1
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Sahni A, Ritchey JL, Qian Z, Pei D. Cell-Penetrating Peptides Translocate across the Plasma Membrane by Inducing Vesicle Budding and Collapse. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:25371-25382. [PMID: 39221867 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c10533] [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: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) enter the cell by two different mechanisms-endocytosis followed by endosomal escape and direct translocation at the plasma membrane. The mechanism of direct translocation remains unresolved. In this work, the direct translocation of nonaarginine (R9) and two cyclic CPPs (CPP12 and CPP17) into Jurkat cells was monitored by time-lapse confocal microscopy. Our results provide direct evidence that all three CPPs translocate across the plasma membrane by a recently discovered vesicle budding-and-collapse (VBC) mechanism. Membrane translocation is preceded by the formation of nucleation zones. Up to four different types of nucleation zones and three variations of the VBC mechanism were observed. The VBC mechanism reconciles the enigmatic and conflicting observations in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashweta Sahni
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Jeremy L Ritchey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Ziqing Qian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Dehua Pei
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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2
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Su S, Shen X, Shi X, Li X, Chen J, Yang W, Sun M, Tang YD, Wang H, Wang S, Cai X, Lu Y, An T, Yang Y, Meng F. Cell-penetrating peptides TAT and 8R functionalize P22 virus-like particles to enhance tissue distribution and retention in vivo. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1460973. [PMID: 39290505 PMCID: PMC11405305 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1460973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are used as nanocontainers for targeted drug, protein, and vaccine delivery. The phage P22 VLP is an ideal macromolecule delivery vehicle, as it has a large exterior surface area, which facilitates multivalent genetic and chemical modifications for cell recognition and penetration. Arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can increase cargo transport efficiency in vivo. However, studies on the tissue distribution and retention of P22 VLPs mediated by TAT and 8R are lacking. This study aimed to analyze the TAT and 8R effects on the P22 VLPs transport efficiency and tissue distribution both in vitro and in vivo. We used a prokaryotic system to prepare P22 VLP self-assembled particles and expressed TAT-or 8R-conjugated mCherry on the VLP capsid protein as model cargoes and revealed that the level of P22 VLP-mCherry penetrating the cell membrane was low. However, both TAT and 8R significantly promoted the cellular uptake efficiency of P22 VLPs in vitro, as well as enhanced the tissue accumulation and retention of P22 VLPs in vivo. At 24 h postinjection, TAT enhanced the tissue distribution and retention in the lung, whereas 8R could be better accumulation in brain. Thus, TAT was superior in terms of cellular uptake and tissue accumulation in the P22 VLPs delivery system. Understanding CPP biocompatibility and tissue retention will expand their potential applications in macromolecular cargo delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibo Su
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Xuegang Shen
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Xinqi Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Jin Chen
- Institute of Veterinary Immunology and Engineering, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- GuoTai (Taizhou) Center of Technology Innovation for Veterinary Biologicals, Taizhou, China
| | - Wei Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Mingxia Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Yan-Dong Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Haiwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Shujie Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Xuehui Cai
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Research Center for Veterinary Biopharmaceutical Technology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Yu Lu
- Institute of Veterinary Immunology and Engineering, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- GuoTai (Taizhou) Center of Technology Innovation for Veterinary Biologicals, Taizhou, China
| | - Tongqing An
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Immunology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Yongbo Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Research Center for Veterinary Biopharmaceutical Technology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Fandan Meng
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
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3
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Merlino F, Marzano S, Zizza P, D’Aria F, Grasso N, Carachino A, Iachettini S, Biroccio A, Fonzo SD, Grieco P, Randazzo A, Amato J, Pagano B. Unlocking the potential of protein-derived peptides to target G-quadruplex DNA: from recognition to anticancer activity. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:6748-6762. [PMID: 38828773 PMCID: PMC11229374 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae471] [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] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Noncanonical nucleic acid structures, particularly G-quadruplexes, have garnered significant attention as potential therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. Here, the recognition of G-quadruplex DNA by peptides derived from the Rap1 protein is explored, with the aim of developing novel peptide-based G-quadruplex ligands with enhanced selectivity and anticancer activity. Biophysical techniques were employed to assess the interaction of a peptide derived from the G-quadruplex-binding domain of the protein with various biologically relevant G-quadruplex structures. Through alanine scanning mutagenesis, key amino acids crucial for G-quadruplex recognition were identified, leading to the discovery of two peptides with improved G-quadruplex-binding properties. However, despite their in vitro efficacy, these peptides showed limited cell penetration and anticancer activity. To overcome this challenge, cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-conjugated derivatives were designed, some of which exhibited significant cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. Interestingly, selected CPP-conjugated peptides exerted potent anticancer activity across various tumour types via a G-quadruplex-dependent mechanism. These findings underscore the potential of peptide-based G-quadruplex ligands in cancer therapy and pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting these DNA structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Merlino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Simona Marzano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Pasquale Zizza
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Federica D’Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Nicola Grasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Alice Carachino
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Sara Iachettini
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Fonzo
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S. C. p. A., Science Park, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
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4
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Huang C, Liu YC, Oh H, Guo DS, Nau WM, Hennig A. Cellular Uptake of Cell-Penetrating Peptides Activated by Amphiphilic p-Sulfonatocalix[4]arenes. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202400174. [PMID: 38456376 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400174] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
