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Aslam S, Zulfiqar F, Hameed W, Qureshi S, Zaroon, Bashir H. Fusion proteins development strategies and their role as cancer therapeutic agents. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2024; 71:81-95. [PMID: 37822167 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2523] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Cancer continues to be leading cause of morbidity and mortality despite decades of research and advancement in chemotherapy. Most tumors can be reduced via standard oncology treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical resection, and they frequently recur. Significant progress has been made since targeted cancer therapy inception in creation of medications that exhibit improved tumor-selective action. Particularly in preclinical and clinical investigations, fusion proteins have shown strong activity and improved treatment outcomes for a number of human cancers. Synergistically combining many proteins into one complex allows the creation of synthetic fusion proteins with enhanced characteristics or new capabilities. Signal transduction pathways are important for onset, development, and spread of cancer. As result, signaling molecules are desirable targets for cancer therapies, and significant effort has been made into developing fusion proteins that would act as inhibitors of these pathways. A wide range of biotechnological and medicinal applications are made possible by fusion of protein domains that improves bioactivities or creates new functional combinations. Such proteins may function as immune effectors cell recruiters to tumors or as decoy receptors for various ligands. In this review article, we have outlined the standard methods for creating fusion proteins and covered the applications of fusion proteins in treatment of cancer. This article also highlights the role of fusion proteins in targeting the signaling pathways involved in cancer for effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakira Aslam
- Center for Applied Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Warda Hameed
- King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shahnila Qureshi
- Center for Applied Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zaroon
- Center for Applied Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Hamid Bashir
- Center for Applied Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
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2
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Li Y, Xiao C, Pan Y, Qin L, Zheng L, Zhao M, Huang M. Optimization of Protein Folding for Improved Secretion of Human Serum Albumin Fusion Proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:18414-18423. [PMID: 37966975 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c05330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
The successful expression and secretion of recombinant proteins in cell factories significantly depend on the correct folding of nascent peptides, primarily achieved through disulfide bond formation. Thus, optimizing cellular protein folding is crucial, especially for proteins with complex spatial structures. In this study, protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) from various species were introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae to facilitate proper disulfide bond formation and enhance recombinant protein secretion. The impacts of these PDIs on recombinant protein production and yeast growth metabolism were evaluated by substituting the endogenous PDI1. Heterologous PDIs cannot fully compensate the endogenous PDI. Furthermore, protein folding mediators, PDI and ER oxidoreductase 1 (Ero1), from different species were used to increase the production of complex human serum albumin (HSA) fusion proteins. The validated folding mediators were then introduced into unfolded protein response (UPR)-optimized strains, resulting in a 7.8-fold increase in amylase-HSA and an 18.2-fold increase in albiglutide compared with the control strain. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing protein folding and expressing HSA-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanling Li
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
- Guangdong Food Green Processing and Nutrition Regulation Technologies Research Center, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Chufan Xiao
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
- Guangdong Food Green Processing and Nutrition Regulation Technologies Research Center, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Yuyang Pan
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
- Guangdong Food Green Processing and Nutrition Regulation Technologies Research Center, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Ling Qin
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
- Guangdong Food Green Processing and Nutrition Regulation Technologies Research Center, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Lin Zheng
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
- Guangdong Food Green Processing and Nutrition Regulation Technologies Research Center, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Mouming Zhao
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
- Guangdong Food Green Processing and Nutrition Regulation Technologies Research Center, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Mingtao Huang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
