1
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Sis MJ, Liu D, Allen I, Webber MJ. Iterative Design Reveals Molecular Domain Relationships in Supramolecular Peptide-Drug Conjugates. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:4482-4491. [PMID: 38870408 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Supramolecular peptide-drug conjugates (sPDCs) are prepared by covalent attachment of a drug moiety to a peptide motif programmed for one-dimensional self-assembly, with subsequent physical entanglement of these fibrillar structures enabling formation of nanofibrous hydrogels. This class of prodrug materials presents an attractive platform for mass-efficient and site-specific delivery of therapeutic agents using a discrete, single-component molecular design. However, a continued challenge in sPDC development is elucidating relationships between supramolecular interactions in their drug and peptide domains and the resultant impacts of these domains on assembly outcomes and material properties. Inclusion of a saturated alkyl segment alongside the prodrug in the hydrophobic domain of sPDCs could relieve some of the necessity for ordered, prodrug-produg interactions. Accordingly, nine sPDCs are prepared here to iterate the design variables of amino acid sequence and hydrophobic prodrug-alkyl block design. All molecules spontaneously formed hydrogels under physiological conditions, indicating a less hindered thermodynamic path to self-assembly relative to previous prodrug-only designs. However, material studies on the supramolecular arrangement, formation, and mechanical properties of the resultant sPDC hydrogels as well as their drug release profiles showed complex relationships between the hydrophobic and peptide domains in the formation and function of the resulting assemblies. Together, these results indicate that sPDC material properties are intrinsically linked to holistic molecular design with coupled contributions from their prodrug and peptide domains in directing properties of the emergent materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Sis
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Dongping Liu
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Isabella Allen
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Matthew J Webber
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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2
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Zhao J, Li X, Ma T, Chang B, Zhang B, Fang J. Glutathione-triggered prodrugs: Design strategies, potential applications, and perspectives. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:1013-1054. [PMID: 38140851 DOI: 10.1002/med.22007] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The burgeoning prodrug strategy offers a promising avenue toward improving the efficacy and specificity of cytotoxic drugs. Elevated intracellular levels of glutathione (GSH) have been regarded as a hallmark of tumor cells and characteristic feature of the tumor microenvironment. Considering the pivotal involvement of elevated GSH in the tumorigenic process, a diverse repertoire of GSH-triggered prodrugs has been developed for cancer therapy, facilitating the attenuation of deleterious side effects associated with conventional chemotherapeutic agents and/or the attainment of more efficacious therapeutic outcomes. These prodrug formulations encompass a spectrum of architectures, spanning from small molecules to polymer-based and organic-inorganic nanomaterial constructs. Although the GSH-triggered prodrugs have been gaining increasing interests, a comprehensive review of the advancements made in the field is still lacking. To fill the existing lacuna, this review undertakes a retrospective analysis of noteworthy research endeavors, based on a categorization of these molecules by their diverse recognition units (i.e., disulfides, diselenides, Michael acceptors, and sulfonamides/sulfonates). This review also focuses on explaining the distinct benefits of employing various chemical architecture strategies in the design of these prodrug agents. Furthermore, we highlight the potential for synergistic functionality by incorporating multiple-targeting conjugates, theranostic entities, and combinational treatment modalities, all of which rely on the GSH-triggering. Overall, an extensive overview of the emerging field is presented in this review, highlighting the obstacles and opportunities that lie ahead. Our overarching goal is to furnish methodological guidance for the development of more efficacious GSH-triggered prodrugs in the future. By assessing the pros and cons of current GSH-triggered prodrugs, we expect that this review will be a handful reference for prodrug design, and would provide a guidance for improving the properties of prodrugs and discovering novel trigger scaffolds for constructing GSH-triggered prodrugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jintao Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xinming Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Bingbing Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Baoxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Jianguo Fang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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3
