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Xiang K, Li Y, Cong H, Yu B, Shen Y. Peptide-based non-viral gene delivery: A comprehensive review of the advances and challenges. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:131194. [PMID: 38554914 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131194] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy is the most effective treatment option for diseases, but its effectiveness is affected by the choice and design of gene carriers. The genes themselves have to pass through multiple barriers in order to enter the cell and therefore require additional vectors to carry them inside the cell. In gene therapy, peptides have unique properties and potential as gene carriers, which can effectively deliver genes into specific cells or tissues, protect genes from degradation, improve gene transfection efficiency, and enhance gene targeting and biological responsiveness. This paper reviews the research progress of peptides and their derivatives in the field of gene delivery recently, describes the obstacles encountered by foreign materials to enter the interior of the cell, and introduces the following classes of functional peptides that can carry materials into the interior of the cell, and assist in transmembrane translocation of carriers, thus breaking through endosomal traps to enable successful entry of genetic materials into the nucleus of the cell. The paper also discusses the combined application of peptide vectors with other vectors to enhance its transfection ability, explores current challenges encountered by peptide vectors, and looks forward to future developments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Xiang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yanan Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Hailin Cong
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China.
| | - Bing Yu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Youqing Shen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Center for Bio nanoengineering, and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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2
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Huang S, Gao Y, Ma L, Jia B, Zhao W, Yao Y, Li W, Lin T, Wang R, Song J, Zhang W. Design of pH-responsive antimicrobial peptide melittin analog-camptothecin conjugates for tumor therapy. Asian J Pharm Sci 2024; 19:100890. [PMID: 38419760 PMCID: PMC10900806 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2024.100890] [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: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Melittin, a classical antimicrobial peptide, is a highly potent antitumor agent. However, its significant toxicity seriously hampers its application in tumor therapy. In this study, we developed novel melittin analogs with pH-responsive, cell-penetrating and membrane-lytic activities by replacing arginine and lysine with histidine. After conjugation with camptothecin (CPT), CPT-AAM-1 and CPT-AAM-2 were capable of killing tumor cells by releasing CPT at low concentrations and disrupting cell membranes at high concentrations under acidic conditions. Notably, we found that the C-terminus of the melittin analogs was more suitable for drug conjugation than the N-terminus. CPT-AAM-1 significantly suppressed melanoma growth in vivo with relatively low toxicity. Collectively, the present study demonstrates that the development of antitumor drugs based on pH-responsive antimicrobial peptide-drug conjugates is a promising strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujie Huang
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yuxuan Gao
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ling Ma
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Bo Jia
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Wenhao Zhao
- Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yufan Yao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Wenyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Tongyi Lin
- Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jingjing Song
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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3
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Gori A, Lodigiani G, Colombarolli SG, Bergamaschi G, Vitali A. Cell Penetrating Peptides: Classification, Mechanisms, Methods of Study, and Applications. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300236. [PMID: 37389978 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) encompass a class of peptides that possess the remarkable ability to cross cell membranes and deliver various types of cargoes, including drugs, nucleic acids, and proteins, into cells. For this reason, CPPs are largely investigated in drug delivery applications in the context of many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and genetic disorders. While sharing this functionality and some common structural features, such as a high content of positively charged amino acids, CPPs represent an extremely diverse group of elements, which can differentiate under many aspects. In this review, we summarize the most common characteristics of CPPs, introduce their main distinctive features, mechanistic aspects that drive their function, and outline the most widely used techniques for their structural and functional studies. We highlight current gaps and future perspectives in this field, which have the potential to significantly impact the future field of drug delivery and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Gori
- SCITEC - Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulia Lodigiani
- SCITEC - Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Stella G Colombarolli
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168, Roma, Italy
| | - Greta Bergamaschi
- SCITEC - Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto Vitali
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168, Roma, Italy
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4
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Rehmani S, McLaughlin CM, Eltaher HM, Moffett RC, Flatt PR, Dixon JE. Orally-delivered insulin-peptide nanocomplexes enhance transcytosis from cellular depots and improve diabetic blood glucose control. J Control Release 2023; 360:93-109. [PMID: 37315695 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Insulin regulates blood glucose levels, and is the mainstay for the treatment of type-1 diabetes and type-2 when other drugs provide inadequate control. Therefore, effective oral Insulin delivery would be a significant advance in drug delivery. Herein, we report the use of the modified cell penetrating peptide (CPP) platform, Glycosaminoglycan-(GAG)-binding-enhanced-transduction (GET), as an efficacious transepithelial delivery vector in vitro and to mediate oral Insulin activity in diabetic animals. Insulin can be conjugated with GET via electrostatic interaction to form nanocomplexes (Insulin GET-NCs). These NCs (size and charge; 140 nm, +27.10 mV) greatly enhanced Insulin transport in differentiated in vitro intestinal epithelium models (Caco2 assays; >22-fold increased translocation) with progressive and significant apical and basal release of up-taken Insulin. Delivery resulted in intracellular accumulation of NCs, enabling cells to act as depots for subsequent sustained release without affecting viability and barrier integrity. Importantly Insulin GET-NCs have enhanced proteolytic stability, and retained significant Insulin biological activity (exploiting Insulin-responsive reporter assays). Our study culminates in demonstrating oral delivery of Insulin GET-NCs which can control elevated blood-glucose levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice over several days with serial dosing. As GET promotes Insulin absorption, transcytosis and intracellular release, along with in vivo function, our simplistic complexation platform could allow effective bioavailability of other oral peptide therapeutics and help transform the treatment of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahrish Rehmani
- Regenerative Medicine & Cellular Therapies, The University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute (BDI), School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Christopher M McLaughlin
- Diabetes Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Hoda M Eltaher
- Regenerative Medicine & Cellular Therapies, The University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute (BDI), School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - R Charlotte Moffett
- Diabetes Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Peter R Flatt
- Diabetes Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1SA, UK
| | - James E Dixon
- Regenerative Medicine & Cellular Therapies, The University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute (BDI), School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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Reveret L, Leclerc M, Morin F, Émond V, Calon F. Pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and toxicology of novel cell-penetrating peptides. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11081. [PMID: 37422520 PMCID: PMC10329699 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37280-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been used in basic and preclinical research in the past 30 years to facilitate drug delivery into target cells. However, translation toward the clinic has not been successful so far. Here, we studied the pharmacokinetic (PK) and biodistribution profiles of Shuttle cell-penetrating peptides (S-CPP) in rodents, combined or not with an immunoglobulin G (IgG) cargo. We compared two enantiomers of S-CPP that contain both a protein transduction domain and an endosomal escape domain, with previously shown capacity for cytoplasmic delivery. The plasma concentration versus time curve of both radiolabelled S-CPPs required a two-compartment PK analytical model, which showed a fast distribution phase (t1/2α ranging from 1.25 to 3 min) followed by a slower elimination phase (t1/2β ranging from 5 to 15 h) after intravenous injection. Cargo IgG combined to S-CPPs displayed longer elimination half-life, of up to 25 h. The fast decrease in plasma concentration of S-CPPs was associated with an accumulation in target organs assessed at 1 and 5 h post-injection, particularly in the liver. In addition, in situ cerebral perfusion (ISCP) of L-S-CPP yielded a brain uptake coefficient of 7.2 ± 1.1 µl g-1 s-1, consistent with penetration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), without damaging its integrity in vivo. No sign of peripheral toxicity was detected either by examining hematologic and biochemical blood parameters, or by measuring cytokine levels in plasma. In conclusion, S-CPPs are promising non-toxic transport vectors for improved tissue distribution of drug cargos in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Reveret
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Neurosciences Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-67, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - M Leclerc
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Neurosciences Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-67, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - F Morin
- Neurosciences Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-67, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - V Émond
- Neurosciences Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-67, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - F Calon
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
- Neurosciences Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-67, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.
