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Thareja A, Leigh T, Hakkarainen JJ, Hughes H, Alvarez-Lorenzo C, Fernandez-Trillo F, Blanch RJ, Ahmed Z. Improving corneal permeability of dexamethasone using penetration enhancing agents: First step towards achieving topical drug delivery to the retina. Int J Pharm 2024; 660:124305. [PMID: 38852749 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124305] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
With an ever-increasing burden of vision loss caused by diseases of the posterior ocular segment, there is an unmet clinical need for non-invasive treatment strategies. Topical drug application using eye drops suffers from low to negligible bioavailability to the posterior segment as a result of static and dynamic defensive ocular barriers to penetration, while invasive delivery systems are expensive to administer and suffer potentially severe complications. As the cornea is the main anatomical barrier to uptake of topically applied drugs from the ocular surface, we present an approach to increase corneal permeability of a corticosteroid, dexamethasone sodium-phosphate (DSP), using a novel penetration enhancing agent (PEA). We synthesised a novel polyacetylene (pAc) polymer and compared its activity to two previously described cell penetrating peptide (CPP) based PEAs, TAT and penetratin, with respect to increasing transcorneal permeability of DSP in a rapid ex-vivo porcine corneal assay over 60 min. The transcorneal apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) for diffusion of pAc, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated TAT and penetratin were up to 5 times higher (p < 0.001), when compared to controls. When pAc was used in formulation with DSP, an almost 5-fold significant increase was observed in Papp of DSP across the cornea (p = 0.0130), a significant 6-fold increase with TAT (p = 0.0377), and almost 7-fold mean increase with penetratin (p = 0.9540). Furthermore, we investigated whether the PEAs caused any irreversible damage to the barrier integrity of the corneal epithelium by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and immunostaining of tight junction proteins using zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin antibodies. There was no damage or structural toxicity, and the barrier integrity was preserved after PEA application. Finally, an in-vitro cytotoxicity assessment of all PEAs in human retinal pigment epithelium cells (ARPE-19) demonstrated that all PEAs were very well-tolerated, with IC50 values of 64.79 mM for pAc and 1335.45 µM and 87.26 µM for TAT and penetratin, respectively. Our results suggest that this drug delivery technology could potentially be used to achieve a significantly higher intraocular therapeutic bioavailability after topical eye drop administration, than currently afforded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Thareja
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, West Midlands, United Kingdom.
| | - Thomas Leigh
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, West Midlands, United Kingdom; Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | | | - Helen Hughes
- Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre (PMBRC), School of Science & Computing, Department of Science, South East Technological University, Cork Road, Waterford City X91 K0EK, Ireland.
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+DFarma, Facultad de Farmacia, iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Francisco Fernandez-Trillo
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, West Midlands, United Kingdom; BioMedNano Group, Centro de Investigacións Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), Facultade de Ciencias Rúa As Carballeiras, Universidade da Coruna, 15008 A Coruña, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Richard J Blanch
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, West Midlands, United Kingdom; Academic Department of Military Surgery & Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, United Kingdom; Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom; Centre for Trauma Sciences Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, West Midlands, United Kingdom.
| | - Zubair Ahmed
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, West Midlands, United Kingdom; Centre for Trauma Sciences Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, West Midlands, United Kingdom.
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Han W, Liu F, Muhammad M, Liu G, Li H, Xu Y, Sun S. Application of biomacromolecule-based passive penetration enhancement technique in superficial tumor therapy: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 272:132745. [PMID: 38823734 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132745] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) has shown great promise in superficial tumor therapy due to its noninvasive and avoidance of the first-pass effect. Especially, passive penetration enhancement technique (PPET) provides the technical basis for TDD by temporarily altering the skin surface structure without requiring external energy. Biomacromolecules and their derived nanocarriers offer a wide range of options for PPET development, with outstanding biocompatibility and biodegradability. Furthermore, the abundant functional groups on biomacromolecule surfaces can be modified to yield functional materials capable of targeting specific sites and responding to stimuli. This enables precise drug delivery to the tumor site and controlled drug release, with the potential to replace traditional drug delivery methods and make PPET-related personalized medicine a reality. This review focuses on the mechanism of biomacromolecules and nanocarriers with skin, and the impact of nanocarriers' surface properties of nanocarriers on PPET efficiency. The applications of biomacromolecule-based PPET in superficial tumor therapy are also summarized. In addition, the advantages and limitations are discussed, and their future trends are projected based on the existing work of biomacromolecule-based PPET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiang Han
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Fengyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116023, China.
| | - Mehdi Muhammad
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Guoxin Liu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Hongjuan Li
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yongqian Xu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Shiguo Sun
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Shenzhen Research Institute, Northwest A&F University, Shenzhen 518000, China.
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3
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Protein Transduction Domain-Mediated Delivery of Recombinant Proteins and In Vitro Transcribed mRNAs for Protein Replacement Therapy of Human Severe Genetic Mitochondrial Disorders: The Case of Sco2 Deficiency. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15010286. [PMID: 36678915 PMCID: PMC9861957 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial disorders represent a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders with variations in severity and clinical outcomes, mostly characterized by respiratory chain dysfunction and abnormal mitochondrial function. More specifically, mutations in the human SCO2 gene, encoding the mitochondrial inner membrane Sco2 cytochrome c oxidase (COX) assembly protein, have been implicated in the mitochondrial disorder fatal infantile cardioencephalomyopathy with COX deficiency. Since an effective treatment is still missing, a protein replacement therapy (PRT) was explored using protein transduction domain (PTD) technology. Therefore, the human recombinant full-length mitochondrial protein Sco2, fused to TAT peptide (a common PTD), was produced (fusion Sco2 protein) and successfully transduced into fibroblasts derived from a SCO2/COX-deficient patient. This PRT contributed to effective COX assembly and partial recovery of COX activity. In mice, radiolabeled fusion Sco2 protein was biodistributed in the peripheral tissues of mice and successfully delivered into their mitochondria. Complementary to that, an mRNA-based therapeutic approach has been more recently considered as an innovative treatment option. In particular, a patented, novel PTD-mediated IVT-mRNA delivery platform was developed and applied in recent research efforts. PTD-IVT-mRNA of full-length SCO2 was successfully transduced into the fibroblasts derived from a SCO2/COX-deficient patient, translated in host ribosomes into a nascent chain of human Sco2, imported into mitochondria, and processed to the mature protein. Consequently, the recovery of reduced COX activity was achieved, thus suggesting the potential of this mRNA-based technology for clinical translation as a PRT for metabolic/genetic disorders. In this review, such research efforts will be comprehensibly presented and discussed to elaborate their potential in clinical application and therapeutic usefulness.
