1
|
Patrian M, Shaukat A, Nieddu M, Banda-Vázquez JA, Timonen JVI, Fuenzalida Werner JP, Anaya-Plaza E, Kostiainen MA, Costa RD. Supercharged Fluorescent Protein-Apoferritin Cocrystals for Lighting Applications. ACS NANO 2023; 17:21206-21215. [PMID: 37902649 PMCID: PMC10684032 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c05284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
The application of fluorescent proteins (FPs) in optoelectronics is hindered by the need for effective protocols to stabilize them under device preparation and operational conditions. Factors such as high temperatures, irradiation, and organic solvent exposure contribute to the denaturation of FPs, resulting in a low device performance. Herein, we focus on addressing the photoinduced heat generation associated with FP motion and rapid heat transfer. This leads to device temperatures of approximately 65 °C, causing FP-denaturation and a subsequent loss of device functionality. We present a FP stabilization strategy involving the integration of electrostatically self-assembled FP-apoferritin cocrystals within a silicone-based color down-converting filter. Three key achievements characterize this approach: (i) an engineering strategy to design positively supercharged FPs (+22) without compromising photoluminescence and thermal stability compared to their native form, (ii) a carefully developed crystallization protocol resulting in highly emissive cocrystals that retain the essential photoluminescence features of the FPs, and (iii) a strong reduction of the device's working temperature to 40 °C, leading to a 40-fold increase in Bio-HLEDs stability compared to reference devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Patrian
- Chair
of Biogenic Functional Materials, 6 Technical
University of Munich, Schulgasse, 22, Straubing 94315, Germany
| | - Ahmed Shaukat
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Mattia Nieddu
- Chair
of Biogenic Functional Materials, 6 Technical
University of Munich, Schulgasse, 22, Straubing 94315, Germany
| | - Jesús Agustín Banda-Vázquez
- Chair
of Biogenic Functional Materials, 6 Technical
University of Munich, Schulgasse, 22, Straubing 94315, Germany
| | - Jaakko V. I. Timonen
- Department
of Applied Physics, Aalto University School
of Science, P.O. Box 15100, Espoo FI-02150, Finland
| | - Juan Pablo Fuenzalida Werner
- Chair
of Biogenic Functional Materials, 6 Technical
University of Munich, Schulgasse, 22, Straubing 94315, Germany
| | - Eduardo Anaya-Plaza
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Mauri A. Kostiainen
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Rubén D. Costa
- Chair
of Biogenic Functional Materials, 6 Technical
University of Munich, Schulgasse, 22, Straubing 94315, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shaukat A, Anaya‐Plaza E, Beyeh NK, Kostiainen MA. Simultaneous Organic and Inorganic Host‐Guest Chemistry within Pillararene‐Protein Cage Frameworks. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202104341. [PMID: 35043998 PMCID: PMC9305414 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202104341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Supramolecular self‐assembly of biomolecules provides a powerful bottom‐up strategy to build functional nanostructures and materials. Among the different biomacromolecules, protein cages offer various advantages including uniform size, versatility, multi‐modularity, and high stability. Additionally, protein cage crystals present confined microenvironments with well‐defined dimensions. On the other hand, molecular hosts, such as cyclophanes, possess a defined cavity size and selective recognition of guest molecules. However, the successful combination of macrocycles and protein cages to achieve functional co‐crystals has remained limited. In this study, we demonstrate electrostatic binding between cationic pillar[5]arenes and (apo)ferritin cages that results in porous and crystalline frameworks. The electrostatically assembled crystals present a face‐centered cubic (FCC) lattice and have been characterized by means of small‐angle X‐ray scattering and cryo‐TEM. These hierarchical structures result in a multiadsorbent framework capable of hosting both organic and inorganic pollutants, such as dyes and toxic metals, with potential application in water‐remediation technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Shaukat
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Aalto University 02150 Espoo Finland
| | - Eduardo Anaya‐Plaza
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Aalto University 02150 Espoo Finland
| | - Ngong Kodiah Beyeh
- Department of Chemistry Oakland University 146 Library Drive Rochester MI 48309-4479 USA
| | - Mauri A. Kostiainen
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Aalto University 02150 Espoo Finland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tang CH. Strategies to utilize naturally occurring protein architectures as nanovehicles for hydrophobic nutraceuticals. Food Hydrocoll 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2020.106344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
|
4
|
