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Mantooth SM, Hancock AM, Thompson PM, Varghese P J G, Meritet DM, Vrabel MR, Hu J, Zaharoff DA. Characterization of an Injectable Chitosan Hydrogel for the Tunable, Localized Delivery of Immunotherapeutics. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:905-920. [PMID: 38240491 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Localized delivery of immunotherapeutics within a tumor has the potential to reduce systemic toxicities and improve treatment outcomes in cancer patients. Unfortunately, local retention of therapeutics following intratumoral injection is problematic and is insufficiently considered. Dense tumor architectures and high interstitial pressures rapidly exclude injections of saline and other low-viscosity solutions. Hydrogel-based delivery systems, on the other hand, can resist shear forces that cause tumor leakage and thus stand to improve the local retention of coformulated therapeutics. The goal of the present work was to construct a novel, injectable hydrogel that could be tuned for localized immunotherapy delivery. A chitosan-based hydrogel, called XCSgel, was developed and subsequently characterized. Nuclear magnetic resonance studies were performed to describe the chemical properties of the new entity, while cryo-scanning electron microscopy allowed for visualization of the hydrogel's cross-linked network. Rheology experiments demonstrated that XCSgel was shear-thinning and self-healing. Biocompatibility studies, both in vitro and in vivo, showed that XCSgel was nontoxic and induced transient mild-to-moderate inflammation. Release studies revealed that coformulated immunotherapeutics were released over days to weeks in a charge-dependent manner. Overall, XCSgel displayed several clinically important features, including injectability, biocompatibility, and imageability. Furthermore, the properties of XCSgel could also be controlled to tune the release of coformulated immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siena M Mantooth
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Asher M Hancock
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Peter M Thompson
- Molecular Education, Technology and Research Innovation Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - George Varghese P J
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Danielle M Meritet
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Maura R Vrabel
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Jingjie Hu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - David A Zaharoff
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
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2
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Vrabel MR, Schulman JA, Gillam FB, Mantooth SM, Nguyen KG, Zaharoff DA. Focal Cryo-Immunotherapy with Intratumoral IL-12 Prevents Recurrence of Large Murine Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082210. [PMID: 37190138 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal ablation technologies are routinely used in the clinical management of inoperable solid tumors but they often result in incomplete ablations leading to high recurrence rates. Adjuvant therapies, capable of safely eliminating residual tumor cells, are therefore of great clinical interest. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a potent antitumor cytokine that can be localized intratumorally through coformulation with viscous biopolymers, including chitosan (CS) solutions. The objective of this research was to determine if localized immunotherapy with a CS/IL-12 formulation could prevent tumor recurrence after cryoablation (CA). Tumor recurrence and overall survival rates were assessed. Systemic immunity was evaluated in spontaneously metastatic and bilateral tumor models. Temporal bulk RNA sequencing was performed on tumor and draining lymph node (dLN) samples. In multiple murine tumor models, the addition of CS/IL-12 to CA reduced recurrence rates by 30-55%. Altogether, this cryo-immunotherapy induced complete durable regression of large tumors in 80-100% of treated animals. Additionally, CS/IL-12 prevented lung metastases when delivered as a neoadjuvant to CA. However, CA plus CS/IL-12 had minimal antitumor activity against established, untreated abscopal tumors. Adjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy delayed the growth of abscopal tumors. Transcriptome analyses revealed early immunological changes in the dLN, followed by a significant increase in gene expression associated with immune suppression and regulation. Cryo-immunotherapy with localized CS/IL-12 reduces recurrences and enhances the elimination of large primary tumors. This focal combination therapy also induces significant but limited systemic antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura R Vrabel
- ImmunoEngineering Laboratory, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Jacob A Schulman
- ImmunoEngineering Laboratory, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Francis B Gillam
- ImmunoEngineering Laboratory, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Siena M Mantooth
- ImmunoEngineering Laboratory, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Khue G Nguyen
- ImmunoEngineering Laboratory, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - David A Zaharoff
- ImmunoEngineering Laboratory, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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3
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Pagano K, Listro R, Linciano P, Rossi D, Longhi E, Taraboletti G, Molinari H, Collina S, Ragona L. Identification of a novel extracellular inhibitor of FGF2/FGFR signaling axis by combined virtual screening and NMR spectroscopy approach. Bioorg Chem 2023; 136:106529. [PMID: 37084585 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
