1
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Hadzima M, Faucher FF, Blažková K, Yim JJ, Guerra M, Chen S, Woods EC, Park KW, Šácha P, Šubr V, Kostka L, Etrych T, Majer P, Konvalinka J, Bogyo M. Polymer-Tethered Quenched Fluorescent Probes for Enhanced Imaging of Tumor-Associated Proteases. ACS Sens 2024; 9:3720-3729. [PMID: 38941307 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.4c00912] [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: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Fluorescence-based contrast agents enable real-time detection of solid tumors and their neovasculature, making them ideal for use in image-guided surgery. Several agents have entered late-stage clinical trials or secured FDA approval, suggesting they are likely to become the standard of care in cancer surgeries. One of the key parameters to optimize in contrast agents is molecular size, which dictates much of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the agent. Here, we describe the development of a class of protease-activated quenched fluorescent probes in which a N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide copolymer is used as the primary scaffold. This copolymer core provides a high degree of probe modularity to generate structures that cannot be achieved with small molecules and peptide probes. We used a previously validated cathepsin substrate and evaluated the effects of length and type of linker, as well as the positioning of the fluorophore/quencher pair on the polymer core. We found that the polymeric probes could be optimized to achieve increased overall signal and tumor-to-background ratios compared to the reference small molecule probe. Our results also revealed multiple structure-activity relationship trends that can be used to design and optimize future optical imaging probes. Furthermore, they confirm that a hydrophilic polymer is an ideal scaffold for use in optical imaging contrast probes, allowing a highly modular design that enables efficient optimization to maximize probe accumulation and overall biodistribution properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hadzima
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Praha 6 16610, Czech Republic
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, Praha 2 12800, Czech Republic
| | - Franco F Faucher
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Kristýna Blažková
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Joshua J Yim
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Matteo Guerra
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Shiyu Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Emily C Woods
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Ki Wan Park
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Pavel Šácha
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Praha 6 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Šubr
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského n. 2, Praha 6 16206, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Kostka
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského n. 2, Praha 6 16206, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Etrych
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského n. 2, Praha 6 16206, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Praha 6 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Konvalinka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Praha 6 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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2
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Kahler JP, Ji S, Speelman-Rooms F, Vanhoutte R, Verhelst SHL. Phosphinate Esters as Novel Warheads for Quenched Activity-Based Probes Targeting Serine Proteases. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:1409-1415. [PMID: 38913607 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00203] [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: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Quenched activity-based probes (qABP) are invaluable tools to visualize aberrant protease activity. Unfortunately, most studies so far have only focused on cysteine proteases, and only a few studies describe the synthesis and use of serine protease qABPs. We recently used phosphinate ester electrophiles as a novel type of reactive group to construct ABPs for serine proteases. Here, we report on the construction of qABPs based on the phosphinate warhead, exemplified by probes for the neutrophil serine proteases. The most successful probes show sub-stoichiometric reaction with human neutrophil elastase, efficient fluorescence quenching, and rapid unquenching of fluorescence upon reaction with target proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Pascal Kahler
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 901b, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Shanping Ji
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 901b, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Femke Speelman-Rooms
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 901b, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular & Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Herestraat 49 box 802, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roeland Vanhoutte
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 901b, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven H L Verhelst
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 901b, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- AG Chemical Proteomics, Leibniz Institute for Analytical Sciences - ISAS, Otto-Hahn-Str. 6b, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
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3
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Wei X, Xu C, Cheng P, Hu Y, Liu J, Xu M, Huang J, Zhang Y, Pu K. Leveraging Long-Distance Singlet-Oxygen Transfer for Bienzyme-Locked Afterglow Imaging of Intratumoral Granule Enzymes. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:17393-17403. [PMID: 38860693 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c05012] [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: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Dual-locked activatable optical probes, leveraging the orthogonal effects of two biomarkers, hold great promise for the specific imaging of biological processes. However, their design approaches are limited to a short-distance energy or charge transfer mechanism, while the signal readout relies on fluorescence, which inevitably suffers from tissue autofluorescence. Herein, we report a long-distance singlet oxygen transfer approach to develop a bienzyme-locked activatable afterglow probe (BAAP) that emits long-lasting self-luminescence without real-time light excitation for the dynamic imaging of an intratumoral granule enzyme. Composed of an immuno-biomarker-activatable singlet oxygen (1O2) donor and a cancer-biomarker-activatable 1O2 acceptor, BAAP is initially nonafterglow. Only in the presence of both immune and cancer biomarkers can 1O2 be generated by the activated donor and subsequently diffuse toward the activated acceptor, resulting in bright near-infrared afterglow with a high signal-to-background ratio and specificity toward an intratumoral granule enzyme. Thus, BAAP allows for real-time tracking of tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes, enabling the evaluation of cancer immunotherapy and the differentiation of tumor from local inflammation with superb sensitivity and specificity, which are unachievable by single-locked probes. Thus, this study not only presents the first dual-locked afterglow probe but also proposes a new design way toward dual-locked probes via reactive oxygen species transfer processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wei
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Cheng Xu
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Penghui Cheng
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Yuxuan Hu
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Jing Liu
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Mengke Xu
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Jingsheng Huang
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Yan Zhang
- National Engineering Research Centre for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
| | - Kanyi Pu
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921, Singapore
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4
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Cosco ED, Bogyo M. Recent advances in ratiometric fluorescence imaging of enzyme activity in vivo. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2024; 80:102441. [PMID: 38457961 PMCID: PMC11164639 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.102441] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Among molecular imaging modalities that can monitor enzyme activity in vivo, optical imaging provides sensitive, molecular-level information at low-cost using safe and non-ionizing wavelengths of light. Yet, obtaining quantifiable optical signals in vivo poses significant challenges. Benchmarking using ratiometric signals can overcome dependence on dosing, illumination variability, and pharmacokinetics to provide quantitative in vivo optical data. This review highlights recent advances using fluorescent probes that are processed by enzymes to induce photophysical changes that can be monitored by ratiometric imaging. These diverse strategies include caged fluorophores that change photophysical properties upon enzymatic cleavage, as well as multi-fluorophore systems that are triggered by enzymatic cleavage to alter optical outputs in one or more fluorescent channels. The strategies discussed here have great potential for further development as well as potential broad applications for targeting diverse enzymes important for a wide range of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily D Cosco
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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5
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Hadzima M, Faucher F, Blažková K, Yim JJ, Guerra M, Chen S, Woods EC, Park KW, Šácha P, Šubr V, Kostka L, Etrych T, Majer P, Konvalinka J, Bogyo M. Polymer-tethered quenched fluorescent probes for enhanced imaging of tumor associated proteases. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.06.592849. [PMID: 38766164 PMCID: PMC11100723 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.06.592849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Fluorescence-based contrast agents enable real-time detection of solid tumors and their neovasculature, making them ideal for use in image-guided surgery. Several agents have entered late-stage clinical trials or secured FDA approval, suggesting they are likely to become standard of care in cancer surgeries. One of the key parameters to optimize in contrast agent is molecular size, which dictates much of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the agent. Here, we describe the development of a class of protease-activated quenched fluorescent probes in which a N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide copolymer is used as the primary scaffold. This copolymer core provides a high degree of probe modularity to generate structures that cannot be achieved with small molecules and peptide probes. We used a previously validated cathepsin substrate and evaluated the effects of length and type of linker as well as positioning of the fluorophore/quencher pair on the polymer core. We found that the polymeric probes could be optimized to achieve increased over-all signal and tumor-to-background ratios compared to the reference small molecule probe. Our results also revealed multiple structure-activity relationship trends that can be used to design and optimize future optical imaging probes. Furthermore, they confirm that a hydrophilic polymer is an ideal scaffold for use in optical imaging contrast probes, allowing a highly modular design that enables efficient optimization to maximize probe accumulation and overall biodistribution properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hadzima
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610, Praha 6, Czech Republic
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 12800, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Franco Faucher
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305, United States
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305, United States
| | - Kristýna Blažková
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305, United States
| | - Joshua J. Yim
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305, United States
| | - Matteo Guerra
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305, United States
| | - Shiyu Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305, United States
| | - Emily C. Woods
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305, United States
| | - Ki Wan Park
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305, United States
| | - Pavel Šácha
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Šubr
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského n. 2, 16206, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Kostka
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského n. 2, 16206, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Etrych
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského n. 2, 16206, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Konvalinka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305, United States
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6
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Denison M, Garcia SP, Ullrich A, Podgorski I, Gibson H, Turro C, Kodanko JJ. Ruthenium-Cathepsin Inhibitor Conjugates for Green Light-Activated Photodynamic Therapy and Photochemotherapy. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:7973-7983. [PMID: 38616353 PMCID: PMC11066580 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c01008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Dysregulated cathepsin activity is linked to various human diseases including metabolic disorders, autoimmune conditions, and cancer. Given the overexpression of cathepsin in the tumor microenvironment, cathepsin inhibitors are promising pharmacological agents and drug delivery vehicles for cancer treatment. In this study, we describe the synthesis and photochemical and biological assessment of a dual-action agent based on ruthenium that is conjugated with a cathepsin inhibitor, designed for both photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photochemotherapy (PCT). The ruthenium-cathepsin inhibitor conjugate was synthesized through an oxime click reaction, combining a pan-cathepsin inhibitor based on E64d with the Ru(II) PCT/PDT fragment [Ru(dqpy)(dppn)], where dqpy = 2,6-di(quinoline-2-yl)pyridine and dppn = benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine. Photochemical investigations validated the conjugate's ability to release a triazole-containing cathepsin inhibitor for PCT and to generate singlet oxygen for PDT upon exposure to green light. Inhibition studies demonstrated the conjugate's potent and irreversible inactivation of purified and intracellular cysteine cathepsins. Two Ru(II) PCT/PDT agents based on the [Ru(dqpy)(dppn)] moiety were evaluated for photoinduced cytotoxicity in 4T1 murine triple-negative breast cancer cells, L929 fibroblasts, and M0, M1, and M2 macrophages. The cathepsin inhibitor conjugate displayed notable selectivity for inducing cell death under irradiation compared to dark conditions, mitigating toxicity in the dark observed with the triazole control complex [Ru(dqpy)(dppn)(MeTz)]2+ (MeTz = 1-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole). Notably, our lead complex is among a limited number of dual PCT/PDT agents activated with green light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline Denison
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, 5101 Cass Ave, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | - Santana P Garcia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Alexander Ullrich
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Izabela Podgorski
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Heather Gibson
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Claudia Turro
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Jeremy J Kodanko
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, 5101 Cass Ave, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
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7
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Fujita K, Urano Y. Activity-Based Fluorescence Diagnostics for Cancer. Chem Rev 2024; 124:4021-4078. [PMID: 38518254 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00612] [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: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Fluorescence imaging is one of the most promising approaches to achieve intraoperative assessment of the tumor/normal tissue margins during cancer surgery. This is critical to improve the patients' prognosis, and therefore various molecular fluorescence imaging probes have been developed for the identification of cancer lesions during surgery. Among them, "activatable" fluorescence probes that react with cancer-specific biomarker enzymes to generate fluorescence signals have great potential for high-contrast cancer imaging due to their low background fluorescence and high signal amplification by enzymatic turnover. Over the past two decades, activatable fluorescence probes employing various fluorescence control mechanisms have been developed worldwide for this purpose. Furthermore, new biomarker enzymatic activities for specific types of cancers have been identified, enabling visualization of various types of cancers with high sensitivity and specificity. This Review focuses on recent advances in the design, function and characteristics of activatable fluorescence probes that target cancer-specific enzymatic activities for cancer imaging and also discusses future prospects in the field of activity-based diagnostics for cancer.
