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Hamm P, Meinel L, Driessen MD. An Introductory Guide to Protease Sensitive Linker Design Using Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 as an Example. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:3693-3706. [PMID: 38813796 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00407] [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] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Proteases play a crucial role, not only in physiological, but also in pathological processes, such as cancer, inflammation, arthritis, Alzheimer's, and infections, to name but a few. Their ability to cleave peptides can be harnessed for a broad range of biotechnological purposes. To do this efficiently, it is essential to find an amino acid sequence that meets the necessary requirements, including interdependent factors like specificity, selectivity, cleavage kinetics, or synthetic accessibility. Cleavage sequences from natural substrates of the protease may not be optimal in terms of specificity and selectivity, which is why these frequently require arduous and sometimes unsuccessful optimization such as by iterative exchange of single amino acids. Hence, here we describe the systematic design of protease sensitive linkers (PSLs)─peptide sequences specifically cleaved by a target protease─guided by the mass spectrometry based determination of target protease specific cleavage sites from a proteome-based peptide library. It includes a procedure for identifying bespoke PSL sequences, their optimization, synthesis, and validation and introduces a program that can indicate potential cleavage sites by hundreds of enzymes in any arbitrary amino acid sequence. Thereby, we provide an introduction to PSL design, illustrated by the example of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13). This introduction can serve as a guide and help to greatly accelerate the development and use of protease-sensitive linkers in diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisca Hamm
- Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lorenz Meinel
- Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marc D Driessen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine I, Proteome Research, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department for Oral and Craniomaxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Cologne and Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
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Ter Mors B, Spieler V, Merino Asumendi E, Gantert B, Lühmann T, Meinel L. Bioresponsive Cytokine Delivery Responding to Matrix Metalloproteinases. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:29-37. [PMID: 37102329 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01320] [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] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are regulated in acute and chronic inflammation, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and myocardial infarction (MI). However, the dynamic windows within which cytokine activity/inhibition is desirable in RA and MI change timely and locally during the disease. Therefore, traditional, static delivery regimens are unlikely to meet the idiosyncrasy of these highly dynamic pathophysiological and individual processes. Responsive delivery systems and biomaterials, sensing surrogate markers of inflammation (i.e., matrix metalloproteinases - MMPs) and answering with drug release, may present drug activity at the right time, manner, and place. This article discusses MMPs as surrogate markers for disease activity in RA and MI to clock drug discharge to MMP concentration profiles from MMP-responsive drug delivery systems and biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Ter Mors
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Valerie Spieler
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Eduardo Merino Asumendi
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Gantert
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tessa Lühmann
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lorenz Meinel
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany
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Haas D, Hauptstein N, Dirauf M, Driessen MD, Ruopp M, Schubert US, Lühmann T, Meinel L. Chemo-Enzymatic PEGylation/POxylation of Murine Interleukin-4. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:97-104. [PMID: 34967625 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a potentially interesting anti-inflammatory therapeutic, which is rapidly excreted. Therefore, serum half-life extension by polymer conjugation is desirable, which may be done by PEGylation. Here, we use PEtOx as an alternative to PEG for bioconjugate engineering. We genetically extended murine IL-4 (mIL-4) with the d-domain of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), a previously identified substrate of transglutaminase (TG) Factor XIIIa (FXIIIa). Thereby, engineered mIL-4 (mIL-4-TG) became an educt for TG catalyzed C-terminal, site-directed conjugation. This was deployed to enzymatically couple an azide group containing peptide sequence to mIL-4, allowing C-terminal bioconjugation of polyethylene glycol or poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline). Both bioconjugates had wild-type potency and alternatively polarized macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothee Haas
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Hauptstein
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Dirauf
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Marc D Driessen
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Ruopp
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich S Schubert
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Tessa Lühmann
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lorenz Meinel
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany
