a mutant able to recognize a specific target does not imply the knowledge of the binding geometry between the two proteins. However, its identification is of undoubted importance but not always experimentally accessible. For this reason, computational approaches such as protein-protein docking can be helpful for an initial structural characterization of the complex. This method, which produces tens of putative binding geometries ordered according to a binding score, needs to be followed by a further reranking procedure for finding the most plausible one. In the present paper, we use the server ClusPro for generating docking models of affitins with different protein partners whose experimental structures are available in the Protein Data Bank. Then, we apply two protocols for reranking the docking models. The first one investigates their stability by means of Molecular Dynamics simulations; the second one, instead, compares the docking models with the interacting residues predicted by the Matrix of Local Coupling Energies method. Results show that the more efficient way to deal with the reranking problem is to consider the information given by the two protocols together, i.e. employing a consensus approach.
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22
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Ehsasatvatan M, Kohnehrouz BB, Gholizadeh A, Ofoghi H, Shanehbandi D. The production of the first functional antibody mimetic in higher plants: the chloroplast makes the DARPin G3 for HER2 imaging in oncology. Biol Res 2022; 55:32. [PMID: 36274167 PMCID: PMC9590205 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-022-00400-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Designed mimetic molecules are attractive tools in biopharmaceuticals and synthetic biology. They require mass and functional production for the assessment of upcoming challenges in the near future. The DARPin family is considered a mimetic pharmaceutical peptide group with high affinity binding to specific targets. DARPin G3 is designed to bind to the HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) tyrosine kinase receptor. Overexpression of HER2 is common in some cancers, including breast cancer, and can be used as a prognostic and predictive tool for cancer. The chloroplasts are cost-effective alternatives, equal to, and sometimes better than, bacterial, yeast, or mammalian expression systems. This research examined the possibility of the production of the first antibody mimetic, DARPin G3, in tobacco chloroplasts for HER2 imaging in oncology. Results The chloroplast specific DARPin G3 expression cassette was constructed and transformed into N. tabacum chloroplasts. PCR and Southern blot analysis confirmed integration of transgenes as well as chloroplastic and cellular homoplasmy. The Western blot analysis and ELISA confirmed the production of DARPin G3 at the commercial scale and high dose with the rate of 20.2% in leaf TSP and 33.7% in chloroplast TSP. The functional analysis by ELISA confirmed the binding of IMAC purified chloroplast-made DARPin G3 to the extracellular domain of the HER2 receptor with highly effective picomolar affinities. The carcinoma cellular studies by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed the correct functioning by the specific binding of the chloroplast-made DARPin G3 to the HER2 receptor on the surface of HER2-positive cancer cell lines. Conclusion The efficient functional bioactive production of DARPin G3 in chloroplasts led us to introduce plant chloroplasts as the site of efficient production of the first antibody mimetic molecules. This report, as the first case of the cost-effective production of mimetic molecules, enables researchers in pharmaceuticals, synthetic biology, and bio-molecular engineering to develop tool boxes by producing new molecular substitutes for diverse purposes.
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Abstract
The homeostasis of cellular activities is essential for the normal functioning of living organisms. Hence, the ability to regulate the fates of cells is of great significance for both fundamental chemical biology studies and therapeutic development. Despite the notable success of small-molecule drugs that normally act on cellular protein functions, current clinical challenges have highlighted the use of macromolecules to tune cell function for improved therapeutic outcomes. As a class of hybrid biomacromolecules gaining rapidly increasing attention, protein conjugates have exhibited great potential as versatile tools to manipulate cell function for therapeutic applications, including cancer treatment, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Therefore, recent progress in the design and assembly of protein conjugates used to regulate cell function is discussed in this review. The protein conjugates covered here are classified into three different categories based on their mechanisms of action and relevant applications: (1) regulation of intercellular interactions; (2) intervention in intracellular biological pathways; (3) termination of cell proliferation. Within each genre, a variety of protein conjugate scaffolds are discussed, which contain a diverse array of grafted molecules, such as lipids, oligonucleotides, synthetic polymers, and small molecules, with an emphasis on their conjugation methodologies and potential biomedical applications. While the current generation of protein conjugates is focused largely on delivery, the next generation is expected to address issues of site-specific conjugation, in vivo stability, controllability, target selectivity, and biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Carston R Wagner
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mark D Distefano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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Enfuvirtide biosynthesis in thermostable chaperone-based fusion. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS 2022; 35:e00734. [PMID: 35646620 PMCID: PMC9130503 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2022.e00734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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25