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8
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Konečná D, Výmola P, Ternerová N, Výmolová B, Garcia-Borja E, Mateu R, Šroubek F, Pankrác J, Widen JC, Bogyo M, Netuka D, Bušek P, Šedo A. Molecularly targeted protease-activated probes for visualization of glioblastoma: a comparison with 5-ALA. J Neurosurg 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38552239 PMCID: PMC11010726 DOI: 10.3171/2024.1.jns231137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The highly infiltrative growth of glioblastoma (GBM) makes distinction between the tumor and normal brain tissue challenging. Therefore, fluorescence-guided surgery is often used to improve visual identification of radiological tumor margins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of recently developed molecularly targeted near-infrared (NIR) protease-activated probes to visualize GBM tissue and to compare the most promising candidate with the gold standard, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). METHODS Single-substrate probes 6QC-ICG and 6QC-Cy5 (cysteine cathepsin cleavable), double-substrate probes AG2-FNIR and AG2-Cy5 (cysteine cathepsin and caspase 3 cleavable), and 5-ALA were administered intravenously to mice with orthotopic tumors. Activation of the probes was also evaluated in cell cultures in vitro and in biopsy material from patients with GBM ex vivo. The tumor to normal brain tissue fluorescence ratio (TNR) was quantified in brain sections using preclinical and clinical visualization platforms, and in tissue homogenates and cell suspensions using spectrofluorimetry. Subcellular localization of the fluorophores was visualized by confocal microscopy. RESULTS In vitro, the single-substrate probe 6QC-ICG was cleaved in glioma cells and macrophages, and the resulting fluorophore accumulated intracellularly. In experimental GBMs, both single- and double-substrate probes visualized tumor tissue, while in healthy brain tissue the signal was minimal. TNR was highest for 6QC-ICG and AG2-FNIR, but the signal intensity was higher for 6QC-ICG. Using xenograft and syngeneic mouse models, as well as human GBM biopsy material ex vivo, the authors confirmed the ability of 6QC-ICG to specifically visualize the glioma tissue using preclinical and clinical visualization platforms. Finally, a comparison with 5-ALA in animals coadministered with both compounds revealed a higher TNR for 6QC-ICG in experimental GBMs. CONCLUSIONS The cysteine cathepsin-cleavable probe 6QC-ICG is activated by glioma cells and tumor-associated macrophages, leading to a high contrast between tumor and nontumorous brain tissue that is superior to that of the current standard, 5-ALA. In addition to a well-defined mechanism of action, protease-activated probes that use NIR fluorophores (e.g., indocyanine green) have the advantage of low absorption and scattering of the NIR light and lower tissue autofluorescence. These results suggest that 6QC-ICG has the potential to become the targeted agent in intraoperative detection of GBM tissue using fluorescence imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Konečná
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurooncology, First Faculty of Medicine and Military University Hospital, Prague
- Institute of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague
| | - Petr Výmola
- Institute of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague
| | - Nikola Ternerová
- Institute of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague
| | - Barbora Výmolová
- Institute of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague
| | - Elena Garcia-Borja
- Institute of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague
| | - Rosana Mateu
- Institute of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague
| | - Filip Šroubek
- Institute of Information Theory and Automation, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague
| | - Jan Pankrác
- Center of Advanced Preclinical Imaging, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; and
| | - John C. Widen
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - David Netuka
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurooncology, First Faculty of Medicine and Military University Hospital, Prague
| | - Petr Bušek
- Institute of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague
| | - Aleksi Šedo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague
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Pang Z, Cravatt BF, Ye L. Deciphering Drug Targets and Actions with Single-Cell and Spatial Resolution. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2024; 64:507-526. [PMID: 37722721 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-033123-123610] [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: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in chemical, molecular, and genetic approaches have provided us with an unprecedented capacity to identify drug-target interactions across the whole proteome and genome. Meanwhile, rapid developments of single-cell and spatial omics technologies are revolutionizing our understanding of the molecular architecture of biological systems. However, a significant gap remains in how we align our understanding of drug actions, traditionally based on molecular affinities, with the in vivo cellular and spatial tissue heterogeneity revealed by these newer techniques. Here, we review state-of-the-art methods for profiling drug-target interactions and emerging multiomics tools to delineate the tissue heterogeneity at single-cell resolution. Highlighting the recent technical advances enabling high-resolution, multiplexable in situ small-molecule drug imaging (clearing-assisted tissue click chemistry, or CATCH), we foresee the integration of single-cell and spatial omics platforms, data, and concepts into the future framework of defining and understanding in vivo drug-target interactions and mechanisms of actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyuan Pang
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA;
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA;
| | - Li Ye
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA;
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
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10
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Deen MC, Gilormini PA, Vocadlo DJ. Strategies for quantifying the enzymatic activities of glycoside hydrolases within cells and in vivo. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2023; 77:102403. [PMID: 37856901 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102403] [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: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Within their native milieu of the cell, the activities of enzymes are controlled by a range of factors including protein interactions and post-translational modifications. The involvement of these factors in fundamental cell biology and the etiology of diseases is stimulating interest in monitoring enzyme activities within tissues. The creation of synthetic substrates, and their use with different imaging modalities, to detect and quantify enzyme activities has great potential to propel these areas of research. Here we describe the latest developments relating to the creation of substrates for imaging and quantifying the activities of glycoside hydrolases, focusing on mammalian systems. The limitations of current tools and the difficulties within the field are summarised, as are prospects for overcoming these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Deen
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Pierre-André Gilormini
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - David J Vocadlo
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada.
