1
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Bashi M, Madanchi H, Yousefi B. Investigation of cytotoxic effect and action mechanism of a synthetic peptide derivative of rabbit cathelicidin against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13497. [PMID: 38866982 PMCID: PMC11169400 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64400-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have sparked significant interest as potential anti-cancer agents, thereby becoming a focal point in pursuing novel cancer-fighting strategies. These peptides possess distinctive properties, underscoring the importance of developing more potent and selectively targeted versions with diverse mechanisms of action against human cancer cells. Such advancements would offer notable advantages compared to existing cancer therapies. This research aimed to examine the toxicity and selectivity of the nrCap18 peptide in both cancer and normal cell lines. Furthermore, the rate of cellular death was assessed using apoptosis and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double staining at three distinct incubation times. Additionally, the impact of this peptide on the cancer cell cycle and migration was evaluated, and ultimately, the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) genes was investigated. The results obtained from the study demonstrated significant toxicity and selectivity in cancer cells compared to normal cells. Moreover, a strong progressive increase in cell death was observed over time. Furthermore, the peptide exhibited the ability to halt the progression of cancer cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and impede their migration by suppressing the expression of CDK4/6 genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Bashi
- Department of Immunology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hamid Madanchi
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 35131-38111, Iran.
- Drug Design and Bioinformatics Unit, Medical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, 13198, Iran.
| | - Bahman Yousefi
- Department of Immunology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
- Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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2
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Ghadiri N, Javidan M, Sheikhi S, Taştan Ö, Parodi A, Liao Z, Tayybi Azar M, Ganjalıkhani-Hakemi M. Bioactive peptides: an alternative therapeutic approach for cancer management. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1310443. [PMID: 38327525 PMCID: PMC10847386 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1310443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is still considered a lethal disease worldwide and the patients' quality of life is affected by major side effects of the treatments including post-surgery complications, chemo-, and radiation therapy. Recently, new therapeutic approaches were considered globally for increasing conventional cancer therapy efficacy and decreasing the adverse effects. Bioactive peptides obtained from plant and animal sources have drawn increased attention because of their potential as complementary therapy. This review presents a contemporary examination of bioactive peptides derived from natural origins with demonstrated anticancer, ant invasion, and immunomodulation properties. For example, peptides derived from common beans, chickpeas, wheat germ, and mung beans exhibited antiproliferative and toxic effects on cancer cells, favoring cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. On the other hand, peptides from marine sources showed the potential for inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis. In this review we will discuss these data highlighting the potential befits of these approaches and the need of further investigations to fully characterize their potential in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nooshin Ghadiri
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Moslem Javidan
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Shima Sheikhi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Özge Taştan
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Alessandro Parodi
- Scientific Center for Translation Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Ziwei Liao
- Department of Hematology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mehdi Tayybi Azar
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Mazdak Ganjalıkhani-Hakemi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Regenerative and Restorative Medicine Research Center (REMER), Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technologies (SABITA), Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Türkiye
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3
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Koskela SA, Figueiredo CR. From antimicrobial to anticancer: the pioneering works of Prof. Luiz Rodolpho Travassos on bioactive peptides. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:2561-2570. [PMID: 37725261 PMCID: PMC10689714 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01118-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Prof. Luiz Rodolpho Travassos, a distinguished Brazilian scientist, was instrumental in fostering an interdisciplinary research approach that seamlessly combined microbiology and oncology. This work has opened new pathways into the understanding of tumorigenesis and aided in the development of innovative therapeutic tools. One significant area of his work has been the exploration of bioactive peptides, many of which were first identified for their antimicrobial properties. These peptides demonstrate promise as potential cancer therapeutics due to their selectivity, cost-effectiveness, ease of synthesis, low antigenicity, and excellent tissue penetration. Prof. Travassos' pioneering work uncovered on the potential of peptides derived from microbiological sources, such as those obtained using phage display techniques. More importantly, in international cooperation, peptides derived from complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) that showed antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans further showed to be promising tools with cytotoxic properties against cancer cells. Similarly, peptides derived from natural sources, such as the gomesin peptide, not only had shown antimicrobial properties but could treat cutaneous melanoma in experimental models. These therapeutic tools allowed Prof. Travassos and his group to navigate the intricate landscape of factors and pathways that drive cancer development, including persistent proliferative signaling, evasion of tumor suppressor genes, inhibition of programmed cell death, and cellular immortality. This review examines the mechanisms of action of these peptides, aligning them with the universally recognized hallmarks of cancer, and evaluates their potential as drug candidates. It highlights the crucial need for more selective, microbiology-inspired anti-cancer strategies that spare healthy cells, a challenge that current therapies often struggle to address. By offering a comprehensive assessment of Prof. Travassos' innovative contributions and a detailed discussion on the increasing importance of microbiology-derived peptides, this review presents an informed and robust perspective on the possible future direction of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saara A Koskela
- Medical Immune Oncology Research Group (MIORG), Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Carlos R Figueiredo
- Medical Immune Oncology Research Group (MIORG), Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
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4