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Aubrey N, Gouilleux-Gruart V, Dhommée C, Mariot J, Boursin F, Albrecht N, Bergua C, Croix C, Gilotin M, Haudebourg E, Horiot C, Matthias L, Mouline C, Lajoie L, Munos A, Ferry G, Viaud-Massuard MC, Thibault G, Velge-Roussel F. Anticalin N- or C-Terminal on a Monoclonal Antibody Affects Both Production and In Vitro Functionality. Antibodies (Basel) 2022; 11:antib11030054. [PMID: 35997348 PMCID: PMC9397084 DOI: 10.3390/antib11030054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) represent an important advance in innovative therapeutic strategies. Among the countless formats of BsAbs, fusion with molecules such as anticalins linked to a monoclonal antibody (mAb), represents an easy and low-cost way to obtain innovative molecules. We fused an anticalin against human fibronectin to a molecule biosimilar to trastuzumab (H0) or rituximab (R0), in four different positions, two on the N terminal region of heavy or light chains and two on the C terminal region. The eight BsAbs (H family (HF) 1 to 4 and R family (RF) 1 to 4) were produced and their affinity parameters and functional properties evaluated. The presence of anticalin did not change the glycosylation of the BsAb, shape or yield. The antigenic recognition of each BsAb family, Her2 for HF1 to 4 and CD20 for RF1 to 4, was slightly decreased (HF) or absent (RF) for the anticalin N-terminal in the light chain position. The anticalin recognition of FN was slightly decreased for the HF family, but a dramatic decrease was observed for RF members with lowest affinity for RF1. Moreover, functional properties of Abs, such as CD16 activation of NK, CD32-dependent phagocytosis and FcRn transcytosis, confirmed that this anticalin position leads to less efficient BsAbs, more so for RF than HF molecules. Nevertheless, all BsAbs demonstrated affinities for CD16, CD32 and FcRn, which suggests that more than affinity for FcRs is needed for a functioning antibody. Our strategy using anticalin and Abs allows for rapid generation of BsAbs, but as suggested by our results, some positions of anticalins on Abs result in less functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Aubrey
- ISP UMR 1282, INRA, Team BioMAP, University of Tours, 31 Avenue Monge, 37200 Tours, France
| | | | - Christine Dhommée
- GICC EA7501, Team FRAME, University of Tours, 10 boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Julie Mariot
- GICC EA7501, Team FRAME, University of Tours, 10 boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Fanny Boursin
- ISP UMR 1282, INRA, Team BioMAP, University of Tours, 31 Avenue Monge, 37200 Tours, France
| | - Nicolas Albrecht
- GICC EA7501, Team IMT, University of Tours, 10 boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Cécile Bergua
- GICC EA7501, Team FRAME, University of Tours, 10 boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Cécile Croix
- GICC EA7501, Team IMT, University of Tours, 10 boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Mäelle Gilotin
- GICC EA7501, Team FRAME, University of Tours, 10 boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Eloi Haudebourg
- GICC EA7501, Team IMT, University of Tours, 10 boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Catherine Horiot
- ISP UMR 1282, INRA, Team BioMAP, University of Tours, 31 Avenue Monge, 37200 Tours, France
| | - Laetitia Matthias
- GICC EA7501, Team FRAME, University of Tours, 10 boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Caroline Mouline
- GICC EA7501, Team FRAME, University of Tours, 10 boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Laurie Lajoie
- GICC EA7501, Team FRAME, University of Tours, 10 boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Audrey Munos
- Institut du Médicament de Tours, BIO3, 15 rue du plat d’étain, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Gilles Ferry
- Chemistry Manufacturing and Control—Biologics, Institut de Recherches SERVIER, 78290 Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | | | - Gilles Thibault
- GICC EA7501, Team FRAME, University of Tours, 10 boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours, France
| | - Florence Velge-Roussel
- GICC EA7501, Team FRAME, University of Tours, 10 boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-247366058
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Abstract
![]()
There is a continuous demand to improve our
understanding of fundamental
processes that underlie human health and disease. Therefore, novel
strategies that can assist in these efforts are required. For example,
molecular biology and genetic approaches have revolutionized our understanding
of protein-mediated processes by facilitating their direct visualization
and analyses in living cells. Despite these developments, genetic
manipulation has limitations in controlling events that occur after
translation such as posttranslational modifications (PTMs), which
are imperative regulatory elements. As a result, developing new methods
to study PTMs in live cells is a major bottleneck in deciphering their
exact roles in the myriad cellular processes. Synthetic and
semisynthetic proteins are prepared by combining
solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and chemoselective ligation approaches
with synthetic or recombinant peptides. Employing protein synthesis
allows chemists to incorporate natural and unnatural modifications
with virtually unlimited number of functional groups into the protein’s
sequence, such as PTMs and their mimics. In addition, synthetic proteins
can include additional elements such as fluorescent tags, reactive
groups, caged units, and enrichment handles. Therefore, harnessing
the power of chemical protein synthesis offers great opportunities
to study fundamental biological processes. Unfortunately, the
low cell permeability of proteins limits their
applications mainly to in vitro settings, excluding
live cell studies. As a result, chemical biologists have been attempting
to overcome these limitations by developing protein delivery methods
that would enable the study of custom-made proteins in a biological
context. Success with these strategies should enable accurate determination
of protein localization, degradation, folding, interactions, and involvement
in the assembly of membrane-less organelles formed by liquid–liquid
phase separation inside cells. Importantly, protein delivery approaches
are complementary to genetic manipulations, and combining these approaches
should pave the way to new discoveries. In this Account, we
describe recent developments in protein delivery
methods, with emphasis on those most compatible with synthetic proteins.
We highlight experimental approaches and conceptual adaptations required
to design and study synthetic proteins in live cells, with or without
genetic manipulation. In addition, we highlight the strength and weakness
of these approaches for both the delivery and the subsequent studies.