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6
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Zakany F, Mándity IM, Varga Z, Panyi G, Nagy P, Kovacs T. Effect of the Lipid Landscape on the Efficacy of Cell-Penetrating Peptides. Cells 2023; 12:1700. [PMID: 37443733 PMCID: PMC10340183 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Every cell biological textbook teaches us that the main role of the plasma membrane is to separate cells from their neighborhood to allow for a controlled composition of the intracellular space. The mostly hydrophobic nature of the cell membrane presents an impenetrable barrier for most hydrophilic molecules larger than 1 kDa. On the other hand, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are capable of traversing this barrier without compromising membrane integrity, and they can do so on their own or coupled to cargos. Coupling biologically and medically relevant cargos to CPPs holds great promise of delivering membrane-impermeable drugs into cells. If the cargo is able to interact with certain cell types, uptake of the CPP-drug complex can be tailored to be cell-type-specific. Besides outlining the major membrane penetration pathways of CPPs, this review is aimed at deciphering how properties of the membrane influence the uptake mechanisms of CPPs. By summarizing an extensive body of experimental evidence, we argue that a more ordered, less flexible membrane structure, often present in the very diseases planned to be treated with CPPs, decreases their cellular uptake. These correlations are not only relevant for understanding the cellular biology of CPPs, but also for rationally improving their value in translational or clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florina Zakany
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - István M. Mándity
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary;
- TTK Lendület Artificial Transporter Research Group, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Varga
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Peter Nagy
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Tamas Kovacs
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
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7
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Voltà-Durán E, Parladé E, Serna N, Villaverde A, Vazquez E, Unzueta U. Endosomal escape for cell-targeted proteins. Going out after going in. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 63:108103. [PMID: 36702197 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Protein-based nanocarriers are versatile and biocompatible drug delivery systems. They are of particular interest in nanomedicine as they can recruit multiple functions in a single modular polypeptide. Many cell-targeting peptides or protein domains can promote cell uptake when included in these nanoparticles through receptor-mediated endocytosis. In that way, targeting drugs to specific cell receptors allows a selective intracellular delivery process, avoiding potential side effects of the payload. However, once internalized, the endo-lysosomal route taken by the engulfed material usually results in full degradation, preventing their adequate subcellular localization, bioavailability and subsequent therapeutic effect. Thus, entrapment into endo-lysosomes is a main bottleneck in the efficacy of protein-drug nanomedicines. Promoting endosomal escape and preventing lysosomal degradation would make this therapeutic approach clinically plausible. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms intended to evade lysosomal degradation of proteins, with the most relevant examples and associated strategies, and the methods available to measure that effect. In addition, based on the increasing catalogue of peptide domains tailored to face this challenge as components of protein nanocarriers, we emphasize how their particular mechanisms of action can potentially alter the functionality of accompanying protein materials, especially in terms of targeting and specificity in the delivery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Voltà-Durán
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Eloi Parladé
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Naroa Serna
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Esther Vazquez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Ugutz Unzueta
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, 08916 Badalona, Spain.
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8
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Discovery of endosomalytic cell-penetrating peptides based on bacterial membrane-targeting sequences. Bioorg Chem 2023; 134:106424. [PMID: 36868126 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are prominent scaffolds for drug developments and related research, particularly the endocytic delivery of biomacromolecules. Effective cargo release from endosomes prior to lysosomal degradation is a crucial step, where the rational design and selection of CPPs remains a challenge and calls for deeper mechanistic understandings. Here, we have investigated a strategy of designing CPPs that selectively disrupt endosomal membranes based on bacterial membrane targeting sequences (MTSs). Six synthesized MTS peptides all exhibit cell-penetrating abilities, among which two d-peptides (d-EcMTS and d-TpMTS) are able to escape from endosomes and localize at ER after entering the cell. The utility of this strategy has been demonstrated by the intracellular delivery of green fluorescent protein (GFP). Together, these results suggest that the large pool of bacterial MTSs may be a rich source for the development of novel CPPs.
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9
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Hausig-Punke F, Dekevic G, Sobotta FH, Solomun JI, Richter F, Salzig D, Traeger A, Brendel JC. Efficient Transfection via an Unexpected Mechanism by Near Neutral Polypiperazines with Tailored Response to Endosomal pH. Macromol Biosci 2023; 23:e2200517. [PMID: 36655803 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200517] [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: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Cationic pH-responsive polymers promise to overcome critical challenges in cellular delivery. Ideally, the polymers become selectively charged along the endosomal pathway disturbing only the local membrane and avoiding unintended interactions or cytotoxic side effects at physiological conditions. Polypiperazines represent a novel, hydrophilic class of pH-responsive polymers whose response can be tuned within the relevant pH range (5-7.4). The authors discovered that the polypiperazines are effectively binding plasmid DNA (pDNA) and demonstrate high efficiency in transfection. By design of experiments (DoE), a wide parameter space (pDNA and polymer concentration) is screened to identify the range of effective concentrations for transfection. An isopropyl modified polypiperazine is highly efficient over a wide range of concentrations outperforming linear polyethylenimine (l-PEI, 25 kDa) in regions of low N*/P ratios. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) surprisingly revealed that the pDNA within the piperazine-based polyplexes can be amplified in contrast to polyplexes based on l-PEI. The pDNA must therefore be more accessible and bound differently than for other known transfection polymers. Considering the various opportunities to further optimize their structure, polypiperazines represent a promising platform for designing effective soluble polymeric vectors, which are charge-neutral at physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Hausig-Punke
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Gregor Dekevic
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Fabian H Sobotta
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Jana I Solomun
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Friederike Richter
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Denise Salzig
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Anja Traeger
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Johannes C Brendel
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
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10
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Hausig-Punke F, Richter F, Hoernke M, Brendel JC, Traeger A. Tracking the Endosomal Escape: A Closer Look at Calcein and Related Reporters. Macromol Biosci 2022; 22:e2200167. [PMID: 35933579 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Crossing the cellular membrane and delivering active pharmaceuticals or biologicals into the cytosol of cells is an essential step in the development of nanomedicines. One of the most important intracellular processes regarding the cellular uptake of biologicals is the endolysosomal pathway. Sophisticated nanocarriers have been developed overcoming a major hurdle, the endosomal entrapment, and delivering their cargo to the required site of action. In parallel, in vitro assays have been established analyzing the performance of these nanocarriers. Among them, the release of the membrane-impermeable dye calcein has become a popular and straightforward method. It is accessible for most researchers worldwide, allows for rapid conclusions about the release potential, and enables the study of release mechanisms. This review is intended to provide an overview and guidance for scientists applying the calcein release assay. It comprises a survey of several applications in the study of endosomal escape, considerations of potential pitfalls, challenges and limitations of the assay, and a brief summary of complementary methods. Based on this review, we hope to encourage further research groups to take advantage of the calcein release assay for their own purposes and help to create a database for more efficient cross-correlations between nanocarriers. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Hausig-Punke
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Friederike Richter
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Maria Hoernke
- Chemistry and Pharmacy, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 9, 79104, Freiburg i.Br., Germany
| | - Johannes C Brendel
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Anja Traeger
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
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11
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In silico and experimental validation of a new modified arginine-rich cell penetrating peptide for plasmid DNA delivery. Int J Pharm 2022; 624:122005. [PMID: 35817271 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) attracted great attention because of the capability to deliver various types of cargo molecules across into the cells. In this study, we presented a new arginine rich CPP, named MR, for efficient transporting plasmid DNA. We used a combined bioinformatic-based approach to improve the speed and accuracy of CPP evaluation. MR protein properties, structural models, interaction with DNA, as well as cell localization and membrane interaction were evaluated through multiple servers. Importantly, analysis using different algorithms showed the high CPP prediction confidence of MR. Experimental results also revealed the capacity of this gene delivery system in vitro for efficient plasmid DNA transfection. Additionally, in vitro mechanistically studies together with bioinformatic investigation suggested that MR peptide may internalize into the cell through endocytosis pathways. Moreover, in silico safety analysis such as immunogenicity, allergenicity, toxicity, and hemolysis activity as well as MTT assay also confirmed the safety of MR peptide. This study illustrated that MR peptide could be presented as remarkable potential gene delivery system for promising transport of plasmid DNA towards the therapeutic applications.