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Zayed M, El-Garawani IM, El-Sabbagh SM, Amr B, Alsharif SM, Tayel AA, AlAjmi MF, Ibrahim HMS, Shou Q, Khalifa SAM, El-Seedi HR, Elfeky N. Structural Diversity, LC-MS-MS Analysis and Potential Biological Activities of Brevibacillus laterosporus Extract. Metabolites 2022; 12:1102. [PMID: 36422242 PMCID: PMC9699243 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12111102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Lake Mariout is Egypt's degraded coastal marine habitat that encompasses a variety of wastes. The biodiversity and hard environmental conditions allow the co-existence of organisms with high resistance and rich metabolism, making them potential candidates for screening and isolating novel microbial strains. A bacterial isolate (BF202) cultured from the marine sediments of Alexandria's Mariout Lake (Egypt) was tested for its antimicrobial and anticancer potential. The phylogenetic analysis of the isolated strain's 16S rDNA and gyrB revealed that BF202 belongs to Brevibacillus laterosporus (B. laterosporus). Antibiosis of B. laterosporus was confirmed against microbial pathogens including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus. The highest antibacterial activity was detected on glucose peptone medium after 18 h of incubation at 35 °C, and at pH of 7.0 in the presence of mannose and ammonium carbonate as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The cytotoxicity of the methanolic extract against breast cancer (MCF-7) and normal Vero cell lines, using the MTT test, revealed IC50 values of 7.93 and 23.79 µg/mL, respectively. To identify apoptotic and necrotic cells, a flow cytometric analysis using annexin V-FITC/PI dual-labeling was utilized and recorded a higher number of necrotic cells compared to apoptotic ones. Similarly, the cell cycle S-phase arrest was reported. The LC-MS-MS investigation of B. laterosporus extract and the molecular networking database analysis demonstrated five strategic diketopiperazine compounds with antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Taken together, this research shows that the crude extract of B. laterosporus might be an effective agent against drug-resistant bacteria and malignant disorders due to its richness in diketopiperazines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zayed
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Menoufia 32511, Egypt
| | - Islam M. El-Garawani
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Menoufia 32511, Egypt
| | - Sabha M. El-Sabbagh
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Menoufia 32511, Egypt
| | - Bassem Amr
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Menoufia 32511, Egypt
| | - Sultan M. Alsharif
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Al Madinah 887, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed A. Tayel
- Department of Fish Processing and Biotechnology, Faculty of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Mohamed F. AlAjmi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hasnaa M. S. Ibrahim
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Menoufia 32511, Egypt
| | - Qiyang Shou
- Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shaden A. M. Khalifa
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hesham R. El-Seedi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Menoufia 32511, Egypt
- International Research Center for Food Nutrition and Safety, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
- Pharmacognosy Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, SE 751-24 Uppsala, Sweden
- International Joint Research Laboratory of Intelligent Agriculture and Agri-Products Processing, Jiangsu Education Department, Jiangsu University, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Nora Elfeky
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Menoufia 32511, Egypt
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5
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In Silico Prediction of Anti-Infective and Cell-Penetrating Peptides from Thalassophryne nattereri Natterin Toxins. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15091141. [PMID: 36145362 PMCID: PMC9501638 DOI: 10.3390/ph15091141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of venom-derived peptides, such as bioactive peptides (BAPs), is determined by specificity, stability, and pharmacokinetics properties. BAPs, including anti-infective or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), share several physicochemical characteristics and are potential alternatives to antibiotic-based therapies and drug delivery systems, respectively. This study used in silico methods to predict AMPs and CPPs derived from natterins from the venomous fish Thalassophryne nattereri. Fifty-seven BAPs (19 AMPs, 8 CPPs, and 30 AMPs/CPPs) were identified using the web servers CAMP, AMPA, AmpGram, C2Pred, and CellPPD. The physicochemical properties were analyzed using ProtParam, PepCalc, and DispHred tools. The membrane-binding potential and cellular location of each peptide were analyzed using the Boman index by APD3, and TMHMM web servers. All CPPs and two AMPs showed high membrane-binding potential. Fifty-four peptides were located in the plasma membrane. Peptide immunogenicity, toxicity, allergenicity, and ADMET parameters were evaluated using several web servers. Sixteen antiviral peptides and 37 anticancer peptides were predicted using the web servers Meta-iAVP and ACPred. Secondary structures and helical wheel projections were predicted using the PEP-FOLD3 and Heliquest web servers. Fifteen peptides are potential lead compounds and were selected to be further synthesized and tested experimentally in vitro to validate the in silico screening. The use of computer-aided design for predicting peptide structure and activity is fast and cost-effective and facilitates the design of potent therapeutic peptides. The results demonstrate that toxins form a natural biotechnological platform in drug discovery, and the presence of CPP and AMP sequences in toxin families opens new possibilities in toxin biochemistry research.
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6
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Jafari A, Babajani A, Sarrami Forooshani R, Yazdani M, Rezaei-Tavirani M. Clinical Applications and Anticancer Effects of Antimicrobial Peptides: From Bench to Bedside. Front Oncol 2022; 12:819563. [PMID: 35280755 PMCID: PMC8904739 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.819563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a multifaceted global health issue and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In recent years, medical science has achieved great advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Despite the numerous advantages of conventional cancer therapies, there are major drawbacks including severe side effects, toxicities, and drug resistance. Therefore, the urgency of developing new drugs with low cytotoxicity and treatment resistance is increasing. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted attention as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of various cancers, targeting tumor cells with less toxicity to normal tissues. In this review, we present the structure, biological function, and underlying mechanisms of AMPs. The recent experimental studies and clinical trials on anticancer peptides in different cancer types as well as the challenges of their clinical application have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameneh Jafari
- Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhesam Babajani
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Sarrami Forooshani
- Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Yazdani
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Drug Design, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Rezaei-Tavirani
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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7
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Van Holsbeeck K, Martins JC, Ballet S. Downsizing antibodies: Towards complementarity-determining region (CDR)-based peptide mimetics. Bioorg Chem 2021; 119:105563. [PMID: 34942468 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies emerged as an important therapeutic drug class with remarkable specificity and binding affinity. Nonetheless, these heterotetrameric immunoglobulin proteins come with high manufacturing and therapeutic costs which can take extraordinary proportions, besides other limitations such as their limited in cellulo access imposed by their molecular size (ca. 150 kDa). These drawbacks stimulated the development of downsized functional antibody fragments (ca. 15-50 kDa), together with smaller synthetic peptides (ca. 1-3 kDa) derived from the antibodies' crucial complementarity-determining regions (CDR). Despite the general lack of success in the literal translation of CDR loops in peptide mimetics, rational structure-based and computational approaches have shown their potential for obtaining functional CDR-based peptide mimetics. In this review, we describe the efforts made in the development of antibody and nanobody paratope-derived peptide mimetics with particular focus on the used design strategies, in addition to highlighting the challenges associated with their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Van Holsbeeck