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11
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Lengacher R, Martin KE, Śmiłowicz D, Esseln H, Lotlikar P, Grichine A, Maury O, Boros E. Targeted, Molecular Europium (III) Probes Enable Luminescence-Guided Surgery and 1 Photon Post-Surgical Luminescence Microscopy of Solid Tumors. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:24358-24366. [PMID: 37869897 PMCID: PMC10670433 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Discrete luminescent lanthanide complexes represent a potential alternative to organic chromophores due to their tunability of optical properties, insensitivity to photobleaching, and large pseudo-Stokes shifts. Previously, we demonstrated that the lack of depth penetration of UV excitation required to sensitize discrete terbium and europium complexes can be overcome using Cherenkov radiation emitted by clinically employed radioisotopes in situ. Here, we show that the second-generation europium complexes [Eu(III)(pcta-PEPA2)] and [Eu(III)(tacn-pic-PEPA2)] (Φ = 57% and 76%, respectively) lower the limit of detection (LoD) to 1 nmol in the presence of 10 μCi of Cherenkov emitting isotopes, 18F and 68Ga. Bifunctionalization provides access to cysteine-linked peptide conjugates with comparable brightness and LoD. The conjugate, [Eu(tacn-(pic-PSMA)-PEPA2)], displays high binding affinity to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-expressing PC-3 prostate cancer cells in vitro and can be visualized in the membrane-bound state using confocal microscopy. Biodistribution studies with the [86Y][Y(III)(tacn-(pic-PSMA)-PEPA2)] analogue in a mouse xenograft model were employed to study pharmacokinetics. Systemic administration of the targeted Cherenkov emitter, [68Ga][Ga(III)(PSMA-617)], followed by intratumoral injection or topical application of 20 or 10 nmol [Eu(III)(tacn-(pic-PSMA)-PEPA2)], respectively, in live mice resulted in statistically significant signal enhancement using conventional small animal imaging (620 nm bandpass filter). Optical imaging informed successful tumor resection. Ex vivo imaging of the fixed tumor tissue with 1 and 2 photon excitation further reveals the accumulation of the administered Eu(III) complex in target tissues. This work represents a significant step toward the application of luminescent lanthanide complexes for optical imaging in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Lengacher
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Kirsten E Martin
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Dariusz Śmiłowicz
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Helena Esseln
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Piyusha Lotlikar
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Alexei Grichine
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS, UMR 5309, Site Santé, Allée des Alpes, 38700 La Tronche, France
| | - Olivier Maury
- Université Lyon, ENS de Lyon, CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie UMR 5182, F-69342 Lyon, France
| | - Eszter Boros
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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12
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Zhu S, Deen MC, Zhu Y, Gilormini PA, Chen X, Davis OB, Chin MY, Henry AG, Vocadlo DJ. A Fixable Fluorescence-Quenched Substrate for Quantitation of Lysosomal Glucocerebrosidase Activity in Both Live and Fixed Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202309306. [PMID: 37582679 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202309306] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Fluorogenic substrates are emerging tools that enable studying enzymatic processes within their native cellular environments. However, fluorogenic substrates that function within live cells are generally incompatible with cellular fixation, preventing their tandem application with fundamental cell biology methods such as immunocytochemistry. Here we report a simple approach to enable the chemical fixation of a dark-to-light substrate, LysoFix-GBA, which enables quantification of glucocerebrosidase (GCase) activity in both live and fixed cells. LysoFix-GBA enables measuring responses to both chemical and genetic perturbations to lysosomal GCase activity. Further, LysoFix-GBA permits simple multiplexed co-localization studies of GCase activity with subcellular protein markers. This tool will aid studying the role of GCase activity in Parkinson's Disease, creating new therapeutic approaches targeting the GCase pathway. This approach also lays the foundation for an approach to create fixable substrates for other lysosomal enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Matthew C Deen
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Yanping Zhu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Pierre-André Gilormini
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Oliver B Davis
- Denali Therapeutics Inc., 161 Oyster Point Blvd., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Marcus Y Chin
- Denali Therapeutics Inc., 161 Oyster Point Blvd., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Anastasia G Henry
- Denali Therapeutics Inc., 161 Oyster Point Blvd., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - David J Vocadlo
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
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13
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Faucher F, Liu KJ, Cosco ED, Widen JC, Sorger J, Guerra M, Bogyo M. Protease Activated Probes for Real-Time Ratiometric Imaging of Solid Tumors. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:1059-1069. [PMID: 37252358 PMCID: PMC10214504 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c00261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Surgery is the preferred treatment option for most solid tumors. However, inaccurate detection of cancer borders leads to either incomplete removal of malignant cells or excess excision of healthy tissue. While fluorescent contrast agents and imaging systems improve tumor visualization, they can suffer from low signal-to-background and are prone to technical artifacts. Ratiometric imaging has the potential to eliminate many of these issues such as uneven probe distribution, tissue autofluorescence, and changes in positioning of the light source. Here, we describe a strategy to convert quenched fluorescent probes into ratiometric contrast agents. Conversion of the cathepsin-activated probe, 6QC-Cy5, into a two-fluorophore probe, 6QC-RATIO, significantly improved signal-to-background in vitro and in a mouse subcutaneous breast tumor model. Tumor detection sensitivity was further enhanced using a dual-substrate AND-gate ratiometric probe, Death-Cat-RATIO, that fluoresces only after orthogonal processing by multiple tumor-specific proteases. We also designed and built a modular camera system that was coupled to the FDA-approved da Vinci Xi robot, to enable real-time imaging of ratiometric signals at video frame rates compatible with surgical workflows. Our results demonstrate that ratiometric camera systems and imaging probes have the potential to be clinically implemented to improve surgical resection of many types of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco
F. Faucher
- Department
of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Kevin J. Liu
- Program
in Cancer Biology, Stanford University School
of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305 United States
| | - Emily D. Cosco
- Department
of Pathology, Stanford University School
of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - John C. Widen
- Department
of Pathology, Stanford University School
of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Jonathan Sorger
- Intuitive
Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, California 94086, United States
| | - Matteo Guerra
- Department
of Pathology, Stanford University School
of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department
of Pathology, Stanford University School
of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford
University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford
University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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14
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Jiang G, Lou XF, Zuo S, Liu X, Ren TB, Wang L, Zhang XB, Yuan L. Tuning the Cellular Uptake and Retention of Rhodamine Dyes by Molecular Engineering for High-Contrast Imaging of Cancer Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202218613. [PMID: 36855015 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202218613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Probes allowing high-contrast discrimination of cancer cells and effective retention are powerful tools for the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. However, conventional small-molecule probes often show limited performance in both aspects. Herein, we report an ingenious molecular engineering strategy for tuning the cellular uptake and retention of rhodamine dyes. Introduction of polar aminoethyl leads to the increased brightness and reduced cellular uptake of dyes, and this change can be reversed by amino acetylation. Moreover, these modifications allow cancer cells to take up more dyes than normal cells (16-fold) through active transport. Specifically, we further improve the signal contrast (56-fold) between cancer and normal cells by constructing activatable probes and confirm that the released fluorophore can remain in cancer cells with extended time, enabling long-term and specific tumor imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gangwei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Feng Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P.R. China
| | - Shan Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P.R. China
| | - Xixuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P.R. China
| | - Tian-Bing Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P.R. China
| | - Lu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Bing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P.R. China
| | - Lin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P.R. China
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15
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Cysteine Cathepsins in Breast Cancer: Promising Targets for Fluorescence-Guided Surgery. Mol Imaging Biol 2023; 25:58-73. [PMID: 36002710 PMCID: PMC9971096 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-022-01768-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The majority of breast cancer patients is treated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) combined with adjuvant radiation therapy. Up to 40% of patients has a tumor-positive resection margin after BCS, which necessitates re-resection or additional boost radiation. Cathepsin-targeted near-infrared fluorescence imaging during BCS could be used to detect residual cancer in the surgical cavity and guide additional resection, thereby preventing tumor-positive resection margins and associated mutilating treatments. The cysteine cathepsins are a family of proteases that play a major role in normal cellular physiology and neoplastic transformation. In breast cancer, the increased enzymatic activity and aberrant localization of many of the cysteine cathepsins drive tumor progression, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. The upregulation of cysteine cathepsins in breast cancer cells indicates their potential as a target for intraoperative fluorescence imaging. This review provides a summary of the current knowledge on the role and expression of the most important cysteine cathepsins in breast cancer to better understand their potential as a target for fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS). In addition, it gives an overview of the cathepsin-targeted fluorescent probes that have been investigated preclinically and in breast cancer patients. The current review underscores that cysteine cathepsins are highly suitable molecular targets for FGS because of favorable expression and activity patterns in virtually all breast cancer subtypes. This is confirmed by cathepsin-targeted fluorescent probes that have been shown to facilitate in vivo breast cancer visualization and tumor resection in mouse models and breast cancer patients. These findings indicate that cathepsin-targeted FGS has potential to improve treatment outcomes in breast cancer patients.
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16
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Ćwilichowska N, Świderska KW, Dobrzyń A, Drąg M, Poręba M. Diagnostic and therapeutic potential of protease inhibition. Mol Aspects Med 2022; 88:101144. [PMID: 36174281 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Proteases are enzymes that hydrolyze peptide bonds in proteins and peptides; thus, they control virtually all biological processes. Our understanding of protease function has advanced considerably from nonselective digestive enzymes to highly specialized molecular scissors that orchestrate complex signaling networks through a limited proteolysis. The catalytic activity of proteases is tightly regulated at several levels, ranging from gene expression through trafficking and maturation to posttranslational modifications. However, when this delicate balance is disturbed, many diseases develop, including cancer, inflammatory disorders, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. This new understanding of the role of proteases in pathologic physiology indicates that these enzymes represent excellent molecular targets for the development of therapeutic inhibitors, as well as for the design of chemical probes to visualize their redundant activity. Recently, numerous platform technologies have been developed to identify and optimize protease substrates and inhibitors, which were further used as lead structures for the development of chemical probes and therapeutic drugs. Due to this considerable success, the clinical potential of proteases in therapeutics and diagnostics is rapidly growing and is still not completely explored. Therefore, small molecules that can selectively target aberrant protease activity are emerging in diseases cells. In this review, we describe modern trends in the design of protease drugs as well as small molecule activity-based probes to visualize selected proteases in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Ćwilichowska
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Karolina W Świderska
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Dobrzyń
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Ludwika Pasteura 3, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Drąg
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Marcin Poręba
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland.