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Georgiou-Siafis SK, Miliotou AN, Ntenti C, Pappas IS, Papadopoulou LC. An Innovative PTD-IVT-mRNA Delivery Platform for CAR Immunotherapy of ErbB(+) Solid Tumor Neoplastic Cells. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2885. [PMID: 36359405 PMCID: PMC9687928 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapy includes the genetic modification of immune cells to carry such a receptor and, thus, recognize cancer cell surface antigens. Viral transfection is currently the preferred method, but it carries the risk of off-target mutagenicity. Other transfection platforms have thus been proposed, such the in vitro transcribed (IVT)-mRNAs. In this study, we exploited our innovative, patented delivery platform to produce protein transduction domain (PTD)-IVT-mRNAs for the expression of CAR on NK-92 cells. CAR T1E-engineered NK-92 cells, harboring the sequence of T1E single-chain fragment variant (scFv) to recognize the ErbB receptor, bearing either CD28 or 4-1BB as co-stimulatory signaling domains, were prepared and assessed for their effectiveness in two different ErbB(+) cancer cell lines. Our results showed that the PTD-IVT-mRNA of CAR was safely transduced and expressed into NK-92 cells. CAR T1E-engineered NK-92 cells provoked high levels of cell death (25-33%) as effector cells against both HSC-3 (oral squamous carcinoma) and MCF-7 (breast metastatic adenocarcinoma) human cells in the co-incubation assays. In conclusion, the application of our novel PTD-IVT-mRNA delivery platform to NK-92 cells gave promising results towards future CAR immunotherapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia K. Georgiou-Siafis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Androulla N. Miliotou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
- Department of Health Sciences, KES College, Nicosia 1055, Cyprus
| | - Charikleia Ntenti
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
- 1st Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Ioannis S. Pappas
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Lefkothea C. Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
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Bio-Membrane Internalization Mechanisms of Arginine-Rich Cell-Penetrating Peptides in Various Species. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12010088. [PMID: 35054614 PMCID: PMC8778423 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12010088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Recently, membrane-active peptides or proteins that include antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), cytolytic proteins, and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have attracted attention due to their potential applications in the biomedical field. Among them, CPPs have been regarded as a potent drug/molecules delivery system. Various cargoes, such as DNAs, RNAs, bioactive proteins/peptides, nanoparticles and drugs, can be carried by CPPs and delivered into cells in either covalent or noncovalent manners. Here, we focused on four arginine-rich CPPs and reviewed the mechanisms that these CPPs used for intracellular uptake across cellular plasma membranes. The varying transduction efficiencies of them alone or with cargoes were discussed, and the membrane permeability was also expounded for CPP/cargoes delivery in various species. Direct membrane translocation (penetration) and endocytosis are two principal mechanisms for arginine-rich CPPs mediated cargo delivery. Furthermore, the amino acid sequence is the primary key factor that determines the cellular internalization mechanism. Importantly, the non-cytotoxic nature and the wide applicability make CPPs a trending tool for cellular delivery.
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Miliotou AN, Papagiannopoulou D, Vlachaki E, Samiotaki M, Laspa D, Theodoridou S, Tsiftsoglou AS, Papadopoulou LC. PTD-mediated delivery of α-globin chain into Κ-562 erythroleukemia cells and α-thalassemic (HBH) patients' RBCs ex vivo in the frame of Protein Replacement Therapy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:16. [PMID: 34284828 PMCID: PMC8290593 DOI: 10.1186/s40709-021-00148-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background α-Thalassemia, a congenital hemoglobinopathy, is characterized by deficiency and/or reduced levels of α-globin chains in serious forms of α-thalassemia (HbH disease/Hb Bart’s). This research work deals with a Protein Replacement Therapy approach in order to manage α-thalassemia manifestations, caused by the excess of β-globin chain into HbH RBCs. The main goal was to produce the recombinant human α-globin chain in fusion with TAT, a Protein Transduction Domain, to ex vivo deliver it into HbH patients RBCs, to replace the endogenous missing α-globin chain. Results Cloning of the α-globin coding sequence, fused to the nucleotide sequence of TAT peptide was conducted and the human recombinant fusion proteins, 10xHis-XaSITE-α-globin-HA and 10xHis-XaSITE-TAT-α-globin-HA were produced. The ability of human recombinant 10xHis-XaSITE-α-globin-HA to interact in vitro with the previously produced 10xHis-XaSITE-TAT-β-globin-HA and form α-/β-globin heterodimers, was assessed and confirmed by size exclusion chromatography. The recombinant 10xHis-XaSITE-TAT-α-globin-HA was successfully delivered into human proerythroid K-562 cells, during the preliminary transduction evaluation experiments. Finally, the recombinant, TAT-fused α-globin was successfully transduced into RBCs, derived from HbH patients and reduced the formation of HbH-Inclusion Bodies, known to contain harmful β4-globin chain tetramers. Conclusions Our data confirm the successful ex vivo transduction of recombinant α-globin chains in HbH RBCs to replace the missing a-globin chain and reduce the HbH-inclusion bodies, seen in α-thalassemias. These findings broaden the possibility of applying a Protein Replacement Therapy approach to module sever forms of α-thalassemia, using recombinant α-globin chains, through PTD technology. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40709-021-00148-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Androulla N Miliotou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacognosy - Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Dionysia Papagiannopoulou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Efthymia Vlachaki
- Adult Thalassemia Unit, Hippokrateion General Hospital, 54642, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Martina Samiotaki
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre "Alexander Fleming", 16672, Vari, Greece
| | - Dimitra Laspa
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacognosy - Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Stamatia Theodoridou
- Adult Thalassemia Unit, Hippokrateion General Hospital, 54642, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Asterios S Tsiftsoglou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacognosy - Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Lefkothea C Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacognosy - Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.