We report the synthesis of a series of amphiphilic p-sulfonatocalix[4]arenes with varying alkyl chain lengths (CX4-Cn) and their application as efficient counterion activators for membrane transport of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). The enhanced membrane activity is confirmed with the carboxyfluorescein (CF) assay in vesicles and by the direct cytosolic delivery of CPPs into CHO-K1, HCT 116, and KTC-1 cells enabling excellent cellular uptake of the CPPs into two cancer cell lines. Intracellular delivery was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy after CPP entry into live cells mediated by CX4-Cn, which was also quantified after cell lysis by fluorescence spectroscopy. The results present the first systematic exploration of structure-activity relationships for calixarene-based counterion activators and show that CX4-Cn are exceptionally effective in cellular delivery of CPPs. The dodecyl derivative, CX4-C12, serves as best activator. A first mechanistic insight is provided by efficient CPP uptake at 4 °C and in the presence of the endocytosis inhibitor dynasore, which indicates a direct translocation of the CPP-counterion complexes into the cytosol and highlights the potential benefits of CX4-Cn for efficient and direct translocation of CPPs and CPP-conjugated cargo molecules into the cytosol of live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chusen Huang
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
- The Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Normal University, 100 Guilin Road, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Yan-Cen Liu
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
| | - Hyeyoung Oh
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
| | - Dong-Sheng Guo
- College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Werner M Nau
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
| | - Andreas Hennig
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
- Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics (CellNanOs) and Department of Biology and Chemistry, Universität Osnabrück, Barbarastraße 7, 49069, Osnabrück, Germany
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5
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Jordan J, Gibb CL, Tran T, Yao W, Rose A, Mague JT, Easson MW, Gibb BC. Anion Binding to Ammonium and Guanidinium Hosts: Implications for the Reverse Hofmeister Effects Induced by Lysine and Arginine Residues. J Org Chem 2024; 89:6877-6891. [PMID: 38662908 PMCID: PMC11110012 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.4c00242] [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] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Anions have a profound effect on the properties of soluble proteins. Such Hofmeister effects have implications in biologics stability, protein aggregation, amyloidogenesis, and crystallization. However, the interplay between the important noncovalent interactions (NCIs) responsible for Hofmeister effects is poorly understood. To contribute to improving this state of affairs, we report on the NCIs between anions and ammonium and guanidinium hosts 1 and 2, and the consequences of these. Specifically, we investigate the properties of cavitands designed to mimic two prime residues for anion-protein NCIs─lysines and arginines─and the solubility consequences of complex formation. Thus, we report NMR and ITC affinity studies, X-ray analysis, MD simulations, and anion-induced critical precipitation concentrations. Our findings emphasize the multitude of NCIs that guanidiniums can form and how this repertoire qualitatively surpasses that of ammoniums. Additionally, our studies demonstrate the ease by which anions can dispense with a fraction of their hydration-shell waters, rearrange those that remain, and form direct NCIs with the hosts. This raises many questions concerning how solvent shell plasticity varies as a function of anion, how the energetics of this impact the different NCIs between anions and ammoniums/guanidiniums, and how this affects the aggregation of solutes at high anion concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobs
H. Jordan
- The
Southern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, 1100 Allen Toussaint Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana 70124, United States
| | - Corinne L.D. Gibb
- Department
of Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | - Thien Tran
- Department
of Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | - Wei Yao
- Department
of Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | - Austin Rose
- Department
of Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | - Joel T. Mague
- Department
of Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | - Michael W. Easson
- The
Southern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, 1100 Allen Toussaint Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana 70124, United States
| | - Bruce C. Gibb
- Department
of Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
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6
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Pramod M, Alnajjar MA, Schöpper SN, Schwarzlose T, Nau WM, Hennig A. Adamantylglycine as a high-affinity peptide label for membrane transport monitoring and regulation. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:4810-4813. [PMID: 38602391 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc00602j] [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: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The non-canonical amino acid adamantylglycine (Ada) is introduced into peptides to allow high-affinity binding to cucurbit[7]uril (CB7). Introduction of Ada into a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) sequence had minimal influence on the membrane transport, yet enabled up- and down-regulation of the membrane transport activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malavika Pramod
- Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics (CellNanOs) and Department of Biology and Chemistry, Universität Osnabrück, Barbarastraße 7, Osnabrück 49069, Germany.
| | - Mohammad A Alnajjar
- Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics (CellNanOs) and Department of Biology and Chemistry, Universität Osnabrück, Barbarastraße 7, Osnabrück 49069, Germany.
| | - Sandra N Schöpper
- Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics (CellNanOs) and Department of Biology and Chemistry, Universität Osnabrück, Barbarastraße 7, Osnabrück 49069, Germany.
| | - Thomas Schwarzlose
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, Bremen 28759, Germany.
| | - Werner M Nau
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, Bremen 28759, Germany.
| | - Andreas Hennig
- Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics (CellNanOs) and Department of Biology and Chemistry, Universität Osnabrück, Barbarastraße 7, Osnabrück 49069, Germany.
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7
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Ghosh P. Boronic Acid-Linked Cell-Penetrating Peptide for Protein Delivery. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:19051-19056. [PMID: 38708278 PMCID: PMC11064025 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Studying functional protein delivery into live cells is important, ranging from fundamental research to therapeutics. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are known to deliver proteins with applauded efficacy and have gained importance for applications in protein therapeutics and exploration of versatile cellular mechanisms. The primary aim of the work is to design a CPP as a tool and delivery vehicle for macromolecules, including proteins. In this work, boronic acid-linked cyclic deca arginine (cR10) is reported as an efficient CPP that exhibited 3-fold higher delivery of chemically synthesized ubiquitin (Ub) than pristine cR10-linked Ub, examined with live U2OS cells. As a futuristic plan, an artificial intelligence machine learning-based rationale has been designed and proposed.