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; NMR and Structure Analysis Unit, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - José C Martins
- NMR and Structure Analysis Unit, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
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8
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Beutgen VM, Schmelter C, Pfeiffer N, Grus FH. Contribution of the Commensal Microflora to the Immunological Homeostasis and the Importance of Immune-Related Drug Development for Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8896. [PMID: 34445599 PMCID: PMC8396286 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Not long ago, self-reactive immune activity was considered as pathological trait. A paradigm shift has now led to the recognition of autoimmune processes as part of natural maintenance of molecular homeostasis. The immune system is assigned further roles beneath the defense against pathogenic organisms. Regarding the humoral immune system, the investigation of natural autoantibodies that are frequently found in healthy individuals has led to further hypotheses involving natural autoimmunity in other processes as the clearing of cellular debris or decrease in inflammatory processes. However, their role and origin have not been entirely clarified, but accumulating evidence links their formation to immune reactions against the gut microbiome. Antibodies targeting highly conserved proteins of the commensal microflora are suggested to show self-reactive properties, following the paradigm of the molecular mimicry. Here, we discuss recent findings, which demonstrate potential links of the commensal microflora to the immunological homeostasis and highlight the possible implications for various diseases. Furthermore, specific components of the immune system, especially antibodies, have become a focus of attention for the medical management of various diseases and provide attractive treatment options in the future. Nevertheless, the development and optimization of such macromolecules still represents a very time-consuming task, shifting the need to more medical agents with simple structural properties and low manufacturing costs. Synthesizing only the biologically active sites of antibodies has become of great interest for the pharmaceutical industry and offers a wide range of therapeutic application areas as it will be discussed in the present review article.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Franz H. Grus
- Experimental and Translational Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (V.M.B.); (C.S.); (N.P.)
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9
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Kardani K, Bolhassani A. Antimicrobial/anticancer peptides: bioactive molecules and therapeutic agents. Immunotherapy 2021; 13:669-684. [PMID: 33878901 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2020-0312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been known as host-defense peptides. These cationic and amphipathic peptides are relatively short (∼5-50 L-amino acids) with molecular weight less than 10 kDa. AMPs have various roles including immunomodulatory, angiogenic and antitumor activities. Anticancer peptides (ACPs) are a main subset of AMPs as a novel therapeutic approach against tumor cells. The physicochemical properties of the ACPs influence their cell penetration, stability and efficiency of targeting. Up to now, several databases and web servers for in silico prediction of AMPs/ACPs have been established prior to the lab analysis. The present review focuses on the recent advancement about AMPs/ACPs activities including their in silico prediction by computational tools and their potential applications as therapeutic agents especially in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimia Kardani
- Department of Hepatitis & AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis & AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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10
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Feng P, Wang Z. Recent Advances in Computational Methods for Identifying Anticancer Peptides. Curr Drug Targets 2020; 20:481-487. [PMID: 30068270 DOI: 10.2174/1389450119666180801121548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Anticancer peptide (ACP) is a kind of small peptides that can kill cancer cells without damaging normal cells. In recent years, ACP has been pre-clinically used for cancer treatment. Therefore, accurate identification of ACPs will promote their clinical applications. In contrast to labor-intensive experimental techniques, a series of computational methods have been proposed for identifying ACPs. In this review, we briefly summarized the current progress in computational identification of ACPs. The challenges and future perspectives in developing reliable methods for identification of ACPs were also discussed. We anticipate that this review could provide novel insights into future researches on anticancer peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengmian Feng
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, 063000, China
| | - Zhenyi Wang
- Center for Genomics and Computational Biology, School of Life Science, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, 063000, China
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11
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Machado FC, Girola N, Maia VSC, Bergami-Santos PC, Morais AS, Azevedo RA, Figueiredo CR, Barbuto JAM, Travassos LR. Immunomodulatory Protective Effects of Rb9 Cyclic-Peptide in a Metastatic Melanoma Setting and the Involvement of Dendritic Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 10:3122. [PMID: 32010152 PMCID: PMC6974543 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The cyclic VHCDR3-derived peptide (Rb9) from RebMab200 antibody, directed to a NaPi2B phosphate-transport protein, displayed anti-metastatic melanoma activity at 50–300 μg intraperitoneally injected in syngeneic mice. Immune deficient mice failed to respond to the peptide protective effect. Rb9 induced increased CD8+ T and low Foxp3+ T cell infiltration in lung metastases and high IFN-γ and low TGF-β in lymphoid organs. The peptide co-localized with F-actin and a nuclear site in dendritic cells and specifically bound to MIF and CD74 in a dot-blot setting. Murine bone-marrow dendritic cells preincubated with Rb9 for 6 h were treated with MIF for short time periods. The modulated responses showed stimulation of CD74 and inhibition of pPI3K, pERK, and pNF-κB as compared to MIF alone. Rb9 in a melanoma-conditioned medium, stimulated the M1 type conversion in bone marrow-macrophages. Functional aspects of Rb9 in vivo were studied in therapeutic and prophylactic protocols using a melanoma metastatic model. In both protocols Rb9 exhibited a marked anti-melanoma protection. Human dendritic cells were also investigated showing increased expression of surface markers in response to Rb9 incubation. Rb9 either stimulated or slightly inhibited moDCs submitted to inhibitory (TGF-β and IL-10) or activating (LPS) conditions, respectively. Lymphocyte proliferation was obtained with moDCs stimulated by Rb9 and tumor cell lysate. In moDCs from cancer patients Rb9 exerted immunomodulatory activities depending on their functional status. The peptide may inhibit over-stimulated cells, stimulate poorly activated and suppressed cells, or cause instead, little phenotypic and functional alterations. Recently, the interaction MIF-CD74 has been associated to PD-L1 expression and IFN-γ, suggesting a target for melanoma treatment. The effects described for Rb9 and the protection against metastatic melanoma may suggest the possibility of a peptide reagent that could be relevant when associated to modern immunotherapeutic procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrício C Machado