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Hahn L, Beudert M, Gutmann M, Keßler L, Stahlhut P, Fischer L, Karakaya E, Lorson T, Thievessen I, Detsch R, Lühmann T, Luxenhofer R. From Thermogelling Hydrogels toward Functional Bioinks: Controlled Modification and Cytocompatible Crosslinking. Macromol Biosci 2021; 21:e2100122. [PMID: 34292657 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202100122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogels are key components in bioink formulations to ensure printability and stability in biofabrication. In this study, a well-known Diels-Alder two-step post-polymerization modification approach is introduced into thermogelling diblock copolymers, comprising poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) and thermoresponsive poly(2-n-propyl-2-oxazine). The diblock copolymers are partially hydrolyzed and subsequently modified by acid/amine coupling with furan and maleimide moieties. While the thermogelling and shear-thinning properties allow excellent printability, trigger-less cell-friendly Diels-Alder click-chemistry yields long-term shape-fidelity. The introduced platform enables easy incorporation of cell-binding moieties (RGD-peptide) for cellular interaction. The hydrogel is functionalized with RGD-peptides using thiol-maleimide chemistry and cell proliferation as well as morphology of fibroblasts seeded on top of the hydrogels confirm the cell adhesion facilitated by the peptides. Finally, bioink formulations are tested for biocompatibility by incorporating fibroblasts homogenously inside the polymer solution pre-printing. After the printing and crosslinking process good cytocompatibility is confirmed. The established bioink system combines a two-step approach by physical precursor gelation followed by an additional chemical stabilization, offering a broad versatility for further biomechanical adaptation or bioresponsive peptide modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hahn
- Functional Polymer Materials, Chair for Advanced Materials Synthesis, Institute for Functional Materials and Biofabrication, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy and Bavarian Polymer Institute, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Röntgenring 11, Würzburg, 97070, Germany
| | - Matthias Beudert
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, 97074, Germany
| | - Marcus Gutmann
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, 97074, Germany
| | - Larissa Keßler
- Functional Polymer Materials, Chair for Advanced Materials Synthesis, Institute for Functional Materials and Biofabrication, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy and Bavarian Polymer Institute, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Röntgenring 11, Würzburg, 97070, Germany
| | - Philipp Stahlhut
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Würzburg, Pleicherwall 2, Würzburg, 97070, Germany
| | - Lena Fischer
- Center for Medical Physics and Technology, Biophysics Group, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Henkestrasse 91, Erlangen, 91052, Germany
| | - Emine Karakaya
- Institute of Biomaterials, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstr. 6, Erlangen, 91058, Germany
| | - Thomas Lorson
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, 97074, Germany
| | - Ingo Thievessen
- Center for Medical Physics and Technology, Biophysics Group, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Henkestrasse 91, Erlangen, 91052, Germany
| | - Rainer Detsch
- Institute of Biomaterials, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstr. 6, Erlangen, 91058, Germany
| | - Tessa Lühmann
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, 97074, Germany
| | - Robert Luxenhofer
- Functional Polymer Materials, Chair for Advanced Materials Synthesis, Institute for Functional Materials and Biofabrication, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy and Bavarian Polymer Institute, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Röntgenring 11, Würzburg, 97070, Germany.,Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 55, Helsinki, FIN-00014, Finland
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Dodt K, Driessen MD, Lamer S, Schlosser A, Lühmann T, Meinel L. A Complete and Versatile Protocol: Decoration of Cell-Derived Matrices with Mass-Encoded Peptides for Multiplexed Protease Activity Detection. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:6598-6617. [PMID: 33320595 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This article provides guidance toward a platform technology for monitoring enzyme activity within the extracellular matrix (ECM) assessed by quantifying reporters secreted into the cell culture supernatant and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. The reporters are enzymatically and covalently bound to the ECM by transglutaminases (TG) using the peptide sequence of human insulin-like growth factor I's (IGF-I) D-domain which is known to be bound to the ECM by transglutaminase. The IGF-I D-domain sequence is followed by a peptide sequence cleaved by the intended target protease. This protease-sensitive peptide sequence (PSS) is cleaved off the ECM and can be used to monitor target-enzyme activity by employing a downstream mass tag designed according to isobaric mass encoding strategies, i.e., the combination of isotopically labeled, heavy amino acids. Thereby, cleavage events are linked to the appearance of encoded mass tags, readily allowing multiplexing. This article presents the design and synthesis of these mass reporters. It further aims at detailing the search for peptide sequences responding to target proteases to facilitate future work on enzyme activity measurement for enzymatic activities of hitherto unknown enzymes. In conclusion, the goal of this article is to arm scientists interested in measurements of local enzymatic activities within the ECM with robust protocols and background knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Dodt
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Marc D Driessen
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Lamer
- Rudolf-Virchow-Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Schlosser
- Rudolf-Virchow-Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Tessa Lühmann
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Lorenz Meinel
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Wuerzburg, Germany
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