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8
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Ghaemi B, Tanwar S, Singh A, Arifin DR, McMahon MT, Barman I, Bulte JWM. Cell-Penetrating and Enzyme-Responsive Peptides for Targeted Cancer Therapy: Role of Arginine Residue Length on Cell Penetration and In Vivo Systemic Toxicity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:11159-11171. [PMID: 38385360 PMCID: PMC11362383 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c14908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
For the improved delivery of cancer therapeutics and imaging agents, the conjugation of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) increases the cellular uptake and water solubility of agents. Among the various CPPs, arginine-rich peptides have been the most widely used. Combining CPPs with enzyme-responsive peptides presents an innovative strategy to target specific intracellular enzymes in cancer cells and when combined with the appropriate click chemistry can enhance theranostic drug delivery through the formation of intracellular self-assembled nanostructures. However, one drawback of CPPs is their high positive charge which can cause nonspecific binding, leading to off-target accumulation and potential toxicity. Hence, balancing cell-specific penetration, toxicity, and biocompatibility is essential for future clinical efficacy. We synthesized six cancer-specific, legumain-responsive RnAANCK peptides containing one to six arginine residues, with legumain being an asparaginyl endopeptidase that is overexpressed in aggressive prostate tumors. When conjugated to Alexa Fluor 488, R1-R6AANCK peptides exhibited a concentration- and time-dependent cell penetration in prostate cancer cells, which was higher for peptides with higher R values, reaching a plateau after approximately 120 min. Highly aggressive DU145 prostate tumor cells, but not less aggressive LNCaP cells, self-assembled nanoparticles in the cytosol after the cleavage of the legumain-specific peptide. The in vivo biocompatibility was assessed in mice after the intravenous injection of R1-R6AANCK peptides, with concentrations ranging from 0.0125 to 0.4 mmol/kg. The higher arginine content in R4-6 peptides showed blood and urine indicators for the impairment of bone marrow, liver, and kidney function in a dose-dependent manner, with instant hemolysis and morbidity in extreme cases. These findings underscore the importance of designing peptides with the optimal arginine residue length for a proper balance of cell-specific penetration, toxicity, and in vivo biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnaz Ghaemi
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Swati Tanwar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Aruna Singh
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Inc., Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Dian R Arifin
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Michael T McMahon
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Inc., Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Ishan Barman
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Jeff W M Bulte
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Inc., Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
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9
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Choi S, Lee IY, Kim MJ, Lee SK, Lee KY. Multi-Functional Polymer Nanoparticles with Enhanced Adipocyte Uptake and Adipocytolytic Efficacy. Macromol Biosci 2024; 24:e2300312. [PMID: 37902246 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300312] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Multi-functional polymer nanoparticles have been widely utilized to improve cellular uptake and enhance therapeutic efficacy. In this study, it is hypothesized that the cellular uptake of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) nanoparticles loaded with calcium carbonate minerals into adipocytes can be improved by covalent modification with nona-arginine (R9 ) peptide. It is further hypothesized that the internalization mechanism of R9 -modified PLG nanoparticles by adipocytes may be contingent on the concentration of R9 peptide present in the nanoparticles. R9 -modified PLG nanoparticles followed the direct penetration mechanism when the concentration of R9 peptide in the nanoparticles reached 38 µM. Notably, macropinocytosis is the major endocytic mechanism when the R9 peptide concentration is ≤ 26 µM. The endocytic uptake of the nanoparticles effectively generated carbon dioxide gas at an endosomal pH, resulting in significant adipocytolytic effects in vitro, which are further supported by the findings in an obese mouse model induced by high-fat diet. Gas-generating PLG nanoparticles, modified with R9 peptide, demonstrated localized reduction of adipose tissue (reduction of 13.1%) after subcutaneous injection without significant side effects. These findings highlight the potential of multi-functional polymer nanoparticles for the development of effective and targeted fat reduction techniques, addressing both health and cosmetic considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suim Choi
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - In Young Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Ju Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Kyung Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical Research, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Kuen Yong Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical Research, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
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10
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Lyu M, Yazdi M, Lin Y, Höhn M, Lächelt U, Wagner E. Receptor-Targeted Dual pH-Triggered Intracellular Protein Transfer. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:99-114. [PMID: 35802884 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Protein therapeutics are of widespread interest due to their successful performance in the current pharmaceutical and medical fields, even though their broad applications have been hindered by the lack of an efficient intracellular delivery approach. Herein, we fabricated an active-targeted dual pH-responsive delivery system with favorable tumor cell entry augmented by extracellular pH-triggered charge reversal and tumor receptor targeting and pH-controlled endosomal release in a traceless fashion. As a traceable model protein, the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) bearing a nuclear localization signal was covalently coupled with a pH-labile traceless azidomethyl-methylmaleic anhydride (AzMMMan) linker followed by functionalization with different molar equivalents of two dibenzocyclooctyne-octa-arginine-cysteine (DBCO-R8C)-modified moieties: polyethylene glycol (PEG)-GE11 peptide for epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated targeting and melittin for endosomal escape. The cationic melittin domain was masked with tetrahydrophthalic anhydride revertible at mild acidic pH 6.5. At the optimally balanced ratio of functional units, the on-demand charge conversion at tumoral extracellular pH 6.5 in combination with GE11-mediated targeting triggered enhanced electrostatic cellular attraction by the R8C cell-penetrating peptides and melittin, as demonstrated by strongly enhanced cellular uptake. Successful endosomal release followed by nuclear localization of the eGFP cargo was obtained by taking advantage of melittin-mediated endosomal escape and rapid traceless release from the AzMMMan linker. The effectiveness of this multifunctional bioresponsive system suggests a promising strategy for delivery of protein drugs toward intracellular targets. A possible therapeutic relevance was indicated by an example of cytosolic delivery of cytochrome c initiating the apoptosis pathway to kill cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Lyu
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Mina Yazdi
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Yi Lin
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Miriam Höhn
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Lächelt
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
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11
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Kim YN, Park MG, Kim YJ, Lee JS, Kwon BO, Rho JR, Jeong EJ. Chemical Constituents of Halophyte Suaeda glauca and Their Therapeutic Potential for Hair Loss. Molecules 2024; 29:298. [PMID: 38257211 PMCID: PMC10819854 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29020298] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Suaeda glauca, a halophyte in the Amaranthaceae family, exhibits remarkable resilience to high salt and alkali stresses despite the absence of salt glands or vesicles in its leaves. While there is growing pharmacological interest in S. glauca, research on its secondary metabolites remains limited. In this study, chemical constituents of the aerial parts of S. glauca were identified using 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments, and its biological activity concerning hair loss was newly reported. Eight compounds, including alkaloids (1~3), flavonoids (4~6), and phenolics (7 and 8), were isolated. The compounds, except the flavonoids, were isolated for the first time from S. glauca. In the HPLC chromatogram, quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-d-glucoside, and kaempferol were identified as major constituents in the extract of S. glauca. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of the extract of S. glauca and the isolated compounds 1~8 on the expressions of VEGF and IGF-1, as well as the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, were evaluated in human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Among the eight compounds, compound 4 was the most potent in terms of increasing the expression of VEGF and IGF-1 and the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin. These findings suggest that S. glauca extract and its compounds are potential new candidates for preventing or treating hair loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Na Kim
- Department of Oceanography, Kunsan National University, Gunsan 54150, Republic of Korea; (Y.-N.K.); (B.-O.K.)