- Recepta Bio, São Paulo, Brazil.,Experimental Oncology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natália Girola
- Recepta Bio, São Paulo, Brazil.,Experimental Oncology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vera S C Maia
- Recepta Bio, São Paulo, Brazil.,Experimental Oncology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia C Bergami-Santos
- Recepta Bio, São Paulo, Brazil.,Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo A Azevedo
- Experimental Oncology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos R Figueiredo
- Experimental Oncology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,MediCity, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - José A M Barbuto
- Recepta Bio, São Paulo, Brazil.,Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz R Travassos
- Recepta Bio, São Paulo, Brazil.,Experimental Oncology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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12
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Orrapin S, Intorasoot A, Roytrakul S, Dechsupa N, Kantapan J, Onphat Y, Srimek C, Sitthidet Tharinjaroen C, Anukool U, Butr-Indr B, Phunpae P, Intorasoot S. A novel recombinant javanicin with dual antifungal and anti-proliferative activities. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18417. [PMID: 31804594 PMCID: PMC6895105 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55044-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to common drugs by microorganisms and cancers has become a major issue in modern healthcare, increasing the number of deaths worldwide. Novel therapeutic agents with a higher efficiency and less side effects for the treatment of certain diseases are urgently needed. Plant defensins have an integral role in a hosts' immune system and are attractive candidates for combatting drug-resistant microorganisms. Interestingly, some of these defensins also showed great potential due to their cytotoxic activity toward cancer cells. In this study, a defensin encoding gene was isolated from five legume seeds using 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (3' RACE) with degenerate primers and cDNA cloning strategies. Bioinformatic tools were used for in silico identification and the characterization of new sequences. To study the functional characteristics of these unique defensins, the gene encoded for Sesbania javanica defensin, designated as javanicin, was cloned into pTXB-1 plasmid and expressed in the Escherichia coli Origami 2 (DE3) strain. Under optimized conditions, a 34-kDa javanicin-intein fusion protein was expressed and approximately 2.5-3.5 mg/L of soluble recombinant javanicin was successfully extracted with over 90% purity. Recombinant javanicin displayed antifungal properties against human pathogenic fungi, including resistant strains, as well as cytotoxic activities toward the human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231. Recombinant javanicin holds great promise as a novel therapeutic agent for further medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santhasiri Orrapin
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Amornrat Intorasoot
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Sittiruk Roytrakul
- Proteomics Research Laboratory, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Nathupakorn Dechsupa
- Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Jiraporn Kantapan
- Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Yanika Onphat
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Chutima Srimek
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Chayada Sitthidet Tharinjaroen
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
- Infectious Diseases Research Unit (IDRU), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Usanee Anukool
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
- Infectious Diseases Research Unit (IDRU), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Bordin Butr-Indr
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
- Infectious Diseases Research Unit (IDRU), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Ponrut Phunpae
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
- Infectious Diseases Research Unit (IDRU), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Sorasak Intorasoot
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
- Infectious Diseases Research Unit (IDRU), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
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13
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Schmelter C, Fomo KN, Perumal N, Manicam C, Bell K, Pfeiffer N, Grus FH. Synthetic Polyclonal-Derived CDR Peptides as an Innovative Strategy in Glaucoma Therapy. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8081222. [PMID: 31443184 PMCID: PMC6723090 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8081222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of glaucoma is strongly associated with the occurrence of autoimmune-mediated loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and additionally, recent evidence shows that specific antibody-derived signature peptides are significantly differentially expressed in sera of primary-open angle glaucoma patients (POAG) compared to healthy controls. Synthetically antibody-derived peptides can modulate various effector functions of the immune system and act as antimicrobial or antiviral molecules. In an ex vivo adolescent glaucoma model, this study, for the first time, demonstrates that polyclonal-derived complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) can significantly increase the survival rate of RGCs (p = 0.013). We subsequently performed affinity capture experiments that verified the mitochondrial serine protease HTRA2 (gene name: HTRA2) as a high-affinity retinal epitope target of CDR1 sequence motif ASGYTFTNYGLSWVR. Quantitative proteomic analysis of the CDR-treated retinal explants revealed increased expression of various anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative proteins (e.g., VDAC2 and TXN) compared to untreated controls (p < 0.05) as well as decreased expression levels of cellular stress response markers (e.g., HSPE1 and HSP90AA1). Mitochondrial dysfunction, the protein ubiquitination pathway and oxidative phosphorylation were annotated as the most significantly affected signaling pathways and possibly can be traced back to the CDR-induced inhibition or modulation of the master regulator HTRA2. These findings emphasize the great potential of synthetic polyclonal-derived CDR peptides as therapeutic agents in future glaucoma therapy and provide an excellent basis for affinity-based biomarker discovery purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Schmelter
- Department of Experimental and Translational Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Kristian Nzogang Fomo
- Department of Experimental and Translational Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Natarajan Perumal
- Department of Experimental and Translational Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Caroline Manicam
- Department of Experimental and Translational Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Katharina Bell
- Department of Experimental and Translational Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Norbert Pfeiffer
- Department of Experimental and Translational Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Franz H Grus
- Department of Experimental and Translational Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
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14