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12
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González-Cruz AO, Hernández-Juárez J, Ramírez-Cabrera MA, Balderas-Rentería I, Arredondo-Espinoza E. Peptide-based drug-delivery systems: A new hope for improving cancer therapy. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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13
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Szabó I, Yousef M, Soltész D, Bató C, Mező G, Bánóczi Z. Redesigning of Cell-Penetrating Peptides to Improve Their Efficacy as a Drug Delivery System. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14050907. [PMID: 35631493 PMCID: PMC9146218 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) are promising tools for the transport of a broad range of compounds into cells. Since the discovery of the first members of this peptide family, many other peptides have been identified; nowadays, dozens of these peptides are known. These peptides sometimes have very different chemical–physical properties, but they have similar drawbacks; e.g., non-specific internalization, fast elimination from the body, intracellular/vesicular entrapment. Although our knowledge regarding the mechanism and structure–activity relationship of internalization is growing, the prediction and design of the cell-penetrating properties are challenging. In this review, we focus on the different modifications of well-known CPPs to avoid their drawbacks, as well as how these modifications may increase their internalization and/or change the mechanism of penetration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildikó Szabó
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary;
- Correspondence: (I.S.); (Z.B.)
| | - Mo’ath Yousef
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Dóra Soltész
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Csaba Bató
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Gábor Mező
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary;
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Zoltán Bánóczi
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
- Correspondence: (I.S.); (Z.B.)
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14
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Wang J, Chen G, Liu N, Han X, Zhao F, Zhang L, Chen P. Strategies for improving the safety and RNAi efficacy of noncovalent peptide/siRNA nanocomplexes. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 302:102638. [PMID: 35299136 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2022.102638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the past decades, the striking development of cationic polypeptides and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) tailored for small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery has been fuelled by the conception of nuclear acid therapy and precision medicine. Owing to their amino acid compositions, inherent secondary structures as well as diverse geometrical shapes, peptides or peptide-containing polymers exhibit good biodegradability, high flexibility, and bio-functional diversity as nonviral siRNA vectors. Also, a variety of noncovalent nanocomplexes could be built via self-assembling and electrostatic interactions between cationic peptides and siRNAs. Although the peptide/siRNA nanocomplex-based RNAi therapies, STP705 and MIR-19, are under clinical trials, a guideline addressing the current bottlenecks of peptide/siRNA nanocomplex delivery is in high demand for future research and development. In this review, we present strategies for improving the safety and RNAi efficacy of noncovalent peptide/siRNA nanocomplexes in the treatment of genetic disorders. Through thorough analysis of those RNAi formulations using different delivery strategies, we seek to shed light on the rationale of peptide design and modification in constructing robust siRNA delivery systems, including targeted and co-delivery systems. Based on this, we provide a timely and comprehensive understanding of how to engineer biocompatible and efficient peptide-based siRNA vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Guang Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada; Key Laboratory of Chemical Additives for China National Light Industry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, China.
| | - Nan Liu
- Advanced Materials Institute, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Xiaoxia Han
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Feng Zhao
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - P Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada; Advanced Materials Institute, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250014, China.
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15
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Polli JR, Chen P, Bordeau BM, Balthasar JP. Targeted Delivery of Endosomal Escape Peptides to Enhance Immunotoxin Potency and Anti-cancer Efficacy. AAPS J 2022; 24:47. [PMID: 35338415 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-022-00698-x] [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: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This work describes use of anti-carcinoembryonic antigen antibodies (10H6, T84.66) for targeted delivery of an endosomal escape peptide (H6CM18) and gelonin, a type I ribosome inactivating protein. The viability of colorectal cancer cells (LS174T, LoVo) was assessed following treatment with gelonin or gelonin immunotoxins, with or without co-treatment with T84.66-H6CM18. Fluorescent microscopy was used to visualize the escape of immunoconjugates from endosomes of treated cells, and efficacy and toxicity were assessed in vivo in xenograft tumor-bearing mice following single- and multiple-dose regimens. Application of 25 pM T84.66-H6CM18 combined with T84.66-gelonin increased gelonin potency by ~ 1,000-fold and by ~ 6,000-fold in LS174T and LoVo cells. Intravenous 10H6-gelonin at 1.0 mg/kg was well tolerated by LS174T tumor-bearing mice, while 10 and 25 mg/kg doses led to signs of toxicity. Single-dose administration of PBS, gelonin conjugated to T84.66 or 10H6, T84.66-H6CM18, or gelonin immunotoxins co-administered with T84.66-H6CM18 were evaluated. The combinations of T84.66-gelonin + 1.0 mg/kg T84.66-H6CM18 and 10H6-gelonin + 0.1 mg/kg T84.66-H6CM18 led to significant delays in LS174T growth. Use of a multiple-dose regimen allowed further anti-tumor effects, significantly extending median survival time by 33% and by 69%, for mice receiving 1 mg/kg 10H6-gelonin + 0.1 mg/kg T84.66-H6CM18 (p = 0.0072) and 1 mg/kg 10H6-gelonin + 1 mg/kg T84.66-H6CM18 (p = 0.0017). Combined administration of gelonin immunoconjugates with antibody-targeted endosomal escape peptides increased the delivery of gelonin to the cytoplasm of targeted cells, increased gelonin cell killing in vitro by 1,000-6,000 fold, and significantly increased in vivo efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Ryan Polli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, 14214, USA
| | - Ping Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, 14214, USA
| | - Brandon M Bordeau
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, 14214, USA
| | - Joseph P Balthasar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, 14214, USA.
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16
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Gupta S, Qasim M, Gupta A, Kundu J, Sinha S. Structural Modifications to the Internal Oligoguanidinium Transporter Uncover Two Potent Analogues that Effectively Deliver the Proapoptotic Peptide in Multiple Cancer Cell Lines. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:121-133. [PMID: 34915704 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Efficient cytosolic delivery with serum-independent kinetics and low toxicity are the ultimate challenges towards the transformation of an antisense oligonucleotide or a therapeutic peptide to a suitable drug candidate for clinical trials. Most delivery vehicles falter on at least one of the above requirements, which hinders their potential in in vivo models as well. Our previous reports on internal guanidinium transporters (IGTs) have established the diversity of this particular class of molecule with the efficient delivery of antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotides. In this paper, we report twenty IGTs with different types of evidence-backed structural modifications with different types of head-group linkage R, which significantly change the transfection, toxicity, and endosomal escape. Based on these three criteria, the analogues were sorted systematically to find the more promising IGTs, which were then further examined by LysoTracker studies. Finally, two analogues, with cholesteryl linkage (R = Chol) and pentafluorobenzyl linkage (R = PF Cbz), were selected for a proapoptotic peptide delivery as the final validation using a long-chain di-acid linker conjugation. Detailed mechanistic studies also revealed that the primary pathway of endocytosis is macropinocytosis, and that other pathways play different roles depending on the head group of the IGT. Since endocytosis pathways for entry depend on the nature of the cell line, we have shown the mechanistic variations in two cell lines for validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Gupta
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
| | - Md Qasim
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
| | - Abhishek Gupta
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
| | - Jayanta Kundu
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
| | - Surajit Sinha
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
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17
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Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are generally defined as short positively charged peptides, containing 5-30 amino acids. Based on their physicochemical properties, they are classified as three main groups, namely hydrophobic, amphipathic, and hydrophilic. They are capable of interacting with the cell membrane without inducing serious toxicity, and they can carry cargo molecules across the membrane. Cargo molecules could be different therapeutics which makes CPPs valuable in the field of drug delivery into living cells. Nowadays, CPPs are considered as potential parts of therapeutics against several diseases.Despite similarities in their primary structure, the interactions of CPPs with a cell membrane may vary a lot. This is even more complicated when the CPP is bound to the cargo molecule. The mechanism(s) of their cellular uptake and endosomal escape have not been completely resolved. Understanding the mechanism of membrane interaction will help us designing a CPP with enhanced, selective cargo delivery, hopefully resulting in better disease treatments. So far energy independent direct membrane penetration and energy-dependent endocytosis have been suggested as two main mechanisms of cellular entry for CPPs, and both may be applicable for the same CPP-complex, depending on the conditions.In order to understand which mechanism is associated with a particular CPP 's cellular uptake in a particular cell (sometimes including endosomal escape), different biological and biophysical methods and strategies have been applied. In this chapter, we will address several biophysical methods, such as fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and NMR .We also review different membrane model systems which are suitable for the biophysical studies. These include large unilamellar phospholipid vesicles (LUVs ), which are the most commonly used in the lipid-peptide interaction studies. Detergent micelles and mixed micelles (bicelles) are also suitable membrane model systems, particularly in high-resolution NMR studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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18
