1
|
Xiong Y, Liu Z, Wang Y, Wang J, Zhou X, Li X. Development and Evaluation of a Water-Free In Situ Depot Gel Formulation for Long-Acting and Stable Delivery of Peptide Drug ACTY116. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:620. [PMID: 38794282 PMCID: PMC11125081 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16050620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In situ depot gel is a type of polymeric long-acting injectable (pLAI) drug delivery system; compared to microsphere technology, its preparation process is simpler and more conducive to industrialization. To ensure the chemical stability of peptide ACTY116, we avoided the use of harsh conditions such as high temperatures, high shear mixing, or homogenization; maintaining a water-free and oxygen-free environment was also critical to prevent hydrolysis and oxidation. Molecular dynamics (MDs) simulations were employed to assess the stability mechanism between ACTY116 and the pLAI system. The initial structure of ACTY116 with an alpha helix conformation was constructed using SYBYL-X, and the copolymer PLGA was generated by AMBER 16; results showed that PLGA-based in situ depot gel improved conformational stability of ACTY116 through hydrogen bonds formed between peptide ACTY116 and the components of the pLAI formulation, while PLGA (Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)) also created steric hindrance and shielding effects to prevent conformational changes. As a result, the chemical and conformational stability and in vivo long-acting characteristics of ACTY116 ensure its enhanced efficacy. In summary, we successfully achieved our objective of developing a highly stable peptide-loaded long-acting injectable (LAI) in situ depot gel formulation that is stable for at least 3 months under harsh conditions (40 °C, above body temperature), elucidating the underlying stabilisation mechanism, and the high stability of the ACTY116 pLAI formulation creates favourable conditions for its in vivo pharmacological activity lasting for weeks or even months.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingxin Xiong
- Institute of Materia Medica and Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China;
| | - Zhirui Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Xinan Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China;
| | - Yuanqiang Wang
- Chongqing School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; (Y.W.); (J.W.)
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Chongqing School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; (Y.W.); (J.W.)
| | - Xing Zhou
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Science and Technology Achievement Incubation Center, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Xiaohui Li
- Institute of Materia Medica and Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China;
- Engineering Research Center for Pharmacodynamics Evaluation, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xiong Y, Wang J, Zhou X, Li X. The Development of a Stable Peptide-Loaded Long-Acting Injection Formulation through a Comprehensive Understanding of Peptide Degradation Mechanisms: A QbD-Based Approach. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:266. [PMID: 38399320 PMCID: PMC10891632 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020266] [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: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Quality by design (QbD) serves as a systematic approach to pharmaceutical development, beginning with predefined objectives and emphasizing an understanding of the product based on sound science and risk management. The purpose of this study is to utilize the QbD concept to develop a stable peptide-loaded long-acting injection formulation. An in-depth comprehension of peptide degradation mechanisms was achieved through forced degradation investigations, elucidating (acid) hydrolysis and oxidation as the primary degradation pathways for the peptide ACTY116. The quality built into the product was focused on risk assessment, for which the critical material attributes (CMAs) and critical process parameters (CPPs) associated with the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of each formulation were identified, leading to the development of the corresponding control strategies. CQAs for three LAI (long-acting injectable) formulations were enhanced by taking the right control strategies. The LAI formulation exhibiting the highest stability for ACTY116 was chosen for subsequent pharmacokinetic investigations in rats. The objective of addressing peptide chemical instability and in vivo long-acting release was achieved. For other molecules with susceptible functionalities like amide bonds, amino groups, and hydroxyl groups, the utilization of PLGA-based in situ gel as an LAI formulation for stabilizing molecules provides valuable insights.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingxin Xiong
- Institute of Materia Medica and Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China;
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Chongqing School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China;
| | - Xing Zhou
- Chongqing School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China;
| | - Xiaohui Li
- Institute of Materia Medica and Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China;
- Engineering Research Center for Pharmacodynamics Evaluation, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) Applications in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073700. [PMID: 35409059 PMCID: PMC8998711 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited heart muscle disorder characterized by progressive replacement of cardiomyocytes by fibrofatty tissue, ventricular dilatation, cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Interest in molecular biomechanics for these disorders is constantly growing. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a well-established technic to study the mechanobiology of biological samples under physiological and pathological conditions at the cellular scale. However, a review which described all the different data that can be obtained using the AFM (cell elasticity, adhesion behavior, viscoelasticity, beating force, and frequency) is still missing. In this review, we will discuss several techniques that highlight the potential of AFM to be used as a tool for assessing the biomechanics involved in ACM. Indeed, analysis of genetically mutated cells with AFM reveal abnormalities of the cytoskeleton, cell membrane structures, and defects of contractility. The higher the Young’s modulus, the stiffer the cell, and it is well known that abnormal tissue stiffness is symptomatic of a range of diseases. The cell beating force and frequency provide information during the depolarization and repolarization phases, complementary to cell electrophysiology (calcium imaging, MEA, patch clamp). In addition, original data is also presented to emphasize the unique potential of AFM as a tool to assess fibrosis in cardiac tissue.