The aberrant activation of the fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)/fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signalling pathway drives severe pathologies, including cancer development and angiogenesis-driven pathologies. The perturbation of the FGF2/FGFR axis via extracellular allosteric small inhibitors is a promising strategy for developing FGFR inhibitors with improved safety and efficacy for cancer treatment. We have previously investigated the role of new extracellular inhibitors, such as rosmarinic acid (RA), which bind the FGFR-D2 domain and directly compete with FGF2 for the same binding site, enabling the disruption of the functional FGF2/FGFR interaction. To select ligands for the previously identified FGF2/FGFR RA binding site, NMR data-driven virtual screening has been performed on an in-house library of non-commercial small molecules and metabolites. A novel drug-like compound, a resorcinol derivative named RBA4 has been identified. NMR interaction studies demonstrate that RBA4 binds the FGF2/FGFR complex, in agreement with docking prediction. Residue-level NMR perturbations analysis highlights that the mode of action of RBA4 is similar to RA in terms of its ability to target the FGF2/FGFR-D2 complex, inducing perturbations on both proteins and triggering complex dissociation. Biological assays proved that RBA4 inhibited FGF2 proliferative activity at a level comparable to the previously reported natural product, RA. Identification of RBA4 chemical groups involved in direct interactions represents a starting point for further optimization of drug-like extracellular inhibitors with improved activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katiuscia Pagano
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Corti 12, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Roberta Listro
- University of Pavia, Department of Drug Sciences, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Pasquale Linciano
- University of Pavia, Department of Drug Sciences, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Daniela Rossi
- University of Pavia, Department of Drug Sciences, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Elisa Longhi
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche, Mario Negri IRCCS, 24126 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giulia Taraboletti
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche, Mario Negri IRCCS, 24126 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Henriette Molinari
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Corti 12, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Simona Collina
- University of Pavia, Department of Drug Sciences, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Laura Ragona
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Corti 12, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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Todosenko N, Yurova K, Khaziakhmatova O, Malashchenko V, Khlusov I, Litvinova L. Heparin and Heparin-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Pleiotropic Molecular Effects at Multiple Drug Resistance of Osteosarcoma and Immune Cells. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102181. [PMID: 36297616 PMCID: PMC9612132 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main problems of modern health care is the growing number of oncological diseases both in the elderly and young population. Inadequately effective chemotherapy, which remains the main method of cancer control, is largely associated with the emergence of multidrug resistance in tumor cells. The search for new solutions to overcome the resistance of malignant cells to pharmacological agents is being actively pursued. Another serious problem is immunosuppression caused both by the tumor cells themselves and by antitumor drugs. Of great interest in this context is heparin, a biomolecule belonging to the class of glycosaminoglycans and possessing a broad spectrum of biological activity, including immunomodulatory and antitumor properties. In the context of the rapid development of the new field of “osteoimmunology,” which focuses on the collaboration of bone and immune cells, heparin and delivery systems based on it may be of intriguing importance for the oncotherapy of malignant bone tumors. Osteosarcoma is a rare but highly aggressive, chemoresistant malignant tumor that affects young adults and is characterized by constant recurrence and metastasis. This review describes the direct and immune-mediated regulatory effects of heparin and drug delivery systems based on it on the molecular mechanisms of (multiple) drug resistance in (onco) pathological conditions of bone tissue, especially osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Todosenko
- Center for Immunology and Cellular Biotechnology, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236001 Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - Kristina Yurova
- Center for Immunology and Cellular Biotechnology, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236001 Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - Olga Khaziakhmatova
- Center for Immunology and Cellular Biotechnology, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236001 Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - Vladimir Malashchenko
- Center for Immunology and Cellular Biotechnology, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236001 Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - Igor Khlusov
- Department of Morphology and General Pathology, Siberian State Medical University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Larisa Litvinova
- Center for Immunology and Cellular Biotechnology, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236001 Kaliningrad, Russia
- Correspondence:
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5
