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Paulus J, Sewald N. Small molecule- and peptide-drug conjugates addressing integrins: A story of targeted cancer treatment. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3561. [PMID: 38382900 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Targeted cancer treatment should avoid side effects and damage to healthy cells commonly encountered during traditional chemotherapy. By combining small molecule or peptidic ligands as homing devices with cytotoxic drugs connected by a cleavable or non-cleavable linker in peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) or small molecule-drug conjugates (SMDCs), cancer cells and tumours can be selectively targeted. The development of highly affine, selective peptides and small molecules in recent years has allowed PDCs and SMDCs to increasingly compete with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Integrins represent an excellent target for conjugates because they are overexpressed by most cancer cells and because of the broad knowledge about native binding partners as well as the multitude of small-molecule and peptidic ligands that have been developed over the last 30 years. In particular, integrin αVβ3 has been addressed using a variety of different PDCs and SMDCs over the last two decades, following various strategies. This review summarises and describes integrin-addressing PDCs and SMDCs while highlighting points of great interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannik Paulus
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Norbert Sewald
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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Baiula M, Anselmi M, Musiani F, Ghidini A, Carbone J, Caligiana A, Maurizio A, Spampinato S, Gentilucci L. Design, Pharmacological Characterization, and Molecular Docking of Minimalist Peptidomimetic Antagonists of α 4β 1 Integrin. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119588. [PMID: 37298541 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrin receptors mediate cell-cell interactions via the recognition of cell-adhesion glycoproteins, as well as via the interactions of cells with proteins of the extracellular matrix, and upon activation they transduce signals bi-directionally across the cell membrane. In the case of injury, infection, or inflammation, integrins of β2 and α4 families participate in the recruitment of leukocytes, a multi-step process initiated by the capturing of rolling leukocytes and terminated by their extravasation. In particular, α4β1 integrin is deeply involved in leukocyte firm adhesion preceding extravasation. Besides its well-known role in inflammatory diseases, α4β1 integrin is also involved in cancer, being expressed in various tumors and showing an important role in cancer formation and spreading. Hence, targeting this integrin represents an opportunity for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, some autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In this context, taking inspiration from the recognition motives of α4β1 integrin with its natural ligands FN and VCAM-1, we designed minimalist α/β hybrid peptide ligands, with our approach being associated with a retro strategy. These modifications are expected to improve the compounds' stability and bioavailability. As it turned out, some of the ligands were found to be antagonists, being able to inhibit the adhesion of integrin-expressing cells to plates coated with the natural ligands without inducing any conformational switch and any activation of intracellular signaling pathways. An original model structure of the receptor was generated using protein-protein docking to evaluate the bioactive conformations of the antagonists via molecular docking. Since the experimental structure of α4β1 integrin is still unknown, the simulations might also shed light on the interactions between the receptor and its native protein ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Baiula
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Anselmi
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Musiani
- Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 40, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessia Ghidini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jacopo Carbone
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Caligiana
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Andrea Maurizio
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Santi Spampinato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Gentilucci
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Health Sciences & Technologies (HST) CIRI, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy
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Vu TQ, Sant'Anna LE, Kamat NP. Tuning Targeted Liposome Avidity to Cells via Lipid Phase Separation. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:1574-1584. [PMID: 36943688 PMCID: PMC10874583 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01338] [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: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The addition of both cell-targeting moieties and polyethylene glycol (PEG) to nanoparticle (NP) drug delivery systems is a standard approach to improve the biodistribution, specificity, and uptake of therapeutic cargo. The spatial presentation of these molecules affects avidity of the NP to target cells in part through an interplay between the local ligand concentration and the steric hindrance imposed by PEG molecules. Here, we show that lipid phase separation in nanoparticles can modulate liposome avidity by changing the proximity of PEG and targeting protein molecules on a nanoparticle surface. Using lipid-anchored nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) as a model ligand, we demonstrate that the attachment of lipid anchored Ni-NTA and PEG molecules to distinct lipid domains in nanoparticles can enhance liposome binding to cancer cells by increasing ligand clustering and reducing steric hindrance. We then use this technique to enhance the binding of RGD-modified liposomes, which can bind to integrins overexpressed on many cancer cells. These results demonstrate the potential of lipid phase separation to modulate the spatial presentation of targeting and shielding molecules on lipid nanocarriers, offering a powerful tool to enhance the efficacy of NP drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Q Vu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Lucas E Sant'Anna