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Chen H, Xing C, Lei H, Yan B, Zhang H, Tong T, Guan Y, Kang Y, Pang J. ROS-driven supramolecular nanoparticles exhibiting efficient drug delivery for chemo/Chemodynamic combination therapy for Cancer treatment. J Control Release 2024; 368:637-649. [PMID: 38484895 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Drug-based supramolecular self-assembling delivery systems have enhanced the bioavailability of chemotherapeutic drugs and reduced systemic side effects; however, improving the delivery efficiency and responsive release ability of these systems remains challenging. This study focuses primarily on the utilization of per-6-thio-β-cyclodextrin (CD) to link a significant quantity of paclitaxel (PTX) via ROS-sensitive thioketal (TK) linkages (designated as CDTP), thereby allowing efficiently drug release when exposed to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the tumor microenvironment. To construct these supramolecular nanoparticles (NPs) with CDTP, we introduced PEGylated ferrocene (Fc) through host-guest interactions. The intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is converted into hydroxyl radicals (•OH) through the Fc-catalyzed Fenton reaction. Additionally, the generated Fc+ consumes the antioxidant glutathione (GSH). In both in vivo and in vitro experiments, CDTP@Fc-PEG NPs were absorbed effectively by tumor cells, which increased levels of ROS and decreased levels of GSH, disrupting the redox balance of cancer cells and increasing their sensitivity to chemotherapy. Furthermore, CDTP@Fc-PEG NPs exhibited high tumor accumulation and cytotoxicity without causing significant toxicity to healthy organs. Collectively, our results suggest CDTP@Fc-PEG NPs as a promising supramolecular nano-delivery platform for high drug-loading of PTX and synergistic chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huikun Chen
- Department of Urology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Chengyuan Xing
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Hanqi Lei
- Department of Urology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Binyuan Yan
- Department of Urology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Tongyu Tong
- Department of Urology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yupeng Guan
- Department of Urology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yang Kang
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
| | - Jun Pang
- Department of Urology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
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4
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Geng H, Chen M, Guo C, Wang W, Chen D. Marine polysaccharides: Biological activities and applications in drug delivery systems. Carbohydr Res 2024; 538:109071. [PMID: 38471432 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2024.109071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The ocean is the common home of a large number of marine organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. Researchers can extract thousands of important bioactive components from the oceans and use them extensively to treat and prevent diseases. In contrast, marine polysaccharide macromolecules such as alginate, carrageenan, Laminarin, fucoidan, chitosan, and hyaluronic acid have excellent physicochemical properties, good biocompatibility, and high bioactivity, which ensures their wide applications and strong therapeutic potentials in drug delivery. Drug delivery systems (DDS) based on marine polysaccharides and modified marine polysaccharide molecules have emerged as an innovative technology for controlling drug distribution on temporal, spatial, and dosage scales. They can detect and respond to external stimuli such as pH, temperature, and electric fields. These properties have led to their wide application in the design of novel drug delivery systems such as hydrogels, polymeric micelles, liposomes, microneedles, microspheres, etc. In addition, marine polysaccharide-based DDS not only have smart response properties but also can combine with the unique biological properties of the marine polysaccharide base to exert synergistic therapeutic effects. The biological activities of marine polysaccharides and the design of marine polysaccharide-based DDS are reviewed. Marine polysaccharide-based responsive DDS are expected to provide new strategies and solutions for disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxu Geng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, PR China.
| | - Meijun Chen
- Yantai Muping District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.505, Government Street, Muping District, Yantai, 264110, PR China.
| | - Chunjing Guo
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, 5# Yushan 10 Road, Qingdao, 266003, PR China.
| | - Wenxin Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, PR China.
| | - Daquan Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, PR China.