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Revon Liu B, Huang YW, Lee HJ. Hypotoxic Fluorescent Nanoparticles Delivery by Cell-Penetrating Peptides in Multiple Organisms: From Prokaryotes to Mammalians Cells. Biotechnol Bioeng 2019. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.83818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Kim J, Narayana A, Patel S, Sahay G. Advances in intracellular delivery through supramolecular self-assembly of oligonucleotides and peptides. Theranostics 2019; 9:3191-3212. [PMID: 31244949 PMCID: PMC6567962 DOI: 10.7150/thno.33921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells utilize natural supramolecular assemblies to maintain homeostasis and biological functions. Naturally inspired modular assembly of biomaterials are now being exploited for understanding or manipulating cell biology for treatment, diagnosis, and detection of diseases. Supramolecular biomaterials, in particular peptides and oligonucleotides, can be precisely tuned to have diverse structural, mechanical, physicochemical and biological properties. These merits of oligonucleotides and peptides as building blocks have given rise to the evolution of numerous nucleic acid- and peptide-based self-assembling nanomaterials for various medical applications, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and immunotherapy. In this review, we provide an extensive overview of the intracellular delivery approaches using supramolecular self-assembly of DNA, RNA, and peptides. Furthermore, we discuss the current challenges related to subcellular delivery and provide future perspectives of the application of supramolecular biomaterials for intracellular delivery in theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeonghwan Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Robertson Life Sciences Building, Oregon State University, Portland, OR
| | - Ashwanikumar Narayana
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Robertson Life Sciences Building, Oregon State University, Portland, OR
| | - Siddharth Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Robertson Life Sciences Building, Oregon State University, Portland, OR
| | - Gaurav Sahay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Robertson Life Sciences Building, Oregon State University, Portland, OR
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Robertson Life Sciences Building, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR
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Papadopoulou LC, Ingendoh-Tsakmakidis A, Mpoutoureli CN, Tzikalou LD, Spyridou ED, Gavriilidis GI, Kaiafas GC, Ntaska AT, Vlachaki E, Panayotou G, Samiotaki M, Tsiftsoglou AS. Production and Transduction of a Human Recombinant β-Globin Chain into Proerythroid K-562 Cells To Replace Missing Endogenous β-Globin. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:5665-5677. [PMID: 30375878 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Protein replacement therapy (PRT) has been applied to treat severe monogenetic/metabolic disorders characterized by a protein deficiency. In disorders where an intracellular protein is missing, PRT is not easily feasible due to the inability of proteins to cross the cell membrane. Instead, gene therapy has been applied, although still with limited success. β-Thalassemias are severe congenital hemoglobinopathies, characterized by deficiency or reduced production of the adult β-globin chain. The resulting imbalance of α-/β-globin chains of adult hemoglobin (α2β2) leads to precipitation of unpaired α-globin chains and, eventually, to defective erythropoiesis. Since protein transduction domain (PTD) technology has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach, we produced a human recombinant β-globin chain in fusion with the TAT peptide and successfully transduced it into human proerythroid K-562 cells, deficient in mature β-globin chain. Notably, the produced human recombinant β-globin chain without the TAT peptide, used as internal negative control, failed to be transduced into K-562 cells under similar conditions. In silico studies complemented by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation and LC-MS/MS analysis indicated that the transduced recombinant fusion TAT-β-globin protein interacts with the endogenous native α-like globins to form hemoglobin α2β2-like tetramers to a limited extent. Our findings provide evidence that recombinant TAT-β-globin is transmissible into proerythroid K-562 cells and can be potentially considered as an alternative protein therapeutic approach for β-thalassemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lefkothea C Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Alexandra Ingendoh-Tsakmakidis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Christina N Mpoutoureli
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Lamprini D Tzikalou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Efthymia D Spyridou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - George I Gavriilidis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Georgios C Kaiafas
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Agoritsa T Ntaska
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Efthymia Vlachaki
- Adult Thalassemia Unit , Hippokrateion General Hospital , Thessaloniki 54642 , Greece
| | | | | | - Asterios S Tsiftsoglou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
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Intracellular and transdermal protein delivery mediated by non-covalent interactions with a synthetic guanidine-rich molecular carrier. Int J Pharm 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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11
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CPP-Assisted Intracellular Drug Delivery, What Is Next? Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17111892. [PMID: 27854260 PMCID: PMC5133891 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17111892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For the past 20 years, we have witnessed an unprecedented and, indeed, rather miraculous event of how cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), the naturally originated penetrating enhancers, help overcome the membrane barrier that has hindered the access of bio-macromolecular compounds such as genes and proteins into cells, thereby denying their clinical potential to become potent anti-cancer drugs. By taking the advantage of the unique cell-translocation property of these short peptides, various payloads of proteins, nucleic acids, or even nanoparticle-based carriers were delivered into all cell types with unparalleled efficiency. However, non-specific CPP-mediated cell penetration into normal tissues can lead to widespread organ distribution of the payloads, thereby reducing the therapeutic efficacy of the drug and at the same time increasing the drug-induced toxic effects. In view of these challenges, we present herein a review of the new designs of CPP-linked vehicles and strategies to achieve highly effective yet less toxic chemotherapy in combating tumor oncology.
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Liu BR, Huang YW, Aronstam RS, Lee HJ. Identification of a Short Cell-Penetrating Peptide from Bovine Lactoferricin for Intracellular Delivery of DNA in Human A549 Cells. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150439. [PMID: 26942714 PMCID: PMC4778846 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been shown to deliver cargos, including protein, DNA, RNA, and nanomaterials, in fully active forms into live cells. Most of the CPP sequences in use today are based on non-native proteins that may be immunogenic. Here we demonstrate that the L5a CPP (RRWQW) from bovine lactoferricin (LFcin), stably and noncovalently complexed with plasmid DNA and prepared at an optimal nitrogen/phosphate ratio of 12, is able to efficiently enter into human lung cancer A549 cells. The L5a CPP delivered a plasmid containing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) coding sequence that was subsequently expressed in cells, as revealed by real-time PCR and fluorescent microscopy at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Treatment with calcium chloride increased the level of gene expression, without affecting CPP-mediated transfection efficiency. Zeta-potential analysis revealed that positively electrostatic interactions of CPP/DNA complexes correlated with CPP-mediated transport. The L5a and L5a/DNA complexes were not cytotoxic. This biomimetic LFcin L5a represents one of the shortest effective CPPs and could be a promising lead peptide with less immunogenic for DNA delivery in gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty R. Liu
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, 974, Taiwan
| | - Yue-Wern Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri, 65409–1120, United States of America
| | - Robert S. Aronstam
- College of Science and Technology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, 17815–1301, United States of America
| | - Han-Jung Lee
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, 974, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Transdermal delivery of drugs, a compelling route of systemic drug delivery, provides painless, reliable, targeted, efficient and cost effective therapeutic regimen for patients. However, its use is limited by skin barrier especially the stratum corneum barrier. Moreover, transdermal delivery of macromolecules remains a challenge. Naturally, varieties of physical methods, chemical enhancers and drug carriers have been used to counteract this limitation. Recently, transdermal peptides discovered as safer, more efficient and more specific enhancers could promote the delivery of macromolecules across the skin. Herein, the underlying transdermal peptides are included. Subsequently, we have discussed typical applications and the possible mechanism of two groups of biologically inspired transdermal peptide enhancers, namely cell penetration peptides and transdermal enhanced peptides.
