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Lund PM, Kristensen K, Larsen NW, Knuhtsen A, Hansen MB, Hjørringgaard CU, Eriksen AZ, Urquhart AJ, Mortensen KI, Simonsen JB, Andresen TL, Larsen JB. Tuning the double lipidation of salmon calcitonin to introduce a pore-like membrane translocation mechanism. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 669:198-210. [PMID: 38713958 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.04.093] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
A widespread strategy to increase the transport of therapeutic peptides across cellular membranes has been to attach lipid moieties to the peptide backbone (lipidation) to enhance their intrinsic membrane interaction. Efforts in vitro and in vivo investigating the correlation between lipidation characteristics and peptide membrane translocation efficiency have traditionally relied on end-point read-out assays and trial-and-error-based optimization strategies. Consequently, the molecular details of how therapeutic peptide lipidation affects it's membrane permeation and translocation mechanisms remain unresolved. Here we employed salmon calcitonin as a model therapeutic peptide and synthesized nine double lipidated analogs with varying lipid chain lengths. We used single giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) calcein influx time-lapse fluorescence microscopy to determine how tuning the lipidation length can lead to an All-or-None GUV filling mechanism, indicative of a peptide mediated pore formation. Finally, we used a GUVs-containing-inner-GUVs assay to demonstrate that only peptide analogs capable of inducing pore formation show efficient membrane translocation. Our data provided the first mechanistic details on how therapeutic peptide lipidation affects their membrane perturbation mechanism and demonstrated that fine-tuning lipidation parameters could induce an intrinsic pore-forming capability. These insights and the microscopy based workflow introduced for investigating structure-function relations could be pivotal for optimizing future peptide design strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip M Lund
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; DTU Health Tech, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kasper Kristensen
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; DTU Health Tech, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nanna W Larsen
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; DTU Health Tech, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Astrid Knuhtsen
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; DTU Health Tech, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Morten B Hansen
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; DTU Health Tech, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Claudia U Hjørringgaard
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; DTU Health Tech, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anne Z Eriksen
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; DTU Health Tech, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andrew J Urquhart
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; DTU Health Tech, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kim I Mortensen
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; DTU Health Tech, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jens B Simonsen
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; DTU Health Tech, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas L Andresen
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; DTU Health Tech, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Jannik B Larsen
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; DTU Health Tech, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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Diedrichsen RG, Vetri V, Prévost S, Foderà V, Nielsen HM. Carrier peptide interactions with liposome membranes induce reversible clustering by surface adsorption and shape deformation. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 650:1821-1832. [PMID: 37515972 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.07.078] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
The cell-penetrating peptide penetratin and its analogues shuffle and penetramax have been used as carrier peptides for oral delivery of therapeutic peptides such as insulin. Their mechanism of action for this purpose is not fully understood but is believed to depend on the interactions of the peptide with the cell membrane. In the present study, peptide-liposome interactions were investigated using advanced biophysical techniques including small-angle neutron scattering and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. Liposomes were used as a model system for the cell membrane. All the investigated carrier peptides induced liposome clustering at a specific peptide/lipid ratio. However, distinctively different types of membrane interactions were observed, as the liposome clustering was irreversible for penetratin, but fully or partly reversible for shuffle and penetramax, respectively. All three peptides were found to adsorb to the surface of the lipid bilayers, while only shuffle and penetramax led to shape deformation of the liposomes. Importantly, the peptide interactions did not disrupt the liposomes under any of the investigated conditions, which is advantageous for their application in drug delivery. This detailed insight on peptide-membrane interactions is important for understanding the mechanism of peptide-based excipients and the influence of peptide sequence modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragna Guldsmed Diedrichsen
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery (BioDelivery), Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 18, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Sylvain Prévost
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France.