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Couto GK, Segatto NV, Oliveira TL, Seixas FK, Schachtschneider KM, Collares T. The Melding of Drug Screening Platforms for Melanoma. Front Oncol 2019; 9:512. [PMID: 31293965 PMCID: PMC6601395 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The global incidence of cancer is rising rapidly and continues to be one of the leading causes of death in the world. Melanoma deserves special attention since it represents one of the fastest growing types of cancer, with advanced metastatic forms presenting high mortality rates due to the development of drug resistance. The aim of this review is to evaluate how the screening of drugs and compounds for melanoma has been performed over the last seven decades. Thus, we performed literature searches to identify melanoma drug screening methods commonly used by research groups during this timeframe. In vitro and in vivo tests are essential for the development of new drugs; however, incorporation of in silico analyses increases the possibility of finding more suitable candidates for subsequent tests. In silico techniques, such as molecular docking, represent an important and necessary first step in the screening process. However, these techniques have not been widely used by research groups to date. Our research has shown that the vast majority of research groups still perform in vitro and in vivo tests, with emphasis on the use of in vitro enzymatic tests on melanoma cell lines such as SKMEL and in vivo tests using the B16 mouse model. We believe that the union of these three approaches (in silico, in vitro, and in vivo) is essential for improving the discovery and development of new molecules with potential antimelanoma action. This workflow would provide greater confidence and safety for preclinical trials, which will translate to more successful clinical trials and improve the translatability of new melanoma treatments into clinical practice while minimizing the unnecessary use of laboratory animals under the principles of the 3R's.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Klein Couto
- Research Group in Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting, Cancer Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Technological Development, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Natália Vieira Segatto
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Molecular and Cellular Oncology Research Group, Laboratory of Cancer Biotechnology, Technology Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Thaís Larré Oliveira
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Molecular and Cellular Oncology Research Group, Laboratory of Cancer Biotechnology, Technology Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Kömmling Seixas
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Molecular and Cellular Oncology Research Group, Laboratory of Cancer Biotechnology, Technology Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Kyle M Schachtschneider
- Department of Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,National Center for Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Tiago Collares
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Molecular and Cellular Oncology Research Group, Laboratory of Cancer Biotechnology, Technology Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
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15
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Schaduangrat N, Nantasenamat C, Prachayasittikul V, Shoombuatong W. ACPred: A Computational Tool for the Prediction and Analysis of Anticancer Peptides. Molecules 2019; 24:E1973. [PMID: 31121946 PMCID: PMC6571645 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24101973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Anticancer peptides (ACPs) have emerged as a new class of therapeutic agent for cancer treatment due to their lower toxicity as well as greater efficacy, selectivity and specificity when compared to conventional small molecule drugs. However, the experimental identification of ACPs still remains a time-consuming and expensive endeavor. Therefore, it is desirable to develop and improve upon existing computational models for predicting and characterizing ACPs. In this study, we present a bioinformatics tool called the ACPred, which is an interpretable tool for the prediction and characterization of the anticancer activities of peptides. ACPred was developed by utilizing powerful machine learning models (support vector machine and random forest) and various classes of peptide features. It was observed by a jackknife cross-validation test that ACPred can achieve an overall accuracy of 95.61% in identifying ACPs. In addition, analysis revealed the following distinguishing characteristics that ACPs possess: (i) hydrophobic residue enhances the cationic properties of α-helical ACPs resulting in better cell penetration; (ii) the amphipathic nature of the α-helical structure plays a crucial role in its mechanism of cytotoxicity; and (iii) the formation of disulfide bridges on β-sheets is vital for structural maintenance which correlates with its ability to kill cancer cells. Finally, for the convenience of experimental scientists, the ACPred web server was established and made freely available online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nalini Schaduangrat
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Chanin Nantasenamat
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Virapong Prachayasittikul
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | - Watshara Shoombuatong
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
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16
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Girola N, Resende-Lara PT, Figueiredo CR, Massaoka MH, Azevedo RA, Cunha RLOR, Polonelli L, Travassos LR. Molecular, Biological and Structural Features of V L CDR-1 Rb44 Peptide, Which Targets the Microtubule Network in Melanoma Cells. Front Oncol 2019; 9:25. [PMID: 30740361 PMCID: PMC6355703 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubules are important drug targets in tumor cells, owing to their role in supporting and determining the cell shape, organelle movement and cell division. The complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of immunoglobulins have been reported to be a source of anti-tumor peptide sequences, independently of the original antibody specificity for a given antigen. We found that, the anti-Lewis B mAb light-chain CDR1 synthetic peptide Rb44, interacted with microtubules and induced depolymerization, with subsequent degradation of actin filaments, leading to depolarization of mitochondrial membrane-potential, increase of ROS, cell cycle arrest at G2/M, cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-3 and PARP, upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl-2, altogether resulting in intrinsic apoptosis of melanoma cells. The in vitro inhibition of angiogenesis was also an Rb44 effect. Peritumoral injection of Rb44L1 delayed growth of subcutaneously grafted melanoma cells in a syngeneic mouse model. L1-CDRs from immunoglobulins and their interactions with tubulin-dimers were explored to interpret effects on microtubule stability. The opening motion of tubulin monomers allowed for efficient L1-CDR docking, impairment of dimer formation and microtubule dissociation. We conclude that Rb44 VL-CDR1 is a novel peptide that acts on melanoma microtubule network causing cell apoptosis in vitro and melanoma growth inhibition in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Girola
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Experimental Oncology Unit, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro T Resende-Lara
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Carlos R Figueiredo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Experimental Oncology Unit, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ricardo A Azevedo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Experimental Oncology Unit, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo L O R Cunha
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Natural and Human Sciences Center, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Luciano Polonelli
- Unit of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitá degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Luiz R Travassos
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Experimental Oncology Unit, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Recepta Biopharma, São Paulo, Brazil
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17