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Nguyen KG, Mantooth SM, Vrabel MR, Zaharoff DA. Intranasal Delivery of Thermostable Subunit Vaccine for Cross-Reactive Mucosal and Systemic Antibody Responses Against SARS-CoV-2. Front Immunol 2022; 13:858904. [PMID: 35592324 PMCID: PMC9110812 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.858904] [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: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the remarkable efficacy of currently approved COVID-19 vaccines, there are several opportunities for continued vaccine development against SARS-CoV-2 and future lethal respiratory viruses. In particular, restricted vaccine access and hesitancy have limited immunization rates. In addition, current vaccines are unable to prevent breakthrough infections, leading to prolonged virus circulation. To improve access, a subunit vaccine with enhanced thermostability was designed to eliminate the need for an ultra-cold chain. The exclusion of infectious and genetic materials from this vaccine may also help reduce vaccine hesitancy. In an effort to prevent breakthrough infections, intranasal immunization to induce mucosal immunity was explored. A prototype vaccine comprised of receptor-binding domain (RBD) polypeptides formulated with additional immunoadjuvants in a chitosan (CS) solution induced high levels of RBD-specific antibodies in laboratory mice after 1 or 2 immunizations. Antibody responses were durable with high titers persisting for at least five months following subcutaneous vaccination. Serum anti-RBD antibodies contained both IgG1 and IgG2a isotypes suggesting that the vaccine induced a mixed Th1/Th2 response. RBD vaccination without CS formulation resulted in minimal anti-RBD responses. The addition of CpG oligonucleotides to the CS plus RBD vaccine formulation increased antibody titers more effectively than interleukin-12 (IL-12). Importantly, generated antibodies were cross-reactive against RBD mutants associated with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including alpha, beta and delta variants, and inhibited binding of RBD to its cognate receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). With respect to stability, vaccines did not lose activity when stored at either room temperature (21-22°C) or 4°C for at least one month. When delivered intranasally, vaccines induced RBD-specific mucosal IgA antibodies, which may protect against breakthrough infections in the upper respiratory tract. Altogether, data indicate that the designed vaccine platform is versatile, adaptable and capable of overcoming key constraints of current COVID-19 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khue G Nguyen
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Siena M Mantooth
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.,Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Maura R Vrabel
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.,Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - David A Zaharoff
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.,Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
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6
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Das PK, Sahoo A, Dasu VV. Current status, and the developments of hosts and expression systems for the production of recombinant human cytokines. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 59:107969. [PMID: 35525478 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107969] [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: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines consist of peptides, proteins and glycoproteins, which are biological signaling molecules, and boost cell-cell communication in immune reactions to stimulate cellular movements in the place of trauma, inflammation and infection. Recombinant cytokines are designed in such a way that they have generalized immunostimulation action or stimulate specific immune cells when the body encounters immunosuppressive signals from exogenous pathogens or other tumor microenvironments. Recombinant cytokines have improved the treatment processes for numerous diseases. They are also beneficial against novel toxicities that arise due to pharmacologic immunostimulators that lead to an imbalance in the regulation of cytokine. So, the production and use of recombinant human cytokines as therapeutic proteins are significant for medical treatment purposes. For the improved production of recombinant human cytokines, the development of host cells such as bacteria, yeast, fungi, insect, mammal and transgenic plants, and the specific expression systems for individual hosts is necessary. The recent advancements in the field of genetic engineering are beneficial for easy and efficient genetic manipulations for hosts as well as expression cassettes. The use of metabolic engineering and systems biology approaches have tremendous applications in recombinant protein production by generating mathematical models, and analyzing complex biological networks and metabolic pathways via simulations to understand the interconnections between metabolites and genetic behaviors. Further, the bioprocess developments and the optimization of cell culture conditions would enhance recombinant cytokines productivity on large scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabir Kumar Das
- Biochemical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Ansuman Sahoo
- Biochemical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Veeranki Venkata Dasu
- Biochemical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
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7
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Nguyen KG, Wagner ES, Vrabel MR, Mantooth SM, Meritet DM, Zaharoff DA. Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Intravesical Chitosan/Interleukin-12 Immunotherapy in Murine Bladders. Bladder Cancer 2021; 7:427-437. [PMID: 38993985 PMCID: PMC11181725 DOI: 10.3233/blc-211542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intravesical administration of interleukin 12 (IL-12) co-formulated with the biopolymer, chitosan (CS/IL-12), has demonstrated remarkable antitumor activity against preclinical models of bladder cancer. However, given historical concerns regarding severe toxicities associated with systemic IL-12 administration in clinical trials, it is important to evaluate the safety of intravesical CS/IL-12 prior to clinical translation. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the pharmacokinetics as well as the local and systemic toxicities of intravesical CS/IL-12 immunotherapy in laboratory mice. METHODS Local inflammatory responses in mouse bladders treated with intravesical IL-12 or CS/IL-12 were assessed via histopathology. Serum cytokine levels following intravesical and subcutaneous (s.c.) administrations of IL-12 or CS/IL-12 in laboratory mice were compared. Systemic toxicities were evaluated via body weight and liver enzyme levels. RESULTS Intravesical IL-12 and CS/IL-12 treatments did not induce significant local or systemic toxicity. IL-12 dissemination and exposure from intravesical administration was significantly lower compared to s.c. injections. Weekly intravesical CS/IL-12 treatments were well-tolerated and did not result in blunted immune responses. CONCLUSIONS Intravesical CS/IL-12 is safe and well-tolerated in mice. In particular, the lack of cystitis and acute inflammation justifies continued investigation of intravesical CS/IL-12 immunotherapy in larger animals and patients with bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khue G. Nguyen
