Immunological studies with synthetic polypeptides

Biodegradable Polysarcosine with Inserted Alanine Residues: Synthesis and Enzymolysis

Polysarcosine (PSar), a water-soluble polypeptoid, is gifted with biodegradability via the random ring-opening copolymerization of sarcosine- and alanine-N-thiocarboxyanhydrides catalyzed by acetic acid in controlled manners. Kinetic investigation reveals the copolymerization behavior of the two monomers. The random copolymers, named PaS, with high molecular weights between 5.3 and 43.6 kg/mol and tunable Ala molar fractions varying from 6 to 43% can be degraded by porcine pancreatic elastase within 50 days under mild conditions (pH = 8.0 at 37 °C). Both the biodegradation rate and water solubility of PaS depend on the content of Ala residues. PaS with Ala fractions below 43% are soluble in water, while the one with 43% Ala self-assembles in water into nanoparticles. Moreover, PaS are noncytotoxic at the concentration of 5 mg/mL. The biodegradability and biocompatibility endow the Ala-containing PSar with the potential to replace poly(ethylene glycol) as a protective shield in drug-delivery.

Selecting the Antigen

The classical method for generating polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies relies on the in vivo humoral response of animals. Here we describe the factors that antigens can have that might influence the strength and quality of an antibody response. This introduction is divided into three sections: (1) an overview of immunogenicity, (2) choosing the best form for the immunogen, and (3) methods for modifying antigens to make them more immunogenic.

Tetrazine- and trans-cyclooctene-functionalised polypept(o)ides for fast bioorthogonal tetrazine ligation

Tetrazine- and trans-cyclooctene-functionalised polypeptides and polypetoids were prepared by ring-opening polymerisation of N-carboxyanhydrides using the respective functional initiators and shown to react in fast bioorthogonal tetrazine ligations.

Efficient Shielding of Polyplexes Using Heterotelechelic Polysarcosines

Shielding agents are commonly used to shield polyelectrolyte complexes, e.g., polyplexes, from agglomeration and precipitation in complex media like blood, and thus enhance their in vivo circulation times. Since up to now primarily poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been investigated to shield non-viral carriers for systemic delivery, we report on the use of polysarcosine (pSar) as a potential alternative for steric stabilization. A redox-sensitive, cationizable lipo-oligomer structure (containing two cholanic acids attached via a bioreducible disulfide linker to an oligoaminoamide backbone in T-shape configuration) was equipped with azide-functionality by solid phase supported synthesis. After mixing with small interfering RNA (siRNA), lipopolyplexes formed spontaneously and were further surface-functionalized with polysarcosines. Polysarcosine was synthesized by living controlled ring-opening polymerization using an azide-reactive dibenzo-aza-cyclooctyne-amine as an initiator. The shielding ability of the resulting formulations was investigated with biophysical assays and by near-infrared fluorescence bioimaging in mice. The modification of ~100 nm lipopolyplexes was only slightly increased upon functionalization. Cellular uptake into cells was strongly reduced by the pSar shielding. Moreover, polysarcosine-shielded polyplexes showed enhanced blood circulation times in bioimaging studies compared to unshielded polyplexes and similar to PEG-shielded polyplexes. Therefore, polysarcosine is a promising alternative for the shielding of non-viral, lipo-cationic polyplexes.

Diverse Applications of Nanomedicine

The design and use of materials in the nanoscale size range for addressing medical and health-related issues continues to receive increasing interest. Research in nanomedicine spans a multitude of areas, including drug delivery, vaccine development, antibacterial, diagnosis and imaging tools, wearable devices, implants, high-throughput screening platforms, etc. using biological, nonbiological, biomimetic, or hybrid materials. Many of these developments are starting to be translated into viable clinical products. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in nanomedicine and highlight the current challenges and upcoming opportunities for the field and translation to the clinic.

Amphiphilic star-shaped poly(sarcosine)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) diblock copolymers: one-pot synthesis, characterization, and solution properties

We firstly synthesized amphiphilic three-armed star-shaped poly(sarcosine)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) diblock copolymers (s-PSar-b-PCLs), and investigated the solution properties and biocompatibility of the copolymers.

Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Block Copolypeptoids - Micelles, Worms and Polymersomes

Polypeptoids are an old but recently rediscovered polymer class with interesting synthetic, physico-chemical and biological characteristics. Here, we introduce new aromatic monomers, N-benzyl glycine N-carboxyanhydride and N-phenethyl glycine N-carboxyanhydride and their block copolymers with the hydrophilic polysarcosine. We compare their self-assembly in water and aqueous buffer with the self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolypeptoids with aliphatic side chains. The aggregates in water were investigated by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. We found a variety of morphologies, which were influenced by the polymer structure as well as by the preparation method. Overall, we found polymersomes, worm-like micelles and oligo-lamellar morphologies as well as some less defined aggregates of interconnected worms and vesicles. Such, this contribution may serve as a starting point for a more detailed investigation of the self-assembly behavior of the rich class of polypeptoids and for a better understanding between the differences in the aggregation behavior of non-uniform polypeptoids and uniform peptoids.

Synthesis and Characterization of p-Borono-Phenylalanine-Branched Polypeptide-Monoclonal Antibody Ternary Systems for Potential Use in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT)

The application of the 10B ( n,α) 7Li capture reaction to cancer radiotherapy (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) was studied to avoid the inherent disadvantages of conventional radiation therapy. p-Borono-phenylalanine (Bph) was used as the 10B source and mAb produced against HCMB melanoma cells was applied as targeting device. Since extensive direct boronation of mAb led diminished recognition of antigens, an intermediate carrier was used. Nontoxic, biocompatible, biodegradable and weakly immunogenic branched polypeptides with a polylysine backbone was used to carry a high number of 10B. Protected 10B-Bph was coupled by four different methods to polycationic branched polypeptides. The coupling efficiency varied according to the experimental conditions, with a maximum of 90%. The chiroptical properties of the conjugates indicated an ordered conformation which increased with the number of coupled Bph. The whole body survival (WBS) and tissue distribution profile of mAb (8/6 IgG2a) were markedly altered after conjugation with Bph-branched polypeptide. Decreased WBS and intermediate-carrier-dependent accumulation in the spleen, liver and kidney was observed 24 h after iv. administration. After joining only a few chains of the highly loaded Bph-AK conjugate to mAb, the binding activity of the mAb in the ternary system was preserved compared to control.

Disulfide-crosslinked albumin hydrogels

Albumin hydrogels crosslinked by disulfide bonds between the protein's own thiol groups.

Polypept(o)ides: Hybrid Systems Based on Polypeptides and Polypeptoids

Polypept(o)ides combine the multifunctionality and intrinsic stimuli-responsiveness of synthetic polypeptides with the "stealth"-like properties of the polypeptoid polysarcosine (poly(N-methyl glycine)). This class of block copolymers can be synthesized by sequential ring opening polymerization of α-amino acid N-carboxy-anhydrides (NCAs) and correspondingly of the N-substituted glycine N-carboxyanhydride (NNCA). The resulting block copolymers are characterized by Poisson-like molecular weight distributions, full end group integrity, and dispersities below 1.2. While polysarcosine may be able to tackle the currently arising issues regarding the gold standard PEG, including storage diseases in vivo and immune responses, the polypeptidic block provides the functionalities for a specific task. Additionally, polypeptides are able to form secondary structure motives, e.g., α-helix or β-sheets, which can be used to direct self-assembly in solution. In this feature article, we review the relatively new field of polypept(o)ides with respect to synthesis, characterization, and first data on the application of block copolypept(o)ides in nanomedicine. The summarized data already indicates the great potential of polypept(o)ides.

Tandem catalysis for the preparation of cylindrical polypeptide brushes

Here, we report a method for synthesis of cylindrical copolypeptide brushes via N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) polymerization utilizing a new tandem catalysis approach that allows preparation of brushes with controlled segment lengths in a straightforward, one-pot procedure requiring no intermediate isolation or purification steps. To obtain high-density brush copolypeptides, we used a "grafting from" approach where alloc-α-aminoamide groups were installed onto the side chains of NCAs to serve as masked initiators. These groups were inert during cobalt-initiated NCA polymerization and gave allyloxycarbonyl-α-aminoamide-substituted polypeptide main chains. The alloc-α-aminoamide groups were then activated in situ using nickel to generate initiators for growth of side-chain brush segments. This use of stepwise tandem cobalt and nickel catalysis was found to be an efficient method for preparation of high-chain-density, cylindrical copolypeptide brushes, where both the main chains and side chains can be prepared with controlled segment lengths.