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Wang H, Mills J, Sun B, Cui H. Therapeutic Supramolecular Polymers: Designs and Applications. Prog Polym Sci 2024; 148:101769. [PMID: 38188703 PMCID: PMC10769153 DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2023.101769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The self-assembly of low-molecular-weight building motifs into supramolecular polymers has unlocked a new realm of materials with distinct properties and tremendous potential for advancing medical practices. Leveraging the reversible and dynamic nature of non-covalent interactions, these supramolecular polymers exhibit inherent responsiveness to their microenvironment, physiological cues, and biomolecular signals, making them uniquely suited for diverse biomedical applications. In this review, we intend to explore the principles of design, synthesis methodologies, and strategic developments that underlie the creation of supramolecular polymers as carriers for therapeutics, contributing to the treatment and prevention of a spectrum of human diseases. We delve into the principles underlying monomer design, emphasizing the pivotal role of non-covalent interactions, directionality, and reversibility. Moreover, we explore the intricate balance between thermodynamics and kinetics in supramolecular polymerization, illuminating strategies for achieving controlled sizes and distributions. Categorically, we examine their exciting biomedical applications: individual polymers as discrete carriers for therapeutics, delving into their interactions with cells, and in vivo dynamics; and supramolecular polymeric hydrogels as injectable depots, with a focus on their roles in cancer immunotherapy, sustained drug release, and regenerative medicine. As the field continues to burgeon, harnessing the unique attributes of therapeutic supramolecular polymers holds the promise of transformative impacts across the biomedical landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Jason Mills
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Boran Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Nanomedicine, The Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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6
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Lu P, Leslie F, Wang H, Sodhi A, Choi CY, Pekosz A, Cui H, Jia H. Discovery, validation, and prodrug design of an ACE2 activator for treating bacterial infection-induced lung inflammation. J Control Release 2023; 364:1-11. [PMID: 37858626 PMCID: PMC10872764 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Exacerbated inflammatory responses can be detrimental and pose fatal threats to the host, as exemplified by the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in millions of fatalities. Developing novel drugs to combat the damaging effects of inflammation is essential for both preventive measures and therapeutic interventions. Accumulating evidence suggests that Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) possesses the ability to optimize inflammatory responses. However, the clinical applicability of this potential is limited due to the lack of dependable ACE2 activators. In this study, we conducted a screening of an FDA-approved drug library and successfully identified a novel ACE2 activator, termed H4. The activator demonstrated the capability to mitigate lung inflammation caused by bacterial lung infections, effectively modulating neutrophil infiltration. Importantly, to improve the clinical applicability of the poorly water-soluble H4, we developed a prodrug variant with significantly enhanced water solubility while maintaining a similar level of efficacy as H4 in attenuating inflammatory responses in the lungs of mice exposed to bacterial infections. This finding highlights the potential of formulated H4 as a promising candidate for the treatment and prevention of inflammatory diseases, including lung-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lu
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Faith Leslie
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Anjali Sodhi
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chang-Yong Choi
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Hongpeng Jia
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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7
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Wu S, Yan M, Liang M, Yang W, Chen J, Zhou J. Supramolecular host-guest nanosystems for overcoming cancer drug resistance. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2023; 6:805-827. [PMID: 38263983 PMCID: PMC10804391 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Cancer drug resistance has become one of the main challenges for the failure of chemotherapy, greatly limiting the selection and use of anticancer drugs and dashing the hopes of cancer patients. The emergence of supramolecular host-guest nanosystems has brought the field of supramolecular chemistry into the nanoworld, providing a potential solution to this challenge. Compared with conventional chemotherapeutic platforms, supramolecular host-guest nanosystems can reverse cancer drug resistance by increasing drug uptake, reducing drug efflux, activating drugs, and inhibiting DNA repair. Herein, we summarize the research progress of supramolecular host-guest nanosystems for overcoming cancer drug resistance and discuss the future research direction in this field. It is hoped that this review will provide more positive references for overcoming cancer drug resistance and promoting the development of supramolecular host-guest nanosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Wu
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, Liaoning, China
| | - Miaomiao Yan
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, Liaoning, China
| | - Minghao Liang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, Liaoning, China
| | - Wenzhi Yang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, Liaoning, China
| | - Jingyu Chen
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, Liaoning, China
| | - Jiong Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, Liaoning, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
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8
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Wang H, Su H, Xu T, Cui H. Utilizing the Hofmeister Effect to Induce Hydrogelation of Nonionic Supramolecular Polymers into a Therapeutic Depot. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202306652. [PMID: 37669026 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202306652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Nonionic hydrogels are of particular interest for long-term therapeutic implantation due to their minimal immunogenicity relative to their charged counterparts. However, in situ formation of nonionic supramolecular hydrogels under physiological conditions has been a challenging task. In this context, we report on our discovery of salt-triggered hydrogelation of nonionic supramolecular polymers (SPs) formed by self-assembling prodrug hydrogelators (SAPHs) through the Hofmeister effect. The designed SAPHs consist of two SN-38 units, which is an active metabolite of the anticancer drug irinotecan, and a short peptide grafted with two or four oligoethylene glycol (OEG) segments. Upon self-assembly in water, the resultant nonionic SPs can be triggered to gel upon addition of phosphate salts. Our 1 H NMR studies revealed that the added phosphates led to a change in the chemical shift of the methylene protons, suggestive of a disruption of the water-ether hydrogen bonds and consequent reorganization of the hydration shell surrounding the SPs. This deshielding effect, commensurate with the amount of salt added, likely promoted associative interactions among the SAPH filaments to percolate into a 3D network. The formed hydrogels exhibited a sustained release profile of SN-38 hydrogelator that acted potently against cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Hao Su