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Shoombuatong W, Schaduangrat N, Nantasenamat C. Unraveling the bioactivity of anticancer peptides as deduced from machine learning. EXCLI JOURNAL 2018; 17:734-752. [PMID: 30190664 PMCID: PMC6123611 DOI: 10.17179/excli2018-1447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer imposes a global health burden as it represents one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality while also giving rise to significant economic burden owing to the associated expenditures for its monitoring and treatment. In spite of advancements in cancer therapy, the low success rate and recurrence of tumor has necessitated the ongoing search for new therapeutic agents. Aside from drugs based on small molecules and protein-based biopharmaceuticals, there has been an intense effort geared towards the development of peptide-based therapeutics owing to its favorable and intrinsic properties of being relatively small, highly selective, potent, safe and low in production costs. In spite of these advantages, there are several inherent weaknesses that are in need of attention in the design and development of therapeutic peptides. An abundance of data on bioactive and therapeutic peptides have been accumulated over the years and the burgeoning area of artificial intelligence has set the stage for the lucrative utilization of machine learning to make sense of these large and high-dimensional data. This review summarizes the current state-of-the-art on the application of machine learning for studying the bioactivity of anticancer peptides along with future outlook of the field. Data and R codes used in the analysis herein are available on GitHub at https://github.com/Shoombuatong2527/anticancer-peptides-review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Watshara Shoombuatong
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Nalini Schaduangrat
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Chanin Nantasenamat
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
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18
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Figueiredo CR, Azevedo RA, Mousdell S, Resende-Lara PT, Ireland L, Santos A, Girola N, Cunha RLOR, Schmid MC, Polonelli L, Travassos LR, Mielgo A. Blockade of MIF-CD74 Signalling on Macrophages and Dendritic Cells Restores the Antitumour Immune Response Against Metastatic Melanoma. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1132. [PMID: 29875777 PMCID: PMC5974174 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mounting an effective immune response against cancer requires the activation of innate and adaptive immune cells. Metastatic melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. While immunotherapies have shown a remarkable success in melanoma treatment, patients develop resistance by mechanisms that include the establishment of an immune suppressive tumor microenvironment. Thus, understanding how metastatic melanoma cells suppress the immune system is vital to develop effective immunotherapies against this disease. In this study, we find that macrophages (MOs) and dendritic cells (DCs) are suppressed in metastatic melanoma and that the Ig-CDR-based peptide C36L1 is able to restore MOs and DCs' antitumorigenic and immunogenic functions and to inhibit metastatic growth in lungs. Specifically, C36L1 treatment is able to repolarize M2-like immunosuppressive MOs into M1-like antitumorigenic MOs, and increase the number of immunogenic DCs, and activated cytotoxic T cells, while reducing the number of regulatory T cells and monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells in metastatic lungs. Mechanistically, we find that C36L1 directly binds to the MIF receptor CD74 which is expressed on MOs and DCs, disturbing CD74 structural dynamics and inhibiting MIF signaling on these cells. Interfering with MIF-CD74 signaling on MOs and DCs leads to a decrease in the expression of immunosuppressive factors from MOs and an increase in the capacity of DCs to activate cytotoxic T cells. Our findings suggest that interfering with MIF-CD74 immunosuppressive signaling in MOs and DCs, using peptide-based immunotherapy can restore the antitumor immune response in metastatic melanoma. Our study provides the rationale for further development of peptide-based therapies to restore the antitumor immune response in metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos R. Figueiredo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Experimental Oncology Unit (UNONEX), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo A. Azevedo
- Experimental Oncology Unit (UNONEX), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sasha Mousdell
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Pedro T. Resende-Lara
- Laboratory of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, Brazil
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliquées (LBPA), UMR 8113, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Cachan, France
| | - Lucy Ireland
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Almudena Santos
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Natalia Girola
- Experimental Oncology Unit (UNONEX), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo L. O. R. Cunha
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Natural and Human Sciences Center, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Michael C. Schmid
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Luciano Polonelli
- Unit of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitá degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Luiz R. Travassos
- Experimental Oncology Unit (UNONEX), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ainhoa Mielgo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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19
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Iavarone F, Desiderio C, Vitali A, Messana I, Martelli C, Castagnola M, Cabras T. Cryptides: latent peptides everywhere. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 53:246-263. [PMID: 29564928 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2018.1447543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Proteomic surveys with top-down platforms are today revealing thousands of naturally occurring fragments of bigger proteins. Some of them have not functional meaning because they derive from pathways responsible for protein degradation, but many have specific functions, often completely different from that one of the parent proteins. These peptides encrypted in the protein sequence are nowadays called cryptides. They are frequent in the animal and plant kingdoms and represent a new interesting -omic field of investigation. To point out how much widespread is their presence, we describe here the most studied cryptides from very common sources such as serum albumin, immunoglobulins, hemoglobin, and from saliva and milk proteins. Given its vastness, it is unfeasible to cover the topic exhaustively, therefore only several selected examples of cryptides from other sources are thereafter reported. Demanding is the development of new -omic platforms for the functional screening of new cryptides, which could provide suggestion for peptides and peptido-mimetics with variegate fields of application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Iavarone
- a Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica , Roma , Italy
| | - Claudia Desiderio
- b Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR , Roma , Italy
| | - Alberto Vitali
- b Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR , Roma , Italy
| | - Irene Messana
- b Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR , Roma , Italy
| | - Claudia Martelli
- a Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica , Roma , Italy
| | - Massimo Castagnola
- a Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica , Roma , Italy.,b Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR , Roma , Italy
| | - Tiziana Cabras
- c Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente , Università di Cagliari , Cagliari , Italy
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20