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Lin BY, Kao MC. Therapeutic applications of the TAT-mediated protein transduction system for complex I deficiency and other mitochondrial diseases. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2015; 1350:17-28. [PMID: 26273800 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Among the five enzyme complexes in the oxidative phosphorylation system, NADH-coenzyme Q oxidoreductase (also called complex I) is the largest, most intricate, and least understood. This enzyme complex spans the inner mitochondrial membrane and catalyzes the first step of electron transfer by the oxidation of NADH, and thereby provides two electrons for the reduction of quinone to quinol. Complex I deficiency is associated with many severe mitochondrial diseases, including Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and Leigh syndrome. However, to date, conventional treatments for the majority of genetic mitochondrial diseases are only palliative. Developing a reliable and convenient therapeutic approach is therefore considered to be an urgent need. Targeted proteins fused with the protein transduction domain of human immunodeficiency virus 1 transactivator of transcription (TAT) have been shown to enter cells by crossing plasma membranes while retaining their biological activities. Recent developments show that, in fusion with mitochondrial targeting sequences (MTSs), TAT-MTS-bound cargo can be correctly transported into mitochondria and restore the missing function of the cargo protein in patients' cells. The available evidence suggests that the TAT-mediated protein transduction system holds great promise as a potential therapeutic approach to treat complex I deficiency, as well as other mitochondrial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Yu Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Mou-Chieh Kao
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.,Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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15
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Poly-L-arginine based materials as instructive substrates for fibroblast synthesis of collagen. Biomaterials 2015; 63:47-57. [PMID: 26081867 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.05.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Revised: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The interactions of cells and surrounding tissues with biomaterials used in tissue engineering, wound healing, and artificial organs ultimately determine their fate in vivo. We have demonstrated the ability to tune fibroblast responses with the use of varied material chemistries. In particular, we examined cell morphology, cytokine production, and collagen fiber deposition angles in response to a library of arginine-based polymeric materials. The data presented here shows a large range of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion (0.637 ng/10(6) cells/day to 3.25 ng/10(6) cells/day), cell migration (∼15 min < persistence time < 120 min, 0.11 μm/min < speed < 0.23 μm/min), and cell morphology (0.039 < form factor (FF) < 0.107). Collagen orientation, quantified by shape descriptor (D) values that ranges from 0 to 1, representing completely random (D = 0) to aligned (D = 1) fibers, exhibited large variation both in vitro and in vivo (0.167 < D < 0.36 and 0.17 < D < 0.52, respectively). These findings demonstrate the ability to exert a certain level of control over cellular responses with biomaterials and the potential to attain a desired cellular response such as, increased VEGF production or isotropic collagen deposition upon exposure to these materials in wound healing and tissue engineering applications.
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16
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Durzyńska J, Przysiecka Ł, Nawrot R, Barylski J, Nowicki G, Warowicka A, Musidlak O, Goździcka-Józefiak A. Viral and Other Cell-Penetrating Peptides as Vectors of Therapeutic Agents in Medicine. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2015; 354:32-42. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.115.223305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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17
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Low molecular weight protamine (LMWP): A nontoxic protamine substitute and an effective cell-penetrating peptide. J Control Release 2014; 193:63-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.05.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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18
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Nagel D, Behrendt JM, Chimonides GF, Torr EE, Devitt A, Sutherland AJ, Hine AV. Polymeric microspheres as protein transduction reagents. Mol Cell Proteomics 2014; 13:1543-51. [PMID: 24692642 PMCID: PMC4047473 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.o113.034900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Discovering the function of an unknown protein, particularly one with neither structural nor functional correlates, is a daunting task. Interaction analyses determine binding partners, whereas DNA transfection, either transient or stable, leads to intracellular expression, though not necessarily at physiologically relevant levels. In theory, direct intracellular protein delivery (protein transduction) provides a conceptually simpler alternative, but in practice the approach is problematic. Domains such as HIV TAT protein are valuable, but their effectiveness is protein specific. Similarly, the delivery of intact proteins via endocytic pathways (e.g. using liposomes) is problematic for functional analysis because of the potential for protein degradation in the endosomes/lysosomes. Consequently, recent reports that microspheres can deliver bio-cargoes into cells via a non-endocytic, energy-independent pathway offer an exciting and promising alternative for in vitro delivery of functional protein. In order for such promise to be fully exploited, microspheres are required that (i) are stably linked to proteins, (ii) can deliver those proteins with good efficiency, (iii) release functional protein once inside the cells, and (iv) permit concomitant tracking. Herein, we report the application of microspheres to successfully address all of these criteria simultaneously, for the first time. After cellular uptake, protein release was autocatalyzed by the reducing cytoplasmic environment. Outside of cells, the covalent microsphere–protein linkage was stable for ≥90 h at 37 °C. Using conservative methods of estimation, 74.3% ± 5.6% of cells were shown to take up these microspheres after 24 h of incubation, with the whole process of delivery and intracellular protein release occurring within 36 h. Intended for in vitro functional protein research, this approach will enable study of the consequences of protein delivery at physiologically relevant levels, without recourse to nucleic acids, and offers a useful alternative to commercial protein transfection reagents such as Chariot™. We also provide clear immunostaining evidence to resolve residual controversy surrounding FACS-based assessment of microsphere uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Nagel
- From the ‡School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Jonathan M Behrendt
- §School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Gwen F Chimonides
- §School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Elizabeth E Torr
- From the ‡School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Andrew Devitt
- From the ‡School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK; ‖Aston Research Centre for Healthy Aging, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Andrew J Sutherland
- §School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Anna V Hine
- From the ‡School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK;