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Tian Xu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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9
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Wang H, Monroe MK, Wang F, Sun M, Flexner C, Cui H. Constructing Antiretroviral Supramolecular Polymers as Long-Acting Injectables through Rational Design of Drug Amphiphiles with Alternating Antiretroviral-Based and Hydrophobic Residues. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:21293-21302. [PMID: 37747991 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c05645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
One of the main challenges in the development of long-acting injectables for HIV treatment is the limited duration of drug release, which results in the need for frequent dosing and reduced patient adherence. In this context, we leverage the intrinsic reversible features of supramolecular polymers and their unique ability to form a three-dimensional network under physiological conditions to design a class of self-assembling drug amphiphiles (DAs) based upon lamivudine, a water-soluble antiretroviral (ARV) agent and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. The designed ARV DAs contain three pairs of alternating hydrophobic valine (V) and hydrophilic lamivudine-modified lysine (K3TC) residues with a varying number of glutamic acids (E) placed on the C-terminus. Upon dissolution in deionized water, all three ARV DAs were found to spontaneously associate into supramolecular filaments of several micrometers in length, with varying levels of lateral stacking. Addition of 1× PBS triggered immediate gelation of the two ARV DAs with 2 or 3 E residues, and upon dilution in an in vitro setting, the dissociation from the supramolecular state to the monomeric state enabled a long-acting linear release of the ARV DAs. In vivo studies further confirmed their injectability, rapid in situ hydrogel formation, enhanced local retention, and long-acting therapeutic release over a month. Importantly, our pharmacokinetic studies suggest that the injected ARV supramolecular polymeric hydrogel was able to maintain a plasma concentration of lamivudine above its IC50 value for more than 40 days in mice and showed minimal systemic immunogenicity. We believe that these results shed important light on the rational design of long-acting injectables using the drug-based molecular assembly strategy, and the reported ARV supramolecular hydrogels hold great promise for improving HIV treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Maya K Monroe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Feihu Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Mingjiao Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Charles Flexner
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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10
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Zhang R, Zhao X, Jia A, Wang C, Jiang H. Hyaluronic acid-based prodrug nanomedicines for enhanced tumor targeting and therapy: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 249:125993. [PMID: 37506794 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) represents a natural polysaccharide which has attracted significant attention owing to its improved tumor targeting capacity, enzyme degradation capacity, and excellent biocompatibility. Its receptors, such as CD44, are overexpressed in diverse cancer cells and are closely related with tumor progress and metastasis. Accordingly, numerous researchers have designed various kinds of HA-based drug delivery platforms for CD44-mediated tumor targeting. Specifically, the HA-based nanoprodrugs possess distinct advantages such as good bioavailability, long circulation time, and controlled drug release and retention ability and have been extensively studied during the past years. In this review, the potential strategies and applications of HA-modified nanoprodrugs for drug molecule delivery in anti-tumor therapy are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renshuai Zhang
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Xiaohua Zhao
- Department of Thoracic surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, No.2428, Yuhe road, Kuiwen district, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Ang Jia
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China.
| | - Hongfei Jiang
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China.
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11
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Yan Z, Liu Y, Zhao L, Hu J, Du Y, Peng X, Liu Z. In situ stimulus-responsive self-assembled nanomaterials for drug delivery and disease treatment. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:3197-3217. [PMID: 37376926 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00592e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The individual motifs that respond to specific stimuli for the self-assembly of nanomaterials play important roles. In situ constructed nanomaterials are formed spontaneously without human intervention and have promising applications in bioscience. However, due to the complex physiological environment of the human body, designing stimulus-responsive self-assembled nanomaterials in vivo is a challenging problem for researchers. In this article, we discuss the self-assembly principles of various nanomaterials in response to the tissue microenvironment, cell membrane, and intracellular stimuli. We propose the applications and advantages of in situ self-assembly in drug delivery and disease diagnosis and treatment, with a focus on in situ self-assembly at the lesion site, especially in cancer. Additionally, we introduce the significance of introducing exogenous stimulation to construct self-assembly in vivo. Based on this foundation, we put forward the prospects and possible challenges in the field of in situ self-assembly. This review uncovers the relationship between the structure and properties of in situ self-assembled nanomaterials and provides new ideas for innovative drug molecular design and development to solve the problems in the targeted delivery and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziling Yan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Yanfei Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Licheng Zhao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Jiaxin Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, P. R. China.
| | - Yimin Du
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, P. R. China.
| | - Xingxing Peng
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, P. R. China.
| | - Zhenbao Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, P. R. China.