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Rodríguez AA, Otero-González A, Ghattas M, Ständker L. Discovery, Optimization, and Clinical Application of Natural Antimicrobial Peptides. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1381. [PMID: 34680498 PMCID: PMC8533436 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are widespread in multicellular organisms. These structurally diverse molecules are produced as the first line of defense against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Also known as host defense peptides in higher eukaryotic organisms, AMPs display immunomodulatory and anticancer activities. During the last 30 years, technological advances have boosted the research on antimicrobial peptides, which have also attracted great interest as an alternative to tackling the antimicrobial resistance scenario mainly provoked by some bacterial and fungal pathogens. However, the introduction of natural AMPs in clinical trials faces challenges such as proteolytic digestion, short half-lives, and cytotoxicity upon systemic and oral application. Therefore, some strategies have been implemented to improve the properties of AMPs aiming to be used as effective therapeutic agents. In the present review, we summarize the discovery path of AMPs, focusing on preclinical development, recent advances in chemical optimization and peptide delivery systems, and their introduction into the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando A. Rodríguez
- Core Facility for Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Core Unit of Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Maretchia Ghattas
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo 11511, Egypt;
| | - Ludger Ständker
- Core Facility for Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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19
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Live Cell Imaging of Peptide Uptake Using a Microfluidic Platform. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10228-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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20
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Hausig F, Sobotta FH, Richter F, Harz DO, Traeger A, Brendel JC. Correlation between Protonation of Tailor-Made Polypiperazines and Endosomal Escape for Cytosolic Protein Delivery. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:35233-35247. [PMID: 34283557 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c00829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Responsive polymers, which become protonated at decreasing pH, are considered a milestone in the development of synthetic cell entry vectors. Exact correlations between their properties and their ability to escape the endosome, however, often remain elusive due to hydrophobic interactions or limitations in the design of water-soluble materials with suitable basicity. Here, we present a series of well-defined, hydrophilic polypiperazines, where systematic variation of the amino moiety facilitates an unprecedented fine-tuning of the basicity or pKa value within the physiologically relevant range (pH 6-7.4). Coincubation of HEK 293T cells with various probes, including small fluorophores or functioning proteins, revealed a rapid increase of endosomal release for polymers with pKa values above 6.5 or 7 in serum-free or serum-containing media, respectively. Similarly, cytotoxic effects became severe at increased pKa values (>7). Although the window for effective transport appears narrow, the discovered correlations offer a principal guideline for the design of effective polymers for endosomal escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Hausig
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Fabian H Sobotta
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Friederike Richter
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Dominic O Harz
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Anja Traeger
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Johannes C Brendel
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
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21
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Gan BH, Gaynord J, Rowe SM, Deingruber T, Spring DR. The multifaceted nature of antimicrobial peptides: current synthetic chemistry approaches and future directions. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:7820-7880. [PMID: 34042120 PMCID: PMC8689412 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00729c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial infections caused by 'superbugs' are increasing globally, and conventional antibiotics are becoming less effective against these bacteria, such that we risk entering a post-antibiotic era. In recent years, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gained significant attention for their clinical potential as a new class of antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance. In this review, we discuss several facets of AMPs including their diversity, physicochemical properties, mechanisms of action, and effects of environmental factors on these features. This review outlines various chemical synthetic strategies that have been applied to develop novel AMPs, including chemical modifications of existing peptides, semi-synthesis, and computer-aided design. We will also highlight novel AMP structures, including hybrids, antimicrobial dendrimers and polypeptides, peptidomimetics, and AMP-drug conjugates and consider recent developments in their chemical synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bee Ha Gan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Josephine Gaynord
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Sam M Rowe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Tomas Deingruber
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - David R Spring
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
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22
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Unravelling cytosolic delivery of cell penetrating peptides with a quantitative endosomal escape assay. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3721. [PMID: 34140497 PMCID: PMC8211857 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23997-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytosolic transport is an essential requirement but a major obstacle to efficient delivery of therapeutic peptides, proteins and nucleic acids. Current understanding of cytosolic delivery mechanisms remains limited due to a significant number of conflicting reports, which are compounded by low sensitivity and indirect assays. To resolve this, we develop a highly sensitive Split Luciferase Endosomal Escape Quantification (SLEEQ) assay to probe mechanisms of cytosolic delivery. We apply SLEEQ to evaluate the cytosolic delivery of a range of widely studied cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) fused to a model protein. We demonstrate that positively charged CPPs enhance cytosolic delivery as a result of increased non-specific cell membrane association, rather than increased endosomal escape efficiency. These findings transform our current understanding of how CPPs increase cytosolic delivery. SLEEQ is a powerful tool that addresses fundamental questions in intracellular drug delivery and will significantly improve the way materials are engineered to increase therapeutic delivery to the cytosol.
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23
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Huang S, Zhu Z, Jia B, Zhang W, Song J. Design of acid-activated cell-penetrating peptides with nuclear localization capacity for anticancer drug delivery. J Pept Sci 2021; 27:e3354. [PMID: 34101293 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Camptothecin (CPT), a DNA-toxin drug, exerts anticancer activity by inhibiting topoisomerase I. Targeted delivery of CPT into the cancer cell nucleus is important for enhancing its therapeutic efficiency. In this study, a new type of acid-activated cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) with nuclear localization capacity was constructed by conjugating six histidine residues and a hydrophobic peptide sequence, PFVYLI, to the nuclear localization sequence (NLS). Our results indicated that HNLS-3 displayed significant pH-dependent cellular uptake efficiency, endosomal escape ability, and nuclear localization activity. More importantly, the HNLS-3-CPT conjugate showed obviously enhanced cytotoxicity and selectivity compared with CPT. Taken together, our findings provide an effective approach to develop efficient CPPs with both cancer- and nucleus-targeting properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujie Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhongwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Bo Jia
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Song
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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24
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Boonstra E, Hatano H, Miyahara Y, Uchida S, Goda T, Cabral H. A proton/macromolecule-sensing approach distinguishes changes in biological membrane permeability during polymer/lipid-based nucleic acid delivery. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:4298-4302. [PMID: 34018540 DOI: 10.1039/d1tb00645b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Endosomal escape is crucial for the delivery of nucleic acids. However, the understanding of the underlying mechanisms is still deficient. In this work, we explored the effects of lipid- and polymer-based transfection reagents on the permeability of cellular membranes through an innovative method combining a proton-sensing transistor and a cytosolic LDH leakage assay, which allows us to distinguish between modes of molecule permeation that may occur during endosomal escape. By testing the commercial reagents lipofectin and in vivo JetPEI under physiological and endosomal pH conditions, we found that both lipid- and polymer-based transfection reagents have pH-dependent pore-forming activity, with the former creating smaller pores than the latter. This versatile approach of assessing carrier-membrane interactions is expected to contribute to the development of next-generation nucleic acid delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eger Boonstra
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Hiroaki Hatano
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Yuji Miyahara
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Satoshi Uchida
- Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
| | - Tatsuro Goda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Toyo University, 2100 Kujirai, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-8585, Japan.
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
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25
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Escaping the endosome: assessing cellular trafficking mechanisms of non-viral vehicles. J Control Release 2021; 335:465-480. [PMID: 34077782 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Non-viral vehicles hold therapeutic promise in advancing the delivery of a variety of cargos in vitro and in vivo, including small molecule drugs, biologics, and especially nucleic acids. However, their efficacy at the cellular level is limited by several delivery barriers, with endolysosomal degradation being most significant. The entrapment of vehicles and their cargo in the acidified endosome prevents access to the cytosol, nucleus, and other subcellular compartments. Understanding the factors that contribute to uptake and intracellular trafficking, especially endosomal entrapment and release, is key to overcoming delivery obstacles within cells. In this review, we summarize and compare experimental techniques for assessing the extent of endosomal escape of a variety of non-viral vehicles and describe proposed escape mechanisms for different classes of lipid-, polymer-, and peptide-based delivery agents. Based on this evaluation, we present forward-looking strategies utilizing information gained from mechanistic studies to inform the rational design of efficient delivery vehicles.