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Chimonides GF, Behrendt JM, Chundoo E, Bland C, Hine AV, Devitt A, Nagel DA, Sutherland AJ. Cellular uptake of ribonuclease A-functionalised core–shell silica microspheres. J Mater Chem B 2014; 2:7307-7315. [DOI: 10.1039/c4tb01130a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Protein transduction: core–shell microspheres have been synthesised and coupled to ribonuclease A. Cellular uptake of these microspheres causes significantly reduced levels of intracellular RNA and reduced cell viability demonstrating that core–shell microsphere-mediated delivery of active enzymes into cells is effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. F. Chimonides
- Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry
- School of Engineering & Applied Science
- Aston University
- Birmingham, UK
| | - J. M. Behrendt
- School of Chemistry
- University of Manchester
- Manchester, UK
| | - E. Chundoo
- Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry
- School of Engineering & Applied Science
- Aston University
- Birmingham, UK
| | - C. Bland
- Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing
- School of Life & Health Sciences
- Aston University
- Birmingham, UK
| | - A. V. Hine
- School of Life & Health Sciences
- Aston University
- Birmingham, UK
| | - A. Devitt
- Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing
- School of Life & Health Sciences
- Aston University
- Birmingham, UK
| | - D. A. Nagel
- School of Life & Health Sciences
- Aston University
- Birmingham, UK
| | - A. J. Sutherland
- Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry
- School of Engineering & Applied Science
- Aston University
- Birmingham, UK
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Synthesis, characterization and applications of carboxylated and polyethylene-glycolated bifunctionalized InP/ZnS quantum dots in cellular internalization mediated by cell-penetrating peptides. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2013; 111:162-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2013.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2013] [Revised: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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21
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Liu BR, Liou JS, Chen YJ, Huang YW, Lee HJ. Delivery of nucleic acids, proteins, and nanoparticles by arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides in rotifers. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2013; 15:584-95. [PMID: 23715807 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-013-9509-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are a group of short, membrane-permeable cationic peptides that represent a nonviral technology for delivering nanomaterials and macromolecules into live cells. In this study, two arginine-rich CPPs, HR9 and IR9, were found to be capable of entering rotifers. CPPs were able to efficiently deliver noncovalently associated with cargoes, including plasmid DNAs, red fluorescent proteins (RFPs), and semiconductor quantum dots, into rotifers. The functional reporter gene assay demonstrated that HR9-delivered plasmid DNAs containing the enhanced green fluorescent protein and RFP coding sequences could be actively expressed in rotifers. The 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan assay further confirmed that CPP-mediated cargo delivery was not toxic to rotifers. Thus, these two CPPs hold a great potential for the delivery of exogenous genes, proteins, and nanoparticles in rotifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty Revon Liu
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, 1, Sec. 2, Da-Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien, 97401, Taiwan
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22
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Curb challenges of the "Trojan Horse" approach: smart strategies in achieving effective yet safe cell-penetrating peptide-based drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2013; 65:1299-315. [PMID: 23369828 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2012.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Revised: 11/01/2012] [Accepted: 11/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-mediated intracellular drug delivery system, often specifically termed as "the Trojan horse approach", has become the "holy grail" in achieving effective delivery of macromolecular compounds such as proteins, DNA, siRNAs, and drug carriers. It is characterized by the unique cell- (or receptor-), temperature-, and payload-independent mechanisms, therefore offering potent means to improve poor cellular uptake of a variety of macromolecular drugs. Nevertheless, this "Trojan horse" approach also acts like a double-edged sword, causing serious safety and toxicity concerns to normal tissues or organs for in vivo application, due to lack of target selectivity of the powerful cell penetrating activity. To overcome this problem of potent yet non-selective penetration vs. targeting delivery, a number of "smart" strategies have been developed in recent years, including controllable CPP-based drug delivery systems based on various stimuli-responsive mechanisms. This review article provides a fundamental understanding of these smart systems, as well as a discussion of their real-time in vivo applicability.
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Liu BR, Lo SY, Liu CC, Chyan CL, Huang YW, Aronstam RS, Lee HJ. Endocytic Trafficking of Nanoparticles Delivered by Cell-penetrating Peptides Comprised of Nona-arginine and a Penetration Accelerating Sequence. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67100. [PMID: 23840594 PMCID: PMC3694042 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can traverse cellular membranes and deliver biologically active molecules into cells. In this study, we demonstrate that CPPs comprised of nona-arginine (R9) and a penetration accelerating peptide sequence (Pas) that facilitates escape from endocytic lysosomes, denoted as PR9, greatly enhance the delivery of noncovalently associated quantum dots (QDs) into human A549 cells. Mechanistic studies, intracellular trafficking analysis and a functional gene assay reveal that endocytosis is the main route for intracellular delivery of PR9/QD complexes. Endocytic trafficking of PR9/QD complexes was monitored using both confocal and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Zeta-potential and size analyses indicate the importance of electrostatic forces in the interaction of PR9/QD complexes with plasma membranes. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy reveals that the secondary structural elements of PR9 have similar conformations in aqueous buffer at pH 7 and 5. This study of nontoxic PR9 provides a basis for the design of optimized cargo delivery that allows escape from endocytic vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty R Liu
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan
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24
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Intracellular delivery of nanoparticles and DNAs by IR9 cell-penetrating peptides. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64205. [PMID: 23724035 PMCID: PMC3665793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) comprised of basic amino residues are able to cross cytoplasmic membranes and are able to deliver biologically active molecules inside cells. However, CPP/cargo entrapment in endosome limits biomedical utility as cargoes are destroyed in the acidic environment. In this study, we demonstrate protein transduction of a novel CPP comprised of an INF7 fusion peptide and nona-arginine (designated IR9). IR9 noncovalently interacts with quantum dots (QDs) and DNAs to form stable IR9/QD and IR9/DNA complexes which are capable of entering human A549 cells. Zeta-potentials were a better predictor of transduction efficiency than gel shift analysis, emphasizing the importance of electrostatic interactions of CPP/cargo complexes with plasma membranes. Mechanistic studies revealed that IR9, IR9/QD and IR9/DNA complexes may enter cells by endocytosis. Further, IR9, IR9/QD and IR9/DNA complexes were not cytotoxic at concentrations below 30, 5 and 20.1 µM, respectively. Without labor intensive production of fusion proteins from prokaryotes, these results indicate that IR9 could be a safe carrier of genes and drugs in biomedical applications.