Tan X, Chen H, Gu C, Zang J, Zhang T, Wang H, Zhao G. Converting histidine-induced 3D protein arrays in crystals into their 3D analogues in solution by metal coordination cross-linking. Commun Chem 2020; 3:151. [PMID: 36703383 PMCID: PMC9814774 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-020-00394-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Histidine (His) residues represent versatile motifs for designing protein-protein interactions because the protonation state of the imidazole group of His is the only moiety in protein to be significantly pH dependent under physiological conditions. Here we show that, by the designed His motifs nearby the C4 axes, ferritin nanocages arrange in crystals with a simple cubic stacking pattern. The X-ray crystal structures obtained at pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.0 in conjunction with thermostability analyses reveal the strength of the π-π interactions between two adjacent protein nanocages can be fine-tuned by pH. By using the crystal structural information as a guide, we constructed 3D protein frameworks in solution by a combination of the relatively weak His-His interaction and Ni2+-participated metal coordination with Glu residues from two adjacent protein nanocages. These findings open up a new way of organizing protein building blocks into 3D protein crystalline frameworks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Tan
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XCollege of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Hai Chen
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XCollege of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Chunkai Gu
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XCollege of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Jiachen Zang
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XCollege of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Tuo Zhang
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XCollege of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Hongfei Wang
- grid.163032.50000 0004 1760 2008Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Education Ministry, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, 030006 Taiyuan, China
| | - Guanghua Zhao
- grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XCollege of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education, 100083 Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Su W, Tan H, Janowski R, Zhang W, Wang P, Zhang J, Zhai H, Li J, Niessing D, Sattler M, Zou P. Ferritin-Displayed GLP-1 with Improved Pharmacological Activities and Pharmacokinetics. Mol Pharm 2020; 17:1663-1673. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wencheng Su
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300308 Tianjin, China
| | - Huanbo Tan
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300308 Tianjin, China
| | - Robert Janowski
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Wenyu Zhang
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300308 Tianjin, China
| | - Pengju Wang
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300308 Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300308 Tianjin, China
| | - Huanhuan Zhai
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300308 Tianjin, China
| | - Jian Li
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300308 Tianjin, China
| | - Dierk Niessing
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Sattler
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300308 Tianjin, China
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Chair Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Peijian Zou
- Industrial Enzymes National Engineering Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300308 Tianjin, China
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Chair Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, 85747 Garching, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Korpi A, Anaya-Plaza E, Välimäki S, Kostiainen M. Highly ordered protein cage assemblies: A toolkit for new materials. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 12:e1578. [PMID: 31414574 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Protein capsids are specialized and versatile natural macromolecules with exceptional properties. Their homogenous, spherical, rod-like or toroidal geometry, and spatially directed functionalities make them intriguing building blocks for self-assembled nanostructures. High degrees of functionality and modifiability allow for their assembly via non-covalent interactions, such as electrostatic and coordination bonding, enabling controlled self-assembly into higher-order structures. These assembly processes are sensitive to the molecules used and the surrounding conditions, making it possible to tune the chemical and physical properties of the resultant material and generate multifunctional and environmentally sensitive systems. These materials have numerous potential applications, including catalysis and drug delivery. This article is categorized under: Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antti Korpi
- Biohybrid Materials, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, Aalto, Finland
| | - Eduardo Anaya-Plaza
- Biohybrid Materials, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, Aalto, Finland
| | - Salla Välimäki
- Biohybrid Materials, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, Aalto, Finland
| | - Mauri Kostiainen
- Biohybrid Materials, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, Aalto, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pulsipher KW, Bulos JA, Villegas JA, Saven JG, Dmochowski IJ. A protein-protein host-guest complex: Thermostable ferritin encapsulating positively supercharged green fluorescent protein. Protein Sci 2019; 27:1755-1766. [PMID: 30051936 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