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Desale K, Kuche K, Jain S. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs): an overview of applications for improving the potential of nanotherapeutics. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:1153-1188. [PMID: 33355322 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01755h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In the field of nanotherapeutics, gaining cellular entry into the cytoplasm of the target cell continues to be an ultimate challenge. There are many physicochemical factors such as charge, size and molecular weight of the molecules and delivery vehicles, which restrict their cellular entry. Hence, to dodge such situations, a class of short peptides called cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) was brought into use. CPPs can effectively interact with the cell membrane and can assist in achieving the desired intracellular entry. Such strategy is majorly employed in the field of cancer therapy and diagnosis, but now it is also used for other purposes such as evaluation of atherosclerotic plaques, determination of thrombin levels and HIV therapy. Thus, the current review expounds on each of these mentioned aspects. Further, the review briefly summarizes the basic know-how of CPPs, their utility as therapeutic molecules, their use in cancer therapy, tumor imaging and their assistance to nanocarriers in improving their membrane penetrability. The review also discusses the challenges faced with CPPs pertaining to their stability and also mentions the strategies to overcome them. Thus, in a nutshell, this review will assist in understanding how CPPs can present novel possibilities for resolving the conventional issues faced with the present-day nanotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalyani Desale
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab-160062, India.
| | - Kaushik Kuche
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab-160062, India.
| | - Sanyog Jain
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab-160062, India.
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Rádis-Baptista G. Cell-Penetrating Peptides Derived from Animal Venoms and Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:147. [PMID: 33671927 PMCID: PMC7919042 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13020147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) comprise a class of short polypeptides that possess the ability to selectively interact with the cytoplasmic membrane of certain cell types, translocate across plasma membranes and accumulate in the cell cytoplasm, organelles (e.g., the nucleus and mitochondria) and other subcellular compartments. CPPs are either of natural origin or de novo designed and synthesized from segments and patches of larger proteins or designed by algorithms. With such intrinsic properties, along with membrane permeation, translocation and cellular uptake properties, CPPs can intracellularly convey diverse substances and nanomaterials, such as hydrophilic organic compounds and drugs, macromolecules (nucleic acids and proteins), nanoparticles (nanocrystals and polyplexes), metals and radionuclides, which can be covalently attached via CPP N- and C-terminals or through preparation of CPP complexes. A cumulative number of studies on animal toxins, primarily isolated from the venom of arthropods and snakes, have revealed the cell-penetrating activities of venom peptides and toxins, which can be harnessed for application in biomedicine and pharmaceutical biotechnology. In this review, I aimed to collate examples of peptides from animal venoms and toxic secretions that possess the ability to penetrate diverse types of cells. These venom CPPs have been chemically or structurally modified to enhance cell selectivity, bioavailability and a range of target applications. Herein, examples are listed and discussed, including cysteine-stabilized and linear, α-helical peptides, with cationic and amphipathic character, from the venom of insects (e.g., melittin, anoplin, mastoparans), arachnids (latarcin, lycosin, chlorotoxin, maurocalcine/imperatoxin homologs and wasabi receptor toxin), fish (pardaxins), amphibian (bombesin) and snakes (crotamine and cathelicidins).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gandhi Rádis-Baptista
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute for Marine Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60165-081, Brazil
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Song X, Liu C, Wang N, Huang H, He S, Gong C, Wei Y. Delivery of CRISPR/Cas systems for cancer gene therapy and immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 168:158-180. [PMID: 32360576 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) systems are efficient and versatile gene editing tools, which offer enormous potential to treat cancer by editing genome, transcriptome or epigenome of tumor cells and/or immune cells. A large body of works have been done with CRISPR/Cas systems for genetic modification, and 16 clinical trials were conducted to treat cancer by ex vivo or in vivo gene editing approaches. Now, promising preclinical works have begun using CRISPR/Cas systems in vivo. However, efficient and safe delivery of CRISPR/Cas systems in vivo is still a critical challenge for their clinical applications. This article summarizes delivery of CRISPR/Cas systems by physical methods, viral vectors and non-viral vectors for cancer gene therapy and immunotherapy. The prospects for the development of physical methods, viral vectors and non-viral vectors for delivery of CRISPR/Cas systems are reviewed, and promising advances in cancer treatment using CRISPR/Cas systems are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangrong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Hai Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Siyan He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Changyang Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
| | - Yuquan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
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29
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Van Zundert I, Fortuni B, Rocha S. From 2D to 3D Cancer Cell Models-The Enigmas of Drug Delivery Research. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E2236. [PMID: 33187231 PMCID: PMC7696259 DOI: 10.3390/nano10112236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decades, research has made impressive breakthroughs towards drug delivery systems, resulting in a wide range of multifunctional engineered nanoparticles with biomedical applications such as cancer therapy. Despite these significant advances, well-designed nanoparticles rarely reach the clinical stage. Promising results obtained in standard 2D cell culture systems often turn into disappointing outcomes in in vivo models. Although the overall majority of in vitro nanoparticle research is still performed on 2D monolayer cultures, more and more researchers started acknowledging the importance of using 3D cell culture systems, as better models for mimicking the in vivo tumor physiology. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the 3D cancer cell models currently available. We highlight their potential as a platform for drug delivery studies and pinpoint the challenges associated with their use. We discuss in which way each 3D model mimics the in vivo tumor physiology, how they can or have been used in nanomedicine research and to what extent the results obtained so far affect the progress of nanomedicine development. It is of note that the global scientific output associated with 3D models is limited, showing that the use of these systems in nanomedicine investigation is still highly challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beatrice Fortuni
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium;
| | - Susana Rocha
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium;
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Tissue-Specific Delivery of CRISPR Therapeutics: Strategies and Mechanisms of Non-Viral Vectors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197353. [PMID: 33027946 PMCID: PMC7583726 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) genome editing system has been the focus of intense research in the last decade due to its superior ability to desirably target and edit DNA sequences. The applicability of the CRISPR-Cas system to in vivo genome editing has acquired substantial credit for a future in vivo gene-based therapeutic. Challenges such as targeting the wrong tissue, undesirable genetic mutations, or immunogenic responses, need to be tackled before CRISPR-Cas systems can be translated for clinical use. Hence, there is an evident gap in the field for a strategy to enhance the specificity of delivery of CRISPR-Cas gene editing systems for in vivo applications. Current approaches using viral vectors do not address these main challenges and, therefore, strategies to develop non-viral delivery systems are being explored. Peptide-based systems represent an attractive approach to developing gene-based therapeutics due to their specificity of targeting, scale-up potential, lack of an immunogenic response and resistance to proteolysis. In this review, we discuss the most recent efforts towards novel non-viral delivery systems, focusing on strategies and mechanisms of peptide-based delivery systems, that can specifically deliver CRISPR components to different cell types for therapeutic and research purposes.
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Endothelial Cell Targeting by cRGD-Functionalized Polymeric Nanoparticles under Static and Flow Conditions. NANOMATERIALS 2020; 10:nano10071353. [PMID: 32664364 PMCID: PMC7407316 DOI: 10.3390/nano10071353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Since αvβ3 integrin is a key component of angiogenesis in health and disease, Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide-functionalized nanocarriers have been investigated as vehicles for targeted delivery of drugs to the αvβ3 integrin-overexpressing neovasculature of tumors. In this work, PEGylated nanoparticles (NPs) based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) functionalized with cyclic-RGD (cRGD), were evaluated as nanocarriers for the targeting of angiogenic endothelium. For this purpose, NPs (~300 nm) functionalized with cRGD with different surface densities were prepared by maleimide-thiol chemistry and their interactions with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated under different conditions using flow cytometry and microscopy. The cell association of cRGD-NPs under static conditions was time-, concentration- and cRGD density-dependent. The interactions between HUVECs and cRGD-NPs dispersed in cell culture medium under flow conditions were also time- and cRGD density-dependent. When washed red blood cells (RBCs) were added to the medium, a 3 to 8-fold increase in NPs association to HUVECs was observed. Moreover, experiments conducted under flow in the presence of RBC at physiologic hematocrit and shear rate, are a step forward in the prediction of in vivo cell–particle association. This approach has the potential to assist development and high-throughput screening of new endothelium-targeted nanocarriers.