We also describe our endeavors to deliver synthetic proteins to cells
via cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) and multiplexed bead loading
(MBL), as showcases of the applications of these methods to shed light
on biological processes. Lastly, we contemplate other future applications
of synthetic proteins to answer questions that are currently unapproachable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Mann
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200008, Israel
| | - Pradeep Sadhu
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200008, Israel
| | - Ashraf Brik
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200008, Israel
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Wu Y, Fan S, Dong M, Li J, Kong C, Zhuang J, Meng X, Lu S, Zhao Y, Wu C. Structure-guided design of CPPC-paired disulfide-rich peptide libraries for ligand and drug discovery. Chem Sci 2022; 13:7780-7789. [PMID: 35865895 PMCID: PMC9258321 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc00924b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides constrained through multiple disulfides (or disulfide-rich peptides, DRPs) have been an emerging frontier for ligand and drug discovery. Such peptides have the potential to combine the binding capability of biologics with the stability and bioavailability of smaller molecules. However, DRPs with stable three-dimensional (3D) structures are usually of natural origin or engineered from natural ones. Here, we report the discovery and identification of CPPC (cysteine–proline–proline–cysteine) motif-directed DRPs with stable 3D structures (i.e., CPPC–DRPs). A range of new CPPC–DRPs were designed or selected from either random or structure–convergent peptide libraries. Thus, for the first time we revealed that the CPPC–DRPs can maintain diverse 3D structures by taking advantage of constraints from unique dimeric CPPC mini-loops, including irregular structures and regular α-helix and β-sheet folds. New CPPC–DRPs that can specifically bind the receptors (CD28) on the cell surface were also successfully discovered and identified using our DRP-discovery platform. Overall, this study provides the basis for accessing an unconventional peptide structure space previously inaccessible by natural DRPs and computational designs, inspiring the development of new peptide ligands and therapeutics. CPPC-paired disulfide-rich peptides with stable 3D structures have been discovered through rational library design and screening, providing unconventional peptide scaffolds for the development of new peptide therapeutics.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Yapei Wu
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 P.R. China
| | - Shihui Fan
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 P.R. China
| | - Meng Dong
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 P.R. China
| | - Jinjing Li
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 P.R. China
| | - Chuilian Kong
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 P.R. China
| | - Jie Zhuang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 P.R. China
| | - Xiaoting Meng
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 P.R. China
| | - Shuaimin Lu
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 P.R. China
| | - Yibing Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 P.R. China
| | - Chuanliu Wu
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 P.R. China
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28
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Czechtizky W, Su W, Ripa L, Schiesser S, Höijer A, Cox RJ. Advances in the design of new types of inhaled medicines. PROGRESS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2022; 61:93-162. [PMID: 35753716 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmch.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Inhalation of small molecule drugs has proven very efficacious for the treatment of respiratory diseases due to enhanced efficacy and a favourable therapeutic index compared with other dosing routes. It enables targeted delivery to the lung with rapid onset of therapeutic action, low systemic drug exposure, and thereby reduced systemic side effects. An increasing number of pharmaceutical companies and biotechs are investing in new modalities-for this review defined as therapeutic molecules with a molecular weight >800Da and therefore beyond usual inhaled small molecule drug-like space. However, our experience with inhaled administration of PROTACs, peptides, oligonucleotides (antisense oligonucleotides, siRNAs, miRs and antagomirs), diverse protein scaffolds, antibodies and antibody fragments is still limited. Investigating the retention and metabolism of these types of molecules in lung tissue and fluid will contribute to understanding which are best suited for inhalation. Nonetheless, the first such therapeutic molecules have already reached the clinic. This review will provide information on the physiology of healthy and diseased lungs and their capacity for drug metabolism. It will outline the stability, aggregation and immunogenicity aspects of new modalities, as well as recap on formulation and delivery aspects. It concludes by summarising clinical trial outcomes with inhaled new modalities based on information available at the end of 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werngard Czechtizky
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal, Sweden.
| | - Wu Su
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Lena Ripa
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Stefan Schiesser
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Andreas Höijer
- Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism CMC Projects, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rhona J Cox
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Mölndal, Sweden
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Krovi SH, Kuchroo VK. Activation pathways that drive CD4 + T cells to break tolerance in autoimmune diseases . Immunol Rev 2022; 307:161-190. [PMID: 35142369 PMCID: PMC9255211 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are characterized by dysfunctional immune systems that misrecognize self as non-self and cause tissue destruction. Several cell types have been implicated in triggering and sustaining disease. Due to a strong association of major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II) proteins with various autoimmune diseases, CD4+ T lymphocytes have been thoroughly investigated for their roles in dictating disease course. CD4+ T cell activation is a coordinated process that requires three distinct signals: Signal 1, which is mediated by antigen recognition on MHC-II molecules; Signal 2, which boosts signal 1 in a costimulatory manner; and Signal 3, which helps to differentiate the activated cells into functionally relevant subsets. These signals are disrupted during autoimmunity and prompt CD4+ T cells to break tolerance. Herein, we review our current understanding of how each of the three signals plays a role in three different autoimmune diseases and highlight the genetic polymorphisms that predispose individuals to autoimmunity. We also discuss the drawbacks of existing therapies and how they can be addressed to achieve lasting tolerance in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Harsha Krovi
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vijay K Kuchroo
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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30