- Guangdong Food Green Processing and Nutrition Regulation Technologies Research Center, Guangzhou 510650, China
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Tîrziu A, Avram S, Madă L, Crișan-Vida M, Popovici C, Popovici D, Faur C, Duda-Seiman C, Păunescu V, Vernic C. Design of a Synthetic Long Peptide Vaccine Targeting HPV-16 and -18 Using Immunoinformatic Methods. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1798. [PMID: 37513985 PMCID: PMC10384861 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 cause the majority of cervical cancers worldwide. Despite the availability of three prophylactic vaccines based on virus-like particles (VLP) of the major capsid protein (L1), these vaccines are unable to clear an existing infection. Such infected persons experience an increased risk of neoplastic transformation. To overcome this problem, this study proposes an alternative synthetic long peptide (SLP)-based vaccine for persons already infected, including those with precancerous lesions. This new vaccine was designed to stimulate both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, providing a robust and long-lasting immune response. The SLP construct includes both HLA class I- and class II-restricted epitopes, identified from IEDB or predicted using NetMHCPan and NetMHCIIPan. None of the SLPs were allergenic nor toxic, based on in silico studies. Population coverage studies provided 98.18% coverage for class I epitopes and 99.81% coverage for class II peptides in the IEDB world population's allele set. Three-dimensional structure ab initio prediction using Rosetta provided good quality models, which were assessed using PROCHECK and QMEAN4. Molecular docking with toll-like receptor 2 identified potential intrinsic TLR2 agonist activity, while molecular dynamics studies of SLPs in water suggested good stability, with favorable thermodynamic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Tîrziu
- Department of Functional Sciences, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Speranța Avram
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Leonard Madă
- Syonic SRL, Grigore T Popa Street, No. 81, 300254 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Mihaela Crișan-Vida
- Department of Automation and Computers, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300006 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Casiana Popovici
- Section of Bioinformatics, Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Dan Popovici
- Department of Mathematics, University of the West Timişoara, Bd. Vasile Pârvan No. 4, 300223 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Cosmin Faur
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", Dropiei Street, No. 7, sc B, ap 8, 300661 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Corina Duda-Seiman
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, Biology, Geography, West University of Timisoara, 16 Pestalozzi, 300115 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Virgil Păunescu
- Department of Functional Sciences, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Gene and Cellular Therapies in the Treatment of Cancer Timisoara-OncoGen, Clinical Emergency County Hospital "Pius Brinzeu" Timisoara, No. 156 Liviu Rebreanu, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
- Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies Center, Department of Functional Sciences, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, No. 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Corina Vernic
- Department of Functional Sciences, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Discipline of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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Emerging Albumin-Binding Anticancer Drugs for Tumor-Targeted Drug Delivery: Current Understandings and Clinical Translation. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14040728. [PMID: 35456562 PMCID: PMC9028280 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Albumin has shown remarkable promise as a natural drug carrier by improving pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of anticancer drugs for tumor-targeted delivery. The exogenous or endogenous albumin enhances the circulatory half-lives of anticancer drugs and passively target the tumors by the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Thus, the albumin-based drug delivery leads to a potent antitumor efficacy in various preclinical models, and several candidates have been evaluated clinically. The most successful example is Abraxane, an exogenous human serum albumin (HSA)-bound paclitaxel formulation approved by the FDA and used to treat locally advanced or metastatic tumors. However, additional clinical translation of exogenous albumin formulations has not been approved to date because of their unexpectedly low delivery efficiency, which can increase the risk of systemic toxicity. To overcome these limitations, several prodrugs binding endogenous albumin covalently have been investigated owing to distinct advantages for a safe and more effective drug delivery. In this review, we give account of the different albumin-based drug delivery systems, from laboratory investigations to clinical applications, and their potential challenges, and the outlook for clinical translation is discussed. In addition, recent advances and progress of albumin-binding drugs to move more closely to the clinical settings are outlined.