| | - Min-Gyu Park
- Department of Green Bio Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52725, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yu-Jung Kim
- Agri-Food Bio Convergence Institute, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52725, Republic of Korea; (Y.-J.K.); (J.-S.L.)
| | - Jae-Sun Lee
- Agri-Food Bio Convergence Institute, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52725, Republic of Korea; (Y.-J.K.); (J.-S.L.)
| | - Bong-Oh Kwon
- Department of Oceanography, Kunsan National University, Gunsan 54150, Republic of Korea; (Y.-N.K.); (B.-O.K.)
| | - Jung-Rae Rho
- Department of Oceanography, Kunsan National University, Gunsan 54150, Republic of Korea; (Y.-N.K.); (B.-O.K.)
| | - Eun-Ju Jeong
- Department of Green Bio Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52725, Republic of Korea;
- Agri-Food Bio Convergence Institute, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52725, Republic of Korea; (Y.-J.K.); (J.-S.L.)
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12
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Ren H, Wang H, Wen W, Li S, Li N, Huo F, Yin C. A summary of calixarene-based fluorescent sensors developed during the past five years. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:13790-13799. [PMID: 37946569 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04179d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Calixarenes are "chalice like" phenol-based macrocycles that are one of the most fascinating studied scaffolds in supramolecular chemistry. Their preorganized nonpolar cavities and ion binding sites, and their well-defined conformations all lay important foundations for forming host-guest complexes. Conjugation of calixarene scaffolds with various fluorophores at either upper or lower rims has led to the development of smart fluorescent probes for inorganic molecules or ions, aliphatic or aromatic compounds, biomolecules, temperature and hypoxia, even multi-component traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Moreover, significant advancements have been made for biological applications. This review critically summarizes the recent advances made in these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixian Ren
- Department of Chemistry, Xinzhou Normal University, Xinzhou 034000, China.
| | - Hongliang Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Xinzhou Normal University, Xinzhou 034000, China.
| | - Wei Wen
- Department of Chemistry, Xinzhou Normal University, Xinzhou 034000, China.
| | - Sha Li
- Department of Chemistry, Xinzhou Normal University, Xinzhou 034000, China.
| | - Nana Li
- Department of Chemistry, Xinzhou Normal University, Xinzhou 034000, China.
| | - Fangjun Huo
- Research Institute of Applied Chemistry, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Caixia Yin
- Department of Chemistry, Xinzhou Normal University, Xinzhou 034000, China.