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Cardozo T, Cardozo L, Boutjdir M. Autoantibody:Autoantigen Competitor Decoys: Application to Cardiac Phenotypes. Front Immunol 2022; 13:812649. [PMID: 35154130 PMCID: PMC8832015 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.812649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are often associated with autoantibodies that abnormally target self-antigens (autoantigens). An intuitive therapeutic strategy for diseases caused by aAbs is to design decoys, or soluble molecules that target the antigen combining site of these aAbs, thereby blocking binding of aAb to self-antigen and subsequent tissue damage. Here, we review the known decoy molecules of these types, discuss newer technological opportunities afforded by monoclonal antibody and structural biology advances, and discuss the challenges to this approach. Recent opportunities relevant to this approach for cardiac phenotypes, specifically Ro-associated long QT syndrome, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Cardozo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lila Cardozo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Mohamed Boutjdir
- Department of Medicine, New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Medicine, Cell Biology and Pharmacology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, New York, NY, United States.,Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, New York, NY, United States
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31
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Floresta G, Abbate V. Recent progress in the imaging of c-Met aberrant cancers with positron emission tomography. Med Res Rev 2022; 42:1588-1606. [PMID: 35292998 PMCID: PMC9314990 DOI: 10.1002/med.21885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosine-protein kinase Met-also known as c-Met or HGFR-is a membrane receptor protein with associated tyrosine kinase activity physiologically stimulated by its natural ligand, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and is involved in different ways in cancer progression and tumourigenesis. Targeting c-Met with pharmaceuticals has been preclinically proved to have significant benefits for cancer treatment. Recently, evaluating the protein status during and before c-Met targeted therapy has been shown of relevant importance by different studies, demonstrating that there is a correlation between the status (e.g., aberrant activation and overexpression) of the HGFR with therapy response and clinical prognosis. Currently, clinical imaging based on positron emission tomography (PET) appears as one of the most promising tools for the in vivo real-time scanning of irregular alterations of the tyrosine-protein kinase Met and for the diagnosis of c-Met related cancers. In this study, we review the recent progress in the imaging of c-Met aberrant cancers with PET. Particular attention is directed on the development of PET probes with a range of different sizes (HGF, antibodies, anticalines, peptides, and small molecules), and radiolabeled with different radionuclides. The goal of this review is to report all the preclinical imaging studies based on PET imaging reported until now for in vivo diagnosis of c-Met in oncology to support the design of novel and more effective PET probes for in vivo evaluation of c-Met.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Floresta
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Vincenzo Abbate
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
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32
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Protein-conjugated microbubbles for the selective targeting of S. aureus biofilms. Biofilm 2022; 4:100074. [PMID: 35340817 PMCID: PMC8942837 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2022.100074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important human pathogen and a common cause of bloodstream infection. The ability of S. aureus to form biofilms, particularly on medical devices, makes treatment difficult, as does its tendency to spread within the body and cause secondary foci of infection. Prolonged courses of intravenous antimicrobial treatment are usually required for serious S. aureus infections. This work investigates the in vitro attachment of microbubbles to S. aureus biofilms via a novel Affimer protein, AClfA1, which targets the clumping factor A (ClfA) virulence factor – a cell-wall anchored protein associated with surface attachment. Microbubbles (MBs) are micron-sized gas-filled bubbles encapsulated by a lipid, polymer, or protein monolayer or other surfactant-based material. Affimers are small (∼12 kDa) heat-stable binding proteins developed as replacements for antibodies. The binding kinetics of AClfA1 against S. aureus ClfA showed strong binding affinity (KD = 62 ± 3 nM). AClfA1 was then shown to bind S. aureus biofilms under flow conditions both as a free ligand and when bound to microparticles (polymer beads or microbubbles). Microbubbles functionalized with AClfA1 demonstrated an 8-fold increase in binding compared to microbubbles functionalized with an identical Affimer scaffold but lacking the recognition groups. Bound MBs were able to withstand flow rates of 250 μL/min. Finally, ultrasound was applied to burst the biofilm bound MBs to determine whether this would lead to biofilm biomass loss or cell death. Application of a 2.25 MHz ultrasound profile (with a peak negative pressure of 0.8 MPa and consisting of a 22-cycle sine wave, at a pulse repetition rate of 10 kHz) for 2 s to a biofilm decorated with targeted MBs, led to a 25% increase in biomass loss and a concomitant 8% increase in dead cell count. The results of this work show that Affimers can be developed to target S. aureus biofilms and that such Affimers can be attached to contrast agents such as microbubbles or polymer beads and offer potential, with some optimization, for drug-free biofilm treatment.
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An albumin scaffold grafted with an alpha-helical motif delivers therapeutic payloads by modular coiled-coil assembly. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 205:376-384. [PMID: 35157904 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.02.040] [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: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A short in vivo half-life of protein-based therapeutics often restricts successful clinical translation despite their promising efficacy in vitro. As a biocompatible half-life extender, human serum albumin (HSA) has proven effective in some cases. While genetic fusion is well-established for interlinking HSA and a protein payload, it is limited to structurally simple proteins, necessitating new strategies to expand the utility of HSA for delivery of therapeutic proteins. Here, we report a novel HSA variant (eHSA) as a modular and long-acting carrier compatible with any protein payload of interest. The assembly between eHSA and a payload was driven by a heterodimeric coiled-coil interaction in which a short α-helix grafted onto HSA specifically bound to a complementary α-helix genetically fused to a payload. We showed various proteins including tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), single-chain TRAIL, or green fluorescent protein could piggyback onto eHSA via simple mixing without losing native activity. Additionally, either in presence or absence of a payload, eHSA was found to retain the pH-dependent FcRn-binding behavior - a critical attribute for prolonged survival in the systemic circulation. These results demonstrate eHSA would serve as a modular platform capable of delivering various therapeutic proteins with potentially long in vivo half-lives.