| | - Vito Foderà
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery (BioDelivery), Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Hanne Mørck Nielsen
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery (BioDelivery), Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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3
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Hundahl AC, Weller A, Larsen JB, Hjørringgaard CU, Hansen MB, Mündler AK, Knuhtsen A, Kristensen K, Arnspang EC, Andresen TL, Mortensen KI, Marie R. Quantitative live-cell imaging of lipidated peptide transport through an epithelial cell layer. J Control Release 2023; 355:122-134. [PMID: 36724849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.01.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Oral drug delivery increases patient compliance and is thus the preferred administration route for most drugs. However, for biologics the intestinal barrier greatly limits the absorption and reduces their bioavailability. One strategy employed to improve on this is chemical modification of the biologic through the addition of lipid side chains. While it has been established that lipidation of peptides can increase transport, a mechanistic understanding of this effect remains largely unexplored. To pursue this mechanistic understanding, end-point detection of biopharmaceuticals transported through a monolayer of fully polarized epithelial cells is typically used. However, these methods are time-consuming and tedious. Furthermore, most established methods cannot be combined easily with high-resolution live-cell fluorescence imaging that could provide a mechanistic insight into cellular uptake and transport. Here we address this challenge by developing an axial PSF deconvolution scheme to quantify the transport of peptides through a monolayer of Caco-2 cells using single-cell analysis with live-cell confocal fluorescence microscopy. We then measure the known cross-barrier transport of several compounds in our model and compare the results with results obtained in an established microfluidic model finding similar transport phenotypes. This verifies that already after two days the Caco-2 cells in our model form a tight monolayer and constitute a functional barrier model. We then apply this assay to investigate the effects of side chain lipidation of the model peptide drug salmon calcitonin (sCT) modified with 4‑carbon and 8‑carbon-long fatty acid chains. Furthermore, we compare that with experiments performed at lower temperature and using inhibitors for some endocytotic pathways to pinpoint how lipidation length modifies the main avenues for the transport. We thus show that increasing the length of the lipid chain increases the transport of the drug significantly but also makes endocytosis the primary transport mechanism in a short-term cell culture model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Coln Hundahl
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Arjen Weller
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jannik Bruun Larsen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Claudia U Hjørringgaard
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Morten B Hansen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ann-Kathrin Mündler
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Astrid Knuhtsen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kasper Kristensen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Eva C Arnspang
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas Lars Andresen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kim I Mortensen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Rodolphe Marie
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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Ouyang J, Sheng Y, Wang W. Recent Advances of Studies on Cell-Penetrating Peptides Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244016. [PMID: 36552778 PMCID: PMC9776715 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
With the ability to transport cargo molecules across cell membranes with low toxicity, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have become promising candidates for next generation peptide-based drug delivery vectors. Over the past three decades since the first CPP was discovered, a great deal of work has been done on the cellular uptake mechanisms and the applications for the delivery of therapeutic molecules, and significant advances have been made. But so far, we still do not have a precise and unified understanding of the structure-activity relationship of the CPPs. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide a method to reveal peptide-membrane interactions at the atomistic level and have become an effective complement to experiments. In this paper, we review the progress of the MD simulations on CPP-membrane interactions, including the computational methods and technical improvements in the MD simulations, the research achievements in the CPP internalization mechanism, CPP decoration and coupling, and the peptide-induced membrane reactions during the penetration process, as well as the comparison of simulated and experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ouyang
- School of Public Courses, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233030, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yuebiao Sheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- High Performance Computing Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (W.W.)
| | - Wei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (W.W.)
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Kopiasz RJ, Kulbacka N, Drężek K, Podgórski R, Łojszczyk I, Mierzejewska J, Ciach T, Augustynowicz-Kopeć E, Głogowska A, Iwańska A, Tomaszewski W, Jańczewski D. Influence of PEG Subunit on the Biological Activity of Ionenes: Synthesis of Novel Polycations, Antimicrobial and Toxicity Studies. Macromol Biosci 2022; 22:e2200094. [PMID: 35524947 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
An alarming increase of antibiotic resistance among pathogens creates an urgent need to develop new antimicrobial agents. Many reported polycations show high antimicrobial activity along with low hemolytic activity. Unfortunately, most of those molecules remain highly cytotoxic against various mammalian cells. In this work, we present a systematic study on the impact of triethylene glycol monomethyl ether side groups (short PEG analog) on antimicrobial, hemolytic, and cytotoxic properties of novel amphiphilic ionenes. A detailed description of synthesis, leading to well-defined alternating polymers, which differ in structural elements responsible for hydrophilicity (PEG) and hydrophobicity (alkyl chain), is presented. Obtained results show that the PEG moiety and fine-tuned hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of ionenes synergistically lead to low-cytotoxic, low-hemolytic molecules with high activity against S. aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA). Additionally, the results of mechanistic studies on bacterial cells and fluorescently labeled liposomes are also discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał J Kopiasz
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Natalia Kulbacka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Karolina Drężek
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Rafał Podgórski
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, Warsaw, 00-645, Poland
| | - Ilona Łojszczyk