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Corbí AL, Sánchez-Ramón S, Domínguez-Soto A. The potential of intravenous immunoglobulins for cancer therapy: a road that is worth taking? Immunotherapy 2017; 8:601-12. [PMID: 27140412 DOI: 10.2217/imt.16.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Much has been learned recently about the role of immunoglobulins as effector molecules of the adaptive immunity and as active elements in the maintenance of immune homeostasis. The increasing number of pathologies where intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) display a beneficial action illustrates their therapeutic relevance. Considering recent findings on the ability of IVIg to modulate macrophage polarization, herein we review evidences on the antitumoral activity of IVIg. Fragmentary and nonconclusive, available evidences are just suggestive of the potential of IVIg in antitumoral therapy, but encourage for the generation of additional evidences through well-designed clinical trials, and for additional studies to address the molecular effects of IVIg as a means to avoid the extrapolation of data gathered from animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel L Corbí
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC. Ramiro de Maeztu, 9. 28040 Madrid, SPAIN
| | - Silvia Sánchez-Ramón
- Department of Clinical Immunology & IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Prof Martín Lagos, S/N, 28040 Madrid, Spain; and, Department of Microbiology I, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
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21
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Felício MR, Silva ON, Gonçalves S, Santos NC, Franco OL. Peptides with Dual Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities. Front Chem 2017; 5:5. [PMID: 28271058 PMCID: PMC5318463 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2017.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the number of people suffering from cancer and multi-resistant infections has increased, such that both diseases are already seen as current and future major causes of death. Moreover, chronic infections are one of the main causes of cancer, due to the instability in the immune system that allows cancer cells to proliferate. Likewise, the physical debility associated with cancer or with anticancer therapy itself often paves the way for opportunistic infections. It is urgent to develop new therapeutic methods, with higher efficiency and lower side effects. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are found in the innate immune system of a wide range of organisms. Identified as the most promising alternative to conventional molecules used nowadays against infections, some of them have been shown to have dual activity, both as antimicrobial and anticancer peptides (ACPs). Highly cationic and amphipathic, they have demonstrated efficacy against both conditions, with the number of nature-driven or synthetically designed peptides increasing year by year. With similar properties, AMPs that can also act as ACPs are viewed as future chemotherapeutic drugs, with the advantage of low propensity to resistance, which started this paradigm in the pharmaceutical market. These peptides have already been described as molecules presenting killing mechanisms at the membrane level, but also acting toward intracellular targets, which increases their success compartively to one-target specific drugs. This review will approach the desirable characteristics of small peptides that demonstrated dual activity against microbial infections and cancer, as well as the peptides engaged in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mário R Felício
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Osmar N Silva
- S-Inova Biotech, Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Sônia Gonçalves
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Octávio L Franco
- S-Inova Biotech, Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom BoscoCampo Grande, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de BrasíliaBrasília, Brazil
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22
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Zhang P, Ma J, Yan Y, Chen B, Liu B, Jian C, Zhu B, Liang S, Zeng Y, Liu Z. Arginine modification of lycosin-I to improve inhibitory activity against cancer cells. Org Biomol Chem 2017; 15:9379-9388. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ob02233f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Herein, arginine modification rendered Lycosin-I with higher anticancer activity, penetrability, and dissemination ability against solid tumor cells due to the optimized physicochemical properties and high serum stability.
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23
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Lemes AC, Sala L, Ores JDC, Braga ARC, Egea MB, Fernandes KF. A Review of the Latest Advances in Encrypted Bioactive Peptides from Protein-Rich Waste. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E950. [PMID: 27322241 PMCID: PMC4926483 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17060950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioactive peptides are considered the new generation of biologically active regulators that not only prevent the mechanism of oxidation and microbial degradation in foods but also enhanced the treatment of various diseases and disorders, thus increasing quality of life. This review article emphasizes recent advances in bioactive peptide technology, such as: (i) new strategies for transforming bioactive peptides from residual waste into added-value products; (ii) nanotechnology for the encapsulation, protection and release of controlled peptides; and (iii) use of techniques of large-scale recovery and purification of peptides aiming at future applications to pharmaceutical and food industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailton Cesar Lemes
- Federal University of Rio Grande, Chemistry and Food School, Rio Grande 96201-900, Brazil.
| | - Luisa Sala
- Federal University of Rio Grande, Chemistry and Food School, Rio Grande 96201-900, Brazil.
| | - Joana da Costa Ores
- Federal University of Rio Grande, Chemistry and Food School, Rio Grande 96201-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Mariana Buranelo Egea
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology Goiano, Campus Rio Verde, Rio Verde 75901-970, Brazil.
| | - Kátia Flávia Fernandes
- Federal University of Goiás, Institute of Biological Sciences II, Goiânia 74001-970, Brazil.
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Dissecting the Structure-Function Relationship of a Fungicidal Peptide Derived from the Constant Region of Human Immunoglobulins. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:2435-42. [PMID: 26856836 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01753-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic peptides encompassing sequences related to the complementarity-determining regions of antibodies or derived from their constant region (Fc peptides) were proven to exert differential antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, and/or immunomodulatory activitiesin vitroand/orin vivo, regardless of the specificity and isotype of the parental antibody. Alanine substitution derivatives of these peptides exhibited unaltered, increased, or decreased candidacidal activitiesin vitro The bioactive IgG-derived Fc N10K peptide (NQVSLTCLVK) spontaneously self-assembles, a feature previously recognized as relevant for the therapeutic activity of another antibody-derived peptide. We evaluated the contribution of each residue to the peptide self-assembling capability by circular-dichroism spectroscopy. The interaction of the N10K peptide and its derivatives withCandida albicanscells was studied by confocal, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy. The apoptosis and autophagy induction profiles in yeast cells treated with the peptides were evaluated by flow cytometry, and the therapeutic efficacy against candidal infection was studied in aGalleria mellonellamodel. Overall, the results indicate a critical role for some residues in the self-assembly process and a correlation of that capability with the candidacidal activities of the peptidesin vitroand their therapeutic effectsin vivo.