Experimental basis for the development of a synthetic vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum malaria sporozoites

Malaria continues to cause extensive morbidity and mortality in man. The exact number of individuals affected is not known. Estimates vary from 200 to 400 million, and more than one million die each year. Protective immunity against malaria can be obtained by vaccination with irradiated sporozoites. The protective antigens are polypeptides (circumsporozoite [CS] proteins) which cover the surface membrane of the parasite. CS proteins contain species-specific immunodominant epitopes, formed by tandem repeated sequences of amino acids. The dominant epitope of Plasmodium falciparum is represented in the synthetic peptide asparagine-alanine-asparagine-proline repeated in tandem three times; that is, (NANP)3. Monoclonal antibodies and most or all polyclonal human antibodies to P. falciparum sporozoites react with (NANP)3. Polyclonal antibodies raised against the synthetic peptide (NANP)3 react with the surface of the parasite and neutralize its infectivity. Since (NANP)3 repeats are present worldwide in CS proteins from P. falciparum, this epitope is a logical target for vaccine development.

Synthetic peptides with antigenic specificity for bacterial toxins

The attachment of a diphtheria toxin-specific synthetic antigenic determinant and a synthetic adjuvant to a synthetic polymeric carrier led to production of a totally synthetic macromolecule which provoked protective antibodies against diphtheria when administered in aqueous solution. When peptides related to the B subunit of cholera toxin were synthesized and attached to tetanus toxoid, antibodies produced against the conjugate reacted in some but not all cases with intact cholera toxin and (especially with peptide CTP 3, residues 50-64) neutralized toxin reactivity, as tested by permeability in rabbit skin, fluid accumulation in ligated small intestinal loops and adenylate cyclase activation. Polymerization of the peptide without any external carrier, or conjugation with the dipalmityl lysine group, had as good an effect in enhancing the immune response as its attachment to tetanus toxoid. Prior exposure to the carrier suppressed the immune response to the epitope attached to it, whereas prior exposure to the synthetic peptide had a good priming effect when the intact toxin was given; when two different peptides were attached to the same carrier, both were expressed. Antisera against peptide CTP 3 were highly cross-reactive with the heat-labile toxin of Escherichia coli and neutralized it to the same extent as cholera toxin, which is not surprising in view of the great homology between the two proteins. A synthetic oligonucleotide coding for CTP 3 has been used to express the peptide in a form suitable for immunization. It led to a priming effect against the intact cholera toxin.

Type-specific reactivity of anti-glycoprotein G antibodies from herpes simplex virus-infected individuals is maintained by single or dual type-specific residues

Glycoprotein G-1 (gG-1) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and gG-2 of HSV-2 are the only known HSV proteins that induce type-specific human antibody responses. Recently, it was shown that purified human anti-gG-1 and anti-gG-2 antibodies presented a type-specific reactivity to immunogenic stretches with high similarity between gG-1 and gG-2. In this study, the molecular basis for this type-specific recognition was investigated employing synthetic peptides covering the indicated regions, including substitutions of the type-specific residues. The results revealed that single or dual type-specific residues localized within regions of high similarity could induce significant structural differences, explaining the type-specific recognition of the human antibody response to the gG proteins.