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, Warsaw, 00-645, Poland
| | - Jolanta Mierzejewska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Tomasz Ciach
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, Warsaw, 00-645, Poland
| | - Ewa Augustynowicz-Kopeć
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Płocka 26, Warsaw, 01-138, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Głogowska
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Płocka 26, Warsaw, 01-138, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Iwańska
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Płocka 26, Warsaw, 01-138, Poland
| | - Waldemar Tomaszewski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Dominik Jańczewski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
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Chourasia R, Padhi S, Phukon LC, Abedin MM, Sirohi R, Singh SP, Rai AK. Peptide candidates for the development of therapeutics and vaccines against β-coronavirus infection. Bioengineered 2022; 13:9435-9454. [PMID: 35387556 PMCID: PMC9161909 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2060453] [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: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Betacoronaviruses (β-CoVs) have caused major viral outbreaks in the last two decades in the world. The mutation and recombination abilities in β-CoVs resulted in zoonotic diseases in humans. Proteins responsible for viral attachment and replication are highly conserved in β-CoVs. These conserved proteins have been extensively studied as targets for preventing infection and the spread of β-CoVs. Peptides are among the most promising candidates for developing vaccines and therapeutics against viral pathogens. The immunostimulatory and viral inhibitory potential of natural and synthetic peptides has been extensively studied since the SARS-CoV outbreak. Food-derived peptides demonstrating high antiviral activity can be used to develop effective therapeutics against β-CoVs. Specificity, tolerability, and customizability of peptides can be explored to develop potent drugs against β-CoVs. However, the proteolytic susceptibility and low bioavailability of peptides pose challenges for the development of therapeutics. This review illustrates the potential role of peptides in eliciting an adaptive immune response and inhibiting different stages of the β-CoV life cycle. Further, the challenges and future directions associated with developing peptide-based therapeutics and vaccines against existing and future β-CoV pathogens have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rounak Chourasia
- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD), Regional Centre, Tadong- 737102, India
| | - Srichandan Padhi
- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD), Regional Centre, Tadong- 737102, India
| | - Loreni Chiring Phukon
- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD), Regional Centre, Tadong- 737102, India
| | - Md Minhajul Abedin
- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD), Regional Centre, Tadong- 737102, India
| | - Ranjana Sirohi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, 145, Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sudhir P Singh
- Centre of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (DBT-CIAB), Sector-81, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali- 140306, India
| | - Amit Kumar Rai
- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD), Regional Centre, Tadong- 737102, India.,Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD), Mizoram Node, Aizawl, India
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Panou DA, Diedrichsen RG, Kristensen M, Nielsen HM. Cell-Penetrating Peptides as Carriers for Transepithelial Drug Delivery. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2383:371-384. [PMID: 34766302 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1752-6_24] [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] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
This chapter describes the use of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) as carriers for transepithelial delivery of therapeutic peptides. Assessment of transepithelial peptide permeation and the mechanisms of action that permeability enhancing drug carriers exert on the epithelium requires subtle sample preparation and analysis by orthogonal methods. Here, the preparation and use of CPP-insulin physical mixture samples including the quantification of insulin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is described. In addition, effects of CPPs on the epithelium and its barrier properties immediately upon exposure and after a recovery period are evaluated by epithelial cell viability, transepithelial electrical resistance, immunostaining of the tight junction associated zonula occludens (ZO-1) protein, and actin cytoskeleton staining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danai Anastasia Panou
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, Drug Delivery and Biophysics of Biopharmaceuticals, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ragna Guldsmed Diedrichsen
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, Drug Delivery and Biophysics of Biopharmaceuticals, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mie Kristensen
- CNS Drug Delivery & Barrier Modelling, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Mørck Nielsen
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, Drug Delivery and Biophysics of Biopharmaceuticals, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Influence of lipid bilayer composition on the activity of antimicrobial quaternary ammonium ionenes, the interplay of intrinsic lipid curvature and polymer hydrophobicity, the role of cardiolipin. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2021; 207:112016. [PMID: 34364250 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.112016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Incorporation of hydrophobic component into amphiphilic polycations structure is frequently accompanied by an increase of antimicrobial activity. There is, however, a group of relatively hydrophilic polycations containing quaternary ammonium moieties along mainchain, ionenes, which also display strong antimicrobial and limited hemolytic properties. In this work, an influence of a hydrophobic side group length on antimicrobial mechanism of action is investigated in a series of novel amphiphilic ionenes. High antimicrobial activity was found by determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal, and fungicidal concentration (MBC and MFC) in both growth media and a buffer. Biocompatibility was estimated by hemolytic and mammalian cells viability assays. Mechanistic studies were performed using large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) with different lipid composition, as simplified models of cell membranes. The investigated ionenes are potent and selective antimicrobial molecules displaying a decrease of antimicrobial activity correlated with increase of hydrophobicity. Studies using LUVs revealed that the cardiolipin is an essential component responsible for the lipid bilayer permeabilization by investigated ionens. In contrast to relatively hydrophilic ionenes, more hydrophobic polymers showed an ability to stabilize membranes composed of lipids with negative spontaneous curvature in a certain range of polymer to lipid ratio. The results substantially contribute to the understanding of antimicrobial activity of the investigated class of polymers.