We characterize the encapsulation of supercharged green fluorescent protein, GFP(+36), by thermophilic ferritin from Archaeoglobus fulgidus (AfFtn). The AfFtn-GFP(+36) assembly is rapid, nearly stoichiometric, and robust. Using a more stably assembled mutant AfFtn, we show that encapsulation can occur in the presence of mostly assembled cages, in addition to encapsulation starting from AfFtn individual subunits. Assembly and encapsulation do not occur with non-supercharged GFP or the alternately supercharged GFP(-30), highlighting the role of complementary electrostatic interactions between the cargo and AfFtn cage interior. We also present a method for verifying protein-protein encapsulation, using nickel nitrilotriacetic acid agarose resin. AfFtn-supercharged protein host-guest complexes could find applications in enzyme studies, protein separations, and in vivo protein stabilization and targeted delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine W Pulsipher
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104
| | - Joshua A Bulos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104
| | - José A Villegas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104
| | - Jeffery G Saven
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104
| | - Ivan J Dmochowski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Garcia‐Seisdedos H, Villegas JA, Levy ED. Infinite Ansammlungen gefalteter Proteine im Kontext von Evolution, Krankheiten und Proteinentwicklung. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201806092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - José A. Villegas
- Department of Structural BiologyWeizmann Institute of Science Rehovot 7610001 Israel
| | - Emmanuel D. Levy
- Department of Structural BiologyWeizmann Institute of Science Rehovot 7610001 Israel
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Garcia-Seisdedos H, Villegas JA, Levy ED. Infinite Assembly of Folded Proteins in Evolution, Disease, and Engineering. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:5514-5531. [PMID: 30133878 PMCID: PMC6471489 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201806092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mutations and changes in a protein's environment are well known for their potential to induce misfolding and aggregation, including amyloid formation. Alternatively, such perturbations can trigger new interactions that lead to the polymerization of folded proteins. In contrast to aggregation, this process does not require misfolding and, to highlight this difference, we refer to it as agglomeration. This term encompasses the amorphous assembly of folded proteins as well as the polymerization in one, two, or three dimensions. We stress the remarkable potential of symmetric homo‐oligomers to agglomerate even by single surface point mutations, and we review the double‐edged nature of this potential: how aberrant assemblies resulting from agglomeration can lead to disease, but also how agglomeration can serve in cellular adaptation and be exploited for the rational design of novel biomaterials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - José A Villegas
- Department of Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Emmanuel D Levy
- Department of Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Falvo E, Malagrinò F, Arcovito A, Fazi F, Colotti G, Tremante E, Di Micco P, Braca A, Opri R, Giuffrè A, Fracasso G, Ceci P. The presence of glutamate residues on the PAS sequence of the stimuli-sensitive nano-ferritin improves in vivo biodistribution and mitoxantrone encapsulation homogeneity. J Control Release 2018; 275:177-185. [PMID: 29474961 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A genetically engineered human ferritin heavy chain (HFt)-based construct has been recently shown by our group to efficiently entrap and deliver doxorubicin to cancer cells. This construct, named HFt-MP-PAS, contained a tumor-selective sequence (MP) responsive to proteolytic cleavage by tumor proteases (MMPs), located between each HFt subunit and an outer shielding polypeptide sequence rich in proline (P), serine (S) and alanine (A) residues (PAS). HFt-MP-PAS displayed excellent therapeutic efficacy in xenogenic pancreatic and head and neck cancer models in vivo, leading to a significant increase in overall animal survivals. Here we report a new construct obtained by the genetic insertion of two glutamate residues in the PAS sequence of HFt-MP-PAS. Such new construct, named HFt-MP-PASE, is characterized by improved performances as drug biodistribution in a xenogenic pancreatic cancer model in vivo. Moreover, HFt-MP-PASE efficiently encapsulates the anti-cancer drug mitoxantrone (MIT), and the resulting MIT-loaded nanoparticles proved to be more soluble and monodispersed than the HFt-MP-PAS counterparts. Importantly, in vitro MIT-loaded HFt-MP-PASE kills several cancer cell lines of different origin (colon, breast, sarcoma and pancreas) at least as efficiently as the free drug. Finally, our MIT loaded protein nanocages allowed in vivo an impressive incrementing of the drug accumulation in the tumor with respect to the free drug.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Falvo
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR - National Research Council of Italy, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Malagrinò
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR - National Research Council of Italy, 00185 Rome, Italy; Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi-Fanelli", "Sapienza" University, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Arcovito
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Fazi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic & Orthopedic Sciences, Section of Histology & Medical Embryology, "Sapienza" University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianni Colotti