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25
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Liu BR, Huang YW, Lee HJ. Mechanistic studies of intracellular delivery of proteins by cell-penetrating peptides in cyanobacteria. BMC Microbiol 2013; 13:57. [PMID: 23497160 PMCID: PMC3637573 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-13-57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The plasma membrane plays an essential role in selective permeability, compartmentalization, osmotic balance, and cellular uptake. The characteristics and functions of cyanobacterial membranes have been extensively investigated in recent years. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are special nanocarriers that can overcome the plasma membrane barrier and enter cells directly, either alone or with associated cargoes. However, the cellular entry mechanisms of CPPs in cyanobacteria have not been studied. Results In the present study, we determine CPP-mediated transduction efficiency and internalization mechanisms in cyanobacteria using a combination of biological and biophysical methods. We demonstrate that both Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 strains of cyanobacteria possess red autofluorescence. Green fluorescent protein (GFP), either alone or noncovalently associated with a CPP comprised of nine arginine residues (R9/GFP complexes), entered cyanobacteria. The ATP-depleting inhibitor of classical endocytosis, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), could block the spontaneous internalization of GFP, but not the transduction of R9/GFP complexes. Three specific inhibitors of macropinocytosis, cytochalasin D (CytD), 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA), and wortmannin, reduced the efficiency of R9/GFP complex transduction, indicating that entry of R9/GFP complexes involves macropinocytosis. Both the 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan (MTT) and membrane leakage analyses confirmed that R9/GFP complexes were not toxic to the cyanobacteria, nor were the endocytic and macropinocytic inhibitors used in these studies. Conclusions In summary, we have demonstrated that cyanobacteria use classical endocytosis and macropinocytosis to internalize exogenous GFP and CPP/GFP proteins, respectively. Moreover, the CPP-mediated delivery system is not toxic to cyanobacteria, and can be used to investigate biological processes at the cellular level in this species. These results suggest that both endocytic and macropinocytic pathways can be used for efficient internalization of regular protein and CPP-mediated protein delivery in cyanobacteria, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty R Liu
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
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26
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Nakatsuka N, Barnaby SN, Tsiola A, Fath KR, Williams BA, Banerjee IA. Self-assembling peptide assemblies bound to ZnS nanoparticles and their interactions with mammalian cells. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2013; 103:405-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2012.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Revised: 10/08/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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27
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Liberato MS, Kogikoski S, Silva ER, Coutinho-Neto MD, Scott LPB, Silva RH, Oliveira VX, Ando RA, Alves WA. Self-assembly of Arg-Phe nanostructures via the solid-vapor phase method. J Phys Chem B 2013; 117:733-40. [PMID: 23286315 DOI: 10.1021/jp307716y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
We report for the first time on the self-assembly of nanostructures composed exclusively of alternating positively charged and hydrophobic amino acids. A novel arginine/phenylalanine octapeptide, RF8, was synthesized. Because the low hydrophobicity of this sequence makes its spontaneous ordering through solution-based methods difficult, a recently proposed solid-vapor approach was used to obtain nanometric architectures on ITO/PET substrates. The formation of the nanostructures was investigated under different preparation conditions, specifically, under different gas-phase solvents (aniline, water, and dichloromethane), different peptide concentrations in the precursor solution, and different incubation times. The stability of the assemblies was experimentally studied by electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry. The secondary structure was assessed by infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and the arrays were found to assume an antiparallel β-sheet conformation. FEG-SEM images clearly reveal the appearance of fibrillar structures that form extensive homogeneously distributed networks. A close relationship between the morphology and preparation parameters was found, and a concentration-triggered mechanism was suggested. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to address the thermal stability and nature of intermolecular interactions of the putative assembly structure. Results obtained when water is considered as solvent shows that a stable lamellar structure is formed containing a thin layer of water in between the RF8 peptides that is stabilized by H-bonding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle S Liberato
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, 09210-170 Santo André, SP, Brazil
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The potential role of cell penetrating peptides in the intracellular delivery of proteins for therapy of erythroid related disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2013; 6:32-53. [PMID: 24275786 PMCID: PMC3816679 DOI: 10.3390/ph6010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 12/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The erythroid related disorders (ERDs) represent a large group of hematological diseases, which in most cases are attributed either to the deficiency or malfunction of biosynthetic enzymes or oxygen transport proteins. Current treatments for these disorders include histo-compatible erythrocyte transfusions or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. Gene therapy delivered via suitable viral vectors or genetically modified HSCs have been under way. Protein Transduction Domain (PTD) technology has allowed the production and intracellular delivery of recombinant therapeutic proteins, bearing Cell Penetrating Peptides (CPPs), into a variety of mammalian cells. Remarkable progress in the field of protein transduction leads to the development of novel protein therapeutics (CPP-mediated PTs) for the treatment of monogenetic and/or metabolic disorders. The “concept” developed in this paper is the intracellular protein delivery made possible via the PTD technology as a novel therapeutic intervention for treatment of ERDs. This can be achieved via four stages including: (i) the production of genetically engineered human CPP-mediated PT of interest, since the corresponding native protein either is missing or is mutated in the erythroid progenitor cell (ErPCs) or mature erythrocytes of patients; (ii) isolation of target cells from the peripheral blood of the selected patients; (iii) ex vivo transduction of cells with the CPP-mediated PT of interest; and (iv) re-administration of the successfully transduced cells back into the same patients.
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29
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Shao Y, Huang W, Shi C, Atkinson ST, Luo J. Reversibly crosslinked nanocarriers for on-demand drug delivery in cancer treatment. Ther Deliv 2012; 3:1409-27. [PMID: 23323559 PMCID: PMC3575096 DOI: 10.4155/tde.12.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymer micelles have proven to be one of the most versatile nanocarriers for anticancer drug delivery. However, the in vitro and in vivo stability of micelles remains a challenge due to the dynamic nature of these self-assembled systems, which leads to premature drug release and nonspecific biodistribution in vivo. Recently, reversibly crosslinked micelles have been developed to provide solutions to stabilize nanocarriers in blood circulation. Increased stability allows nanoparticles to accumulate at tumor sites efficiently via passive and/or active tumor targeting, while cleavage of the micelle crosslinkages, through internal or external stimuli, facilitates on-demand drug release. In this review, various crosslinking chemistries as well as the choices for reversible linkages in these nanocarriers will be introduced. Then, the development of reversibly crosslinked micelles for on-demand drug release in response to single or dual stimuli in the tumor microenvironment is discussed, for example, acidic pH, reducing microenvironment, enzymatic microenvironment, photoirradiation and the administration of competitive reagents postmicelle delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shao
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Cancer Research Institute, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Wenzhe Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Cancer Research Institute, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Changying Shi
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Cancer Research Institute, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Sean T Atkinson
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Cancer Research Institute, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Juntao Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Cancer Research Institute, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