Collapse
|
4
|
Swiatlowska P, Iskratsch T. Tools for studying and modulating (cardiac muscle) cell mechanics and mechanosensing across the scales. Biophys Rev 2021; 13:611-623. [PMID: 34765044 PMCID: PMC8553672 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00837-2] [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: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyocytes generate force for the contraction of the heart to pump blood into the lungs and body. At the same time, they are exquisitely tuned to the mechanical environment and react to e.g. changes in cell and extracellular matrix stiffness or altered stretching due to reduced ejection fraction in heart disease, by adapting their cytoskeleton, force generation and cell mechanics. Both mechanical sensing and cell mechanical adaptations are multiscale processes. Receptor interactions with the extracellular matrix at the nanoscale will lead to clustering of receptors and modification of the cytoskeleton. This in turn alters mechanosensing, force generation, cell and nuclear stiffness and viscoelasticity at the microscale. Further, this affects cell shape, orientation, maturation and tissue integration at the microscale to macroscale. A variety of tools have been developed and adapted to measure cardiomyocyte receptor-ligand interactions and forces or mechanics at the different ranges, resulting in a wealth of new information about cardiomyocyte mechanobiology. Here, we take stock at the different tools for exploring cardiomyocyte mechanosensing and cell mechanics at the different scales from the nanoscale to microscale and macroscale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Swiatlowska
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Iskratsch
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Novel insights into cardiomyocytes provided by atomic force microscopy. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 73:4-12. [PMID: 28687239 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death globally, therefore interest in studying aetiology, hallmarks, progress and therapies for these disorders is constantly growing. Over the last decades, the introduction and development of atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique allowed the study of biological samples at the micro- and nanoscopic level, hence revealing noteworthy details and paving the way for investigations on physiological and pathological conditions at cellular scale. The present work is aimed to collect and review the literature on cardiomyocytes (CMs) studied by AFM, in order to emphasise the numerous potentialities of this approach and provide a platform for researchers in the field of cardiovascular diseases. Original data are also presented to highlight the application of AFM to characterise the viscoelastic properties of CMs.
Collapse
|
6
|
Ding YY, Li JM, Guo FJ, Liu Y, Tong YF, Pan XC, Lu XL, Ye W, Chen XH, Zhang HG. Triptolide Upregulates Myocardial Forkhead Helix Transcription Factor p3 Expression and Attenuates Cardiac Hypertrophy. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:471. [PMID: 27965581 PMCID: PMC5127789 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The forkhead/winged helix transcription factor (Fox) p3 can regulate the expression of various genes, and it has been reported that the transfer of Foxp3-positive T cells could ameliorate cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Triptolide (TP) can elevate the expression of Foxp3, but its effects on cardiac hypertrophy remain unclear. In the present study, neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM) were isolated and stimulated with angiotensin II (1 μmol/L) to induce hypertrophic response. The expression of Foxp3 in NRVM was observed by using immunofluorescence assay. Fifty mice were randomly divided into five groups and received vehicle (control), isoproterenol (Iso, 5 mg/kg, s.c.), one of three doses of TP (10, 30, or 90 μg/kg, i.p.) for 14 days, respectively. The pathological morphology changes were observed after Hematoxylin and eosin, lectin and Masson's trichrome staining. The levels of serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and troponin I were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and chemiluminescence, respectively. The mRNA and protein expressions of α- myosin heavy chain (MHC), β-MHC and Foxp3 were determined using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. It was shown that TP (1, 3, 10 μg/L) treatment significantly decreased cell size, mRNA and protein expression of β-MHC, and upregulated Foxp3 expression in NRVM. TP also decreased heart weight index, left ventricular weight index and, improved myocardial injury and fibrosis; and decreased the cross-scetional area of the myocardium, serum cardiac troponin and BNP. Additionally, TP markedly reduced the mRNA and protein expression of myocardial β-MHC and elevated the mRNA and protein expression of α-MHC and Foxp3 in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, TP can effectively ameliorate myocardial damage and inhibit cardiac hypertrophy, which is at least partly related to the elevation of Foxp3 expression in cardiomyocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Yuan Ding
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University Chongqing, China
| | - Jing-Mei Li
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University Chongqing, China
| | - Feng-Jie Guo
- The People's Liberation Army No. 309 Hospital Beijing, China
| | - Ya Liu
- Institute of Materia Medica and Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University Chongqing, China