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage of Shanxi Province, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
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13
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Ergin AD, Üner B, Balcı Ş, Demirbağ Ç, Benetti C, Oltulu Ç. Improving the Bioavailability and Efficacy of Coenzyme Q10 on Alzheimer's Disease Through the Arginine Based Proniosomes. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:2921-2932. [PMID: 37506768 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.07.020] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble vitamin-with a benzoquinone-like structure. CoQ10 plays a role in membrane stability, energy conversion, and ATP production. It is also one of the important antioxidants in the body. The bioavailability of exogenous CoQ10 is extremely low due to its poor aqueous solubility and large molecular mass. In this study, mixed proniosomal drug delivery systems have been used to increase solubility and bioavailability of CoQ10. Arginine (semi-essential amino acid) was incorporated in the formulation composition to achieve higher efficacy by boosting nitric oxide presence, endothelial dysfunction, and cellular uptake. Proniosomes were investigated in terms of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and process yield, and optimization studies were carried on by utilizing STATISTICA 8.0 software considering dependent factors (carrier amount, drug amount, and surfactant ratio). Optimum proniosome formulation (particle size 187.5 ± 16.35 nm, zeta potential: -44.7 ± 12.8 mV, encapsulation efficiency 99.05±0.30%, and product yield: 90.55%) was evaluated for thermal analysis, in-vitro drug release using microcentrifuge method. In-vitro cytotoxicity studies of proniosomes were performed on intestinal Epithelial Cells (Cellartis®, ChiPSC18) and no cytotoxic effects was seen during the 72 h. Besides, anti Alzheimer effect was investigated on APPSL-GFP lentivirus-infected human neural cells (APPSL-GFP-l-HNC) and Alzheimer biomarkers (p-tau181 and p-tau217). While CoQ10's relative bioavailability was statistically increased by proniosome compared to CoQ10 suspension (p<0.01, Grubb test). PK parameters of proniosome formulation, obtained with non-compartmental modeling, were fitting to the data (R2=0.956±0.026). The study results proved that proniosomal formulation has a high potential drug delivery system for both increasing bioavailability and anti-Alzheimer effect of CoQ10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Doğan Ergin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey; Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Institute of Health Sciences, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey; Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Burcu Üner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, USA
| | - Şencan Balcı
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Institute of Health Sciences, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Çağlar Demirbağ
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Camillo Benetti
- Faculty of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Çağatay Oltulu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
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14
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Egberink RO, van Asbeck AH, Boswinkel M, Muradjan G, Dieker J, Brock R. Deciphering Structural Determinants Distinguishing Active from Inactive Cell-Penetrating Peptides for Cytosolic mRNA Delivery. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:1822-1834. [PMID: 37733627 PMCID: PMC10587869 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00346] [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] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
The formation of noncovalent complexes by mixing of positively charged polymers with negatively charged oligonucleotides (ONs) is a widely explored concept in nanomedicine to achieve cellular delivery of ONs. Uptake of ON complexes occurs through endocytosis, which then requires release of ON from endosomes. As one type of polymer, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are being used which are peptides of about 8-30 amino acids in length. However, only a few CPPs yield effective cytosolic ON delivery and activity. Several strategies have been devised to increase cellular uptake and enhance endosomal release, among which an increase of osmotic pressure through the so-called proton sponge effect, disruption of membrane integrity through membrane activity, and disulfide-mediated polymerization. Here, we address the relevance of these concepts for mRNA delivery by incorporating structural features into the human lactoferrin-derived CPP, which shows uptake but not delivery. The incorporation of histidines was explored to address osmotic pressure and structural motifs of the delivery-active CPP PepFect14 (PF14) to address membrane disturbance, and finally, the impact of polymerization was explored. Whereas oligomerization increased the stability of polyplexes against heparin-induced decomplexation, neither this approach nor the incorporation of histidine residues to promote a proton-sponge effect yielded activity. Also, the replacement of arginine residues with lysine or ornithine residues, as in PF14, was without effect, even though all polyplexes showed cellular uptake. Ultimately, sufficient activity could only be achieved by transferring amphipathic sequence motifs from PF14 into the hLF context with some benefit of oligomerization demonstrating overarching principles of delivery for CPPs, lipid nanoparticles, and other types of delivery polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rik Oude Egberink
- Department
of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander H. van Asbeck
- Department
of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Milou Boswinkel
- Department
of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Grigor Muradjan
- Department
of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jürgen Dieker
- Department
of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Roland Brock
- Department
of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department
of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 329, Bahrain
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15
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Diaz J, Pietsch M, Davila M, Jaimes G, Hudson A, Pellois JP. Elucidating the Impact of Payload Conjugation on the Cell-Penetrating Efficiency of the Endosomal Escape Peptide dfTAT: Implications for Future Designs for CPP-Based Delivery Systems. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:1861-1872. [PMID: 37774419 PMCID: PMC10644971 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00369] [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] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are promising tools for the intracellular delivery of various biological payloads. However, the impact of payload conjugation on the cell-penetrating activity of CPPs is poorly understood. This study focused on dfTAT, a modified version of the HIV-TAT peptide with enhanced endosomal escape activity, to explore how different payloads affect its cell-penetrating activity. We systematically examined dfTAT conjugated with the SnoopTag/SnoopCatcher pair and found that while smaller payloads such as short peptides do not significantly impair dfTAT's cell delivery activity, larger payloads markedly reduce both its endocytic uptake and endosomal escape efficiency. Our results highlight the role of the payload size and bulk in limiting CPP-mediated delivery. While further research is needed to understand the molecular underpinnings of these effects, our findings pave the way for developing more effective CPP-based delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Diaz
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M
University, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Miles Pietsch
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M
University, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Marissa Davila
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M
University, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Gerardo Jaimes
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M
University, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Alexis Hudson
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M
University, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Jean-Philippe Pellois
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M
University, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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16
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Calabretta LO, Petri YD, Raines RT. Fluorescent Guanidinium-Azacarbazole for Oxoanion Binding in Water. J Org Chem 2023; 88:11694-11701. [PMID: 37530571 PMCID: PMC10530381 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c00982] [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: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Oxoanions such as carboxylates, phosphates, and sulfates play important roles in both chemistry and biology and are abundant on the cell surface. We report on the synthesis and properties of a rationally designed guanidinium-containing oxoanion binder, 1-guanidino-8-amino-2,7-diazacarbazole (GADAC). GADAC binds to a carboxylate, phosphate, and sulfate in pure water with affinities of 3.6 × 104, 1.1 × 103, and 4.2 × 103 M-1, respectively. Like 2-azacarbazole, which is a natural product that enables scorpions to fluoresce, GADAC is fluorescent in water (λabs = 356 nm, λem = 403 nm, ε = 13,400 M-1 cm-1). The quantum yield of GADAC is pH-sensitive, increasing from Φ = 0.12 at pH 7.4 to Φ = 0.53 at pH 4.0 as a result of the protonation of the aminopyridine moiety. The uptake of GADAC into live human melanoma cells is detectable in the DAPI channel at low micromolar concentrations. Its properties make GADAC a promising candidate for applications in oxoanion binding and fluorescence labeling in biological (e.g., the delivery of cargo into cells) and other contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey O. Calabretta
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Yana D. Petri
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Ronald T. Raines
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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17
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Wang JW, Squire HJ, Goh NS, Ni HM, Lien E, Wong C, González-Grandío E, Landry MP. Delivered complementation in planta (DCIP) enables measurement of peptide-mediated protein delivery efficiency in plants. Commun Biol 2023; 6:840. [PMID: 37573467 PMCID: PMC10423278 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05191-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Using a fluorescence complementation assay, Delivered Complementation in Planta (DCIP), we demonstrate cell-penetrating peptide-mediated cytosolic delivery of peptides and recombinant proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana. We show that DCIP enables quantitative measurement of protein delivery efficiency and enables functional screening of cell-penetrating peptides for in-planta protein delivery. Finally, we demonstrate that DCIP detects cell-penetrating peptide-mediated delivery of recombinantly expressed proteins such as mCherry and Lifeact into intact leaves. We also demonstrate delivery of a recombinant plant transcription factor, WUSCHEL (AtWUS), into N. benthamiana. RT-qPCR analysis of AtWUS delivery in Arabidopsis seedlings also suggests delivered WUS can recapitulate transcriptional changes induced by overexpression of AtWUS. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that DCIP offers a new and powerful tool for interrogating cytosolic delivery of proteins in plants and highlights future avenues for engineering plant physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Henry J Squire
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Natalie S Goh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Heyuan Michael Ni
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Edward Lien
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Cerise Wong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Eduardo González-Grandío
- Plant Molecular Genetics Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC, Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Markita P Landry
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, 94063, USA.