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17
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Kennedy GT, Holt DE, Azari FS, Bernstein E, Nadeem B, Chang A, Sullivan NT, Segil A, Desphande C, Bensen E, Santini JT, Kucharczuk JC, Delikatny EJ, Bogyo M, Egan AJM, Bradley CW, Eruslanov E, Lickliter JD, Wright G, Singhal S. A Cathepsin-Targeted Quenched Activity-Based Probe Facilitates Enhanced Detection of Human Tumors during Resection. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:3729-3741. [PMID: 35792882 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-1215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fluorescence-guided surgery using tumor-targeted contrast agents has been developed to improve the completeness of oncologic resections. Quenched activity-based probes that fluoresce after covalently binding to tumor-specific enzymes have been proposed to improve specificity, but none have been tested in humans. Here, we report the successful clinical translation of a cathepsin activity-based probe (VGT-309) for fluorescence-guided surgery. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We optimized the specificity, dosing, and timing of VGT-309 in preclinical models of lung cancer. To evaluate clinical feasibility, we conducted a canine study of VGT-309 during pulmonary tumor resection. We then conducted a randomized, double-blind, dose-escalation study in healthy human volunteers receiving VGT-309 to evaluate safety. Finally, we tested VGT-309 in humans undergoing lung cancer surgery. RESULTS In preclinical models, we found highly specific tumor cell labeling that was blocked by a broad spectrum cathepsin inhibitor. When evaluating VGT-309 for guidance during resection of canine tumors, we found that the probe selectively labeled tumors and demonstrated high tumor-to-background ratio (TBR; range: 2.15-3.71). In the Phase I human study, we found that VGT-309 was safe at all doses studied. In the ongoing Phase II trial, we report two cases in which VGT-309 localized visually occult, non-palpable tumors (TBRs = 2.83 and 7.18) in real time to illustrate its successful clinical translation and potential to improve surgical management. CONCLUSIONS This first-in-human study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of VGT-309 to label human pulmonary tumors during resection. These results may be generalizable to other cancers due to cathepsin overexpression in many solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory T Kennedy
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - David E Holt
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Feredun S Azari
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Elizabeth Bernstein
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Bilal Nadeem
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ashley Chang
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Neil T Sullivan
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Alix Segil
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Charuhas Desphande
- Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - John C Kucharczuk
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Edward J Delikatny
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - A J Matthew Egan
- Department of Pathology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Charles W Bradley
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Evgeniy Eruslanov
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Gavin Wright
- Department of Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sunil Singhal
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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18
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A versatile fluorescence-quenched substrate for quantitative measurement of glucocerebrosidase activity within live cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2200553119. [PMID: 35858317 PMCID: PMC9304032 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200553119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of activity of the lysosomal glycosidase β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase) causes the lysosomal storage disease Gaucher disease (GD) and has emerged as the greatest genetic risk factor for the development of both Parkinson disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies. There is significant interest into how GCase dysfunction contributes to these diseases, however, progress toward a full understanding is complicated by presence of endogenous cellular factors that influence lysosomal GCase activity. Indeed, such factors are thought to contribute to the high degree of variable penetrance of GBA mutations among patients. Robust methods to quantitatively measure GCase activity within lysosomes are therefore needed to advance research in this area, as well as to develop clinical assays to monitor disease progression and assess GCase-directed therapeutics. Here, we report a selective fluorescence-quenched substrate, LysoFQ-GBA, which enables measuring endogenous levels of lysosomal GCase activity within living cells. LysoFQ-GBA is a sensitive tool for studying chemical or genetic perturbations of GCase activity using either fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry. We validate the quantitative nature of measurements made with LysoFQ-GBA using various cell types and demonstrate that it accurately reports on both target engagement by GCase inhibitors and the GBA allele status of cells. Furthermore, through comparisons of GD, PD, and control patient-derived tissues, we show there is a close correlation in the lysosomal GCase activity within monocytes, neuronal progenitor cells, and neurons. Accordingly, analysis of clinical blood samples using LysoFQ-GBA may provide a surrogate marker of lysosomal GCase activity in neuronal tissue.
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19
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Walker E, Linders DGJ, Abenojar E, Wang X, Hazelbag HM, Straver ME, Bijlstra OD, March TL, Vahrmeijer AL, Exner A, Bogyo M, Basilion JP, Straight B. Formulation of a Thermosensitive Imaging Hydrogel for Topical Application and Rapid Visualization of Tumor Margins in the Surgical Cavity. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143459. [PMID: 35884520 PMCID: PMC9323389 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We have developed a formulation for an innovative, quenched, cathepsin-targeted, fluorescent molecular probe to enhance resection quality for several solid-tumor cancers. Unlike other formulations for imaging probes or tracers in development and entering the clinic, which require systemic administration hours before the procedure, this current formulation is applied topically into the surgical cavity immediately after a standard of care resection. Within minutes of application, the probe activates in the presence of residual cancer in the surgical wound and provides a strong fluorescent signal that precisely delineates any remaining cancer, enabling a more complete resection. Utilization of this imaging gel formulation for topical application to detect breast cancer in the surgical cavity during surgery has the potential to reduce re-excisions, with consequent savings in healthcare costs and enhancement in patient quality of life. Abstract Background: Tumor-positive surgical margins during primary breast cancer (BCa) surgery are associated with a two-fold increase in the risk of local recurrence when compared with tumor-negative margins. Pathological microscopic evaluation of the samples only assesses about 1/10 of 1% of the entire volume of the removed BCa specimens, leading to margin under-sampling and potential local recurrence in patients with pathologically clean margins, i.e., false negative margins. In the case of tumor-positive margins, patients need to undergo re-excision and/or radiation therapy, resulting in increases in complications, morbidity, and healthcare costs. Development of a simple real-time imaging technique to identify residual BCa in the surgical cavity rapidly and precisely could significantly improve the quality of care. Methods: A small-molecule, fluorescently quenched protease-substrate probe, AKRO-QC-ICG, was tested as part of a thermosensitive imaging gel formulated for topical application and imaging of the BCa surgical cavity. Results: More than forty formulations of gel mixtures were investigated to enable easy fluid application and subsequent solidification once applied, preventing dripping and pooling in the surgical cavity. The final formulation was tested using human BCa orthotopic implants in nude and NSG patient-derived xenografts (PDX) mice. This formulation of Pluronic F-127/DMSO/AKRO-QC-ICG imaging gel was found to be a good solvent for the probe, with a desirable thermo-reversible solid–gel transition and mechanical strength for distribution of AKRO-QC-ICG on the surfaces of tissue. It demonstrated excellent ability to detect BCa tissue after 10 min exposure, with a high signal-to-noise ratio both in mouse xenografts and freshly excised human lumpectomy tissue. The in vivo efficacy of the AKRO-QC-ICG imaging gel to detect BCa revealed the levels of sensitivity/specificity = 0.92/1 in 12 nude mice, which was corroborated with the sensitivity/specificity = 0.94/1 in 10 PDX mice. Conclusions: Utilization of Pluronic F-127/DMSO/AKRO-QC-ICG imaging gel for topical application to detect BCa in the surgical cavity during surgery has the potential to reduce re-excisions, with consequent savings in healthcare costs and enhancement in patient quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Walker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (E.W.); (X.W.); (A.E.); (J.P.B.)
| | - Daan G. J. Linders
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.G.J.L.); (O.D.B.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Eric Abenojar
- Department of Radiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
| | - Xinning Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (E.W.); (X.W.); (A.E.); (J.P.B.)
| | - Hans Marten Hazelbag
- Department of Pathology, Haaglanden Medical Center, 2512 VA The Hague, The Netherlands;
| | - Marieke E. Straver
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center, 2512 VA The Hague, The Netherlands;
| | - Okker D. Bijlstra
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.G.J.L.); (O.D.B.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Taryn L. March
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Alexander L. Vahrmeijer
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.G.J.L.); (O.D.B.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Agata Exner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (E.W.); (X.W.); (A.E.); (J.P.B.)
- Department of Radiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - James P. Basilion
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (E.W.); (X.W.); (A.E.); (J.P.B.)
- Department of Radiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Akrotome Imaging Inc., Charlotte, NC 28205, USA
| | - Brian Straight
- Akrotome Imaging Inc., Charlotte, NC 28205, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-216-983-3264
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20
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Preclinical Evaluation of an Activity-Based Probe for Intraoperative Imaging of Esophageal Cancer. Mol Imaging 2022; 2022:5447290. [PMID: 35903245 PMCID: PMC9328188 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5447290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early detection and complete resection are important prognostic factors for esophageal cancer (EC). Intraoperative molecular imaging (IMI) using tumor-targeted tracers is effective in many cancer types. However, there are no EC-specific IMI tracers. We sought to test a cathepsin activity-based tracer (VGT-309) for EC resection. Methods Murine (AKR, HNM007) and human (OE19) EC cell lines were screened for cathepsin expression by western blotting. In vitro binding affinity of VGT-309 was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. Flank tumor models were developed by injecting EC cells into the flanks of BALB/c or athymic nude mice. Mice pretreated with a cathepsin inhibitor (JPM-OEt) were used to confirm on target binding. Animals were injected with 2 mg/kg VGT-309, underwent IMI, and were sacrificed 24 hours after injection. Results Cathepsins B, L, S, and X were expressed by EC cell lines, and all cell lines were labeled in vitro with VGT-309. Fluorescent signal was eliminated when cells were pretreated with JPM-OEt. On biodistribution analysis, VGT-309 accumulated in the liver, kidneys, and spleen without other organ involvement. VGT-309 selectively accumulated in flank allografts and xenografts, with mean signal-to-background ratio of 5.21 (IQR: 4.18-6.73) for flank allografts and 4.34 (IQR: 3.75-5.02) for flank xenografts. Fluorescence microscopy and histopathological analysis confirmed the selective accumulation of the tracer in tumors compared to background normal tissues. Conclusions VGT-309 is an effective tracer for IMI of esophageal cancer. There is potential for clinical translation both as an adjunct to endoscopic detection and for complete removal of disease during esophagectomy.