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Gong W, Pan C, Cheng P, Wang J, Zhao G, Wu X. Peptide-Based Vaccines for Tuberculosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:830497. [PMID: 35173740 PMCID: PMC8841753 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.830497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the global TB mortality rate in 2020 is rising, making TB prevention and control more challenging. Vaccination has been considered the best approach to reduce the TB burden. Unfortunately, BCG, the only TB vaccine currently approved for use, offers some protection against childhood TB but is less effective in adults. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new TB vaccines that are more effective than BCG. Accumulating data indicated that peptides or epitopes play essential roles in bridging innate and adaptive immunity and triggering adaptive immunity. Furthermore, innovations in bioinformatics, immunoinformatics, synthetic technologies, new materials, and transgenic animal models have put wings on the research of peptide-based vaccines for TB. Hence, this review seeks to give an overview of current tools that can be used to design a peptide-based vaccine, the research status of peptide-based vaccines for TB, protein-based bacterial vaccine delivery systems, and animal models for the peptide-based vaccines. These explorations will provide approaches and strategies for developing safer and more effective peptide-based vaccines and contribute to achieving the WHO’s End TB Strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenping Gong
- Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory/Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Cheng
- Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory/Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory/Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Guangyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xueqiong Wu, ; Guangyu Zhao,
| | - Xueqiong Wu
- Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory/Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xueqiong Wu, ; Guangyu Zhao,
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Kato J. Natriuretic peptides and neprilysin inhibition in hypertension and hypertensive organ damage. Peptides 2020; 132:170352. [PMID: 32610060 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2020.170352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The family of natriuretic peptides (NPs) discovered in mammalian tissues including cardiac atrium and brain consists of three members, namely, atrial, B- and C-type natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP, CNP). Since the discovery, basic and clinical studies have been vigorously performed to explore the biological functions and pathophysiological roles of NPs in a wide range of diseases including hypertension and heart failure. These studies revealed that ANP and BNP are hormones secreted from the heart into the blood stream in response to pre- or after-load, counteracting blood pressure (BP) elevation and fluid retention through specific receptors. Meanwhile, CNP was found to be produced by the vascular endothelium, acting as a local mediator potentially serving protective functions for the blood vessels. Because NPs not only exert blood pressure lowering actions but also alleviate hypertensive organ damage, attempts have been made to develop therapeutic agents for hypertension by utilizing this family of NPs. One strategy is to inhibit neprilysin, an enzyme degrading NPs, thereby enhancing the actions of endogenous peptides. Recently, a dual inhibitor of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin was approved for heart failure, and neprilysin inhibition has also been shown to be beneficial in treating patients with hypertension. This review summarizes the roles of NPs in regulating BP, with special references to hypertension and hypertensive organ damage, and discusses the therapeutic implications of neprilysin inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johji Kato
- Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki Faculty of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Miyazaki Hospital, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan.
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Abstract
Investigations into the mixed muscle-secretory phenotype of cardiomyocytes from the atrial appendages of the heart led to the discovery that these cells produce, in a regulated manner, two polypeptide hormones - the natriuretic peptides - referred to as atrial natriuretic factor or atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain or B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), thereby demonstrating an endocrine function for the heart. Studies on the gene encoding ANP (NPPA) initiated the field of modern research into gene regulation in the cardiovascular system. Additionally, ANP and BNP were found to be the natural ligands for cell membrane-bound guanylyl cyclase receptors that mediate the effects of natriuretic peptides through the generation of intracellular cGMP, which interacts with specific enzymes and ion channels. Natriuretic peptides have many physiological actions and participate in numerous pathophysiological processes. Important clinical entities associated with natriuretic peptide research include heart failure, obesity and systemic hypertension. Plasma levels of natriuretic peptides have proven to be powerful diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of heart disease. Development of pharmacological agents that are based on natriuretic peptides is an area of active research, with vast potential benefits for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
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New pulmonary hypertension model in conscious dogs to investigate pulmonary-selectivity of acute pharmacological interventions. Eur J Appl Physiol 2017; 118:195-203. [PMID: 29159668 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-017-3761-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Testing of investigational drugs in animal models is a critical step in drug development. Current models of pulmonary hypertension (PH) have limitations. The most relevant outcome parameters such as pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) are measured invasively which requires anesthesia of the animal. We developed a new canine PH model in which pulmonary vasodilators can be characterized in conscious dogs and lung selectivity can be assessed non-invasively. METHODS Telemetry devices were implanted to measure relevant hemodynamic parameters in conscious dogs. A hypoxic chamber was constructed in which the animals were placed in a conscious state. By reducing the inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) to 10%, a hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction was induced leading to PH. The PDE-5 inhibitor sildenafil, the current standard of care was compared to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). RESULTS The new hypoxic chamber provided a stable hypoxic atmosphere during all experiments. The mean PAP under normoxic conditions was 15.8 ± 1.8 mmHg. Hypoxia caused a reliable increase in mean PAP (+ 12.2 ± 3.2 mmHg, p < 0.0001). Both, sildenafil (- 6.8 ± 4.4 mmHg) and ANP (- 6.4 ± 3.8 mmHg) significantly (p < 0.05) decreased PAP. Furthermore sildenafil and ANP showed similar effects on systemic hemodynamics. In subsequent studies, the in vitro effects and gene expression pattern of the two pathways were exemplified. CONCLUSIONS By combining the hypoxic environment with the telemetric approach, we could successfully establish a new acute PH model. Sildenafil and ANP demonstrated equal effects regarding pulmonary selectivity. This non-invasive model could help to rapidly screen pulmonary vasodilators with decreased animal burden.