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Revealing the importance of carrier-cargo association in delivery of insulin and lipidated insulin. J Control Release 2021; 338:8-21. [PMID: 34298056 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Delivery of therapeutic peptides upon oral administration is highly desired and investigations report that the cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) penetratin and its analogues shuffle and penetramax show potential as carriers to enhance insulin delivery. Exploring this, the specific aim of the present study was to understand the impact that their complexation with a lipidated or non-lipidated therapeutic cargo would have on the delivery, to evaluate the effect of differences in membrane interactions in vitro and in vivo, as well as to deduce the mode of action leading to enhanced delivery. Fundamental biophysical aspects were studied by a range of orthogonal methods. Transepithelial permeation of therapeutic peptide was evaluated using the Caco-2 cell culture model supplemented with epithelial integrity measurements, real-time assessment of the carrier peptide effects on cell viability and on mode of action. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) parameters were evaluated following intestinal administration to rats and tissue effects were investigated by histology. The biophysical studies revealed complexation of insulin with shuffle and penetramax, but not with penetratin. This corresponded to enhanced transepithelial permeation of insulin, but not of lipidated insulin, when in physical mixture with shuffle or penetramax. The addition of shuffle and penetramax was associated with a lowering of Caco-2 cell monolayer integrity and viability, where the lowering of cell viability was immediate, but reversible. Insulin delivery in rats was enhanced by shuffle and penetramax and accompanied by a 10-20-fold decrease in blood glucose with immediate effect on the intestinal mucosa. In conclusion, shuffle and penetramax, but not penetratin, demonstrated to be potential candidates as carriers for transmucosal delivery of insulin upon oral administration, and their effect depended on association with both cargo and cell membrane. Interestingly, the present study provides novel mechanistic insight that peptide carrier-induced cargo permeation points towards enhancement via the paracellular route in the tight epithelium. This is different from the anticipated belief being that it is the cell-penetrating capability that facilitate transepithelial cargo permeation via a transcellular route.
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10
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Kristensen M, Guldsmed Diedrichsen R, Vetri V, Foderà V, Mørck Nielsen H. Increased Carrier Peptide Stability through pH Adjustment Improves Insulin and PTH(1-34) Delivery In Vitro and In Vivo Rather than by Enforced Carrier Peptide-Cargo Complexation. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E993. [PMID: 33092079 PMCID: PMC7589992 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12100993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral delivery of therapeutic peptides is hampered by their large molecular size and labile nature, thus limiting their permeation across the intestinal epithelium. Promising approaches to overcome the latter include co-administration with carrier peptides. In this study, the cell-penetrating peptide penetratin was employed to investigate effects of co-administration with insulin and the pharmacologically active part of parathyroid hormone (PTH(1-34)) at pH 5, 6.5, and 7.4 with respect to complexation, enzymatic stability, and transepithelial permeation of the therapeutic peptide in vitro and in vivo. Complex formation between insulin or PTH(1-34) and penetratin was pH-dependent. Micron-sized complexes dominated in the samples prepared at pH-values at which penetratin interacts electrostatically with the therapeutic peptide. The association efficiency was more pronounced between insulin and penetratin than between PTH(1-34) and penetratin. Despite the high degree of complexation, penetratin retained its membrane activity when applied to liposomal structures. The enzymatic stability of penetratin during incubation on polarized Caco-2 cell monolayers was pH-dependent with a prolonged half-live determined at pH 5 when compared to pH 6.5 and 7.4. Also, the penetratin-mediated transepithelial permeation of insulin and PTH(1-34) was increased in vitro and in vivo upon lowering the sample pH from 7.4 or 6.5 to 5. Thus, the formation of penetratin-cargo complexes with several molecular entities is not prerequisite for penetratin-mediated transepithelial permeation a therapeutic peptide. Rather, a sample pH, which improves the penetratin stability, appears to optimize the penetratin-mediated transepithelial permeation of insulin and PTH(1-34).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mie Kristensen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (R.G.D.); (V.F.)
| | - Ragna Guldsmed Diedrichsen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (R.G.D.); (V.F.)
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica, Università Degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze ed. 18, IT-90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Vito Foderà
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (R.G.D.); (V.F.)
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Mørck Nielsen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (R.G.D.); (V.F.)
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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