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21
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Lian J, Wang Y, Sun X, Shi Q, Meng F. Progress on Multifunction Enzyme-Activated Organic Fluorescent Probes for Bioimaging. Front Chem 2022; 10:935586. [PMID: 35910747 PMCID: PMC9326025 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.935586] [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: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioimaging techniques are of increasing importance in clinical and related fields, which also have been successfully applied in the in vivo/in vitro imaging system. Due to the vital factor of enzymes in biological systems, enzyme-activated fluorophores, which could turn “on” the fluorescence signal from an “off” state, offer non-invasive and effective potential for the accurate bioimaging of particular cells, tissues, or bacteria. Comparing with the traditional imaging probes, enzyme-activated organic small fluorophores can visualize living cells within small animals with high sensitivity, high imaging resolution, non-invasiveness, and real-time feedback. In this mini review, well-designed enzyme-activated organic fluorescent probes with multiple functions are exclusively reviewed through the latest development and progress, focusing on probe design strategy, fluorescence property, enzyme activation process, and bioimaging applications. It is worth noting that multi-enzyme-activated strategies, which could avoid the production of “false-positive” signals in complex biological systems, effectively provide high selective and real-time bioimaging, indicating the exciting potential of intraoperative fluorescence imaging and diagnosis tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lian
- College of Criminal Investigation, People’s Public Security University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yipeng Wang
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaomeng Sun
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Quanshi Shi
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Zaozhuang Hospital of Shandong Healthcare Industry Development Group, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Fanda Meng
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Fanda Meng,
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22
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Ito R, Kamiya M, Urano Y. Molecular probes for fluorescence image-guided cancer surgery. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 67:102112. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.102112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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23
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Neijenhuis LKA, de Myunck LDAN, Bijlstra OD, Kuppen PJK, Hilling DE, Borm FJ, Cohen D, Mieog JSD, Steup WH, Braun J, Burggraaf J, Vahrmeijer AL, Hutteman M. Near-Infrared Fluorescence Tumor-Targeted Imaging in Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12030446. [PMID: 35330197 PMCID: PMC8950608 DOI: 10.3390/life12030446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cancer type worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being the most common subtype. Non-disseminated NSCLC is mainly treated with surgical resection. The intraoperative detection of lung cancer can be challenging, since small and deeply located pulmonary nodules can be invisible under white light. Due to the increasing use of minimally invasive surgical techniques, tactile information is often reduced. Therefore, several intraoperative imaging techniques have been tested to localize pulmonary nodules, of which near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence is an emerging modality. In this systematic review, the available literature on fluorescence imaging of lung cancers is presented, which shows that NIR fluorescence-guided lung surgery has the potential to identify the tumor during surgery, detect additional lesions and prevent tumor-positive resection margins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisanne K. A. Neijenhuis
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.K.A.N.); (L.D.A.N.d.M.); (O.D.B.); (P.J.K.K.); (D.E.H.); (J.S.D.M.); (A.L.V.)
- Centre for Human Drug Research, 2333 CL Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Lysanne D. A. N. de Myunck
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.K.A.N.); (L.D.A.N.d.M.); (O.D.B.); (P.J.K.K.); (D.E.H.); (J.S.D.M.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Okker D. Bijlstra
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.K.A.N.); (L.D.A.N.d.M.); (O.D.B.); (P.J.K.K.); (D.E.H.); (J.S.D.M.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Peter J. K. Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.K.A.N.); (L.D.A.N.d.M.); (O.D.B.); (P.J.K.K.); (D.E.H.); (J.S.D.M.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Denise E. Hilling
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.K.A.N.); (L.D.A.N.d.M.); (O.D.B.); (P.J.K.K.); (D.E.H.); (J.S.D.M.); (A.L.V.)
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank J. Borm
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Danielle Cohen
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - J. Sven D. Mieog
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.K.A.N.); (L.D.A.N.d.M.); (O.D.B.); (P.J.K.K.); (D.E.H.); (J.S.D.M.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Willem H. Steup
- Department of Surgery, HAGA Hospital, 2545 AA The Hague, The Netherlands;
| | - Jerry Braun
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | | | - Alexander L. Vahrmeijer
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.K.A.N.); (L.D.A.N.d.M.); (O.D.B.); (P.J.K.K.); (D.E.H.); (J.S.D.M.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Merlijn Hutteman
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.K.A.N.); (L.D.A.N.d.M.); (O.D.B.); (P.J.K.K.); (D.E.H.); (J.S.D.M.); (A.L.V.)
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-71-526-51-00
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24
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Rodriguez-Rios M, Megia-Fernandez A, Norman DJ, Bradley M. Peptide probes for proteases - innovations and applications for monitoring proteolytic activity. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:2081-2120. [PMID: 35188510 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00798j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Proteases are excellent biomarkers for a variety of diseases, offer multiple opportunities for diagnostic applications and are valuable targets for therapy. From a chemistry-based perspective this review discusses and critiques the most recent advances in the field of substrate-based probes for the detection and analysis of proteolytic activity both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rodriguez-Rios
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, David Brewster Road, EH9 3FJ Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Alicia Megia-Fernandez
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, David Brewster Road, EH9 3FJ Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Daniel J Norman
- Technical University of Munich, Trogerstrasse, 30, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Mark Bradley
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, David Brewster Road, EH9 3FJ Edinburgh, UK.
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25
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Muir RK, Guerra M, Bogyo MM. Activity-Based Diagnostics: Recent Advances in the Development of Probes for Use with Diverse Detection Modalities. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:281-291. [PMID: 35026106 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal enzyme expression and activity is a hallmark of many diseases. Activity-based diagnostics are a class of chemical probes that aim to leverage this dysregulated metabolic signature to produce a detectable signal specific to diseased tissue. In this Review, we highlight recent methodologies employed in activity-based diagnostics that provide exquisite signal sensitivity and specificity in complex biological systems for multiple disease states. We divide these examples based upon their unique signal readout modalities and highlight those that have advanced into clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan K. Muir
- Department of Pathology and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Matteo Guerra
- Department of Pathology and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Matthew M. Bogyo
- Department of Pathology and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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26
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Fundamentals and developments in fluorescence-guided cancer surgery. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:9-22. [PMID: 34493858 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00548-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence-guided surgery using tumour-targeted imaging agents has emerged over the past decade as a promising and effective method of intraoperative cancer detection. An impressive number of fluorescently labelled antibodies, peptides, particles and other molecules related to cancer hallmarks have been developed for the illumination of target lesions. New approaches are being implemented to translate these imaging agents into the clinic, although only a few have made it past early-phase clinical trials. For this translational process to succeed, target selection, imaging agents and their related detection systems and clinical implementation have to operate in perfect harmony to enable real-time intraoperative visualization that can benefit patients. Herein, we review key aspects of this imaging cascade and focus on imaging approaches and methods that have helped to shed new light onto the field of intraoperative fluorescence-guided cancer surgery with the singular goal of improving patient outcomes.
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27
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Zhang Y, Zhang G, Zeng Z, Pu K. Activatable molecular probes for fluorescence-guided surgery, endoscopy and tissue biopsy. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 51:566-593. [PMID: 34928283 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00525a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The real-time, dynamic optical visualization of lesions and margins ensures not only complete resection of the malignant tissues but also better preservation of the vital organs/tissues during surgical procedures. Most imaging probes with an "always-on" signal encounter high background noise due to their non-specific accumulation in normal tissues. By contrast, activatable molecular probes only "turn on" their signals upon reaction with the targeted biomolecules that are overexpressed in malignant cells, offering high target-to-background ratios with high specificity and sensitivity. This review summarizes the recent progress of activatable molecular probes in surgical imaging and diagnosis. The design principle and mechanism of activatable molecular probes are discussed, followed by specific emphasis on applications ranging from fluorescence-guided surgery to endoscopy and tissue biopsy. Finally, potential challenges and perspectives in the field of activatable molecular probe-enabled surgical imaging are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- National Engineering Research Centre for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medical, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Guopeng Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P. R. China
| | - Ziling Zeng
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, 637457, Singapore
| | - Kanyi Pu
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, 637457, Singapore
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28
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Zong Q, Zheng R, Xiao X, Jiang M, Li J, Yuan Y. Dual-locking nanoprobe based on hemicyanine for orthogonal stimuli-triggered precise cancer imaging and therapy. J Control Release 2021; 338:307-315. [PMID: 34454962 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Currently, stimulus-responsive nanomedicines are usually activated by a single cancer-associated biomarker and utilize different image/therapeutic agents for cancer imaging/therapy, which restricts the specificity of nanomedicine and complicates their design. Herein, we report a novel dual-locking theranostic nanoprobe (DL-P) based on near-infrared (NIR) hemicyanine CyNH2 with two orthogonal stimuli of cancer cell lysosomal pH (first "lock")- and lysosome-overexpressed cathepsin B (CTB, second "lock")-triggered NIR fluorescence turn-on and drug activation to improve the specificity of cancer imaging and therapy. The fluorescence of CyNH2 was initially quenched due to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) but could be selectively activated under the dual-key stimulation of lysosomal pH and CTB to liberate CyNH2, resulting in strong NIR fluorescence turn-on for cancer imaging. Moreover, CyNH2 caused mitochondrial dysfunction to inhibit cancer cell proliferation in the absence of laser irradiation, which can be used in cancer therapy. Compared with previously reported probes that respond to a single stimulus, this dual-locking nanoprobe that is responsive to two orthogonal stimuli triggers with integrated imaging and therapy function in a single agent exhibits increased selectivity and specificity, which provides a prospective strategy for precise cancer imaging and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyu Zong
- Institute for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Rui Zheng
- Institute for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Xuan Xiao
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Maolin Jiang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou 511442, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Jisi Li
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education and Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Youyong Yuan
- Institute for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou 511442, PR China.