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Ethan S. Wagner
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Maura R. Vrabel
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Siena M. Mantooth
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Danielle M. Meritet
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - David A. Zaharoff
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, USA
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8
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Nguyen KG, Vrabel MR, Mantooth SM, Hopkins JJ, Wagner ES, Gabaldon TA, Zaharoff DA. Localized Interleukin-12 for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:575597. [PMID: 33178203 PMCID: PMC7593768 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.575597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a potent, pro-inflammatory type 1 cytokine that has long been studied as a potential immunotherapy for cancer. Unfortunately, IL-12's remarkable antitumor efficacy in preclinical models has yet to be replicated in humans. Early clinical trials in the mid-1990's showed that systemic delivery of IL-12 incurred dose-limiting toxicities. Nevertheless, IL-12's pleiotropic activity, i.e., its ability to engage multiple effector mechanisms and reverse tumor-induced immunosuppression, continues to entice cancer researchers. The development of strategies which maximize IL-12 delivery to the tumor microenvironment while minimizing systemic exposure are of increasing interest. Diverse IL-12 delivery systems, from immunocytokine fusions to polymeric nanoparticles, have demonstrated robust antitumor immunity with reduced adverse events in preclinical studies. Several localized IL-12 delivery approaches have recently reached the clinical stage with several more at the precipice of translation. Taken together, localized delivery systems are supporting an IL-12 renaissance which may finally allow this potent cytokine to fulfill its considerable clinical potential. This review begins with a brief historical account of cytokine monotherapies and describes how IL-12 went from promising new cure to ostracized black sheep following multiple on-study deaths. The bulk of this comprehensive review focuses on developments in diverse localized delivery strategies for IL-12-based cancer immunotherapies. Advantages and limitations of different delivery technologies are highlighted. Finally, perspectives on how IL-12-based immunotherapies may be utilized for widespread clinical application in the very near future are offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khue G Nguyen
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Maura R Vrabel
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Siena M Mantooth
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Jared J Hopkins
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Ethan S Wagner
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Taylor A Gabaldon
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - David A Zaharoff
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
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Luria-Pérez R, Candelaria PV, Daniels-Wells TR, Rodríguez JA, Helguera G, Penichet ML. Amino acid residues involved in the heparin-binding activity of murine IL-12 in the context of an antibody-cytokine fusion protein. Cytokine 2019; 120:220-226. [PMID: 31121497 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
An antibody-cytokine fusion protein, composed of the murine single-chain cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) genetically fused to a human IgG3 specific for the human tumor-associated antigen HER2/neu maintains antigen binding, cytokine bioactivity, and IL-12 heparin-binding activity. This latter property is responsible for the binding of the cytokine to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on the cell surface and the extracellular matrix and has been implicated in modulating IL-12 bioactivity. Previous studies indicate that the p40 subunit of human and murine IL-12 is responsible for the heparin-binding activity of this heterodimeric cytokine. In the present study we used bioinformatic analysis and site-directed mutagenesis to develop a version of the antibody-(IL-12) fusion protein without heparin-binding activity. This was accomplished by replacing the basic arginine (R) and lysine (K) residues in the cluster of amino acids 254-260 (RKKEKMK) of the murine IL-12 p40 subunit by the neutral non-polar amino acid alanine (A), generating an AAAEAMA mutant fusion protein. ELISA and flow cytometry demonstrated that the antibody fusion protein lacks heparin-binding activity but retains antigen binding. A T-cell proliferation assay showed IL-12 bioactivity in this construct. However, the IL-12 bioactivity is decreased compared to its non-mutated counterpart, which is consistent with an ancillary role of the heparin-binding site of IL-12 in modulating its activity. Thus, we have defined a cluster of amino acid residues with a crucial role in the heparin-binding activity of murine IL-12 in the context of an antibody-cytokine fusion protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosendo Luria-Pérez
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pierre V Candelaria
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tracy R Daniels-Wells
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - José A Rodríguez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA-DOE Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, CA, USA
| | - Gustavo Helguera
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Manuel L Penichet