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR - National Research Council of Italy, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Tremante
- Oncogenomics and Epigenetics, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizio Di Micco
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi-Fanelli", "Sapienza" University, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Braca
- BSP Pharmaceuticals, 04013 Latina, Italy
| | - Roberta Opri
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giuffrè
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR - National Research Council of Italy, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulio Fracasso
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
| | - Pierpaolo Ceci
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR - National Research Council of Italy, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nguyen TK, Ueno T. Engineering of protein assemblies within cells. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2018; 51:1-8. [PMID: 29316472 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Recent achievements in development of protein assembles within cells have extended biosupramolecular composites into a new era with versatile applications in the fields of biomaterial and biotechnology. Using methods with biological and physicochemical routes has made this era of research more interesting and challenging. Further advances in protein engineering have facilitated efficient fabrication of supramolecular complexes within living cells. Here, we provide a review of recent efforts to engineer protein assemblies within cells and describe the promising properties of these assemblies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tien K Nguyen
- Department of Life Science and Technology, School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Takafumi Ueno
- Department of Life Science and Technology, School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Damiani V, Falvo E, Fracasso G, Federici L, Pitea M, De Laurenzi V, Sala G, Ceci P. Therapeutic Efficacy of the Novel Stimuli-Sensitive Nano-Ferritins Containing Doxorubicin in a Head and Neck Cancer Model. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E1555. [PMID: 28718812 PMCID: PMC5536043 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18071555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Doxorubicin is employed alone or in combination for the treatment of several hematological and solid malignancies; despite its efficacy, there are associated cardiotoxicity limits both in its application in patients with heart disease risk factors and also in its long-term use. HFt-MP-PAS40 is a genetically engineered human ferritin heavy chain (HFt)-based construct able to efficiently entrap and deliver doxorubicin to cancer cells. HF-MP-PAS contains a short motif sequence (defined as MP) responsive to proteolytic cleavage by tumor matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), located between each HFt subunit and a masking polypeptide sequence rich in proline (P), alanine (A), and serine (S) residues (PAS). This carrier displayed excellent therapeutic efficacy in a xenogenic pancreatic cancer model in vivo, leading to a significant increase in overall animal survival in treated mice. Herein, we describe the HFt-MP-PAS40-Dox efficacy against squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) with the goal of validating the application of our nano-drug for the treatment of different solid tumors. In addition, a tolerability study in healthy mice was also performed. The results indicate that HFt-MP-PAS40-Dox produced increased anti-tumor effects both in vitro and in vivo in comparison to the free drug in several HNSCC cell lines. In the acute toxicity studies, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of HFt-MP-PAS40-Dox was about 3.5 higher than the free drug: 25 mg/kg versus 7 mg/kg doxorubicin equivalents. Importantly, evaluation of heart tissues provided evidence that doxorubicin is less cardio-toxic when encapsulated inside the ferritin carrier. In conclusion, HFt-MP-PAS40-Dox may be administered safely at higher doses compared with the free drug, resulting in superior efficacy to control HNSCC malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Verena Damiani
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences and CeSI-Met Centro Scienze dell'Invecchiamento e Medicina Traslazionale, Universita "G. d'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara, Chieti 66100, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Falvo
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Rome 00185, Italy.
| | - Giulio Fracasso
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona 37134, Italy.
| | - Luca Federici
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences and CeSI-Met Centro Scienze dell'Invecchiamento e Medicina Traslazionale, Universita "G. d'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara, Chieti 66100, Italy.
| | - Martina Pitea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Rome 00185, Italy.
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo De Laurenzi
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences and CeSI-Met Centro Scienze dell'Invecchiamento e Medicina Traslazionale, Universita "G. d'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara, Chieti 66100, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Sala
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences and CeSI-Met Centro Scienze dell'Invecchiamento e Medicina Traslazionale, Universita "G. d'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara, Chieti 66100, Italy.