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Liou JS, Liu BR, Martin AL, Huang YW, Chiang HJ, Lee HJ. Protein transduction in human cells is enhanced by cell-penetrating peptides fused with an endosomolytic HA2 sequence. Peptides 2012; 37:273-84. [PMID: 22898256 PMCID: PMC9616647 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Revised: 07/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Endocytosis has been proposed as one of the primary mechanisms for cellular entry of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and their cargoes. However, a major limitation of endocytic pathway is entrapment of the CPP-cargo in intracellular vesicles from which the cargo must escape into the cytoplasm to exert its biological activity. Here we demonstrate that a CPP tagged with an endosomolytic fusion peptide derived from the influenza virus hemagglutinin-2 (HA2) remarkably enhances the cytosolic delivery of proteins in human A549 cells. To determine the endosome-disruptive effects, recombinant DNA plasmids containing coding sequences of HA2, CPPs and red fluorescent proteins (RFPs) were constructed. The fusion proteins were purified from plasmid-transformed Escherichia coli, and their effects on protein transduction were examined using live cell imaging and flow cytometry. Our data indicate that endocytosis is the major route for cellular internalization of CPP-HA2-tagged RFP. Mechanistic studies revealed that the fusogenic HA2 peptide dramatically facilitates CPP-mediated protein entry through the release of endocytosed RFPs from endosomes into the cytoplasm. Furthermore, incorporating the HA2 fusion peptide of the CPP-HA2 fusion protein improved cytosolic uptake without causing cytotoxicity. These findings strongly suggest that the CPP-HA2 tag could be an efficient and safe carrier that overcomes endosomal entrapment of delivered therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Sing Liou
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da-Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da-Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
| | - Betty Revon Liu
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da-Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da-Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
| | - Adam L. Martin
- Department of Biological Sciences and the cDNA Resources Center, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 206 Schrenk Hall, 400 West 11th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-1120, USA
| | - Yue-Wern Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 105 Schrenk Hall, 400 West 11th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-1120, USA
| | - Huey-Jenn Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da-Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
| | - Han-Jung Lee
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da-Hsueh Road, Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
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Liu BR, Lin MD, Chiang HJ, Lee HJ. Arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides deliver gene into living human cells. Gene 2012; 505:37-45. [PMID: 22669044 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.05.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2012] [Revised: 04/12/2012] [Accepted: 05/28/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Transgenesis is a process that introduces exogenous nucleic acids into the genome of an organism to produce desired traits or evaluate function. Improvements of transgenic technologies are always important pursuit in the last decades. Recently, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) were studied as shuttles that can internalize into cells directly and serve as carriers to deliver different cargoes into cells. In the present study, we evaluate whether arginine-rich CPPs can be used for gene delivery into human cells in a noncovalent fashion. We demonstrate that three arginine-rich CPPs (SR9, HR9, and PR9) are able to transport plasmid DNA into human A549 cells. For the functional gene assay, the CPP-delivered plasmid DNA containing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) coding sequence could be actively expressed in cells. The treatment of calcium chloride did not facilitate the CPP-mediated transfection efficiency, but enhance the gene expression intensity. Mechanistic studies further revealed that HR9/DNA complexes mediate the direct membrane translocation pathway for gene delivery. Our results suggest that arginine-rich CPPs, especially HR9, appear to be a high efficient and promising tool for gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty Revon Liu
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
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Chen YJ, Liu BR, Dai YH, Lee CY, Chan MH, Chen HH, Chiang HJ, Lee HJ. A gene delivery system for insect cells mediated by arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides. Gene 2012; 493:201-10. [PMID: 22173105 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2011.11.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2011] [Revised: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 11/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Most bioactive macromolecules, such as protein, DNA and RNA, basically cannot permeate into cells freely from outside the plasma membrane. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are a group of short peptides that possess the ability to traverse the cell membrane and have been considered as candidates for mediating gene and drug delivery into living cells. In this study, we demonstrate that three arginine-rich CPPs (SR9, HR9 and PR9) are able to form stable complexes with plasmid DNA and deliver DNA into insect Sf9 cells in a noncovalent manner. The transferred plasmid DNA containing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and red fluorescent protein (RFP) coding regions could be expressed in cells functionally assayed at both the protein and RNA levels. Furthermore, treatment of cells with CPPs and CPP/DNA complexes resulted in a viability of 84-93% indicating these CPPs are not cytotoxic. These results suggest that arginine-rich CPPs appear to be a promising tool for insect transgenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Jen Chen
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
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Manosroi J, Lohcharoenkal W, Götz F, Werner RG, Manosroi W, Manosroi A. Polioviral receptor binding ligand: a novel and safe peptide drug carrier from polioviral capsid. Drug Deliv 2011; 19:21-7. [PMID: 22142037 DOI: 10.3109/10717544.2011.621991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular uptake enhancement of green fluorescent protein (GFP) into human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and human mouth epidermal carcinoma (KB) cells by a segment of VP1-BC loop polioviral capsid (V), a polioviral receptor binding peptide and HIV-I transactivator of transcription (Tat) was evaluated. HT-29 and KB cells were incubated with various molar concentrations of GFP, V, and Tat mixtures. Both V and Tat showed potent enhancement of GFP uptake into HT-29 and KB cells. In HT-29 cells, the V-GFP, Tat-GFP, and V-Tat-GFP mixtures enhanced the GFP cellular uptake efficiency with the maximum of 3.98-, 4.59-, and 4.08-folds of GFP at 1:3, 1:1/6, and 1/6:1:1/6 molar ratios, respectively. For KB cells, the V-GFP, Tat-GFP, and V-Tat-GFP mixtures enhanced the GFP cellular uptake efficiency with the maximum of 4.05-, 5.09-, and 4.91-folds of GFP at 1:1/6, 1:1, and 1:1:1 molar ratios, respectively. Both V and V-GFP mixtures showed a lower cytotoxicity effect than Tat and Tat-GFP mixture. These studies demonstrated the potential of polioviral capsid, a polioviral receptor binding peptide as a novel, low cytotoxicity carrier for the development of peptide drugs delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiradej Manosroi
- Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
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Dai YH, Liu BR, Chiang HJ, Lee HJ. Gene transport and expression by arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides in Paramecium. Gene 2011; 489:89-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2011.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2011] [Revised: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 08/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Papadopoulou LC, Tsiftsoglou AS. Transduction of human recombinant proteins into mitochondria as a protein therapeutic approach for mitochondrial disorders. Pharm Res 2011; 28:2639-56. [PMID: 21874377 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-011-0546-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 07/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Protein therapy is considered an alternative approach to gene therapy for treatment of genetic-metabolic disorders. Human protein therapeutics (PTs), developed via recombinant DNA technology and used for the treatment of these illnesses, act upon membrane-bound receptors to achieve their pharmacological response. On the contrary, proteins that normally act inside the cells cannot be developed as PTs in the conventional way, since they are not able to "cross" the plasma membrane. Furthermore, in mitochondrial disorders, attributed either to depleted or malfunctioned mitochondrial proteins, PTs should also have to reach the subcellular mitochondria to exert their therapeutic potential. Nowadays, there is no effective therapy for mitochondrial disorders. The development of PTs, however, via the Protein Transduction Domain (PTD) technology offered new opportunities for the deliberate delivery of human recombinant proteins inside eukaryotic subcellular organelles. To this end, mitochondrial disorders could be clinically encountered with the delivery of human mitochondrial proteins (engineered via recombinant DNA and PTD technologies) at specific intramitochondrial sites to exert their function. Overall, PTD-mediated Protein Replacement Therapy emerges as a suitable model system for the therapeutic approach for mitochondrial disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lefkothea C Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GR54124, Macedonia, Greece.