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, CA, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, CA, USA; UCLA AIDS Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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10
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Identification of a Recombinant Human Interleukin-12 (rhIL-12) Fragment in Non-Reduced SDS-PAGE. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24071210. [PMID: 30925680 PMCID: PMC6479496 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24071210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
During the past two decades, recombinant human interleukin-12 (rhIL-12) has emerged as one of the most potent cytokines in mediating antitumor activity in a variety of preclinical models and clinical studies. Purity is a critical quality attribute (CQA) in the quality control system of rhIL-12. In our study, rhIL-12 bulks from manufacturer B showed a different pattern in non-reduced SDS-PAGE compared with size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)-HPLC. A small fragment was only detected in non-reduced SDS-PAGE but not in SEC-HPLC. The results of UPLC/MS and N-terminal sequencing confirmed that the small fragment was a 261–306 amino acid sequence of a p40 subunit of IL-12. The cleavage occurs between Lys260 and Arg261, a basic rich region. With the presence of 0.2% SDS, the small fragment appeared in both native PAGE and in SEC-HPLC, suggesting that it is bound to the remaining part of the IL-12 non-covalently, and is dissociated in a denatured environment. The results of a bioassay showed that the fractured rhIL-12 proteins had deficient biological activity. These findings provide an important reference for the quality control of the production process and the final products of rhIL-12.
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11
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Nguyen KG, Gillam FB, Hopkins JJ, Jayanthi S, Gundampati RK, Su G, Bear J, Pilkington GR, Jalah R, Felber BK, Liu J, Thallapuranam SK, Zaharoff DA. Molecular mechanisms of heparin-induced modulation of human interleukin 12 bioactivity. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:4412-4424. [PMID: 30670588 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human interleukin-12 (hIL-12) is a heparin-binding cytokine whose activity was previously shown to be enhanced by heparin and other sulfated glycosaminoglycans. The current study investigated the mechanisms by which heparin increases hIL-12 activity. Using multiple human cell types, including natural killer cells, an IL-12 indicator cell line, and primary peripheral blood mononuclear and T cells, along with bioactivity, flow cytometry, and isothermal titration calorimetry assays, we found that heparin-dependent modulation of hIL-12 function correlates with several of heparin's biophysical characteristics, including chain length, sulfation level, and concentration. Specifically, only heparin molecules longer than eight saccharide units enhanced hIL-12 activity. Furthermore, heparin molecules with three sulfate groups per disaccharide unit outperformed heparin molecules with one or two sulfate groups per disaccharide unit in terms of enhanced hIL-12 binding and activity. Heparin also significantly reduced the EC50 value of hIL-12 by up to 11.8-fold, depending on the responding cell type. Cytokine-profiling analyses revealed that heparin affected the level, but not the type, of cytokines produced by lymphocytes in response to hIL-12. Interestingly, although murine IL-12 also binds heparin, heparin did not enhance its activity. Using the gathered data, we propose a model of hIL-12 stabilization in which heparin serves as a co-receptor enhancing the interaction between heterodimeric hIL-12 and its receptor subunits. The results of this study provide a foundation for further investigation of heparin's interactions with IL-12 family cytokines and for the use of heparin as an immunomodulatory agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khue G Nguyen
- From the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599.,the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Francis B Gillam
- the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Jared J Hopkins
- the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Srinivas Jayanthi
- the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
| | - Ravi Kumar Gundampati
- the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
| | - Guowei Su
- the Division of Chemical Biology and Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, and
| | - Jenifer Bear
- the Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, NCI-Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Guy R Pilkington
- the Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, NCI-Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Rashmi Jalah
- the Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, NCI-Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Barbara K Felber
- the Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, NCI-Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Jian Liu
- the Division of Chemical Biology and Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, and
| | | | - David A Zaharoff
- From the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, .,the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
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12
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Garnier P, Mummery R, Forster MJ, Mulloy B, Gibbs RV, Rider CC. The localisation of the heparin binding sites of human and murine interleukin-12 within the carboxyterminal domain of the P40 subunit. Cytokine 2018; 110:159-168. [PMID: 29753267 PMCID: PMC6109204 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate differences in the specificity of heparin binding between human and murine IL-12s. Heparin predominantly protects the p40 subunit against proteolysis by LysC. A truncated IL-12 polypeptide lacking the carboxyterminal D3 domain fails to bind heparin. The C′D′ loop of the D3 domain contains a large cluster of surface accessible basic residues. This loop is the region of greatest sequence variation between murine and human p40s.