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18
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Ravari NS, Sheikhlou MG, Goodarzi N, Kharazian B, Amini M, Atyabi F, Nasrollahi SA, Dinarvand R. Fabrication, characterization and evaluation of a new designed botulinum toxin-cell penetrating peptide nanoparticulate complex. Daru 2023; 31:1-12. [PMID: 37209247 PMCID: PMC10238362 DOI: 10.1007/s40199-023-00462-2] [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: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To have a better and longer effect, botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is injected several times in a treatment course, which could increase side effects and cost. Some of the most cutting-edge strategies being investigated for proteins to their physiologic targets involve the reformulation of BoNT based on peptide-based delivery systems. For this purpose, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are of particular interest because of their capacity to cross the biological membranes. OBJECTIVES A short and simple CPP sequence was used as a carrier to create nanocomplex particles from BoNT/A, with the purpose of increasing toxin entrapment by target cells, reducing diffusion, and increasing the duration of the effect. METHOD CPP-BoNT/A nanocomplexes were formed by polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) method, considering the anionic structure of botulinum toxin and the cationic CPP sequence. The cellular toxicity, and absorption profile of the complex nanoparticles were evaluated, and the digit abduction score (DAS) was used to assess the local muscle weakening efficacy of BoNT/A and CPP-BoNT/A. RESULTS The provided optimized polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles had a 244 ± 20 nm particle size and 0.28 ± 0.04 PdI. In cellular toxicity, CPP-BoNT/A nanocomplexes as extended-release formulations of BoNT/A showed that nanocomplexes had a more toxic effect than BoNT/A. Furthermore, the comparison of weakening effectiveness on muscle was done among nanoparticles and free toxin on mice based on the digit abduction score (DAS) method, and nanocomplexes had a slower onset effect and a longer duration of action than toxin. CONCLUSION Using PEC method allowed us to form nanocomplex from proteins, and peptides without a covalent bond and harsh conditions. The muscle-weakening effect of toxin in CPP-BoNT/A nanocomplexes showed acceptable efficacy and extended-release pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Shabani Ravari
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 141556451, Iran
| | - Maryam Ghareh Sheikhlou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 141556451, Iran
| | - Navid Goodarzi
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1417614315, Iran
| | - Bahar Kharazian
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1417614315, Iran
| | - Mohsen Amini
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 141556451, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Atyabi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 141556451, Iran
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1417614315, Iran
| | - Saman A Nasrollahi
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1416613675, Iran
| | - Rassoul Dinarvand
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 141556451, Iran.
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1417614315, Iran.