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34
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Ayurini M, Chandler PG, O’Leary PD, Wang R, Rudd D, Milewska KD, Malins LR, Buckle AM, Hooper JF. Polymer End Group Control through a Decarboxylative Cobalt-Mediated Radical Polymerization: New Avenues for Synthesizing Peptide, Protein, and Nanomaterial Conjugates. JACS AU 2022; 2:169-177. [PMID: 35098233 PMCID: PMC8790747 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cobalt-mediated radical polymerizations (CMRPs) have been initiated by the radical decarboxylation of tetrachlorophthalimide activated esters. This allows for the controlled radical polymerization of activated monomers across a broad temperature range with a single cobalt species, with the incorporation of polymer end groups derived from simple carboxylic acid derivatives and termination with an organozinc reagent. This method has been applied to the synthesis of a polymer/graphene conjugate and a water-soluble protein/polymer conjugate, demonstrating the first examples of CMRP in graphene and protein conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meri Ayurini
- Department
of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
- Chemistry
Department, Universitas Pertamina, South Jakarta 12220, Indonesia
| | - Peter G. Chandler
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul D. O’Leary
- Department
of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Ruoxin Wang
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - David Rudd
- Monash
Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Parkville, 3052 Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen D. Milewska
- Research
School of Chemistry, Australian National
University, Acton, 2601 Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Lara R. Malins
- Research
School of Chemistry, Australian National
University, Acton, 2601 Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Ashley M. Buckle
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Joel F. Hooper
- Department
of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
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35
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Serna N, Pallarès V, Unzueta U, Garcia-Leon A, Voltà-Durán E, Sánchez-Chardi A, Parladé E, Rueda A, Casanova I, Falgàs A, Alba-Castellón L, Sierra J, Villaverde A, Vázquez E, Mangues R. Engineering non-antibody human proteins as efficient scaffolds for selective, receptor-targeted drug delivery. J Control Release 2022; 343:277-287. [PMID: 35051493 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembling non-immunoglobulin scaffold proteins are a promising class of nanoscale carriers for drug delivery and interesting alternatives to antibody-based carriers that are not sufficiently efficient in systemic administration. To exploit their potentialities in clinics, protein scaffolds need to be further tailored to confer appropriate targeting and to overcome their potential immunogenicity, short half-life in plasma and proteolytic degradation. We have here engineered three human scaffold proteins as drug carrier nanoparticles to target the cytokine receptor CXCR4, a tumoral cell surface marker of high clinical relevance. The capability of these scaffolds for the selective delivery of Monomethyl auristatin E has been comparatively evaluated in a disseminated mouse model of human, CXCR4+ acute myeloid leukemia. Monomethyl auristatin E is an ultra-potent anti-mitotic drug used against a range of hematological neoplasias, which because of its high toxicity is not currently administered as a free drug but as payload in antibody-drug conjugates. The protein nanoconjugates generated here offer a collective strength of simple manufacturing process, high proteolytic and structural stability and multivalent ligand receptor interactions that result in a highly efficient and selective delivery of the payload drug and in a potent anticancer effect. The approach shown here stresses this class of human scaffold proteins as promising alternatives to antibodies for targeted drug delivery in the rapidly evolving drug development landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naroa Serna
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Present address: Nanoligent SL. Edifici Eureka, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victor Pallarès
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Sant Antoni Mª Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC Campus Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ugutz Unzueta
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Sant Antoni Mª Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC Campus Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Annabel Garcia-Leon
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Sant Antoni Mª Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC Campus Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eric Voltà-Durán
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Sánchez-Chardi
- Servei de Microscòpia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona. 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eloi Parladé
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ariana Rueda
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Sant Antoni Mª Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC Campus Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isolda Casanova
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Sant Antoni Mª Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC Campus Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aïda Falgàs
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Sant Antoni Mª Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC Campus Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lorena Alba-Castellón
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Sant Antoni Mª Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC Campus Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Sierra
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC Campus Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain; Departament d'Hematologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Vázquez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ramón Mangues
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Sant Antoni Mª Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC Campus Sant Pau), 08025 Barcelona, Spain
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36
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Nassiri M, Behnam-Rasouli R, Vakili-Azghandi M, Gopalan V, Dolati P, Nourmohammadi R. Refined immunoRNases for the efficient targeting and selective killing of tumour cells: A novel strategy. Life Sci 2022; 289:120222. [PMID: 34902436 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120222] [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: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In order to overcome limitations of conventional cancer therapy methods, immunotoxins with the capability of target-specific action have been designed and evaluated pre-clinically, and some of them are in clinical studies. Targeting cancer cells via antibodies specific for tumour-associated surface proteins is a new biomedical approach that could provide the selectivity that is lacking in conventional cancer therapy methods such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A successful example of an approved immunotoxin is represented by immunoRNases. ImmunoRNases are fusion proteins in which the toxin has been replaced by a ribonuclease. Conjugation of RNase molecule to monoclonal antibody or antibody fragment was shown to enhance specific cell-killing by several orders of magnitude, both in vitro and in animal models. There are several RNases obtained from different mammalian cells that are expected to be less immunogenic and systemically toxic. In fact, RNases are pro-toxins which become toxic only upon their internalization in target cells mediated by the antibody moiety. The structure and large size of the antibody molecules assembled with the immunoRNases have always been a challenge in the application of immunoRNases as an antitoxin. To overcome this obstacle, we have offered a new strategy for the application of immunoRNases as a promising approach for upgrading immunoRNAses with maximum affinity and high stability in the cell, which can ultimately act as an effective large-scale cancer treatment. In this review, we introduce the optimized antibody-like molecules with small size, approximately 10 kD, which are presumed to significantly enhance RNase activity and be a suitable agent with the potential for anti-cancer functionality. In addition, we also discuss new molecular entities such as monobody, anticalin, nonobody and affilin as refined versions in the development of immunoRNases. These small molecules express their functionality with the suitable small size as well as with low immunogenicity in the cell, as a part of immunoRNases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Nassiri
- Recombinant Proteins Research Group, The Research Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, NSW, Australia.
| | - Reihane Behnam-Rasouli
- Recombinant Proteins Research Group, The Research Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Vinod Gopalan
- Cancer Molecular Pathology, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4222, Australia
| | - Peyman Dolati
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Rouhollah Nourmohammadi
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Lorestan 68137-17133, Iran
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37
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Bouchiba Y, Ruffini M, Schiex T, Barbe S. Computational Design of Miniprotein Binders. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2405:361-382. [PMID: 35298822 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1855-4_17] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Miniprotein binders hold a great interest as a class of drugs that bridges the gap between monoclonal antibodies and small molecule drugs. Like monoclonal antibodies, they can be designed to bind to therapeutic targets with high affinity, but they are more stable and easier to produce and to administer. In this chapter, we present a structure-based computational generic approach for miniprotein inhibitor design. Specifically, we describe step-by-step the implementation of the approach for the design of miniprotein binders against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, using available structural data on the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (RBD) in interaction with its native target, the human receptor ACE2. Structural data being increasingly accessible around many protein-protein interaction systems, this method might be applied to the design of miniprotein binders against numerous therapeutic targets. The computational pipeline exploits provable and deterministic artificial intelligence-based protein design methods, with some recent additions in terms of binding energy estimation, multistate design and diverse library generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younes Bouchiba
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, ANITI, Toulouse, France
| | - Manon Ruffini
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, ANITI, Toulouse, France
- Université Fédérale de Toulouse, ANITI, INRAE, UR 875, Toulouse, France
| | - Thomas Schiex
- Université Fédérale de Toulouse, ANITI, INRAE, UR 875, Toulouse, France
| | - Sophie Barbe
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, ANITI, Toulouse, France.