- Molecular Imaging Research Center of Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, P. R. China
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Yang SB, Lee DN, Lee JH, Seo M, Shin DW, Lee S, Lee YH, Park J. Design and Evaluation of a Carrier-Free Prodrug-Based Palmitic-DEVD-Doxorubicin Conjugate for Targeted Cancer Therapy. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:333-344. [PMID: 36735902 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In the development of new drugs, typical polymer- or macromolecule-based nanocarriers suffer from manufacturing process complexity, unwanted systematic toxicity, and low loading capacity. However, carrier-free nanomedicines have made outstanding progress in drug delivery and pharmacokinetics, demonstrating most of the advantages associated with nanoparticles when applied in targeted anticancer therapy. Here, to overcome the problems of nanocarriers and conventional cytotoxic drugs, we developed a novel, carrier-free, self-assembled prodrug consisting of a hydrophobic palmitic (16-carbon chain n-hexadecane chain) moiety and hydrophilic group (or moiety) which is included in a caspase-3-specific cleavable peptide (Asp-Glu-Val-Asp, DEVD) and a cytotoxic drug (doxorubicin, DOX). The amphiphilic conjugate, the palmitic-DEVD-DOX, has the ability to self-assemble into nanoparticles in saline without the need for any carriers or nanoformulations. Additionally, the inclusion of doxorubicin is in its prodrug form and the apoptosis-specific DEVD peptide lead to the reduced side effects of doxorubicin in normal tissue. Furthermore, the carrier-free palmitic-DEVD-DOX nanoparticles could passively accumulate in the tumor tissues of tumor-bearing mice due to an enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect. As a result, the palmitic-DEVD-DOX conjugate showed an enhanced therapeutic effect compared with the unmodified DEVD-DOX conjugate. Therefore, this carrier-free palmitic-DEVD-DOX prodrug has great therapeutic potential to treat solid tumors, overcoming the problems of conventional chemotherapy and nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Bin Yang
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Nyeong Lee
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Hyuck Lee
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Minho Seo
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Shin
- College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokwoo Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ho Lee
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea.,Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea.,Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jooho Park
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
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Wang Z, Yang C, Zhang H, Gao Y, Xiao M, Wang Z, Yang L, Zhang J, Ren C, Liu J. In Situ Transformable Supramolecular Nanomedicine Targeted Activating Hippo Pathway for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Growth and Metastasis Inhibition. ACS NANO 2022; 16:14644-14657. [PMID: 36048539 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c05263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As it is closely associated with tumor proliferation, metastasis, and the immunosuppressive microenvironment, the dysfunctional Hippo pathway has become an extremely attractive target for treating multiple cancers. However, to date, the corresponding chemotherapeutic nanomedicines have not been developed. Herein, a supramolecular self-delivery nanomedicine with in situ transforming capacity was tailor-constructed for Hippo-pathway restoration, and its inhibitory effect against tumor growth and metastasis was investigated in a highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) model. Stimulated by overexpressed glutathione (GSH) and esterase in cancer cells, the self-assembled nanomedicine transformed from inactive nanospheres to active nanofibers conjugating tyrosvaline and spatiotemporally synchronously released the covalently linked flufenamic acid in situ, together activating the maladjusted Hippo pathway by simultaneously acting on different targets upstream and downstream. The transcriptional expression of Yes-associated protein (YAP) and related growth-promoted genes were significantly reduced, finally significantly repressing the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells. Additionally, the Hippo-pathway restoration showed an excellent radiosensitization effect, making the targeted therapy combined with radiotherapy display a prominent synergistic in vivo anticancer effect against TNBC. This work reports a specifically designed smart nanomedicine to restore the function of the Hippo pathway and sensitize radiotherapy, providing an attractive paradigm for targeted drug delivery and cancer combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmacokinetics for Innovative Drugs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuihong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmacokinetics for Innovative Drugs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Laboratory of Functional and Biomedical Nanomaterials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmacokinetics for Innovative Drugs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmacokinetics for Innovative Drugs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmacokinetics for Innovative Drugs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmacokinetics for Innovative Drugs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiamin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmacokinetics for Innovative Drugs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhua Ren
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmacokinetics for Innovative Drugs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmacokinetics for Innovative Drugs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, People's Republic of China
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