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Kirubakaran P, Pfeiferová L, Boušová K, Bednarova L, Obšilová V, Vondrášek J. Artificial proteins as allosteric modulators of PDZ3 and SH3 in two-domain constructs: A computational characterization of novel chimeric proteins. Proteins 2016; 84:1358-74. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.25082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Palani Kirubakaran
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry ASCR; v.v.i, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10 Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Pfeiferová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry ASCR; v.v.i, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10 Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Boušová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry ASCR; v.v.i, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10 Czech Republic
- Institute of Physiology ASCR; v.v.i, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4 Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Bednarova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry ASCR; v.v.i, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10 Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Obšilová
- Institute of Physiology ASCR; v.v.i, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4 Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Vondrášek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry ASCR; v.v.i, Flemingovo náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10 Czech Republic
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Expression and bioactivity of recombinant human serum albumin and dTMP fusion proteins in CHO cells. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:7565-75. [PMID: 27115755 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7447-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The 14-amino acid (IEGPTLRQWLAARA) thrombopoietin mimetic peptide (TMP) shares no sequence homology with native thrombopoietin (TPO). When dimerized, it displays a high-binding affinity for the TPO receptor and has equipotent bioactivity with recombinant human TPO (rhTPO) in stimulating proliferation and maturation of megakaryocytes in vitro. However, TMP is limited for clinical usage because of its short half-life in vivo. In this study, fusion proteins that composed of tandem dimer of TMP (dTMP) genetically fused at the C- or N-terminus of human serum albumin (HSA) were separately expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. In vitro bioactivity assays showed that purified fusion proteins promoted the proliferation of megakaryocytes in a dose-dependent manner and activated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway in TPO receptor-dependent manner. Following subcutaneous administration, both HSA-dTMP and dTMP-HSA significantly elevated peripheral platelet counts in normal mice in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, fusion with HSA successfully prolonged dTMP half-life in mice. However, when HSA was fused at the C-terminus of dTMP, the bioactivity of dTMP-HSA was about half of that of HSA-dTMP. In conclusion, these results suggested that HSA/dTMP fusion proteins might be potential drugs for thrombocytopenia and, when HSA was fused at the N-terminus of dTMP, the fusion protein had a higher activity.
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de Bold AJ. Guanylyl Cyclase-A Receptor Activation With Natriuretic Propeptides. JACC-HEART FAILURE 2015; 3:724. [PMID: 26362448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2015.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo J de Bold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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12
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Ng TMH. Natriuretic Peptides as Therapy for Heart Failure--Unfulfilled Promise? J Card Fail 2015; 21:865-7. [PMID: 26348664 DOI: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2015.08.338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Revised: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tien M H Ng
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
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Ramos HR, Birkenfeld AL, de Bold AJ. INTERACTING DISCIPLINES: Cardiac natriuretic peptides and obesity: perspectives from an endocrinologist and a cardiologist. Endocr Connect 2015; 4:R25-36. [PMID: 26115665 PMCID: PMC4485177 DOI: 10.1530/ec-15-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Since their discovery in 1981, the cardiac natriuretic peptides (cNP) atrial natriuretic peptide (also referred to as atrial natriuretic factor) and brain natriuretic peptide have been well characterised in terms of their renal and cardiovascular actions. In addition, it has been shown that cNP plasma levels are strong predictors of cardiovascular events and mortality in populations with no apparent heart disease as well as in patients with established cardiac pathology. cNP secretion from the heart is increased by humoral and mechanical stimuli. The clinical significance of cNP plasma levels has been shown to differ in obese and non-obese subjects. Recent lines of evidence suggest important metabolic effects of the cNP system, which has been shown to activate lipolysis, enhance lipid oxidation and mitochondrial respiration. Clinically, these properties lead to browning of white adipose tissue and to increased muscular oxidative capacity. In human association studies in patients without heart disease higher cNP concentrations were observed in lean, insulin-sensitive subjects. Highly elevated cNP levels are generally observed in patients with systolic heart failure or high blood pressure, while obese and type-2 diabetics display reduced cNP levels. Together, these observations suggest that the cNP system plays a role in the pathophysiology of metabolic vascular disease. Understanding this role should help define novel principles in the treatment of cardiometabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo R Ramos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital de Urgencias, National University of Córdoba, Córdoba, X5000,