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Nadal‐Bufí F, Henriques ST. How to overcome endosomal entrapment of cell‐penetrating peptides to release the therapeutic potential of peptides? Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Nadal‐Bufí
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology Translational Research Institute Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology Translational Research Institute Brisbane Queensland Australia
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Effective Therapeutic Drug Delivery by GALA3, an Endosomal Escape Peptide with Reduced Hydrophobicity. J Membr Biol 2020; 253:139-152. [DOI: 10.1007/s00232-020-00109-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Engineered amphiphilic peptides enable delivery of proteins and CRISPR-associated nucleases to airway epithelia. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4906. [PMID: 31659165 PMCID: PMC6817825 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12922-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The delivery of biologic cargoes to airway epithelial cells is challenging due to the formidable barriers imposed by its specialized and differentiated cells. Among cargoes, recombinant proteins offer therapeutic promise but the lack of effective delivery methods limits their development. Here, we achieve protein and SpCas9 or AsCas12a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) delivery to cultured human well-differentiated airway epithelial cells and mouse lungs with engineered amphiphilic peptides. These shuttle peptides, non-covalently combined with GFP protein or CRISPR-associated nuclease (Cas) RNP, allow rapid entry into cultured human ciliated and non-ciliated epithelial cells and mouse airway epithelia. Instillation of shuttle peptides combined with SpCas9 or AsCas12a RNP achieves editing of loxP sites in airway epithelia of ROSAmT/mG mice. We observe no evidence of short-term toxicity with a widespread distribution restricted to the respiratory tract. This peptide-based technology advances potential therapeutic avenues for protein and Cas RNP delivery to refractory airway epithelial cells. Delivering biological cargo to airway epithelial cells is very challenging. Here, the authors use engineered amphiphilic peptides to shuttle proteins and CRISPR RNPs into airway cells in vivo.
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35
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Abbandonato G, Polli D, Viola D, Cerullo G, Storti B, Cardarelli F, Salomone F, Nifosì R, Signore G, Bizzarri R. Simultaneous Detection of Local Polarizability and Viscosity by a Single Fluorescent Probe in Cells. Biophys J 2019; 114:2212-2220. [PMID: 29742414 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Many intracellular reactions are dependent on the dielectric ("polarity") and viscosity properties of their milieu. Fluorescence imaging offers a convenient strategy to report on such environmental properties. Yet, concomitant and independent monitoring of polarity and viscosity in cells at submicron scale is currently hampered by the lack of fluorescence probes characterized by unmixed responses to both parameters. Here, the peculiar photophysics of a green fluorescent protein chromophore analog is exploited for quantifying and imaging polarity and viscosity independently in living cells. We show that the polarity and viscosity profile around a novel hybrid drug-delivery peptide changes dramatically upon cell internalization via endosomes, shedding light on the spatiotemporal features of the release mechanism. Accordingly, our fluorescent probe opens the way to monitor the environmental effects on several processes relevant to cell biochemistry and nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dario Polli
- IFN-CNR and Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy; Center for Nano Science and Technology at Polimi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milano, Italy
| | - Daniele Viola
- IFN-CNR and Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulio Cerullo
- IFN-CNR and Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Barbara Storti
- NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore and NANO-CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Cardarelli
- NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore and NANO-CNR, Pisa, Italy; Center for Nanotechnology Innovation at NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Giovanni Signore
- NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore and NANO-CNR, Pisa, Italy; Center for Nanotechnology Innovation at NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pisa, Italy.
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Nanocarriers for Protein Delivery to the Cytosol: Assessing the Endosomal Escape of Poly(Lactide-co-Glycolide)-Poly(Ethylene Imine) Nanoparticles. NANOMATERIALS 2019; 9:nano9040652. [PMID: 31018628 PMCID: PMC6523739 DOI: 10.3390/nano9040652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic proteins and enzymes are a group of interesting candidates for the treatment of numerous diseases, but they often require a carrier to avoid degradation and rapid clearance in vivo. To this end, organic nanoparticles (NPs) represent an excellent choice due to their biocompatibility, and cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs)-loaded poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) NPs have recently attracted attention as versatile tools for targeted enzyme delivery. However, PLGA NPs are taken up by cells via endocytosis and are typically trafficked into lysosomes, while many therapeutic proteins and enzymes should reach the cellular cytosol to perform their activity. Here, we designed a CLEAs-based system implemented with a cationic endosomal escape agent (poly(ethylene imine), PEI) to extend the use of CLEA NPs also to cytosolic enzymes. We demonstrated that our system can deliver protein payloads at cytoplasm level by two different mechanisms: Endosomal escape and direct translocation. Finally, we applied this system to the cytoplasmic delivery of a therapeutically relevant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, SOD) in vitro.
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37
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Martínez-Jothar L, Beztsinna N, van Nostrum CF, Hennink WE, Oliveira S. Selective Cytotoxicity to HER2 Positive Breast Cancer Cells by Saporin-Loaded Nanobody-Targeted Polymeric Nanoparticles in Combination with Photochemical Internalization. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:1633-1647. [PMID: 30817164 PMCID: PMC6448105 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b01318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
In cancer treatment, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) can serve as a vehicle for the delivery of cytotoxic proteins that have intracellular targets but that lack well-defined mechanisms for cellular internalization, such as saporin. In this work, we have prepared PEGylated poly(lactic acid- co-glycolic acid- co-hydroxymethyl glycolic acid) (PLGHMGA) NPs for the selective delivery of saporin in the cytosol of HER2 positive cancer cells. This selective uptake was achieved by decorating the surface of the NPs with the 11A4 nanobody that is specific for the HER2 receptor. Confocal microscopy observations showed rapid and extensive uptake of the targeted NPs (11A4-NPs) by HER2 positive cells (SkBr3) but not by HER2 negative cells (MDA-MB-231). This selective uptake was blocked upon preincubation of the cells with an excess of nanobody. Nontargeted NPs (Cys-NPs) were not taken up by either type of cells. Importantly, a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect was only observed on SkBr3 cells when these were treated with saporin-loaded 11A4-NPs in combination with photochemical internalization (PCI), a technique that uses a photosensitizer and local light exposure to facilitate endosomal escape of entrapped nanocarriers and biomolecules. The combined use of saporin-loaded 11A4-NPs and PCI strongly inhibited cell proliferation and decreased cell viability through induction of apoptosis. Also the cytotoxic effect could be reduced by an excess of nanobody, reinforcing the selectivity of this system. These results suggest that the combination of the targeting nanobody on the NPs with PCI are effective means to achieve selective uptake and cytotoxicity of saporin-loaded NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Martínez-Jothar
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nataliia Beztsinna
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelus F. van Nostrum
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wim E. Hennink
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Oliveira
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Division
of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
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38
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He XY, Liu BY, Peng Y, Zhuo RX, Cheng SX. Multifunctional Vector for Delivery of Genome Editing Plasmid Targeting β-Catenin to Remodulate Cancer Cell Properties. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:226-237. [PMID: 30540162 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b17481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Accurate and efficient delivery of genome editing plasmids to targeted cells is of critical importance in genome editing. Herein, we prepared a multifunctional delivery vector with a combination of ligand-mediated selectivity and peptide-mediated transmembrane function to effectively deliver plasmids to targeted cancerous cells. In the delivery system, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated Cas9 nuclease (CRISPR-Cas9) plasmid is combined with protamine with membrane and nuclear translocating activities and co-precipitated with CaCO3, which is further decorated by AS1411-functionalized carboxymethyl chitosan and cell penetrating peptide (TAT)-functionalized carboxymethyl chitosan. The AS1411-mediated tumor cell/nuclear targeting and TAT-induced enhanced endocytosis result in obviously increased cellular uptake and nuclear transport. As a result, the CRISPR-Cas9 plasmid can be efficiently delivered to cancer cell nuclei to mediate genome editing, resulting in an efficacious knockout of CTNNB1 gene encoding β-catenin. More importantly, downregulation of β-catenin could effectively prevent its enrichment in nuclei and then significantly downregulate the expression of proteins, such as vimentin, Snail, MMP-2, MMP-9, CD44, Nanog, and Oct4 to prevent tumor progression and metastasis. The edited cancerous cells exhibit favorable remodulated properties including inhibited growth, suppressed migration and invasion, and reduced cancer stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yan He