Immunomodulating activities of soluble synthetic polymer-bound drugs

The introduction of a synthetic material into the body always affects different body systems, including the defense system. Synthetic polymers are usually thymus-independent antigens with only a limited ability to elicit antibody formation or to induce a cellular immune response against them. However, there are many other ways that they influence or can be used to influence the immune system of the host. Low-immunogenic water-soluble synthetic polymers sometimes exhibit significant immunomodulating activity, mainly concerning the activation/suppression of NK cells, LAK cells and macrophages. Some of them, such as poly(ethylene glycol) and poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide], can be used as effective protein carriers, as they are able to reduce the immunogenicity of conjugated proteins and/or to reduce non-specific uptake of liposome/nanoparticle-entrapped drugs and other therapeutic agents. Recently, the development of vaccine delivery systems prepared from biodegradable and biocompatible water-soluble synthetic polymers, microspheres, liposomes and/or nanoparticles has received considerable attention, as they can be tailored to meet the specific physical, chemical, and immunogenic requirements of a particular antigen and some of them can also act as adjuvants.

Synthetic peptide-based DNA complexes for nonviral gene delivery

A major advantage of synthetic peptide-based DNA delivery systems is its flexibility. By design, the composition of the final complex can be easily modified in response to experimental results in vitro and in vivo to take advantage of specific peptide sequences to overcome extra- and intracellular barriers to gene delivery. The extreme heterogeneity which greatly complicates both the kinetics of DNA-poly(L-lysine) interaction and the thermodynamic stability of the final DNA complexes is avoided. Other unique features include the absence of biohazards related to the viral genome as well as the production of the viral vector and the absence of limitations on the size of the therapeutic genes that can be inserted in the recombinant viral vector. In principle, if the gene can be cloned into an expression plasmid, it can be delivered as a synthetic DNA complex. Since these synthetic delivery systems are composed of small peptides which may be poorly antigenic, they hold the promise of repeated gene administration, a highly desirable feature which will be important for gene targeting in vivo to endothelial cells, monocytes, hepatocytes and tumor cells.

The use of synthetic peptides can be a misleading approach to generate vaccines against scorpion toxins

Seven peptides corresponding to the amino acid sequence of toxin 2 from the scorpion Centruroides noxius were chemically synthesized, purified and assayed in mice for their putative neutralizing properties against scorpion toxins. All the peptides were immunogenic and some produced neutralizing antibodies, as verified by injecting the antisera with toxin into naive animals. However, direct challenge of pre-immunized mice (with the longest synthetic peptides of 27 and 57 amino acid residues) revealed an unexpected sensitization phenomena: the animals did not resist injection of one LD50 of purified toxin 2 (5% survival), but pre-immunization of mice with native toxin protected 100% of the animals. These findings suggest that vaccine preparations with synthetic peptides corresponding to the amino acid sequence of certain toxins should be analyzed cautiously.

A conjugate of lactosaminated poly-L-lysine with adenine arabinoside monophosphate, administered to mice by intramuscular route, accomplishes a selective delivery of the drug to the liver

A conjugate of the antiviral agent adenine arabinoside monophosphate (ara-AMP) with a low molecular mass lactosaminated poly-L-lysine, administered to mice by i.m. route, selectively delivers the drug to the liver. In mice the conjugate is devoid of acute toxicity even at high dose (1.3 mg/g) and injected i.m. for 20 days does not induce antibodies. Moreover it is highly soluble in water; this means that a pharmacologically active dose may be administered in a small volume compatible with the i.m. route. Compared to the similar ara-AMP complex with lactosaminated albumin which must be injected intravenously, the present conjugate might assure a better compliance of patients with hepatitis B virus infection for a long lasting, liver targeted antiviral treatment.

Peptide vaccines incorporating a 'promiscuous' T-cell epitope bypass certain haplotype restricted immune responses and provide broad spectrum immunogenicity

