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Chen H, Zhang Q. Polypeptides as alternatives to PEGylation of therapeutic agents. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2024; 21:1-12. [PMID: 38116624 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2297937] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Due to the concerns raised by the extensive application of PEGylation, polypeptides have stood out as excellent candidates with adequate biocompatibility and biodegradability with tunable hydrophilicity. AREAS COVERED In this review, polypeptides with the potential to replace PEGylation have been summarized and their application has been reviewed, including XTEN, PASylation, polysarcosine, zwitterion polypeptides, ELPylation, etc. Besides their strengths, the remaining challenges have also been discussed and the future perspectives have been provided. EXPERT OPINION Polypeptides have been applied in the designing of peptide/protein drugs as well as nanomedicines, and some of the pharmaceutics have made it into the clinical trials and got approved. These polypeptides showed similar hydrophilic properties to PEGylation, which increased the hydrodynamic volumes of protein drugs, reduced kidney elimination, decreased protein-polymer interaction and potentially improved the drug delivery efficiency due to the extended circulation time in the system. Moreover, they demonstrated superior biodegradability and biocompatibility, compensating for the deficiencies for polymers such as PEG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huali Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qianyu Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Ji Y, Liu D, Zhu H, Bao L, Chang R, Gao X, Yin J. Unstructured Polypeptides as a Versatile Drug Delivery Technology. Acta Biomater 2023; 164:74-93. [PMID: 37075961 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Although polyethylene glycol (PEG), or "PEGylation" has become a widely applied approach for improving the efficiency of drug delivery, the immunogenicity and non-biodegradability of this synthetic polymer have prompted an evident need for alternatives. To overcome these caveats and to mimic PEG -or other natural or synthetic polymers- for the purpose of drug half-life extension, unstructured polypeptides are designed. Due to their tunable length, biodegradability, low immunogenicity and easy production, unstructured polypeptides have the potential to replace PEG as the preferred technology for therapeutic protein/peptide delivery. This review provides an overview of the evolution of unstructured polypeptides, starting from natural polypeptides to engineered polypeptides and discusses their characteristics. Then, it is described that unstructured polypeptides have been successfully applied to numerous drugs, including peptides, proteins, antibody fragments, and nanocarriers, for half-life extension. Innovative applications of unstructured peptides as releasable masks, multimolecular adaptors and intracellular delivery carriers are also discussed. Finally, challenges and future perspectives of this promising field are briefly presented. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: : Polypeptide fusion technology simulating PEGylation has become an important topic for the development of long-circulating peptide or protein drugs without reduced activity, complex processes, and kidney injury caused by PEG modification. Here we provide a detailed and in-depth review of the recent advances in unstructured polypeptides. In addition to the application of enhanced pharmacokinetic performance, emphasis is placed on polypeptides as scaffolders for the delivery of multiple drugs, and on the preparation of reasonably designed polypeptides to manipulate the performance of proteins and peptides. This review will provide insight into future application of polypeptides in peptide or protein drug development and the design of novel functional polypeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dingkang Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Haichao Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lichen Bao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ruilong Chang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiangdong Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Jun Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Majura JJ, Cao W, Chen Z, Htwe KK, Li W, Du R, Zhang P, Zheng H, Gao J. The current research status and strategies employed to modify food-derived bioactive peptides. Front Nutr 2022; 9:950823. [PMID: 36118740 PMCID: PMC9479208 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.950823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of bioactive peptides to exert biological functions has mainly contributed to their exploitation. The exploitation and utilization of these peptides have grown tremendously over the past two decades. Food-derived peptides from sources such as plant, animal, and marine proteins and their byproducts constitute a more significant portion of the naturally-occurring peptides that have been documented. Due to their high specificity and biocompatibility, these peptides serve as a suitable alternative to pharmacological drugs for treating non-communicable diseases (such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and cancer). They are helpful as food preservatives, ingredients in functional foods, and dietary supplements in the food sector. Despite their unique features, the application of these peptides in the clinical and food sector is to some extent hindered by their inherent drawbacks such as toxicity, bitterness, instability, and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. Several strategies have been employed to eliminate or reduce the disadvantages of peptides, thus enhancing the peptide bioactivity and broadening the opportunities for their applications. This review article focuses on the current research status of various bioactive peptides and the strategies that have been implemented to overcome their disadvantages. It will also highlight future perspectives regarding the possible improvements to be made for the development of bioactive peptides with practical uses and their commercialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieth Joram Majura