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Lohcharoenkal W, Manosaroi A, Götz F, Werner RG, Manosroi W, Manosaroi J. Potent enhancement of GFP uptake into HT-29 cells and rat skin permeation by coincubation with tat peptide. J Pharm Sci 2011; 100:4766-73. [PMID: 21681754 DOI: 10.1002/jps.22671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2011] [Revised: 05/23/2011] [Accepted: 06/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The delivery enhancements of green fluorescent protein (GFP), a model reporter protein into/transepithelial colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells and excised rat skin by coincubation, by simple mixing or as fusion protein with HIV1-trans-activating transcriptional (Tat), a cell-penetrating peptide, have been described. By simple mixing, Tat/GFP mixture could increase the cellular uptake of GFP into HT-29 cells by 4.25-fold and 1.79-fold of GFP and Tat-GFP fusion protein, respectively. The incubation time showed no effect on the cellular uptake of Tat/GFP and Tat-GFP. In transepithelial study, Tat-GFP demonstrated the highest ability to penetrate through the HT-29 cells of about 1.3-fold and 1.2-fold of GFP and Tat/GFP, respectively. Only Tat/GFP gave lower cytotoxicity than Tat or GFP alone. In transdermal delivery study, Tat/GFP showed better transdermal delivery profile with higher cumulative amount than Tat-GFP in stratum corneum (SC), viable epidermis and dermis, and the receiver compartment of the diffusion cell with the highest fluxes of 7.42 and 35.6; 8.87-fold and 5.57-fold of GFP and Tat-GFP in SC and receiver compartment, respectively. This study demonstrated an efficient enhancement of GFP uptake into cells and through excised rat skin by simple mixing with Tat peptide, which can be further applied for the development of protein drug delivery systems.
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A gene delivery system for human cells mediated by both a cell-penetrating peptide and a piggyBac transposase. Biomaterials 2011; 32:6264-76. [PMID: 21636125 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The piggyBac (PB) transposable element has recently accumulated enormous attention as a tool for the transgenesis in various eukaryotic organisms. Arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are protein transduction domains containing a large amount of basic amino acids that were found to be capable of delivering biologically active macromolecules into living cells. In this study, we demonstrate a strategy, which we called "transposoduction", which is a one-plasmid gene delivery system mediated by the nontoxic CPP-piggyBac transposase (CPP-PBase) fusion protein to accomplish both protein transduction and transposition. CPPs were proven to be able to synchronously deliver covalently linked PBase and noncovalently linked a cis plasmid into human cells. The expression of promoterless reporter genes coding for red (dTomato) and yellow (mOrange) fluorescent proteins (RFP and YFP) with PB elements could be detected in cells treated with the PBase-expressing plasmid after 3 days indicating transposition of coding regions to downstream of endogenous promoter sequences. An enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) plasmid-based excision assay further confirmed the efficiency of the bifunctional CPP-PBase fusion protein. In conclusion, this strategy representing a combinational concept of both protein transduction and mobile transposition may provide tremendous potential for safe and efficient cell line transformation, gene therapy and functional genomics.
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Liu BR, Huang YW, Winiarz JG, Chiang HJ, Lee HJ. Intracellular delivery of quantum dots mediated by a histidine- and arginine-rich HR9 cell-penetrating peptide through the direct membrane translocation mechanism. Biomaterials 2011; 32:3520-37. [PMID: 21329975 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2010] [Accepted: 01/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Functional peptides that transfer biomaterials, such as semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), into cells in biomaterial research have been developed in recent years. Delivery of QDs conjugated with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) into cells by the endocytic pathway was problematic in biomedical applications because of lysosomal trapping. Here, we demonstrate that histidine- and arginine-rich CPPs (HR9 peptides) stably and noncovalently combined with QDs are able to enter into cells in an extremely short period (4 min). Interrupting both F-actin polymerization and active transport did not inhibit the entry of HR9/QD complexes into cells, indicating that HR9 penetrates cell membrane directly. Subcellular colocalization studies indicated that QDs delivered by HR9 stay in cytosol without any organelle capture. Dimethyl sulphoxide, ethanol and oleic acid, but not pyrenebutyrate, enhanced HR9-mediated intracellular delivery of QDs by promoting the direct membrane translocation pathway. HR9 and HR9/QDs were not cytotoxic. These findings suggest that HR9 could be an efficient carrier to deliver drugs without interfering with their therapeutic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty R Liu
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Shoufeng, Hualien, Taiwan
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Ratanatawanate C, Yu J, Zhou C, Zheng J, Balkus KJ. Synthesis of gold nanoclusters: a fluorescent marker for water-soluble TiO2 nanotubes. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2011; 22:065601. [PMID: 21212487 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/22/6/065601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The first example of a water-soluble wrapped titania nanotube (TNT) decorated with fluorescent gold nanoparticles has been prepared. Gold nanoparticles ∼ 1.6 nm in diameter were grown on the TiO(2) nanotubes using a thiolactic acid linker to control the size. The gold clusters emit at 660 nm in water and were imaged using confocal microscopy. The gold decorated TNTs were suspended in water by wrapping the nanotubes with poly-L-arginine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chalita Ratanatawanate
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080-3021, USA
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Lu SW, Hu JW, Liu BR, Lee CY, Li JF, Chou JC, Lee HJ. Arginine-rich intracellular delivery peptides synchronously deliver covalently and noncovalently linked proteins into plant cells. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2010; 58:2288-2294. [PMID: 20092251 DOI: 10.1021/jf903039j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Protein transduction domains (PTDs) are small peptides with a high content of basic amino acids, and they are responsible for cellular uptake. Many PTDs, including arginine-rich intracellular delivery (AID) peptides, have been shown to transport macromolecules across membranes and into cells. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that AID peptides could rapidly and efficiently deliver proteins into plant cells in both covalent and noncovalent protein transductions (CNPT) simultaneously. The optimal molecular ratio between an AID peptide carrier and cargo in CNPT was about 3:1. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) analysis revealed protein-protein interactions between AID peptide carriers and cargos after CNPT in cells. The possible mechanisms of AID peptides-mediated cellular entry might involve a combination of multiple internalization pathways. Therefore, applications by AID peptide-mediated CNPT may provide a simple and direct transport strategy for delivering two proteins in agricultural systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Wan Lu
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, and Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
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