An ideal peptide vaccine should contain both B- and T-cell epitopes. Recognition of antigen by B cells is highly dependent on the three-dimensional conformation of the antigen whereas T cells recognize antigen only after it has been processed to release a peptide fragment which is bound to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule. However, T cells provide 'help' to B cells displaying the same processed, MHC-restricted form of the antigen, demonstrating that the T-cell response to a protein antigen is under genetic control. Thus, strategies for co-inclusion of T cell 'helper' epitopes with the B-cell determinant elicit immune responses that are in most cases genetically restricted to only one or a few alleles of the MHC with limited activity across divergent MHC class II haplotypes. This genetically restricted T cell stimulatory activity of peptides is a serious obstacle and consequently such constructs would be of limited practical value as a vaccine targeted to a majority of an outbred population. In the study described here, we have engineered two peptides to encompass the sequences from the universally immunogenic tetanus toxoid (TT) epitope and the contraceptive vaccine candidate lactate dehydrogenase C4 (LDH-C4). We demonstrate the feasibility of using 'promiscuous' T-cell epitopes colinearly constructed with a defined B-cell epitope to induce high titer antipeptide IgG antibodies specific for native protein antigen LDH-C4 in several inbred strains of mice, outbred mice and rabbits. There appears to be a strong correlation between the capacity for the hybrid peptides to be stimulatory for the corresponding T cells in C57BL/6 (H-2b) and C3H/HeJ (H-2k) mice and their ability to be immunogenic. This correlation, however, appears to break down in H-2d strains of mice since no antibodies were detected in BALB/c and barely detectable levels of antibodies in B10.D2 although activated T cells were detectable. Conversely, high titers of antipeptide antibodies are elicited in some strains (B10.BR (H-2k); C57BL/10 (H-2b) without detectable IL-2 responses. Finally, we show that a determinant which was previously restricted to H-2k can be rendered immunogenic in H-2b with the 'promiscuous' TT epitope. Thus, certain haplotype-restricted immune responses can be bypassed, setting forth the ground work for the design of a universal vaccine by broadening the effective response in a larger number of individuals typical of the genetically diverse outbred human population.

Virus-specific B-lymphocytes are probably the primary targets for Aleutian disease virus

368 1- to 5-year-old mink of wild-type or black genetic background were infected with Aleutian disease virus (ADV) naturally or using virus-containing immune complexes or purified virus. Thirty of the mink were immunized with dinitrophenol-conjugated ovalbumin (DNP-OA) before and during infection. Blood samples were taken at monthly intervals. We found that weak (and transient) monoclonal or oligoclonal immunoglobulin components were present in the plasma or serum approximately 1 month after infection, as judged by zone electrophoresis. In a few cases, we found quite stable myeloma-like hypergammaglobulinemia, which usually occurs much later in the infection. All sera with monoclonal immunoglobulin components and most of the sera with immunoglobulins of restricted heterogeneity were analysed by crossed serum line immunoelectrophoresis. In all cases, the distinct immunoglobulins were found to have antibody activity to ADV proteins. In the few sera from DNP-OA-immunized mink showing restricted immunoglobulin heterogeneity, this was also the case. The findings from the study imply that ADV-specific B lymphocytes are probably the primary targets for ADV. The resulting ADV replication introduces a "pseudo-transformation" stage, so that the infected B lymphocytes proliferate and differentiate to an extreme degree. The mechanism behind this B-cell pseudotransformation ability of ADV is a puzzle. It may, however, be important, that the p75/85 structural polypeptides of ADV contain an amino acid sequence almost identical to the GTP-binding pocket of the Ras oncogene.

Immunologic modeling of a 75-kDa malarial protein with carrier-free synthetic peptides

A protein of 75 kDa is produced in large quantities by the human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum and is present on the surface of the merozoite, whose function is to infect erythrocytes. Based on nucleotide sequence coding for 40% of this protein, two nonoverlapping model peptides 13 and 19 residues long were synthesized, coupled to a keyhole limpet hemocyanin carrier, and used to immunize rabbits. Although both antisera had high titers of anti-peptide antibodies, only that raised against the 13-residue peptide showed good reactivity against the original protein. Although the 19-mer adopted the helical secondary structure predicted for the corresponding protein region, antisera against this peptide reacted with the native protein weakly or not at all. Concluding that the poor anti-protein reactivity was due to modification of lysine-containing epitopes by glutaraldehyde conjugation, we used a carrier-free 28-residue peptide presented as a 56-residue disulfide-bonded dimer to model the same region. This peptide, in contrast to the conjugated 19-mer, stimulated the production of IgG antibodies that reacted at high dilution with the authentic protein in immunoblots, ELISA, and radioimmunoprecipitation assays. These data indicate that large carrier-free peptides may be successfully used as immunogens. In addition, our results show that this strategy may greatly improve the ability of conjugation-sensitive peptides to stimulate antibodies reactive with the original protein and therefore has substantial practical application.

