Amphotericin B-copper (II) complex alters transcriptional activity of genes encoding transforming growth factor-beta family members and related proteins in renal cells

Conjugates of amphotericin B to resolve challenges associated with its delivery

INTRODUCTION

Amphotericin B (AmB), a promising antifungal and antileishmanial drug, acts on the membrane of microorganisms. The clinical use of AmB is limited due to issues associated with its delivery including poor solubility and bioavailability, instability in acidic media, poor intestinal permeability, dose and aggregation state dependent toxicity, parenteral administration, and requirement of cold chain for transport and storage, etc.

AREAS COVERED

Scientists have formulated and explored various covalent conjugates of AmB to reduce its toxicity with increase in solubility, oral bioavailability, and payload or loading of AmB by using various polymers, lipids, carbon-based nanocarriers, metallic nanoparticles, and vesicular carriers, etc. In this article, we have reviewed various conjugates of AmB with polymers and nanomaterials explored for its delivery to give a deep insight regarding further exploration in future.

EXPERT OPINION

Covalent conjugates of AmB have been investigated by scientists, and preliminary in vitro and animal investigations have given successful results, which are required to be validated further with systematic investigation on safety and therapeutic efficacy in animals followed by clinical trials.

The Influence of Betulin Derivatives EB5 and ECH147 on the Expression of Selected TGFβ Superfamily Genes, TGFβ1, GDF15 and BMP2, in Renal Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells

Betulin derivatives are proposed to serve as an alternative to the drugs already established in oncologic treatment. Drug-induced nephrotoxicity leading to acute kidney injury frequently accompanies cancer treatment, and thus there is a need to research the effects of betulin derivatives on renal cells. The objective of our study was to assess the influence of the betulin derivatives 28-propynylobetulin (EB5) and 29-diethoxyphosphoryl-28-propynylobetulin (ECH147) on the expression of TGFβ1, BMP2 and GDF15 in renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTECs) cultured in vitro. The changes in mRNA expression and copy numbers were assessed using real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the standard curve method, respectively. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to evaluate the effect of the betulin derivatives on the protein concentration in the culture media's supernatant. The assessment of the betulin derivatives' influence on gene expression demonstrated that the mRNA level and protein concentration did not always correlate with each other. Each of the tested compounds affected the mRNA expression. The RT-qPCR analyses showed that EB5 and ECH147 induced effects similar to those of betulin or cisplatin and resulted in a decrease in the mRNA copy number of all the analyzed genes. The ELISA demonstrated that EB5 and ECH147 elevated the protein concentration of TGFβ1 and GDF15, while the level of BMP2 decreased. The concentration of the derivatives used in the treatment was crucial, but the effects did not always exhibit a simple linear dose-dependent relationship. Betulin and its derivatives, EB5 and ECH147, influenced the gene expression of TGFβ1, BMP2 and GDF15 in the renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. The observed effects raise the question of whether treatment with these compounds could promote the development of renal fibrosis.

The Influence of Betulin and Its Derivatives EB5 and ECH147 on the Antioxidant Status of Human Renal Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells

Betulin and its derivatives, 28-propyne derivative EB5 and 29-diethyl phosphonate analog ECH147, are promising compounds in anti-tumor activity studies. However, their effect on kidney cells has not yet been studied. The study aimed to determine whether betulin and its derivatives—EB5 and ECH147—influence the viability and oxidative status of human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTECs). The total antioxidant capacity of cells (TEAC), lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPX) were evaluated. Additionally, the mRNA level of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes was assessed. Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil were used as reference substances. Betulin and its derivatives affected the viability and antioxidant systems of RPTECs. Betulin strongly reduced TEAC in a concentration-dependent manner. All tested compounds caused an increase in MDA levels. The activity of SOD, CAT, and GPX, and the mRNA profiles of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes depended on the tested compound and its concentration. Betulin showed an cisplatin-like effect, indicating its nephrotoxic potential. Betulin derivatives EB5 and ECH147 showed different impacts on the antioxidant system, which gives hope that these compounds will not cause severe consequences for the kidneys in vivo.

Paracrine activity of adipose derived stem cells on limbal epithelial stem cells

Limbal stem cells deficiency (LSCD) is an eye disease caused by the loss of stem cells in the corneal limbus as a succession of an injury due physical, biological, or chemical agents. Current therapies of LSCD are focused on the transplantation of donor corneas or tissue equivalents produced from autologous limbal stem cells. Every year there are waiting millions of patients for the cornea transplantation all over the world and the list is growing due to the relatively low number of cornea donors. On the other hand, the transplantation of tissue or cells into the recipient’s body is associated with the higher risk of possible side effects. The possibility of the application of an indirect treatment using the properties of the paracrine activity of stem cells, would be beneficial for the patients with transplant failures. This study was to evaluate the paracrine effect of mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue (ADSC) on the viability of limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC). The paracrine effect was assessed by treating LESC with conditioned medium collected from ADSC culture. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and proliferation were evaluated using in vitro assays in standard conditions and induced inflammation. After the exposure to the examined conditions, the expression of genes related to pro- and anti- inflammatory factors was evaluated and compared to the secretion of selected cytokines by ELISA test. Moreover, the changes in LESC phenotype were assessed using of phenotype microarrays. Our findings suggest that paracrine activity of ADSC on LESC promotes its proliferation and has a potential role in mitigation of the adverse impact of inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide.

Comprehensive molecular and clinical analysis of adalimumab and etanercept therapeutic potential in patients with psoriatic arthritis

Introduction

Adalimumab and etanercept are drugs used in anti-TNF therapy in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Despite the molecular targeting of these drugs, the loss of pharmacological response to treatment is observed in patients. The development of personalized medicine makes it possible to use not only clinical parameters of disease severity, but also molecular marker systems.

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in TNF-α, TNFR1, and TNFR2 expression in relation to parameters of disease severity (PASI, BSA, DAS28) in patients treated with adalimumab and etanercept. We have attempted to determine whether changes in the TNF-α, TNFR1, and TNFR2 expression profile may be a useful molecular marker of the therapeutic potential of anti-TNF drugs.

Material and methods

The study group consisted of 3 patients initially treated with adalimumab, followed by etanercept. The control group included 20 healthy volunteers. The expression profile of TNFR1 and TNFR2 was determined at the mRNA level, while TNF-α expression was evaluated at the transcriptome and proteome levels using the RT-qPCR method (transcriptional activity assay) and MALDI-TOF MS (protein level assessment).

Results

Depending on the drug, different expression profiles of the studied cytokines are observed.

Conclusions

The obtained data indicate that TNF-α, TNFR1, and TNFR2 may be useful markers of the efficacy of anti-TNF therapy, thus complementing clinical parameters.