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072 , People's Republic of China
| | - Bo-Ya Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072 , People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Peng
- Department of Pharmacy , The Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University , Wuhan 430060 , People's Republic of China
| | - Ren-Xi Zhuo
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072 , People's Republic of China
| | - Si-Xue Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072 , People's Republic of China
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Cupic KI, Rennick JJ, Johnston APR, Such GK. Controlling endosomal escape using nanoparticle composition: current progress and future perspectives. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2019; 14:215-223. [DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2018-0326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymer nanoparticles offer significant benefits for improving delivery of biological therapeutics such as DNA and proteins, as they allow the cargo to be protected until it is delivered to a target cell. However, there are still challenges with achieving efficient delivery to the optimal cellular region. One significant roadblock is escape of nanoparticles from within the endosomal/lysosomal compartments into the cytosol. Here, we review the recent advances in understanding endosomal escape of polymer nanoparticles. We also discuss the current progress on investigating how nanoparticle structure can control endosomal escape. It is important to understand the fundamental biological processes that govern endosomal escape in order to design more effective therapeutic delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristofer I Cupic
- The School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Drug Delivery, Disposition & Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Joshua J Rennick
- Drug Delivery, Disposition & Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Angus PR Johnston
- Drug Delivery, Disposition & Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science & Technology, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Georgina K Such
- The School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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40
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Brock DJ, Kondow-McConaghy HM, Hager EC, Pellois JP. Endosomal Escape and Cytosolic Penetration of Macromolecules Mediated by Synthetic Delivery Agents. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 30:293-304. [PMID: 30462487 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell delivery reagents often exploit the endocytic pathway as a route of cell entry. Once endocytosed, these reagents must overcome endosomal entrapment to ensure the release of their macromolecular cargo into the cytosol of cells. In this review, we describe several examples of prototypical synthetic reagents that are capable of endosomal escape and examine their mechanisms of action, their efficiencies, and their effects on cells. Although these delivery systems are chemically distinct, some commonalities in how they interact with cellular membranes can be inferred. This, in turn, sheds some light on the process of endosomal escape, and may help guide the development and optimization of next-generation delivery tools.
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41
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Peptide-based targeted therapeutics: Focus on cancer treatment. J Control Release 2018; 292:141-162. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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42
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Gallo M, Defaus S, Andreu D. 1988-2018: Thirty years of drug smuggling at the nano scale. Challenges and opportunities of cell-penetrating peptides in biomedical research. Arch Biochem Biophys 2018; 661:74-86. [PMID: 30447207 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In 1988, two unrelated papers reported the discovery of peptide vectors with innate cell translocation properties, setting the ground for a new area of research that over the years has grown into considerable therapeutic potential. The vectors, named cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), constitute a now large and diversified family, sharing the extraordinary ability to diffuse unaltered across cell membranes while ferrying diverse associated cargos. Such properties have made CPPs ideal tools for delivery of nucleic acids, proteins and other therapeutic/diagnostic molecules to cells and tissues via covalent conjugation or complexation. This year 2018 marks the 30th anniversary of a peptide research landmark opening new perspectives in drug delivery. Given its vastness, exhaustive coverage of the main features and accomplishments in the CPP field is virtually impossible. Hence this manuscript, after saluting the above 30th jubilee, focuses by necessity on the most recent contributions, providing a comprehensive list of recognized CPPs and their latest-reported applications over the last two years. In addition, it thoroughly reviews three areas of peptide vector research of particular interest to us, namely (i) efficient transport of low-bioavailability drugs into the brain; (ii) CPP-delivered disruptors of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCRs) heteromers related to several disorders, and (iii) CPP-mediated delivery of useful but poorly internalized drugs into parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gallo
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sira Defaus
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
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43
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Wang M, Wu J, Li Y, Li F, Hu X, Wang G, Han M, Ling D, Gao J. A tumor targeted near-infrared light-controlled nanocomposite to combat with multidrug resistance of cancer. J Control Release 2018; 288:34-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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44
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Li Z, Teng D, Mao R, Wang X, Hao Y, Wang X, Wang J. Improved Antibacterial Activity of the Marine Peptide N6 against Intracellular Salmonella Typhimurium by Conjugating with the Cell-Penetrating Peptide Tat 11 via a Cleavable Linker. J Med Chem 2018; 61:7991-8000. [PMID: 30095906 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The poor penetration ability of antimicrobial agents limits their use in the treatment of intracellular bacteria. In this study, the conjugate CNC (6) was generated by connecting the cell-penetrating peptide Tat11 (1) and marine peptide N6 (2) via a cathepsin-cleavable linker, and the C-terminal aminated N6 (7) and CNC (8) were first designed and synthesized to eliminate intracellular Salmonellae Typhimurium. The cellular uptake of 6 and stability of 7 were higher than those of 2, and conjugates 6, 8, and 7 had almost no hemolysis and cytotoxicity. The antibacterial activities of 6, 8, and 7 against S. Typhimurium in RAW264.7 cells were increased by 67.2-76.2%, 98.6-98.9%, and 96.3-97.6%, respectively. After treatment with 1-2 μmol/kg of 6, 8, or 7, the survival of the S. Typhimurium-infected mice was 66.7-100%, higher than that of 2 (33.4-66.7%). This result suggested that 6, 8, and 7 may be excellent candidates for novel antimicrobial agents to treat intracellular pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanzhan Li
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China.,Gene Engineering Laboratory , Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China
| | - Da Teng
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China.,Gene Engineering Laboratory , Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China
| | - Ruoyu Mao
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China.,Gene Engineering Laboratory , Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China.,Gene Engineering Laboratory , Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Hao
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China.,Gene Engineering Laboratory , Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China
| | - Xiumin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China.,Gene Engineering Laboratory , Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China.,Gene Engineering Laboratory , Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100081 , People's Republic of China
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45
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Pittman AE, Marsh BP, King GM. Conformations and Dynamic Transitions of a Melittin Derivative That Forms Macromolecule-Sized Pores in Lipid Bilayers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:8393-8399. [PMID: 29933696 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b00804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Systematically evolved from the primary active component of bee venom, MelP5 is a lipophilic peptide with important physical properties that differ from wild-type melittin, including the ability to create large equilibrium pores in lipid bilayers at low peptide to lipid ratios. Self-assembly into stable membrane spanning pores makes MelP5 a promising candidate for future applications in the pharmaceutical arena. Despite significant interest, little is known about the mechanism by which MelP5 remodels the lipid bilayer upon binding. We demonstrate by direct atomic force microscope imaging of supported lipid bilayers in solution that MelP5 remodels 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) in one of two ways. It creates either highly localized voids in the bilayer or diffuse nonlocalized thinning. Thinning of the bilayer was measured to be 3.0 ± 1.4 Å (mean ± standard deviation) below the surface of the upper leaflet of the bilayer. Pores, defined as highly localized voids in the bilayer, exhibited several sizes. Approximately 20% of pores exhibited large footprint areas (47 ± 20 nm2) which appear capable of passing bulky macromolecules. The peptide-effected bilayer was observed to reversibly exchange between membrane-thinned and pore states in an apparent dynamic equilibrium. Analysis of time-lapsed images suggested upper and lower bounds (0.2 < τ < 180 s) on the characteristic time scale of transitions between the membrane-thinned and pore states. Moreover, pores were found to colocalize with membrane-thinned regions, a novel observation that is consistent with the notion of cooperativity among membrane-bound peptides when forming pores.