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29
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Bogyo
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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30
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Scott J, Deng Q, Vendrell M. Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probes for the Detection of Cancer-Associated Proteases. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1304-1317. [PMID: 34315210 PMCID: PMC8383269 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Proteases are enzymes capable of catalyzing protein breakdown, which is critical across many biological processes. There are several families of proteases, each of which perform key functions through the degradation of specific proteins. As our understanding of cancer improves, it has been demonstrated that several proteases can be overactivated during the progression of cancer and contribute to malignancy. Optical imaging systems that employ near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes to detect protease activity offer clinical promise, both for early detection of cancer as well as for the assessment of personalized therapy. In this Review, we review the design of NIR probes and their successful application for the detection of different cancer-associated proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie
I. Scott
- Centre
for Inflammation Research, The University
of Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Qinyi Deng
- Centre
for Inflammation Research, The University
of Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Vendrell
- Centre
for Inflammation Research, The University
of Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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31
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Rubtsova NI, Hart MC, Arroyo AD, Osharovich SA, Liebov BK, Miller J, Yuan M, Cochran JM, Chong S, Yodh AG, Busch TM, Delikatny EJ, Anikeeva N, Popov AV. NIR Fluorescent Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy with a Novel Theranostic Phospholipid Probe for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:1852-1863. [PMID: 34139845 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
New exogenous probes are needed for both imaging diagnostics and therapeutics. Here, we introduce a novel nanocomposite near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging probe and test its potency as a photosensitizing agent for photodynamic therapy (PDT) against triple-negative breast cancer cells. The active component in the nanocomposite is a small molecule, pyropheophorbide a-phosphatidylethanolamine-QSY21 (Pyro-PtdEtn-QSY), which is imbedded into lipid nanoparticles for transport in the body. The probe targets abnormal choline metabolism in cancer cells; specifically, the overexpression of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) in breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers. Pyro-PtdEtn-QSY consists of a NIR fluorophore and a quencher, attached to a PtdEtn moiety. It is selectively activated by PC-PLC resulting in enhanced fluorescence in cancer cells compared to normal cells. In our in vitro investigation, four breast cancer cell lines showed higher probe activation levels than noncancerous control cells, immortalized human mammary gland cells, and normal human T cells. Moreover, the ability of this nanocomposite to function as a sensitizer in PDT experiments on MDA-MB-231 cells suggests that the probe is promising as a theranostic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia I Rubtsova
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Michael C Hart
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Alejandro D Arroyo
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Sofya A Osharovich
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Benjamin K Liebov
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Joann Miller
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Bldg 421, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Min Yuan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Bldg 421, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Jeffrey M Cochran
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, 3231 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Sanghoon Chong
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, 3231 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Arjun G Yodh
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, 3231 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Theresa M Busch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Bldg 421, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - E James Delikatny
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Nadia Anikeeva
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, United States
| | - Anatoliy V Popov
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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He Y, Wang S, Yu P, Yan K, Ming J, Yao C, He Z, El-Toni AM, Khan A, Zhu X, Sun C, Lei Z, Zhang F. NIR-II cell endocytosis-activated fluorescent probes for in vivo high-contrast bioimaging diagnostics. Chem Sci 2021; 12:10474-10482. [PMID: 34447540 PMCID: PMC8356747 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc02763h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescence probes have great potential to empower bioimaging, precision clinical diagnostics and surgery. However, current probes are limited to in vivo high-contrast diagnostics, due to the substantial background interference from tissue scattering and nonspecific activation in blood and normal tissues. Here, we developed a kind of cell endocytosis-activated fluorescence (CEAF) probe, which consists of a hydrophilic polymer unit and an acid pH-sensitive small-molecule fluorescent moiety that operates in the "tissue-transparent" second near-infrared (NIR-II) window. The CEAF probe stably presents in the form of quenched nanoaggregates in water and blood, and can be selectively activated and retained in lysosomes through cell endocytosis, driven by a synergetic mechanism of disaggregation and protonation. In vivo imaging of tumor and inflammation with a passive-targeting and affinity-tagged CEAF probe, respectively, yields highly specific signals with target-to-background ratios over 15 and prolonged observation time up to 35 hours, enabling positive implications for surgical, diagnostic and fundamental biomedical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue He
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and iChem, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Shangfeng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and iChem, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Peng Yu
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and iChem, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Kui Yan
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and iChem, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Jiang Ming
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and iChem, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Chenzhi Yao
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and iChem, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Zuyang He
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and iChem, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Ahmed Mohamed El-Toni
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - Aslam Khan
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - Xinyan Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and iChem, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Caixia Sun
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and iChem, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Zuhai Lei
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and iChem, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and iChem, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
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Abstract
Cysteine cathepsins are proteases critical in physiopathological processes and show potential as targets or biomarkers for diseases and medical conditions. The 11 members of the cathepsin family are redundant in some cases but remarkably independent of others, demanding the development of both pan-cathepsin targeting tools as well as probes that are selective for specific cathepsins with little off-target activity. This review addresses the diverse design strategies that have been employed to accomplish this tailored selectivity among cysteine cathepsin targets and the imaging modalities incorporated. The power of these diverse tools is contextualized by briefly highlighting the nature of a few prominent cysteine cathepsins, their involvement in select diseases, and the application of cathepsin imaging probes in research spanning basic biochemical studies to clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelton A Schleyer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, 1345 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Lina Cui
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, 1345 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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Steuten K, Kim H, Widen JC, Babin BM, Onguka O, Lovell S, Bolgi O, Cerikan B, Neufeldt CJ, Cortese M, Muir RK, Bennett JM, Geiss-Friedlander R, Peters C, Bartenschlager R, Bogyo M. Challenges for Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Proteases as a Therapeutic Strategy for COVID-19. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1457-1468. [PMID: 33570381 PMCID: PMC7901237 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Two proteases produced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the main protease and papain-like protease, are essential for viral replication and have become the focus of drug development programs for treatment of COVID-19. We screened a highly focused library of compounds containing covalent warheads designed to target cysteine proteases to identify new lead scaffolds for both Mpro and PLpro proteases. These efforts identified a small number of hits for the Mpro protease and no viable hits for the PLpro protease. Of the Mpro hits identified as inhibitors of the purified recombinant protease, only two compounds inhibited viral infectivity in cellular infection assays. However, we observed a substantial drop in antiviral potency upon expression of TMPRSS2, a transmembrane serine protease that acts in an alternative viral entry pathway to the lysosomal cathepsins. This loss of potency is explained by the fact that our lead Mpro inhibitors are also potent inhibitors of host cell cysteine cathepsins. To determine if this is a general property of Mpro inhibitors, we evaluated several recently reported compounds and found that they are also effective inhibitors of purified human cathepsins L and B and showed similar loss in activity in cells expressing TMPRSS2. Our results highlight the challenges of targeting Mpro and PLpro proteases and demonstrate the need to carefully assess selectivity of SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitors to prevent clinical advancement of compounds that function through inhibition of a redundant viral entry pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kas Steuten
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Heeyoung Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg partner site, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John C. Widen
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Brett M. Babin
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Ouma Onguka
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Scott Lovell
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Oguz Bolgi
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Berati Cerikan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christopher J. Neufeldt
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mirko Cortese
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ryan K. Muir
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - John M. Bennett
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Ruth Geiss-Friedlander
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Peters
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, German
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg partner site, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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Fang H, Peng B, Ong SY, Wu Q, Li L, Yao SQ. Recent advances in activity-based probes (ABPs) and affinity-based probes (A fBPs) for profiling of enzymes. Chem Sci 2021; 12:8288-8310. [PMID: 34221311 PMCID: PMC8221178 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc01359a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) is a technique that uses highly selective active-site targeted chemical probes to label and monitor the state of proteins. ABPP integrates the strengths of both chemical and biological disciplines. By utilizing chemically synthesized or modified bioactive molecules, ABPP is able to reveal complex physiological and pathological enzyme-substrate interactions at molecular and cellular levels. It is also able to provide critical information of the catalytic activity changes of enzymes, annotate new functions of enzymes, discover new substrates of enzymes, and allow real-time monitoring of the cellular location of enzymes. Based on the mechanism of probe-enzyme interaction, two types of probes that have been used in ABPP are activity-based probes (ABPs) and affinity-based probes (AfBPs). This review highlights the recent advances in the use of ABPs and AfBPs, and summarizes their design strategies (based on inhibitors and substrates) and detection approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixiao Fang