Lupus anti-ribosomal P peptide antibodies show limited heterogeneity and are predominantly of the IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses

A 22-amino acid synthetic peptide (P peptide) containing the conserved, shared autoantigenic determinants of the ribosomal P proteins was conjugated to rabbit serum albumin and used to analyze anti-P heterogeneity in 17 lupus sera. Anti-P peptide antibodies demonstrated moderate restriction in isotype (IgM and IgG, but not IgA), subclass (predominantly IgG1 and IgG2), light chain type (predominantly kappa) and spectrotype. In one serum, almost exclusive use of IgG2 and the kappa light chain was observed. These findings indicate that there is a nonrandom selection of heavy and light chain constant region genes as well as limited variable region diversity in the anti-P peptide response.

Surface-associated sialic acid is an immunological adjuvant

The influence of neuraminidase on the immunogenicity of heterologous erythrocytes as determined by serum haemagglutination titres was investigated in mice. For this study sheep and rabbit erythrocytes were selected because of their high and low N-acetylneuraminic (sialic) acid content, respectively. Preincubation with neuraminidase resulted in a ten-fold reduction of the immunogenicity of sheep erythrocytes (ShE). By contrast, the immune response to rabbit erythrocytes appeared to be resistant to sialidase treatment. Addition of the extrinsic adjuvant dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide largely restored the immunogenicity of neuraminidase-treated ShE, but did not change the response to control-treated ShE. The maximal antibody level induced by neuraminidase-treated ShE was lower than that provoked by control ShE. These results suggest that sialic acid is both an intrinsic immunological adjuvant and an antigenic determinant of ShE. The adjuvant effect of sialic acid does not depend on complement component C3 as judged by the response of cobra venom factor-pretreated animals. In genetically C5-deficient and in nude mice, however, sialic acid showed diminished and absent adjuvant activity, respectively.

Effect of the chemical structure of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide copolymers on their ability to induce antibody formation in inbred strains of mice

The homopolymer of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) and copolymers of HPMA differing in oligopeptide side chains (-Gly-Gly-OH; -Acap-Phe-OH; -Acap-Leu-HMDA and -Gly-Phe-Tyr-OH) or in their content (1%, 3.5% and 8.4% mole of -Gly-Gly-OH side chains) were investigated with respect to their ability to induce antibody formation and mitogenic reaction in inbred strains of mice. The dependence on the antigen dose, on composition of the side chain and on the genetic background of the immunized organism was defined. It was demonstrated that the specificity of the antibody formed is predominantly directed against oligopeptide side chains, though some part of the antibody is also produced against hydroxypropyl chains. Neither the homopolymer nor the copolymers behave in the tissue culture as mitogens.

Controlled biodegradability of polymers--a key to drug delivery systems

By combining oligopeptide sequences with synthetic polymeric chains, carriers of drug models can be prepared. The drug model (p-nitroaniline) is cleaved from the carrier in the lysosomal compartment of the cell. By changing the length and structure of the oligopeptide sequence, it is possible to regulate the rate of cleavage of drug model by individual thiol proteinases (cathepsins B, H and L) which are the most important as regards cleavage of the substrates studied. By connecting synthetic polymeric chains via oligopeptide bridges, it is possible to regulate the molecular weight as well as the biodegradability of the carrier molecule. Molecular weight also influences other biological properties, e.g., elimination from the organism, rate of pinocytic uptake and biological activity. Homopolymer of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) is nonimmunogenic in rats. Attachment of oligopeptide side chains gives rise to a macromolecule possessing immunogenic activity. The degree of antibody response depends on the detailed structure of the copolymer.

Specific cellular stimulation in the primary immune response: experimental test of a quantized model

Dose-response and dose-suppression curves have been measured for the primary immune response in mice, in vivo and in vitro, by using size-fractionated linear polymers of acrylamide substituted with hapten. The results are in general agreement with a simple theory based on the premise that the specific primary immunological response is quantized at some fundamental and limiting step, requiring a minimum number of linked antigen receptors for response.