| | - Yang-Fei Tong
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical UniversityChongqing, China; Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing Traditional Medicine HospitalChongqing, China
| | - Xi-Chun Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Lan Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical UniversityChongqing, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical CollegeNanchong, China
| | - Wen Ye
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University Chongqing, China
| | - Hai-Gang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
He L, Chen L, Li L. The mechanosensitive APJ internalization via clathrin-mediated endocytosis: A new molecular mechanism of cardiac hypertrophy. Med Hypotheses 2016; 90:6-10. [PMID: 27063076 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2016.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The G protein-coupled receptor APJ elicits cellular response to diverse extracellular stimulus. Accumulating evidence reveals that APJ receptor plays a prominent role in the cardiomyocyte adapting to hypertrophic stimulation. At present, it remains obscure that the regulatory mechanism of APJ receptor in myocardial hypertrophy. The natural endogenous ligands apelin and Elabela as well as agonists maintain high affinity for the APJ receptor and drive its internalization. Ligand-activated receptor internalization is mainly performed by clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway. Simultaneously, clathrin-mediated endocytosis takes participate in the occurrence and development of cardiac hypertrophy. In this study, we hypothesize that natural ligands and agonists induce the mechanosensitive APJ internalization via clathrin-mediated endocytosis. APJ internalization may contribute to the development of cardiac hypertrophy. The mechanosensitive APJ internalization via clathrin-mediated endocytosis may be a new molecular mechanism of cardiac hypertrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu He
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Learning Key Laboratory for Pharmacoproteomics, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Linxi Chen
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Learning Key Laboratory for Pharmacoproteomics, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Lanfang Li
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Learning Key Laboratory for Pharmacoproteomics, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lu XL, Tong YF, Liu Y, Xu YL, Yang H, Zhang GY, Li XH, Zhang HG. Gαq protein carboxyl terminus imitation polypeptide GCIP-27 improves cardiac function in chronic heart failure rats. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121007. [PMID: 25822412 PMCID: PMC4379177 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gαq protein carboxyl terminus imitation polypeptide (GCIP)-27 has been shown to alleviate pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by various factors. Pathological cardiac hypertrophy increases the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases while it compensates for poor heart function. This study was designed to investigate the effects of GCIP-27 on heart function in rats with heart failure induced by doxorubicin. Methods and Results Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into the following six groups receiving vehicle (control), doxorubicin (Dox), losartan (6 mg/kg, i.g.) and three doses of GCIP-27 (10, 30, 90 μg/kg; i.p., bid), respectively. Heart failure was induced by Dox, which was administered at a 20 mg/kg cumulative dose. After 10 weeks of treatment, we observed that GCIP-27 (30, 90 μg/kg) significantly increased ejection fraction, fraction shortening, stroke volume and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase activity of Dox-treated hearts. Additionally, GCIP-27 decreased myocardial injury, heart weight index and left ventricular weight index, fibrosis and serum cardiac troponin-I concentration in Dox-treated mice. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting and real-time PCR experiments indicated that GCIP-27 (10–90 μg/kg) could markedly upregulate the protein expression of myocardial α-myosin heavy chain (MHC), Bcl-2, protein kinase C (PKC) ε and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) 1/2 as well as the mRNA expression of α-MHC, but downregulated the expression of β-MHC, Bax and PKC βII, and the mRNA expression levels of β-MHC in Dox-treated mice. It was also found that GCIP-27 (30, 90 μg/L) decreased cell size and protein content of cardiomyocytes significantly in vitro by comparison of Dox group. Conclusions GCIP-27 could effectively ameliorate heart failure development induced by Dox. PKC–ERK1/2 signaling might represent the underlying mechanism of the beneficial effects of GCIP-27.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Lan Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Sichuan Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Yang Fei Tong
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ya Liu
- Institute of Materia Medica and Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 40038, China
| | - Ya Li Xu
- Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Guo Yuan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Sichuan Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Li
- Institute of Materia Medica and Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 40038, China
| | - Hai-Gang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|