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A novel microtubule de-stabilizing complementarity-determining region C36L1 peptide displays antitumor activity against melanoma in vitro and in vivo. Sci Rep 2015; 5:14310. [PMID: 26391685 PMCID: PMC4585759 DOI: 10.1038/srep14310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Short peptide sequences from complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of different immunoglobulins may exert anti-infective, immunomodulatory and antitumor activities regardless of the specificity of the original monoclonal antibody (mAb). In this sense, they resemble early molecules of innate immunity. C36L1 was identified as a bioactive light-chain CDR1 peptide by screening 19 conserved CDR sequences targeting murine B16F10-Nex2 melanoma. The 17-amino acid peptide is readily taken up by melanoma cells and acts on microtubules causing depolymerization, stress of the endoplasmic reticulum and intrinsic apoptosis. At low concentrations, C36L1 inhibited migration, invasion and proliferation of B16F10-Nex2 cells with cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling axis involving Rho-GTPase and PTEN mediation. Peritumor injection of the peptide delayed growth of subcutaneously grafted melanoma cells. Intraperitoneal administration of C36L1 induced a significant immune-response dependent anti-tumor protection in a syngeneic metastatic melanoma model. Dendritic cells stimulated ex-vivo by the peptide and transferred to animals challenged with tumor cells were equally effective. The C36 VL CDR1 peptide is a promising microtubule-interacting drug that induces tumor cell death by apoptosis and inhibits metastases of highly aggressive melanoma cells.
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Neolignans from Nectandra megapotamica (Lauraceae) Display in vitro Cytotoxic Activity and Induce Apoptosis in Leukemia Cells. Molecules 2015; 20:12757-68. [PMID: 26184150 PMCID: PMC6332062 DOI: 10.3390/molecules200712757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nectandra megapotamica (Spreng.) Mez. (Lauraceae) is a well-known Brazilian medicinal plant that has been used in folk medicine to treat several diseases. In continuation of our ongoing efforts to discover new bioactive natural products from the Brazilian flora, this study describes the identification of cytotoxic compounds from the MeOH extract of N. megapotamica (Lauraceae) leaves using bioactivity-guided fractionation. This approach resulted in the isolation and characterization of eight tetrahydrofuran neolignans: calopeptin (1), machilin-G (2), machilin-I (3), aristolignin (4), nectandrin A (5), veraguensin (6), ganschisandrin (7), and galgravin (8). Different assays were conducted to evaluate their cytotoxic activities and to determine the possible mechanism(s) related to the activity displayed against human leukemia cells. The most active compounds 4, 5 and 8 gave IC50 values of 14.2 ± 0.7, 16.9 ± 0.8 and 16.5 ± 0.8 µg/mL, respectively, against human leukemia (HL-60) tumor cells. Moreover, these compounds induced specific apoptotic hallmarks, such as plasma membrane bleb formation, nuclear DNA condensation, specific chromatin fragmentation, phosphatidyl-serine exposure on the external leaflet of the plasma membrane, cleavage of PARP as well as mitochondrial damage, which as a whole could be related to the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.
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Magliani W, Giovati L, Ciociola T, Sperindè M, Santinoli C, Conti G, Conti S, Polonelli L. Antibodies as a source of anti-infective peptides: an update. Future Microbiol 2015; 10:1163-75. [PMID: 26119210 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.15.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on antibodies (Abs) and their function in immune protection, with particular emphasis on microbicidal Abs. Some aspects of Abs and Ab-drug conjugates as targeting therapeutic agents are also discussed. The main aim, however, is devoted to Ab-derived peptides modulating functions of the immune system and to the latest experimental evidence of Abs as a source of anti-infective and antitumor peptides derived from their complementarity determining regions and constant regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Magliani
- Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological & Translational Sciences, Microbiology & Virology Unit, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Giovati
- Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological & Translational Sciences, Microbiology & Virology Unit, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Tecla Ciociola
- Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological & Translational Sciences, Microbiology & Virology Unit, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Martina Sperindè
- Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological & Translational Sciences, Microbiology & Virology Unit, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Claudia Santinoli
- Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological & Translational Sciences, Microbiology & Virology Unit, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Giorgio Conti
- Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological & Translational Sciences, Microbiology & Virology Unit, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Conti
- Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological & Translational Sciences, Microbiology & Virology Unit, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Luciano Polonelli
- Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological & Translational Sciences, Microbiology & Virology Unit, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
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A subtraction tolerization method of immunization allowed for Wilms' tumor protein-1 (WT1) identification in melanoma and discovery of an antitumor peptide sequence. J Immunol Methods 2014; 414:11-9. [PMID: 25205401 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
On searching for melanoma transcription factors in a project focusing on internal antitumor peptide sequences from transcription factors, we found that a highly immunogenic component emerged upon using a subtraction tolerization method of immunization. While several conventional immunization procedures using whole melanoma cells induced a plethora of low affinity antibodies of various specificities, the subtraction tolerization method efficiently elicited mono-specific antibodies that recognized Wilms' tumor protein 1 (WT1), which is known as an important marker in melanoma prognosis and treatment. For the tolerization step, pre-immunization of Balb/c mice with a membrane-rich preparation of glioblastoma U87 cells was used. The subsequent immunizations with SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells elicited antibodies strongly reacting with 50 and 55 kDa proteins, identified as WT1. Remarkably, this was the only component strongly reactive with these antibodies in a melanoma cell lysate. WT1 was then chosen as a target for selecting internally bioactive peptides. A hydrophilic Trojan peptide containing most of the zinc finger-2 domain of WT1 was synthesized and shown to inhibit SK-MEL-28 melanoma growth in vitro. The peptide WT1-pTj was also protective in vivo in a metastatic melanoma model and peptide-stimulated syngeneic dendritic cells reproduced the anti-melanoma effect of the unprotected peptide. Identification of antitumor peptides derived from major transcription factors represents a new tool to be explored in cancer research aiming at new therapeutic drugs.
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