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38
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Binder design for targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein: An in silico perspective. GENE REPORTS 2021; 26:101452. [PMID: 34849425 PMCID: PMC8616691 DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic is now affecting all people around the world and getting worse. New antiviral medications are desperately needed other than the few approved medications that have shown no promising efficacy so far. Methods Here we report three blocking binders for targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to block the interaction between the spike protein on the SARS-CoV-2 and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, responsible for viral homing into the alveolar epithelium type II cells (AECII). Results The design process is based on the collected natural scaffolds and using Rosetta interface for designing the binders. Conclusion Based on the structural analysis, three binders were selected, and the results showed that they might be promising as new therapeutic targets for blocking COVID-19.
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39
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Kolářová L, Zahradník J, Huličiak M, Mikulecký P, Peleg Y, Shemesh M, Schreiber G, Schneider B. De novo developed protein binders mimicking Interferon lambda signaling. FEBS J 2021; 289:2672-2684. [PMID: 34826176 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
We hereby describe the process of design and selection of nonantibody protein binders mimicking cytokine signaling. We chose to mimic signaling of IFN-λ1, type 3 interferon (also known as IL-29) for its novelty and the importance of its biological functions. All four known interferons λ signal through binding to the extracellular domains of IL-28 receptor 1 (IL-28R1) and IL-10 receptor 2 (IL-10R2). Our binders were therefore trained to bind both receptors simultaneously. The bifunctional binder molecules were developed by yeast display, a method of directed evolution. The signaling capacity of the bivalent binders was tested by measuring phosphorylation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway and production of mRNA of six selected genes naturally induced by IFN- λ1 in human cell lines. The newly developed bivalent binders offer opportunities to study cytokine-related biological functions and modulation of the cell behavior by receptor activation on the cell surfaces alternative to the use of natural IFN-λ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Kolářová
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Zahradník
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maroš Huličiak
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Mikulecký
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Yoav Peleg
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maya Shemesh
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gideon Schreiber
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Bohdan Schneider
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
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40
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Akkapeddi P, Teng KW, Koide S. Monobodies as tool biologics for accelerating target validation and druggable site discovery. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:1839-1853. [PMID: 34820623 PMCID: PMC8597423 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00188d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite increased investment and technological advancement, new drug approvals have not proportionally increased. Low drug approval rates, particularly for new targets, are linked to insufficient target validation at early stages. Thus, there remains a strong need for effective target validation techniques. Here, we review the use of synthetic binding proteins as tools for drug target validation, with focus on the monobody platform among several advanced synthetic binding protein platforms. Monobodies with high affinity and high selectivity can be rapidly developed against challenging targets, such as KRAS mutants, using protein engineering technologies. They have strong tendency to bind to functional sites and thus serve as drug-like molecules, and they can serve as targeting ligands for constructing bio-PROTACs. Genetically encoded monobodies are effective "tool biologics" for validating intracellular targets. They promote crystallization and help reveal the atomic structures of the monobody-target interface, which can inform drug design. Using case studies, we illustrate the potential of the monobody technology in accelerating target validation and small-molecule drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padma Akkapeddi
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center New York NY USA
| | - Kai Wen Teng
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center New York NY USA
| | - Shohei Koide
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center New York NY USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine New York NY USA
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41
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Ito T, Nishi H, Kameda T, Yoshida M, Fukazawa R, Kawada S, Nakazawa H, Umetsu M. Combination Informatic and Experimental Approach for Selecting Scaffold Proteins for Development as Antibody Mimetics. CHEM LETT 2021. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.210443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Ito
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-11 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Hafumi Nishi
- Department of Applied Information Sciences, Graduate School of Information Science, Tohoku University, 6-3-09 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8573, Japan
- Faculty of Core Research, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8610, Japan
| | - Tomoshi Kameda
- Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-4-7 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
- Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, RIKEN, 1-4-1 Nihombashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan
| | - Mayu Yoshida
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-11 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Reito Fukazawa
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-11 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Sakiya Kawada
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-11 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Hikaru Nakazawa
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-11 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Umetsu
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-11 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
- Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, RIKEN, 1-4-1 Nihombashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan
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42
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Ban D, Rice CT, McCoy MA. Quantification of natural abundance NMR data differentiates the solution behavior of monoclonal antibodies and their fragments. MAbs 2021; 13:1978132. [PMID: 34612804 PMCID: PMC8496538 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2021.1978132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Biotherapeutics are an important class of molecules for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. They include low molecular weight peptides, highly engineered protein scaffolds and monoclonal antibodies. During their discovery and development, assessments of the biophysical attributes is critical to understanding the solution behavior of therapeutic proteins and for de-risking liabilities. Thus, methods that can quantify, characterize, and provide a basis to inform risks and drive the selection of more optimal antibody and alternative scaffolds are needed. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a technique that provides a means to probe antibody and antibody-like molecules in solution, at atomic resolution, under any formulated conditions. Here, all samples were profiled at natural abundance requiring no isotope enrichment. We present a numerical approach that quantitates two-dimensional methyl spectra. The approach was tested with a reference dataset that contained different types of antibody and antibody-like molecules. This dataset was processed through a procedure we call a Random Sampling of NMR Peaks for Covariance Analysis. This analysis revealed that the first two components were well correlated with the hydrodynamic radius of the molecules included in the reference set. Higher-order principal components were also linked to dynamic features between different tethered antibody-like molecules and contributed to decisions around candidate selection. The reference set provides a basis to characterize molecules with unknown solution behavior and is sensitive to the behavior of a molecule formulated under different conditions. The approach is independent of protein design, scaffold, formulation and provides a facile method to quantify solution behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ban