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19
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Lee E, Seo HD, Kim D, Park SH, Kim SR, Hyun C, Hahm JH, Ha TY, Ahn J, Jung CH. Millet seed oil activates β-catenin signaling and promotes hair growth. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1172084. [PMID: 37229245 PMCID: PMC10203242 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1172084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alopecia, regardless of gender, exacerbates psychological stress in those affected. The rising prevalence of alopecia has fueled a research interest in preventing hair loss. This study investigates the potential of millet seed oil (MSO) in promoting the proliferation of hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC) and stimulating hair growth in animals with testosterone-dependent hair growth inhibition as part of a study on dietary treatments to improve hair growth. MSO-treated HFDPC significantly increased cell proliferation and phosphorylation of AKT, S6K1, and GSK3β proteins. This induces β-catenin, a downstream transcription factor, to translocate to the nucleus and increase the expression of factors related to cell growth. In a C57BL/6 mice model in which hair growth was inhibited by subcutaneous testosterone injection after shaving the dorsal skin, oral administration of MSO stimulated hair growth in the subject mice by increasing the size and number of hair follicles. These results suggest that MSO is a potent agent that may help prevent or treat androgenetic alopecia by promoting hair growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunyoung Lee
- Aging and Metabolism Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-Gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Deok Seo
- Aging and Metabolism Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-Gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Daedong Kim
- Aging and Metabolism Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-Gun, Republic of Korea
- Department of Food Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Wanju-Gun, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Hyun Park
- Aging and Metabolism Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-Gun, Republic of Korea
- Department of Food Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Wanju-Gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Ro Kim
- Suheung Research Center, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Jeong-Hoon Hahm
- Aging and Metabolism Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-Gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Youl Ha
- Aging and Metabolism Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-Gun, Republic of Korea
- Department of Food Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Wanju-Gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyun Ahn
- Aging and Metabolism Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-Gun, Republic of Korea
- Department of Food Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Wanju-Gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Hwa Jung
- Aging and Metabolism Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-Gun, Republic of Korea
- Department of Food Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Wanju-Gun, Republic of Korea
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20
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Drexler CI, Cyran JD, Webb LJ. Lipid-Specific Direct Translocation of the Cell-Penetrating Peptide NAF-1 44-67 across Bilayer Membranes. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:2002-2010. [PMID: 36827970 PMCID: PMC10127249 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c08076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
The cell-penetrating peptide NAF-1 has recently emerged as a promising candidate for selective penetration and destruction of cancer cells. It displays numerous membrane-selective behaviors including cell-specific uptake and organelle-specific degradation. In this work, we explore membrane penetration and translocation of NAF-1 in model lipid bilayer vesicles as a function of lipid identity in zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine lipids mixed with anionic phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidic acid lipids. By monitoring the digestion of NAF-1 using the protease trypsin located inside but not outside the vesicles, we determined that the translocation of NAF-1 was significantly enhanced by the presence of phosphatidic acid in the membrane compared to the other three anionic or zwitterionic lipids. These findings were correlated to fluorescence measurements of dansyl-labeled NAF-1, which revealed whether noncovalent interactions between NAF-1 and the bilayer were most stable either at the membrane/solution interface or within the membrane interior. Phosphatidic acid promoted interactions with fatty acid tails, while phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylglycerol stabilized interactions with polar lipid headgroups. Interfacial vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy experiments revealed that the phosphate moiety on phosphatidic acid headgroups was better hydrated than on the other three lipids, which helped to shuttle NAF-1 into the hydrophobic region. Our findings demonstrate that permeation does not depend on the net charge on phospholipid lipid headgroups in these model vesicles and suggest a model wherein NAF-1 crosses membranes selectively due to lipid-specific interactions at bilayer surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad I Drexler
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Jenée D Cyran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76706, United States
| | - Lauren J Webb
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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21
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Hundahl AC, Weller A, Larsen JB, Hjørringgaard CU, Hansen MB, Mündler AK, Knuhtsen A, Kristensen K, Arnspang EC, Andresen TL, Mortensen KI, Marie R. Quantitative live-cell imaging of lipidated peptide transport through an epithelial cell layer. J Control Release 2023; 355:122-134. [PMID: 36724849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.01.066] [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: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Oral drug delivery increases patient compliance and is thus the preferred administration route for most drugs. However, for biologics the intestinal barrier greatly limits the absorption and reduces their bioavailability. One strategy employed to improve on this is chemical modification of the biologic through the addition of lipid side chains. While it has been established that lipidation of peptides can increase transport, a mechanistic understanding of this effect remains largely unexplored. To pursue this mechanistic understanding, end-point detection of biopharmaceuticals transported through a monolayer of fully polarized epithelial cells is typically used. However, these methods are time-consuming and tedious. Furthermore, most established methods cannot be combined easily with high-resolution live-cell fluorescence imaging that could provide a mechanistic insight into cellular uptake and transport. Here we address this challenge by developing an axial PSF deconvolution scheme to quantify the transport of peptides through a monolayer of Caco-2 cells using single-cell analysis with live-cell confocal fluorescence microscopy. We then measure the known cross-barrier transport of several compounds in our model and compare the results with results obtained in an established microfluidic model finding similar transport phenotypes. This verifies that already after two days the Caco-2 cells in our model form a tight monolayer and constitute a functional barrier model. We then apply this assay to investigate the effects of side chain lipidation of the model peptide drug salmon calcitonin (sCT) modified with 4‑carbon and 8‑carbon-long fatty acid chains. Furthermore, we compare that with experiments performed at lower temperature and using inhibitors for some endocytotic pathways to pinpoint how lipidation length modifies the main avenues for the transport. We thus show that increasing the length of the lipid chain increases the transport of the drug significantly but also makes endocytosis the primary transport mechanism in a short-term cell culture model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Coln Hundahl
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Arjen Weller
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jannik Bruun Larsen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Claudia U Hjørringgaard
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Morten B Hansen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ann-Kathrin Mündler
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Astrid Knuhtsen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kasper Kristensen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Eva C Arnspang
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas Lars Andresen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kim I Mortensen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Rodolphe Marie
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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22