We have previously shown that the heterodimeric cytokine interleukin-12, and the homodimer of its larger subunit p40, both bind to heparin and heparan sulfate with relatively high affinity. In the present study we characterised these interactions using a series of chemically modified heparins as competitive inhibitors. Human interleukin-12 and p40 homodimer show indistinguishable binding profiles with a panel of heparin derivatives, but that of murine interleukin-12 is distinct. Heparin markedly protects the human and murine p40 subunits, but not the p35 subunits, from cleavage by the bacterial endoprotease LysC, further implicating the larger subunit as the location of the heparin binding site. Moreover the essential role of the carboxyterminal D3 domain in heparin binding is established by the failure of a truncated construct of the p40 subunit lacking this domain to bind. Predictive docking calculations indicate that a cluster of basic residues at the tip of the exposed C′D′ loop within D3 is important in heparin binding. However since the human and murine C′D′ loops differ considerably in length, the mode and three dimensional orientation of heparin binding are likely to differ substantially between the human and murine p40s. Thus overall the binding of IL-12 via its p40 subunit to heparin-related polysaccharides of the extracellular matrix appears to be functionally important since it has been conserved across mammalian species despite this structural divergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascale Garnier
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Rosemary Mummery
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Mark J Forster
- National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3QG, UK; Scientific Computing Department, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 4AD, UK(2)
| | - Barbara Mulloy
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK; National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Roslyn V Gibbs
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, White Swan Road, Portsmouth, Hants PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Christopher C Rider
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK.
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13
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Jayanthi S, Koppolu BP, Nguyen KG, Smith SG, Felber BK, Kumar TKS, Zaharoff DA. Modulation of Interleukin-12 activity in the presence of heparin. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5360. [PMID: 28706183 PMCID: PMC5509706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05382-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), especially heparin and heparan sulfate (HS), modulate the functions of numerous cytokines. The aims of this multidisciplinary research were to characterize heparin binding to interleukin-12 (IL-12) and determine the mechanism(s) by which heparin influences IL-12 bioactivity. Heparin and HS were found to bind human IL-12 (hIL-12) with low micromolar affinity and increase hIL-12 bioactivity by more than 6-fold. Conversely, other GAGs did not demonstrate significant binding, nor did their addition affect hIL-12 bioactivity. Biophysical studies demonstrated that heparin induced only minor conformational changes while size-exclusion chromatography and small angle X-ray scattering studies indicated that heparin induced dimerization of hIL-12. Heparin modestly protected hIL-12 from proteolytic degradation, however, this was not a likely mechanism for increased cytokine activity in vitro. Flow cytometry studies revealed that heparin increased the amount of hIL-12 bound to cell surfaces. Heparin also facilitated hIL-12 binding and signaling in cells in which both hIL-12 receptor subunits were functionally deleted. Results of this study demonstrate a new role for heparin in modulating the biological activity of IL-12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Jayanthi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Bhanu Prasanth Koppolu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Khue G Nguyen
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sean G Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Barbara K Felber
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch-National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Thallapuranam Krishnaswamy Suresh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA. .,Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
| | - David A Zaharoff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA. .,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, USA. .,Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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14
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Ren G, Ke N, Berkmen M. Use of the SHuffle Strains in Production of Proteins. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 85:5.26.1-5.26.21. [PMID: 27479507 DOI: 10.1002/cpps.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Escherichia coli continues to be a popular expression host for the production of proteins, yet successful recombinant expression of active proteins to high yields remains a trial and error process. This is mainly due to decoupling of the folding factors of a protein from its native host, when expressed recombinantly in E. coli. Failure to fold could be due to many reasons but is often due to lack of post-translational modifications that are absent in E. coli. One such post-translational modification is the formation of disulfide bonds, a common feature of secreted proteins. The genetically engineered SHuffle cells offer an expression solution to proteins that require disulfide bonds for their folding and activity. The purpose of this protocol unit is to familiarize the researcher with the biology of SHuffle cells and guide the experimental design in order to optimize and increase the chances of successful expression of their desired protein of choice. Example of the expression and purification of a model disulfide-bonded protein DsbC is described in detail. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Na Ke
- New England Biolabs, Ipswich, Massachusetts
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15
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Pinto IF, Rosa SA, Aires-Barros MR, Azevedo AM. Exploring the use of heparin as a first capture step in the purification of monoclonal antibodies from cell culture supernatants. Biochem Eng J 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2015.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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