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Neha P Kamat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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Paulus J, Nachtigall B, Meyer P, Sewald N. RGD Peptidomimetic MMAE-Conjugate Addressing Integrin αVβ3-Expressing Cells with High Targeting Index. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202203476. [PMID: 36454662 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202203476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Small molecule-drug conjugates (SMDCs) mimicking the RGD sequence (-Arg-Gly-Asp-) with a non-peptide moiety require a pharmacophore-independent attachment site. A library of 36 sulfonamide-modified RGD mimetics with nM to pM affinity for integrin αV β3 was synthesized and analysed via DAD mapping. The best structure of the conjugable RGD mimetic was used and a linker was attached to an aromatic ring by Negishi cross-coupling. The product retained high affinity and selectivity for integrin αV β3 . The conjugable RGD mimetic was then attached to an enzymatically cleavable GKGEVA linker equipped with a self-immolative PABC and the antimitotic drug monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). The resulting SMDC preferred binding to integrin αV β3 over α5 β1 in a ratio of 1 : 4519 (ELISA) and showed selectivity for αV β3 -positive WM115 cells over αV β3 -negative M21-L cells in the in vitro cell adhesion assay as well as in cell viability assays with a targeting index of 134 (M21-L/WM115).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannik Paulus
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Beate Nachtigall
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Peter Meyer
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Norbert Sewald
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
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Liu Y, Ren X, Wu J, Wilkins JA, Lin F. T Cells Chemotaxis Migration Studies with a Multi-Channel Microfluidic Device. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1567. [PMID: 36295920 PMCID: PMC9611841 DOI: 10.3390/mi13101567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Immune surveillance is dependent on lymphocyte migration and targeted recruitment. This can involve different modes of cell motility ranging from random walk to highly directional environment-guided migration driven by chemotaxis. This study protocol describes a flow-based microfluidic device to perform quantitative multiplex cell migration assays with the potential to investigate in real time the migratory response of T cells at the population or single-cell level. The device also allows for subsequent in situ fixation and direct fluorescence analysis of the cells in the microchannel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba, 30A Sifton Rd, 301 Allen Bldg, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Xiaoou Ren
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba, 30A Sifton Rd, 301 Allen Bldg, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Jiandong Wu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - John A. Wilkins
- Manitoba Centre for Proteomics and Systems Biology, University of Manitoba and Health Sciences Centre, 799 JBRC, 715 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada
| | - Francis Lin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba, 30A Sifton Rd, 301 Allen Bldg, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
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Paulus J, Sewald N. Synthesis and Evaluation of a Non-Peptide Small-Molecule Drug Conjugate Targeting Integrin αVβ3. Front Chem 2022; 10:869639. [PMID: 35480387 PMCID: PMC9035832 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.869639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
An integrin αVβ3-targeting linear RGD mimetic containing a small-molecule drug conjugate (SMDC) was synthesized by combining the antimitotic agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), an enzymatically cleavable Val-Ala-PABC linker with a linear conjugable RGD mimetic. The structure proposal for the conjugable RGD mimetic was suggested upon the DAD mapping analysis of a previously synthesized small-molecule RGD mimetic array based on a tyrosine scaffold. Therefore, a diversifying strategy was developed as well as a novel method for the partial hydrogenation of pyrimidines in the presence of the hydrogenolytically cleavable Cbz group. The small-molecule RGD mimetics were evaluated in an ELISA-like assay, and the structural relationships were analyzed by DAD mapping revealing activity differences induced by structural changes as visualized in dependence on special structural motifs. This provided a lead structure for generation of an SMDC containing the antimitotic drug MMAE. The resulting SMDC containing a linear RGD mimetic was tested in a cell adhesion and an in vitro cell viability assay in comparison to reference SMDCs containing cRGDfK or cRADfK as the homing device. The linear RGD SMDC and the cRGDfK SMDC inhibited adhesion of αVβ3-positive WM115 cells to vitronectin with IC50 values in the low µM range, while no effect was observed for the αVβ3-negative M21-L cell line. The cRADfK SMDC used as a negative control was about 30-fold less active in the cell adhesion assay than the cRGDfK SMDC. Conversely, both the linear RGD SMDC and the cRGDfK SMDC are about 55-fold less cytotoxic than MMAE against the αVβ3-positive WM115 cell line with IC50 values in the nM range, while the cRADfK SMDC is 150-fold less cytotoxic than MMAE. Hence, integrin binding also influences the antiproliferative activity giving a targeting index of 2.8.
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