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE), Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech) 30 South Puzhu Road Nanjing 211816 P. R. China
| | - Bo Peng
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE), Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University 127 West Youyi Road Xi'an 710072 P. R. China
| | - Sing Yee Ong
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore 4 Science Drive 2 117544 Singapore
| | - Qiong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE), Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech) 30 South Puzhu Road Nanjing 211816 P. R. China
| | - Lin Li
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE), Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech) 30 South Puzhu Road Nanjing 211816 P. R. China
| | - Shao Q Yao
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore 4 Science Drive 2 117544 Singapore
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Usama SM, Inagaki F, Kobayashi H, Schnermann MJ. Norcyanine-Carbamates Are Versatile Near-Infrared Fluorogenic Probes. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:5674-5679. [PMID: 33844539 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c02112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Fluorogenic probes in the near-infrared (NIR) region have the potential to provide stimuli-dependent information in living organisms. Here, we describe a new class of fluorogenic probes based on the heptamethine cyanine scaffold, the most broadly used NIR chromophore. These compounds result from modification of heptamethine norcyanines with stimuli-responsive carbamate linkers. The resulting cyanine carbamates (CyBams) exhibit exceptional turn-ON ratios (∼170×) due to dual requirements for NIR emission: carbamate cleavage through 1,6-elimination and chromophore protonation. Illustrating their utility in complex in vivo settings, a γ-glutamate substituted CyBam was applied to imaging γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity in a metastatic model of ovarian cancer. Overall, CyBams have significant potential to extend the reach of fluorogenic strategies to intact tissue and live animal imaging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Muhammad Usama
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Fuyuki Inagaki
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Hisataka Kobayashi
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Martin J Schnermann
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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Beroske L, Van den Wyngaert T, Stroobants S, Van der Veken P, Elvas F. Molecular Imaging of Apoptosis: The Case of Caspase-3 Radiotracers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083948. [PMID: 33920463 PMCID: PMC8069194 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular imaging of apoptosis remains an important method for the diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of certain diseases and the evaluation of the efficacy of anticancer apoptosis-inducing therapies. Among the multiple biomarkers involved in apoptosis, activated caspase-3 is an attractive target, as it is the most abundant of the executioner caspases. Nuclear imaging is a good candidate, as it combines a high depth of tissue penetration and high sensitivity, features necessary to detect small changes in levels of apoptosis. However, designing a caspase-3 radiotracer comes with challenges, such as selectivity, cell permeability and transient caspase-3 activation. In this review, we discuss the different caspase-3 radiotracers for the imaging of apoptosis together with the challenges of the translation of various apoptosis-imaging strategies in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Beroske
- Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.B.); (T.V.d.W.); (S.S.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
| | - Tim Van den Wyngaert
- Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.B.); (T.V.d.W.); (S.S.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Sigrid Stroobants
- Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.B.); (T.V.d.W.); (S.S.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Pieter Van der Veken
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
| | - Filipe Elvas
- Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.B.); (T.V.d.W.); (S.S.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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Schleyer KA, Fetrow B, Zannes Fatland P, Liu J, Chaaban M, Ma B, Cui L. Dual-Mechanism Quenched Fluorogenic Probe Provides Selective and Rapid Detection of Cathepsin L Activity*. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1082-1087. [PMID: 33295147 PMCID: PMC8202353 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cathepsin L (CTL) is a cysteine protease demonstrating upregulated activity in many disease states. Overlapping substrate specificity makes selective detection of CTL activity difficult to parse from that of its close homologue CTV and the ubiquitous CTB. Current probes of CTL activity have limited applications due to either poor contrast or extra assay steps required to achieve selectivity. We have developed a fluorogenic probe, CTLAP, that displays good selectivity for CTL over CTB and CTV while exhibiting low background fluorescence attributed to dual quenching mechanisms. CTLAP achieves optimum CTL selectivity in the first 10 min of incubation, thus suggesting that it is amenable for rapid detection of CTL, even in the presence of competing cathepsins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelton A Schleyer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, UF Health Science Center, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, 1345 Center Dr., Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, 300 Terrace St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Ben Fetrow
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, 300 Terrace St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Peter Zannes Fatland
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, 300 Terrace St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, UF Health Science Center, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, 1345 Center Dr., Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, 300 Terrace St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Maya Chaaban
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, 95 Chieftan Way 118 DLC, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Biwu Ma
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, 95 Chieftan Way 118 DLC, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Lina Cui
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, UF Health Science Center, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, 1345 Center Dr., Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, 300 Terrace St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Lentz CS. What you see is what you get: activity-based probes in single-cell analysis of enzymatic activities. Biol Chem 2021; 401:233-248. [PMID: 31939273 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Molecular imaging methods can provide spatio-temporal information about the distribution of biomolecules or biological processes, such as certain enzymatic activities, in single cells. Within a cell, it is possible to define the subcellular location of a target, its trafficking through the cell, colocalization with other biomolecules of interest and involvement in certain cell biological processes. On the other hand, single-cell imaging promises to distinguish cells that are phenotypically different from each other. The corresponding cellular diversity comprises the presence of functionally distinct cells in a population ('phenotypic heterogeneity'), as well as dynamic cellular responses to external stimuli ('phenotypic plasticity'), which is highly relevant, e.g. during cell differentiation, activation (of immune cells), or cell death. This review focuses on applications of a certain class of chemical probes, the so-called activity-based probes (ABPs), for visualization of enzymatic activities in the single-cell context. It discusses the structure of ABPs and other chemical probes, exemplary applications of ABPs in single-cell studies in human, mouse and bacterial systems and considerations to be made with regard to data interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian S Lentz
- Department of Chemical Biology (CBIO), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, D-38102 Braunschweig, Germany
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40
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Yim JJ, Singh SP, Xia A, Kashfi-Sadabad R, Tholen M, Huland DM, Zarabanda D, Cao Z, Solis-Pazmino P, Bogyo M, Valdez TA. Short-Wave Infrared Fluorescence Chemical Sensor for Detection of Otitis Media. ACS Sens 2020; 5:3411-3419. [PMID: 33175516 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.0c01272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Otitis media (OM) or middle ear infection is one of the most common diseases in young children around the world. The diagnosis of OM is currently performed using an otoscope to detect middle ear fluid and inflammatory changes manifested in the tympanic membrane. However, conventional otoscopy cannot visualize across the tympanic membrane or sample middle ear fluid. This can lead to low diagnostic certainty and overdiagnoses of OM. To improve the diagnosis of OM, we have developed a short-wave infrared (SWIR) otoscope in combination with a protease-cleavable biosensor, 6QC-ICG, which can facilitate the detection of inflammatory proteases in the middle ear with an increase in contrast. 6QC-ICG is a fluorescently quenched probe, which is activated in the presence of cysteine cathepsin proteases that are up-regulated in inflammatory immune cells. Using a preclinical model and custom-built SWIR otomicroscope in this proof-of-concept study, we successfully demonstrated the feasibility of robustly distinguishing inflamed ears from controls (p = 0.0006). The inflamed ears showed an overall signal-to-background ratio of 2.0 with a mean fluorescence of 81 ± 17 AU, while the control ear exhibited a mean fluorescence of 41 ± 11 AU. We envision that these fluorescently quenched probes in conjunction with SWIR imaging tools have the potential to be used as an alternate/adjunct tool for objective diagnosis of OM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua J. Yim
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Surya Pratap Singh
- Department of Otolaryngology−Head & Neck Surgery Divisions, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad, Dharwad, Karnataka 580011, India
| | - Anping Xia
- Department of Otolaryngology−Head & Neck Surgery Divisions, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Raana Kashfi-Sadabad
- Department of Otolaryngology−Head & Neck Surgery Divisions, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Martina Tholen
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - David M. Huland
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - David Zarabanda
- Department of Otolaryngology−Head & Neck Surgery Divisions, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Zhixin Cao
- Department of Otolaryngology−Head & Neck Surgery Divisions, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Paola Solis-Pazmino
- Department of Otolaryngology−Head & Neck Surgery Divisions, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Tulio A. Valdez
- Department of Otolaryngology−Head & Neck Surgery Divisions, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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Hira J, Uddin MJ, Haugland MM, Lentz CS. From Differential Stains to Next Generation Physiology: Chemical Probes to Visualize Bacterial Cell Structure and Physiology. Molecules 2020; 25:E4949. [PMID: 33114655 PMCID: PMC7663024 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25214949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical probes have been instrumental in microbiology since its birth as a discipline in the 19th century when chemical dyes were used to visualize structural features of bacterial cells for the first time. In this review article we will illustrate the evolving design of chemical probes in modern chemical biology and their diverse applications in bacterial imaging and phenotypic analysis. We will introduce and discuss a variety of different probe types including fluorogenic substrates and activity-based probes that visualize metabolic and specific enzyme activities, metabolic labeling strategies to visualize structural features of bacterial cells, antibiotic-based probes as well as fluorescent conjugates to probe biomolecular uptake pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Hira
- Research Group for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology and Centre for New Antibacterial Strategies (CANS), UiT—The Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (J.H.); (M.J.U.)
| | - Md. Jalal Uddin
- Research Group for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology and Centre for New Antibacterial Strategies (CANS), UiT—The Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (J.H.); (M.J.U.)
| | - Marius M. Haugland
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for New Antibacterial Strategies (CANS), UiT—The Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway;
| | - Christian S. Lentz
- Research Group for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology and Centre for New Antibacterial Strategies (CANS), UiT—The Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (J.H.); (M.J.U.)