Argentina
- Correspondence should be addressed to H R Ramos or A L Birkenfeld or
| | - Andreas L Birkenfeld
- Section of Metabolic Vascular Medicine, Medical Clinic III and Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID), Dresden University School of Medicine, 01307 DresdenGermany
- Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, Rayne Institute, London, SE5 9NU, UK
- Correspondence should be addressed to H R Ramos or A L Birkenfeld or
| | - Adolfo J de Bold
- Cardiovascular Endocrinology Laboratory, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Liu C, Chin JX, Lee DY. SynLinker: an integrated system for designing linkers and synthetic fusion proteins: Fig. 1. Bioinformatics 2015; 31:3700-2. [DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btv447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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15
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Ji XX, Song XL, Qian W, Yu XL, Zhu JY. Effects and mechanism of action of ligustrazine on isoprenaline-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Cell Biochem Biophys 2015; 70:1513-8. [PMID: 25027096 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-014-0086-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study is to explore the effects and mechanism of the action of ligustrazine on isoprenaline-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Primary culture of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes was used as the model, and isoprenaline was used to induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Effects of different dosages of ligustrazine polysaccharide on the cardiomyocyte were observed. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of atrial natriuretic factor (ANP) mRNA, and Western blot analysis was used to detect the CaN protein level in cardiomyocytes. After treating with ligustrazine, the significant increase of MDA content and decrease of SOD activity were inhibited in supernatant. Compared to the control group, ANP mRNA in isoprenaline-treated cardiomyocytes was significantly increased (P < 0.05); compared to the isoprenaline group, ANP mRNA was significantly decreased in all ligustrazine groups (P < 0.01). In all ligustrazine groups, the CaN expression was inhibited in isoprenaline-treated cardiomyocytes in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, ligustrazine has protective effects on isoprenaline-induced neonatal rat cardiomyocyte, which may be related to the decrease of CaN expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Xiu Ji
- Second Department of Geriatric Division, General Hospital of Jinan Military Region, Jinan, 250031, China
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Song W, Wang H, Wu Q. Atrial natriuretic peptide in cardiovascular biology and disease (NPPA). Gene 2015; 569:1-6. [PMID: 26074089 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a cardiac hormone that regulates salt-water balance and blood pressure by promoting renal sodium and water excretion and stimulating vasodilation. ANP also has an anti-hypertrophic function in the heart, which is independent of its systemic blood pressure-lowering effect. In mice, ANP deficiency causes salt-sensitive hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. Recent studies have shown that ANP plays an important role in regulating vascular remodeling and energy metabolism. Variants in the human NPPA gene, encoding the ANP precursor, are associated with hypertension, stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure (HF) and obesity. ANP and related peptides are used as biomarkers for heart disease. Recombinant proteins and small molecules that enhance the ANP pathway have been developed to treat patients with HF. In this review, we discuss the role of ANP in cardiovascular biology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Song
- Departments of Molecular Cardiology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Departments of Molecular Cardiology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44155, USA
| | - Qingyu Wu
- Departments of Molecular Cardiology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44155, USA; Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
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Li F, Meng F, Jin Q, Sun C, Li Y, Li H, Jin S. Fusion protein of single-chain variable domain fragments for treatment of myasthenia gravis. Neural Regen Res 2014; 9:851-6. [PMID: 25206900 PMCID: PMC4146252 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.131611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-chain variable domain fragment (scFv) 637 is an antigen-specific scFv of myasthenia gravis. In this study, scFv and human serum albumin genes were conjugated and the fusion protein was expressed in Pichia pastoris. The affinity of scFv-human serum albumin fusion protein to bind to acetylcholine receptor at the neuromuscular junction of human intercostal muscles was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The ability of the fusion protein to block myasthenia gravis patient sera binding to acetylcholine receptors and its stability in healthy serum were measured by competitive ELISA. The results showed that the inhibition rate was 2.0-77.4%, and the stability of fusion protein in static healthy sera was about 3 days. This approach suggests the scFv-human serum albumin is a potential candidate for specific immunosuppressive therapy of myasthenia gravis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Li
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province, China
| | - Fanping Meng
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province, China
| | - Quanxin Jin
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province, China
| | - Changyuan Sun
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yingxin Li
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province, China
| | - Honghua Li
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province, China
| | - Songzhu Jin
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province, China
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18
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Abstract