| | - Pierpaolo Ceci
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Rome 00185, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bellapadrona G, Elbaum M. Design of a Redox-Sensitive Supramolecular Protein Assembly System Operating in Live Cells. NANO LETTERS 2016; 16:6231-6235. [PMID: 27569065 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b02480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
A fusion construct between Citrine (a YFP variant) and human ferritin (H-chain) was recently shown to form supramolecular assemblies of micrometer size when expressed in mammalian cells. The assembly process is driven by weak hydrophobic interactions leading to dimerization of YFP. Protein assembly could be suppressed at the gene level by mutation in the primary sequence of the construct. In this work, we describe the engineering of a self-assembly interface sensitive to redox state in the cell. Key hydrophobic residues of YFP were mutated systematically to cysteines. Supramolecular assembly of the Citrine-ferritin construct was in some cases preserved by formation of disulfide bonds in place of hydrophobic interactions. In others cases, assembly was abolished, resulting in a diffuse distribution of the expressed protein. A specific variant that remained diffuse under normally reducing intracellular conditions was found to self-assemble rapidly upon exposure to a thiol-specific oxidizing reagent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuliano Bellapadrona
- Department of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Michael Elbaum
- Department of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot 76100, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Selective delivery of doxorubicin by novel stimuli-sensitive nano-ferritins overcomes tumor refractoriness. J Control Release 2016; 239:10-8. [PMID: 27524282 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human ferritin heavy chain (HFt) has been demonstrated to possess considerable potential for targeted delivery of drugs and diagnostic agents to cancer cells. Here, we report the development of a novel HFt-based genetic construct (HFt-MP-PAS) containing a short peptide linker (MP) between each HFt subunit and an outer shielding polypeptide sequence rich in proline (P), serine (S) and alanine (A) residues (PAS). The peptide linker contains a matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) cleavage site that permits the protective PAS shield to be removed by tumor-driven proteolytic cleavage within the tumor microenvironment. For the first time HFt-MP-PAS ability to deliver doxorubicin to cancer cells, subcellular localization, and therapeutic efficacy on a xenogeneic mouse model of a highly refractory to conventional chemotherapeutics type of cancer were evaluated. HFt-MP-PAS-DOXO performance was compared with the novel albumin-based drug delivery system INNO-206, currently in phase III clinical trials. The results of this work provide solid evidence indicating that the stimuli-sensitive, long-circulating HFt-MP-PAS nanocarriers described herein have the potential to be exploited in cancer therapy.
Collapse
|
15
|
Falvo E, Tremante E, Arcovito A, Papi M, Elad N, Boffi A, Morea V, Conti G, Toffoli G, Fracasso G, Giacomini P, Ceci P. Improved Doxorubicin Encapsulation and Pharmacokinetics of Ferritin-Fusion Protein Nanocarriers Bearing Proline, Serine, and Alanine Elements. Biomacromolecules 2015; 17:514-22. [PMID: 26686226 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b01446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A novel human ferritin-based nanocarrier, composed of 24 modified monomers able to auto-assemble into a modified protein cage, was produced and used as selective carrier of anti-tumor payloads. Each modified monomer derives from the genetic fusion of two distinct modules, namely the heavy chain of human ferritin (HFt) and a stabilizing/protective PAS polypeptide sequence rich in proline (P), serine (S), and alanine (A) residues. Two genetically fused protein constructs containing PAS polymers with 40- and 75-residue lengths, respectively, were compared. They were produced and purified as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli at high yields. Both preparations were highly soluble and stable in vitro as well as in mouse plasma. Size-exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy results indicated that PASylated ferritins are fully assembled and highly monodispersed. In addition, yields and stability of encapsulated doxorubicin were significantly better for both HFt-PAS proteins than for wild-type HFt. Importantly, PAS sequences considerably prolonged the half-life of HFt in the mouse bloodstream. Finally, our doxorubicin-loaded nanocages preserved the pharmacological activity of the drug. Taken together, these results indicate that both of the developed HFt-PAS fusion proteins are promising nanocarriers for future applications in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Falvo
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology CNR, National Research Council of Italy , 00185 Rome, Italy.,Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", University "Sapienza" , 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Tremante
- Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Arcovito
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadav Elad
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Alberto Boffi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology CNR, National Research Council of Italy , 00185 Rome, Italy.,Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", University "Sapienza" , 00185 Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science at Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Morea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology CNR, National Research Council of Italy , 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giamaica Conti
- Department of Neurological, Biomedical and Movement Sciences, University of Verona , 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Toffoli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute , 33081Aviano (Pordenone), Italy
| | - Giulio Fracasso
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona , 37134 Verona, Italy
| | | | - Pierpaolo Ceci
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology CNR, National Research Council of Italy , 00185 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ennen F, Fenner P, Boye S, Lederer A, Komber H, Voit B, Appelhans D. Sphere-Like Protein–Glycopolymer Nanostructures Tailored by Polyassociation. Biomacromolecules 2015; 17:32-45. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b00975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Franka Ennen
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschunng Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Philipp Fenner
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschunng Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Susanne Boye
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschunng Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Albena Lederer
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschunng Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Hartmut Komber
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschunng Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Brigitte Voit
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschunng Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dietmar Appelhans
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschunng Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|