- Department of Computational and Structural Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc, Kenilworth, NJ, USA
| | - Cory T Rice
- Department of Computational and Structural Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc, Kenilworth, NJ, USA
| | - Mark A McCoy
- Department of Computational and Structural Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc, Kenilworth, NJ, USA
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43
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Paulus C, Zapp J, Luzhetskyy A. New Scabimycins A-C Isolated from Streptomyces acidiscabies (Lu19992). Molecules 2021; 26:5922. [PMID: 34641466 PMCID: PMC8513078 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide natural products displaying a wide range of biological activities have become important drug candidates over the years. Microorganisms have been a powerful source of such bioactive peptides, and Streptomyces have yielded many novel natural products thus far. In an effort to uncover such new, meaningful compounds, the metabolome of Streptomyces acidiscabies was analyzed thoroughly. Three new compounds, scabimycins A-C (1-3), were discovered, and their chemical structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy. The relative and absolute configurations were determined using ROESY NMR experiments and advanced Marfey's method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanze Paulus
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany;
| | - Josef Zapp
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany;
| | - Andriy Luzhetskyy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany;
- AMEG Department, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
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Jia Z, Liu Y, Ji X, Zheng Y, Li Z, Jiang S, Li H, Kong Y. DAKS1, a Kunitz Scaffold Peptide from the Venom Gland of Deinagkistrodon acutus Prevents Carotid-Artery and Middle-Cerebral-Artery Thrombosis via Targeting Factor XIa. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14100966. [PMID: 34681191 PMCID: PMC8539665 DOI: 10.3390/ph14100966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Scaffold-based peptides (SBPs) are fragments of large proteins that are characterized by potent bioactivity, high thermostability, and low immunogenicity. Some SBPs have been approved by the FDA for human use. In the present study, we developed SBPs from the venom gland of Deinagkistrodon acutus (D. acutus) by combining transcriptome sequencing and Pfam annotation. To that end, 10 Kunitz peptides were discovered from the venom gland of D. acutus, and most of which peptides exhibited Factor XIa (FXIa) inhibitory activity. One of those, DAKS1, exhibiting strongest inhibitory activity against FXIa, was further evaluated for its anticoagulant and antithrombotic activity. DAKS1 prolonged twofold APTT at a concentration of 15 μM in vitro. DAKS1 potently inhibited thrombosis in a ferric chloride-induced carotid-artery injury model in mice at a dose of 1.3 mg/kg. Furthermore, DAKS1 prevented stroke in a transient middle cerebral-artery occlusion (tMCAO) model in mice at a dose of 2.6 mg/kg. Additionally, DAKS1 did not show significant bleeding risk at a dose of 6.5 mg/kg. Together, our results indicated that DAKS1 is a promising candidate for drug development for the treatment of thrombosis and stroke disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yi Kong
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-025-832-712-82
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Leung D, Bonacorsi S, Smith RA, Weber W, Hayes W. Molecular Imaging and the PD-L1 Pathway: From Bench to Clinic. Front Oncol 2021; 11:698425. [PMID: 34497758 PMCID: PMC8420047 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.698425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors target the important molecular interplay between PD-1 and PD-L1, a key pathway contributing to immune evasion in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Long-term clinical benefit has been observed in patients receiving PD-(L)1 inhibitors, alone and in combination with other treatments, across multiple tumor types. PD-L1 expression has been associated with response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, and treatment strategies are often guided by immunohistochemistry-based diagnostic tests assessing expression of PD-L1. However, challenges related to the implementation, interpretation, and clinical utility of PD-L1 diagnostic tests have led to an increasing number of preclinical and clinical studies exploring interrogation of the TME by real-time imaging of PD-(L)1 expression by positron emission tomography (PET). PET imaging utilizes radiolabeled molecules to non-invasively assess PD-(L)1 expression spatially and temporally. Several PD-(L)1 PET tracers have been tested in preclinical and clinical studies, with clinical trials in progress to assess their use in a number of cancer types. This review will showcase the development of PD-(L)1 PET tracers from preclinical studies through to clinical use, and will explore the opportunities in drug development and possible future clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Leung
- Translational Medicine, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, United States
| | - Samuel Bonacorsi
- Translational Medicine, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, United States
| | - Ralph Adam Smith
- Translational Medicine, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, United States
| | - Wolfgang Weber
- Technische Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wendy Hayes
- Translational Medicine, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, United States
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Le Saux S, Aubert-Pouëssel A, Mohamed KE, Martineau P, Guglielmi L, Devoisselle JM, Legrand P, Chopineau J, Morille M. Interest of extracellular vesicles in regards to lipid nanoparticle based systems for intracellular protein delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 176:113837. [PMID: 34144089 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Compared to chemicals that continue to dominate the overall pharmaceutical market, protein therapeutics offer the advantages of higher specificity, greater activity, and reduced toxicity. While nearly all existing therapeutic proteins were developed against soluble or extracellular targets, the ability for proteins to enter cells and target intracellular compartments can significantly broaden their utility for a myriad of exiting targets. Given their physical, chemical, biological instability that could induce adverse effects, and their limited ability to cross cell membranes, delivery systems are required to fully reveal their biological potential. In this context, as natural protein nanocarriers, extracellular vesicles (EVs) hold great promise. Nevertheless, if not present naturally, bringing an interest protein into EV is not an easy task. In this review, we will explore methods used to load extrinsic protein into EVs and compare these natural vectors to their close synthetic counterparts, liposomes/lipid nanoparticles, to induce intracellular protein delivery.