- College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Products Processing and Safety, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Seafood, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Wenhong Cao
- College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Products Processing and Safety, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Seafood, Zhanjiang, China
- National Research and Development Branch Center for Shellfish Processing, Zhanjiang, China
- Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Marine Biological Products, Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing of Aquatic Product of Guangdong Higher Education Institution, Zhanjiang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Zhongqin Chen
- College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Products Processing and Safety, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Seafood, Zhanjiang, China
- National Research and Development Branch Center for Shellfish Processing, Zhanjiang, China
- Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Marine Biological Products, Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing of Aquatic Product of Guangdong Higher Education Institution, Zhanjiang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Kyi Kyi Htwe
- College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Wan Li
- College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Products Processing and Safety, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Seafood, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Ran Du
- College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Products Processing and Safety, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Seafood, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Pei Zhang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Huina Zheng
- College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Products Processing and Safety, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Seafood, Zhanjiang, China
- National Research and Development Branch Center for Shellfish Processing, Zhanjiang, China
- Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Marine Biological Products, Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing of Aquatic Product of Guangdong Higher Education Institution, Zhanjiang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Jialong Gao
- College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Products Processing and Safety, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Seafood, Zhanjiang, China
- National Research and Development Branch Center for Shellfish Processing, Zhanjiang, China
- Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Marine Biological Products, Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing of Aquatic Product of Guangdong Higher Education Institution, Zhanjiang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
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Song B, Zhao H, Yang H, Wang S. Efficacy of graphene oxide-loaded cationic antimicrobial peptide AWRK6 on the neutralization of endotoxin activity and in the treatment of sepsis. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:19867-19877. [PMID: 34388113 PMCID: PMC8386569 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203397] [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: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective: This study is to assess the therapeutic effect of graphene oxide (GO) loaded with AWRK6 on endotoxin-induced sepsis. Method: AWRK6/GO was prepared by GO loaded AWRK6, with the structure characterization of AWRK6/GO conducted by atomic force microscope (AFM) and ultraviolet spectrophotometer, the sustained release rate of AWRK6/GO detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the neutralization ability of AWRK6/GO to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tested by in vitro experiments. The levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in mouse cells after drug intervention were detected by ELISA; a LPS mouse model was established to observe the effects of drug intervention on the survival cycle and survival rate of mice. Results: The sustained drug release rate of AWRK6/GO reached 85% within 24 hours observed under in vitro conditions, with an efficient neutralization effect to LPS (P < 0.01); Compared with the control group, the intervention of LPS succeeded in remarkably elevating the levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in the whole blood and macrophages of the mice (P < 0.01), whose survival cycle and survival rate consequently observed an obvious decline (P < 0.01); The intervention with AWRK6 or AWRK6/GO predominantly brought down the levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in the whole blood and macrophages of mice given LPS (P < 0.01), resulting in an elevation of the survival rate and survival time (P < 0.01). Conclusion: GO loaded with cationic antimicrobial peptide AWRK6 exerts a rosy neutralization effect on endotoxin activity, with no obvious side effects on mice observed, which is of certain application value in the treatment of sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Song
- Department of Emergency, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hongli Zhao
- Department of Senile Diseases, Dongying City Shengli Hospital, Dongying, Shandong Province, China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Department of Emergency, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shengji Wang
- Department of Emergency, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong Province, China
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