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Reja SI, Minoshima M, Hori Y, Kikuchi K. Near-infrared fluorescent probes: a next-generation tool for protein-labeling applications. Chem Sci 2020; 12:3437-3447. [PMID: 34163617 PMCID: PMC8179524 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc04792a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes over the past few decades has changed the way that biomolecules are imaged, and thus represents one of the most rapidly progressing areas of research. Presently, NIR fluorescent probes are routinely used to visualize and understand intracellular activities. The ability to penetrate tissues deeply, reduced photodamage to living organisms, and a high signal-to-noise ratio characterize NIR fluorescent probes as efficient next-generation tools for elucidating various biological events. The coupling of self-labeling protein tags with synthetic fluorescent probes is one of the most promising research areas in chemical biology. Indeed, at present, protein-labeling techniques are not only used to monitor the dynamics and localization of proteins but also play a more diverse role in imaging applications. For instance, one of the dominant technologies employed in the visualization of protein activity and regulation is based on protein tags and their associated NIR fluorescent probes. In this mini-review, we will discuss the development of several NIR fluorescent probes used for various protein-tag systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahi Imam Reja
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Masafumi Minoshima
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Yuichiro Hori
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Kazuya Kikuchi
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University Osaka 565-0871 Japan
- Quantum Information and Quantum Biology Division, Osaka University Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
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43
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Suurs FV, Qiu SQ, Yim JJ, Schröder CP, Timmer-Bosscha H, Bensen ES, Santini JT, de Vries EGE, Bogyo M, van Dam GM. Fluorescent image-guided surgery in breast cancer by intravenous application of a quenched fluorescence activity-based probe for cysteine cathepsins in a syngeneic mouse model. EJNMMI Res 2020; 10:111. [PMID: 32990883 PMCID: PMC7524956 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-020-00688-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The reoperation rate for breast-conserving surgery is as high as 15–30% due to residual tumor in the surgical cavity after surgery. In vivo tumor-targeted optical molecular imaging may serve as a red-flag technique to improve intraoperative surgical margin assessment and to reduce reoperation rates. Cysteine cathepsins are overexpressed in most solid tumor types, including breast cancer. We developed a cathepsin-targeted, quenched fluorescent activity-based probe, VGT-309, and evaluated whether it could be used for tumor detection and image-guided surgery in syngeneic tumor-bearing mice. Methods Binding specificity of the developed probe was evaluated in vitro. Next, fluorescent imaging in BALB/c mice bearing a murine breast tumor was performed at different time points after VGT-309 administration. Biodistribution of VGT-309 after 24 h in tumor-bearing mice was compared to control mice. Image-guided surgery was performed at multiple time points tumors with different clinical fluorescent camera systems and followed by ex vivo analysis. Results The probe was specifically activated by cathepsins X, B/L, and S. Fluorescent imaging revealed an increased tumor-to-background contrast over time up to 15.1 24 h post probe injection. In addition, VGT-309 delineated tumor tissue during image-guided surgery with different optical fluorescent imaging camera systems. Conclusion These results indicate that optical fluorescent molecular imaging using the cathepsin-targeted probe, VGT-309, may improve intraoperative tumor detection, which could translate to more complete tumor resection when coupled with commercially available surgical tools and techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frans V Suurs
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Si-Qi Qiu
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. .,Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Breast Diseases, Affiliated Shantou Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shantou, China.
| | - Joshua J Yim
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Carolien P Schröder
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hetty Timmer-Bosscha
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Elisabeth G E de Vries
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gooitzen M van Dam
- Department of Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. .,Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and Medical Imaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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AND-gate contrast agents for enhanced fluorescence-guided surgery. Nat Biomed Eng 2020; 5:264-277. [PMID: 32989286 PMCID: PMC7969380 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-020-00616-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The surgical resection of tumours requires the precise location and definition of the margins between lesions and normal tissue. However, this is made difficult by irregular margin borders. Although molecularly targeted optical contrast agents can be used to define tumour margins during surgery in real time, the selectivity of the contrast agents is often limited by the target being expressed in both healthy and tumour tissues. Here, we show that AND-gate optical imaging probes requiring the processing of two substrates by multiple tumour-specific enzymes produce a fluorescent signal with significantly improved specificity and sensitivity to tumour tissue. We evaluated the performance of the probes in mouse models of mammary tumours and of metastatic lung cancer, and during fluorescence-guided robotic surgery. Imaging probes relying on multivariate activation to selectively target complex patterns of enzymatic activity should be useful in disease detection, treatment and monitoring.
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45
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Tholen M, Yim JJ, Groborz K, Yoo E, Martin BA, Berg NS, Drag M, Bogyo M. Design of Optical‐Imaging Probes by Screening of Diverse Substrate Libraries Directly in Disease‐Tissue Extracts. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202006719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tholen
- Department of Pathology Stanford University School of Medicine 300 Pasteur Drive Stanford CA 94305 USA
| | - Joshua J. Yim
- Department of Pathology Stanford University School of Medicine 300 Pasteur Drive Stanford CA 94305 USA
- Department of Chemical and System Biology Stanford University School of Medicine 300 Pasteur Drive Stanford CA 94305 USA
| | - Katarzyna Groborz
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging Faculty of Chemistry Wrocław University of Science and Technology Wrocław Poland
| | - Euna Yoo
- Department of Pathology Stanford University School of Medicine 300 Pasteur Drive Stanford CA 94305 USA
- Current address: Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research National Cancer Institute Frederick MD 20850 USA
| | - Brock A. Martin
- Department of Pathology Stanford University School of Medicine 300 Pasteur Drive Stanford CA 94305 USA
| | - Nynke S. Berg
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Stanford University School of Medicine 900 Blake Wilbur Drive Stanford CA 94305 USA
| | - Marcin Drag
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging Faculty of Chemistry Wrocław University of Science and Technology Wrocław Poland
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Pathology Stanford University School of Medicine 300 Pasteur Drive Stanford CA 94305 USA
- Department of Chemical and System Biology Stanford University School of Medicine 300 Pasteur Drive Stanford CA 94305 USA
- Microbiology and Immunology Stanford University School of Medicine 300 Pasteur Drive Stanford CA 94305 USA
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46
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Tholen M, Yim JJ, Groborz K, Yoo E, Martin BA, van den Berg NS, Drag M, Bogyo M. Design of Optical-Imaging Probes by Screening of Diverse Substrate Libraries Directly in Disease-Tissue Extracts. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:19143-19152. [PMID: 32589815 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202006719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fluorescently quenched probes that are specifically activated in the cancer microenvironment have great potential application for diagnosis, early detection, and surgical guidance. These probes are often designed to target specific enzymes associated with diseases by direct optimization using single purified enzymes. However, this can result in painstaking chemistry efforts to produce a probe with suboptimal performance when applied in vivo. We describe here an alternate, unbiased activity-profiling approach in which whole tissue extracts are used to directly identify optimal peptide sequences for probe design. Screening of tumor extracts with a hybrid combinatorial substrate library (HyCoSuL) identified a combination of natural and non-natural amino-acid residues that was used to generate highly efficient tumor-specific probes. This new strategy simplifies and enhances the process of probe optimization without any a priori knowledge of enzyme targets and has the potential to be applied to diverse disease states using clinical or animal-model tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tholen
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Joshua J Yim
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Department of Chemical and System Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Katarzyna Groborz
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Euna Yoo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Current address: Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Brock A Martin
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Nynke S van den Berg
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 900 Blake Wilbur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Marcin Drag
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Department of Chemical and System Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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47
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Wu Y, Zhang F. Exploiting molecular probes to perform near‐infrared fluorescence‐guided surgery. VIEW 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/viw.20200068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Wu
- Department of Chemistry State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials and iChem Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Chemistry State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials and iChem Fudan University Shanghai China
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48
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Widen JC, Tholen M, Yim JJ, Bogyo M. Methods for analysis of near-infrared (NIR) quenched-fluorescent contrast agents in mouse models of cancer. Methods Enzymol 2020; 639:141-166. [PMID: 32475399 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2020.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Optical contrast agents containing near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores are useful for visualizing biological landmarks, enzyme activities and biological processes in live animals and humans. Activatable (smart) quenched-fluorescent probes are sensors that become fluorescent after processing by an enzyme or in response to a physiological change (i.e., pH, ROS, etc.). Recently, there has been increased interest in developing activatable probes for research and clinical applications. This requires evaluation using in vivo animal models to gain insights into the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of a given probe. Important parameters to measure when evaluating quenched-fluorescent probes are signal brightness and signal-to-background ratios, which define the sensitivity and specificity of a probe. In this chapter, we discuss methods to evaluate activatable quenched-fluorescent probes in mouse models of cancer. Quantification of fluorescent signal intensity, calculation of tumor-to-background ratios, comparison of fluorescent activation in specific organ compartments, and fluorescence scanning of sectioned tissue will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Widen
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Martina Tholen
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Joshua J Yim
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States; Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States; Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States.
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49
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Vizovišek M, Vidak E, Javoršek U, Mikhaylov G, Bratovš A, Turk B. Cysteine cathepsins as therapeutic targets in inflammatory diseases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:573-588. [PMID: 32228244 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1746765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Cysteine cathepsins are involved in the development and progression of numerous inflammation-associated diseases such as cancer, arthritis, bone and immune disorders. Consequently, there is a drive to progress research efforts focused on cathepsin use in diagnostics and as therapeutic targets in disease.Areas covered: This review discusses the potential of cysteine cathepsins as therapeutic targets in inflammation-associated diseases and recent advances in preclinical and clinical research. We describe direct targeting of cathepsins for treatment purposes and their indirect use in diagnostics.Expert opinion: The targeting of cysteine cathepsins has not translated into the clinic; this failure is attributed to off- and on-target side effects and/or the lack of companion biomarkers. This field now embraces developments in diagnostic imaging, the activation of prodrugs and antibody-drug conjugates for targeted drug delivery. The future lies in improved molecular tools and therapeutic concepts that will find a wide spectrum of uses in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Vizovišek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eva Vidak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urban Javoršek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Georgy Mikhaylov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andreja Bratovš
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boris Turk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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50
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Soleimany AP, Bhatia SN. Activity-Based Diagnostics: An Emerging Paradigm for Disease Detection and Monitoring. Trends Mol Med 2020; 26:450-468. [PMID: 32359477 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Diagnostics to accurately detect disease and monitor therapeutic response are essential for effective clinical management. Bioengineering, chemical biology, molecular biology, and computer science tools are converging to guide the design of diagnostics that leverage enzymatic activity to measure or produce biomarkers of disease. We review recent advances in the development of these 'activity-based diagnostics' (ABDx) and their application in infectious and noncommunicable diseases. We highlight efforts towards both molecular probes that respond to disease-specific catalytic activity to produce a diagnostic readout, as well as diagnostics that use enzymes as an engineered component of their sense-and-respond cascade. These technologies exemplify how integrating techniques from multiple disciplines with preclinical validation has enabled ABDx that may realize the goals of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava P Soleimany
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Graduate Program in Biophysics, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sangeeta N Bhatia
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Wyss Institute at Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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