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Wicke N, Bedford MR, Howarth M. Gastrobodies are engineered antibody mimetics resilient to pepsin and hydrochloric acid. Commun Biol 2021; 4:960. [PMID: 34381153 PMCID: PMC8358037 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02487-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-based targeting reagents, such as antibodies and non-antibody scaffold proteins, are rapidly inactivated in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Hydrochloric acid in gastric juice denatures proteins and activates pepsin, concentrations of which reach 1 mg/mL in the mammalian stomach. Two stable scaffold proteins (nanobody and nanofitin), previously developed to be protease-resistant, were completely digested in less than 10 min at 100-fold lower concentration of pepsin than found in the stomach. Here we present gastrobodies, a protein scaffold derived from Kunitz soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI). SBTI is highly resistant to the challenges of the upper GI tract, including digestive proteases, pH 2 and bile acids. Computational prediction of SBTI's evolvability identified two nearby loops for randomization, to create a potential recognition surface which was experimentally validated by alanine scanning. We established display of SBTI on full-length pIII of M13 phage. Phage selection of gastrobody libraries against the glucosyltransferase domain of Clostridium difficile toxin B (GTD) identified hits with nanomolar affinity and enzyme inhibitory activity. Anti-GTD binders retained high stability to acid, digestive proteases and heat. Gastrobodies show resilience to exceptionally harsh conditions, which should provide a foundation for targeting and modulating function within the GI tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Wicke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Mark Howarth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Bikhet M, Iwase H, Yamamoto T, Jagdale A, Foote JB, Ezzelarab M, Anderson DJ, Locke JE, Eckhoff DE, Hara H, Cooper DKC. What Therapeutic Regimen Will Be Optimal for Initial Clinical Trials of Pig Organ Transplantation? Transplantation 2021; 105:1143-1155. [PMID: 33534529 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We discuss what therapeutic regimen might be acceptable/successful in the first clinical trial of genetically engineered pig kidney or heart transplantation. As regimens based on a calcineurin inhibitor or CTLA4-Ig have proved unsuccessful, the regimen we administer to baboons is based on induction therapy with antithymocyte globulin, an anti-CD20 mAb (Rituximab), and cobra venom factor, with maintenance therapy based on blockade of the CD40/CD154 costimulation pathway (with an anti-CD40 mAb), with rapamycin, and a corticosteroid. An anti-inflammatory agent (etanercept) is administered for the first 2 wk, and adjuvant therapy includes prophylaxis against thrombotic complications, anemia, cytomegalovirus, and pneumocystis. Using this regimen, although antibody-mediated rejection certainly can occur, we have documented no definite evidence of an adaptive immune response to the pig xenograft. This regimen could also form the basis for the first clinical trial, except that cobra venom factor will be replaced by a clinically approved agent, for example, a C1-esterase inhibitor. However, none of the agents that block the CD40/CD154 pathway are yet approved for clinical use, and so this hurdle remains to be overcome. The role of anti-inflammatory agents remains unproven. The major difference between this suggested regimen and those used in allotransplantation is the replacement of a calcineurin inhibitor with a costimulation blockade agent, but this does not appear to increase the complications of the regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Bikhet
- Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Hayato Iwase
- Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Takayuki Yamamoto
- Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Abhijit Jagdale
- Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Jeremy B Foote
- Department of Microbiology and Animal Resources Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Mohamed Ezzelarab
- Department of Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Douglas J Anderson
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Jayme E Locke
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Devin E Eckhoff
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Hidetaka Hara
- Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - David K C Cooper
- Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
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Nanomedicines functionalized with anti-EGFR ligands for active targeting in cancer therapy: Biological strategy, design and quality control. Int J Pharm 2021; 605:120795. [PMID: 34119579 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recently, active targeting using nanocarriers with biological ligands has emerged as a novel strategy for improving the delivery of therapeutic and/or imaging agents to tumor cells. The presence of active targeting moieties on the surface of nanomedicines has been shown to play an important role in enhancing their accumulation in tumoral cells and tissues versus healthy ones. This property not only helps to increase the therapeutic index but also to minimize possible side effects of the designed nanocarriers. Since the overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) is a common occurrence linked to the progression of a broad variety of cancers, the potential application of anti-EGFR immunotherapy and EGFR-targeting ligands in active targeting nanomedicines is getting increasing attention. Henceforth, the EGFR-targeted nanomedicines were extensively studied in vitro and in vivo but exhibited both satisfactory and disappointing results, depending on used protocols. This review is designed to give an overview of a variety of EGFR-targeting ligands available for nanomedicines, how to conjugate them onto the surface of nanoparticles, and the main analytical methods to confirm this successful conjugation.
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Golinski AW, Mischler KM, Laxminarayan S, Neurock NL, Fossing M, Pichman H, Martiniani S, Hackel BJ. High-throughput developability assays enable library-scale identification of producible protein scaffold variants. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2026658118. [PMID: 34078670 PMCID: PMC8201827 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2026658118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins require high developability-quantified by expression, solubility, and stability-for robust utility as therapeutics, diagnostics, and in other biotechnological applications. Measuring traditional developability metrics is low throughput in nature, often slowing the developmental pipeline. We evaluated the ability of 10 variations of three high-throughput developability assays to predict the bacterial recombinant expression of paratope variants of the protein scaffold Gp2. Enabled by a phenotype/genotype linkage, assay performance for 105 variants was calculated via deep sequencing of populations sorted by proxied developability. We identified the most informative assay combination via cross-validation accuracy and correlation feature selection and demonstrated the ability of machine learning models to exploit nonlinear mutual information to increase the assays' predictive utility. We trained a random forest model that predicts expression from assay performance that is 35% closer to the experimental variance and trains 80% more efficiently than a model predicting from sequence information alone. Utilizing the predicted expression, we performed a site-wise analysis and predicted mutations consistent with enhanced developability. The validated assays offer the ability to identify developable proteins at unprecedented scales, reducing the bottleneck of protein commercialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W Golinski
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Katelynn M Mischler
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Sidharth Laxminarayan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Nicole L Neurock
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Matthew Fossing
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Hannah Pichman
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Stefano Martiniani
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Benjamin J Hackel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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