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46
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Lino MM, Simões S, Vilaça A, Antunes H, Zonari A, Ferreira L. Modulation of Angiogenic Activity by Light-Activatable miRNA-Loaded Nanocarriers. ACS NANO 2018; 12:5207-5220. [PMID: 29870221 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b07538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The combinatorial delivery of miRNAs holds great promise to modulate cell activity in the context of angiogenesis. Yet, the delivery of multiple miRNAs with spatiotemporal control remains elusive. Here, we report a plasmonic nanocarrier to control the release of two microRNAs. The nanocarrier consists of gold nanorods modified with single-stranded DNA for hybridization with complementary DNA-conjugated microRNAs. DNA strands with distinct melting temperatures enable the independent release of each microRNA with a near-infrared laser using the same wavelength but different powers. Tests in human outgrowth endothelial cells (OECs) indicate that this system can be used to silence different targets sequentially and, by doing so, to modulate cell activity with spatiotemporal resolution. Finally, using an in vivo acute wound healing animal model, it is demonstrated that the order by which each miRNA was released in transplanted OECs significantly impacted the wound healing kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel M Lino
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine , University of Coimbra , 3000-548 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Susana Simões
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Andreia Vilaça
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Helena Antunes
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine , University of Coimbra , 3000-548 Coimbra , Portugal
- Crioestaminal , 3060-197 Cantanhede , Portugal
| | - Alessandra Zonari
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Lino Ferreira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , 3004-517 Coimbra , Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine , University of Coimbra , 3000-548 Coimbra , Portugal
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47
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Zhao H, To KKW, Chu H, Ding Q, Zhao X, Li C, Shuai H, Yuan S, Zhou J, Kok KH, Jiang S, Yuen KY. Dual-functional peptide with defective interfering genes effectively protects mice against avian and seasonal influenza. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2358. [PMID: 29907765 PMCID: PMC6004018 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04792-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Limited efficacy of current antivirals and antiviral-resistant mutations impairs anti-influenza treatment. Here, we evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antiviral effect of three defective interfering genes (DIG-3) of influenza virus. Viral replication is significantly reduced in cell lines transfected with DIG-3. Mice treated with DIG-3 encoded by jetPEI-vector, as prophylaxis and therapeutics against A(H7N7) virus, respectively, have significantly better survivals (80% and 50%) than control mice (0%). We further develop a dual-functional peptide TAT-P1, which delivers DIG-3 with high efficiency and concomitantly exerts antiviral activity by preventing endosomal acidification. TAT-P1/DIG-3 is more effective than jetPEI/DIG-3 in treating A(H7N7) or A(H1N1)pdm09-infected mice and shows potent prophylactic protection on A(H7N7) or A(H1N1)pdm09-infected mice. The addition of P1 peptide, which prevents endosomal acidification, can enhance the protection of TAT-P1/DIG-3 on A(H1N1)pdm09-infected mice. Dual-functional TAT-P1 with DIG-3 can effectively protect or treat mice infected by avian and seasonal influenza virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kelvin K W To
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Hin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Qiulu Ding
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Xiaoyu Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Cun Li
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Huiping Shuai
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kin-Hang Kok
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministries of Education and Health, Shanghai Medical College and Institute of Medical Microbiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. .,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. .,Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. .,The Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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48
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Trützschler AK, Bus T, Reifarth M, Brendel JC, Hoeppener S, Traeger A, Schubert US. Beyond Gene Transfection with Methacrylate-Based Polyplexes-The Influence of the Amino Substitution Pattern. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:2181-2194. [PMID: 29712427 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Methacrylate-based polymers represent promising nonviral gene delivery vectors, since they offer a large variety of polymer architectures and functionalities, which are beneficial for specific demands in gene delivery. In combination with controlled radical polymerization techniques, such as the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, the synthesis of well-defined polymers is possible. In this study we prepared a library of defined linear polymers based on (2-aminoethyl)-methacrylate (AEMA), N-methyl-(2-aminoethyl)-methacrylate (MAEMA), and N,N-dimethyl-(2-aminoethyl)-methacrylate (DMAEMA) monomers, bearing pendant primary, secondary, and tertiary amino groups, and investigated the influence of the substitution pattern on their gene delivery capability. The polymers and the corresponding plasmid DNA complexes were investigated regarding their physicochemical characteristics, cytocompatibility, and transfection performance. The nonviral transfection by methacrylate-based polyplexes differs significantly from poly(ethylene imine)-based polyplexes, as a successful transfection is not affected by the buffer capacity. We observed that polyplexes containing a high content of primary amino groups (AEMA) offered the highest transfection efficiency, whereas polyplexes bearing tertiary amino groups (DMAEMA) exhibited the lowest transfection efficiency. Further insights into the uptake and release mechanisms could be identified by fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy, emphasizing the theory of membrane-pore formation for the time-efficient endosomal release of methacrylate-based vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Kristin Trützschler
- Institue for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Humboldtstrasse 10 , 07743 Jena , Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM) , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Philosophenweg 7 , 07743 Jena , Germany
| | - Tanja Bus
- Institue for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Humboldtstrasse 10 , 07743 Jena , Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM) , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Philosophenweg 7 , 07743 Jena , Germany
| | - Martin Reifarth
- Institue for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Humboldtstrasse 10 , 07743 Jena , Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM) , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Philosophenweg 7 , 07743 Jena , Germany.,Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Helmholtzweg 4 , 07743 Jena , Germany.,Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology , Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9 , 07745 Jena , Germany
| | - Johannes C Brendel
- Institue for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Humboldtstrasse 10 , 07743 Jena , Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM) , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Philosophenweg 7 , 07743 Jena , Germany
| | - Stephanie Hoeppener
- Institue for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Humboldtstrasse 10 , 07743 Jena , Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM) , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Philosophenweg 7 , 07743 Jena , Germany
| | - Anja Traeger
- Institue for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Humboldtstrasse 10 , 07743 Jena , Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM) , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Philosophenweg 7 , 07743 Jena , Germany
| | - Ulrich S Schubert
- Institue for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Humboldtstrasse 10 , 07743 Jena , Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM) , Friedrich Schiller University Jena , Philosophenweg 7 , 07743 Jena , Germany
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49
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Del’Guidice T, Lepetit-Stoffaes JP, Bordeleau LJ, Roberge J, Théberge V, Lauvaux C, Barbeau X, Trottier J, Dave V, Roy DC, Gaillet B, Garnier A, Guay D. Membrane permeabilizing amphiphilic peptide delivers recombinant transcription factor and CRISPR-Cas9/Cpf1 ribonucleoproteins in hard-to-modify cells. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195558. [PMID: 29617431 PMCID: PMC5884575 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Delivery of recombinant proteins to therapeutic cells is limited by a lack of efficient methods. This hinders the use of transcription factors or Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) ribonucleoproteins to develop cell therapies. Here, we report a soluble peptide designed for the direct delivery of proteins to mammalian cells including human stem cells, hard-to-modify primary natural killer (NK) cells, and cancer cell models. This peptide is composed of a 6x histidine-rich domain fused to the endosomolytic peptide CM18 and the cell penetrating peptide PTD4. A less than two-minute co-incubation of 6His-CM18-PTD4 peptide with spCas9 and/or asCpf1 CRISPR ribonucleoproteins achieves robust gene editing. The same procedure, co-incubating with the transcription factor HoxB4, achieves transcriptional regulation. The broad applicability and flexibility of this DNA- and chemical-free method across different cell types, particularly hard-to-transfect cells, opens the way for a direct use of proteins for biomedical research and cell therapy manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean-Pascal Lepetit-Stoffaes
- Feldan Therapeutics, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Université Laval, Département de Génie Chimique, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Xavier Barbeau
- Feldan Therapeutics, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Université Laval, Département de Génie Chimique, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Jessica Trottier
- Centre de recherche de l’Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Vibhuti Dave
- Centre de recherche de l’Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Denis-Claude Roy
- Centre de recherche de l’Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Bruno Gaillet
- Université Laval, Département de Génie Chimique, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Alain Garnier
- Université Laval, Département de Génie Chimique, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - David Guay
- Feldan Therapeutics, Québec, Québec, Canada
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50
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Conjugates and nano-delivery of antimicrobial peptides for enhancing therapeutic activity. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2017.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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