Almost 20 years ago, the protein encoded by the ob locus in mice was identified as an adipocyte-secreted hormone, now termed leptin, which functions as a peripheral signal to communicate the organism's energy reserve--and thereby protects against starvation due to insufficient caloric resources. Additional peripheral factors have since been identified that coordinate interorgan crosstalk to manage energy resources. The heart is included in this network through its regulated release of natriuretic peptides A and B--cardiac hormones originally identified as important in blood pressure control. Emerging evidence that natriuretic peptide receptors are expressed in adipose tissue, and that circulating levels of these peptides are decreased in animals and humans with obesity, could imply that natriuretic peptides are also involved in the regulation of energy metabolism. The natriuretic peptides stimulate triglyceride lipolysis in adipocytes, a process also regulated by the sympathetic nervous system. In addition, these two pathways promote uncoupling of mitochondrial respiration and thermogenesis in brown adipocytes. This Review focuses on the roles of the natriuretic peptides and the sympathetic nervous system in regulating adipocyte metabolism. The potential for manipulating the natriuretic peptide pathway to increase energy expenditure in obesity and manage the complications of cardiometabolic disease is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Collins
- Diabetes and Obesity Research Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 6400 Sanger Road, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
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19
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Development of a neuromedin U-human serum albumin conjugate as a long-acting candidate for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. Comparison with the PEGylated peptide. J Pept Sci 2013; 20:7-19. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.2582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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20
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Chen X, Zaro JL, Shen WC. Fusion protein linkers: property, design and functionality. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2013; 65:1357-69. [PMID: 23026637 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2012.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1149] [Impact Index Per Article: 104.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Revised: 09/05/2012] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
As an indispensable component of recombinant fusion proteins, linkers have shown increasing importance in the construction of stable, bioactive fusion proteins. This review covers the current knowledge of fusion protein linkers and summarizes examples for their design and application. The general properties of linkers derived from naturally-occurring multi-domain proteins can be considered as the foundation in linker design. Empirical linkers designed by researchers are generally classified into 3 categories according to their structures: flexible linkers, rigid linkers, and in vivo cleavable linkers. Besides the basic role in linking the functional domains together (as in flexible and rigid linkers) or releasing the free functional domain in vivo (as in in vivo cleavable linkers), linkers may offer many other advantages for the production of fusion proteins, such as improving biological activity, increasing expression yield, and achieving desirable pharmacokinetic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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21
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Sleep D, Cameron J, Evans LR. Albumin as a versatile platform for drug half-life extension. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2013; 1830:5526-34. [PMID: 23639804 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Albumin is the most abundant plasma protein, is highly soluble, very stable and has an extraordinarily long circulatory half-life as a direct result of its size and interaction with the FcRn mediated recycling pathway. In contrast, many therapeutic molecules are smaller than the renal filtration threshold and are rapidly lost from the circulation thereby limiting their therapeutic potential. Albumin can be used in a variety of ways to increase the circulatory half-life of such molecules. SCOPE OF REVIEW This article will review the mechanisms which underpin albumin's extraordinarily long circulatory half-life and how the understanding of these processes are currently being employed to extend the circulatory half-life of drugs which can be engineered to bind to albumin, or are conjugated to, or genetically fused to, albumin. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The recent and growing understanding of the pivotal role of FcRn in maintaining the extended circulatory half-life of albumin will necessitate a greater and more thorough investigation of suitable pre-clinical model systems for assessing the pharmacokinetic profiles of drugs associated, conjugated or fused to albumin. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Association, conjugation or fusion of therapeutic drugs to albumin is a well-accepted and established half-life extension technology. The manipulation of the albumin-FcRn interaction will facilitate the modulation of the circulatory half-life of albumin-enabled drugs, leading to superior pharmacokinetics tailored to the disease state and increased patient compliance. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Serum Albumin.
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Lei J, Guan B, Li B, Duan Z, Chen Y, Li H, Jin J. Expression, purification and characterization of recombinant human interleukin-2-serum albumin (rhIL-2-HSA) fusion protein in Pichia pastoris. Protein Expr Purif 2012; 84:154-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2012.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2012] [Revised: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 05/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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