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Lee MF, Poh CL. Strategies to improve the physicochemical properties of peptide-based drugs. Pharm Res 2023; 40:617-632. [PMID: 36869247 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-023-03486-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Peptides are a rapid-growing class of therapeutics with unique and desirable physicochemical properties. Due to disadvantages such as low membrane permeability and susceptibility to proteolytic degradation, peptide-based drugs have limited bioavailability, a short half-life, and rapid in vivo elimination. Various strategies can be applied to improve the physicochemical properties of peptide-based drugs to overcome limitations such as limited tissue residence time, metabolic instability, and low permeability. Applied strategies including backbone modifications, side chain modifications, conjugation with polymers, modification of peptide termini, fusion to albumin, conjugation with the Fc portion of antibodies, cyclization, stapled peptides, pseudopeptides, cell-penetrating peptide conjugates, conjugation with lipids, and encapsulation in nanocarriers are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Felicia Lee
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 5, Jalan Universiti, Selangor 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 5, Jalan Universiti, Selangor 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
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23
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Muñoz-Gacitúa D, Guzman F, Weiss-López B. Insights into the equilibrium structure and translocation mechanism of TP1, a spontaneous membrane-translocating peptide. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19880. [PMID: 36400938 PMCID: PMC9674684 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23631-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Crossing the cellular membrane is one of the main barriers during drug discovery; many potential drugs are rejected for their inability to integrate into the intracell fluid. Although many solutions have been proposed to overcome this barrier, arguably the most promising solution is the use of cell-penetrating peptides. Recently, an array of hydrophobic penetrating peptides was discovered via high throughput screening which proved to be able to cross the membrane passively, and although these peptides proved to be effective at penetrating the cell, the details behind the underlying mechanism of this process remain unknown. In this study, we developed a method to find the equilibrium structure at the transmembrane domain of TP1, a hydrophobic penetrating peptide. In this method, we selectively deuterium-label amino acids in the peptidic chain, and employ results of [Formula: see text]H-NMR spectroscopy to find a molecular dynamics simulation of the peptide that reproduces the experimental results. Effectively finding the equilibrium orientation and dynamics of the peptide in the membrane. We employed this equilibrium structure to simulate the entire translocation mechanism and found that after the peptide reaches its equilibrium structure, it must undergo a two-step mechanism in order to completely translocate the membrane, each step involving the flip-flop of each arginine residue in the peptide. This leads us to conclude that the RLLR motif is essential for the translocating activity of the peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Muñoz-Gacitúa
- Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Fanny Guzman
- Núcleo Biotecnología Curauma, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, 2460355, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Boris Weiss-López
- Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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24
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Peña Q, Rodríguez-Calado S, Simaan AJ, Capdevila M, Bayón P, Palacios O, Lorenzo J, Iranzo O. Cell-penetrating peptide-conjugated copper complexes for redox-mediated anticancer therapy. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1060827. [PMID: 36467097 PMCID: PMC9714576 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1060827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Metal-based chemotherapeutics like cisplatin are widely employed in cancer treatment. In the last years, the design of redox-active (transition) metal complexes, such as of copper (Cu), has attracted high interest as alternatives to overcome platinum-induced side-effects. However, several challenges are still faced, including optimal aqueous solubility and efficient intracellular delivery, and strategies like the use of cell-penetrating peptides have been encouraging. In this context, we previously designed a Cu(II) scaffold that exhibited significant reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cytotoxicity. Herein, we build upon the promising Cu(II) redox-active metallic core and aim to potentiate its anticancer activity by rationally tailoring it with solubility- and uptake-enhancing functionalizations that do not alter the ROS-generating Cu(II) center. To this end, sulfonate, arginine and arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) derivatives have been prepared and characterized, and all the resulting complexes preserved the parent Cu(II) coordination core, thereby maintaining its reported redox capabilities. Comparative in vitro assays in several cancer cell lines reveal that while specific solubility-targeting derivatizations (i.e., sulfonate or arginine) did not translate into an improved cytotoxicity, increased intracellular copper delivery via CPP-conjugation promoted an enhanced anticancer activity, already detectable at short treatment times. Additionally, immunofluorescence assays show that the Cu(II) peptide-conjugate distributed throughout the cytosol without lysosomal colocalization, suggesting potential avoidance of endosomal entrapment. Overall, the systematic exploration of the tailored modifications enables us to provide further understanding on structure-activity relationships of redox-active metal-based (Cu(II)) cytotoxic complexes, which contributes to rationalize and improve the design of more efficient redox-mediated metal-based anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quim Peña
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, ISm2, Marseille, France
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sergi Rodríguez-Calado
- Department Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A. Jalila Simaan
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, ISm2, Marseille, France
| | - Mercè Capdevila
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pau Bayón
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Palacios
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julia Lorenzo
- Department Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Iranzo
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, ISm2, Marseille, France
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25
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Weller A, Hansen MB, Marie R, Hundahl AC, Hempel C, Kempen PJ, Frandsen HL, Parhamifar L, Larsen JB, Andresen TL. Quantifying the transport of biologics across intestinal barrier models in real-time by fluorescent imaging. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:965200. [PMID: 36159696 PMCID: PMC9500407 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.965200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Unsuccessful clinical translation of orally delivered biological drugs remains a challenge in pharmaceutical development and has been linked to insufficient mechanistic understanding of intestinal drug transport. Live cell imaging could provide such mechanistic insights by directly tracking drug transport across intestinal barriers at subcellular resolution, however traditional intestinal in vitro models are not compatible with the necessary live cell imaging modalities. Here, we employed a novel microfluidic platform to develop an in vitro intestinal epithelial barrier compatible with advanced widefield- and confocal microscopy. We established a quantitative, multiplexed and high-temporal resolution imaging assay for investigating the cellular uptake and cross-barrier transport of biologics while simultaneously monitoring barrier integrity. As a proof-of-principle, we use the generic model to monitor the transport of co-administrated cell penetrating peptide (TAT) and insulin. We show that while TAT displayed a concentration dependent difference in its transport mechanism and efficiency, insulin displayed cellular internalization, but was restricted from transport across the barrier. This illustrates how such a sophisticated imaging based barrier model can facilitate mechanistic studies of drug transport across intestinal barriers and aid in vivo and clinical translation in drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjen Weller
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Morten B. Hansen
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Rodolphe Marie
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Adam C. Hundahl
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Casper Hempel
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Paul J. Kempen
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- The National Centre for Nano Fabrication and Characterization, DTU Nanolab, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Henrik L. Frandsen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ladan Parhamifar
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jannik B. Larsen
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Jannik B. Larsen, ; Thomas L. Andresen,
| | - Thomas L. Andresen
- Center for Intestinal Absorption and Transport of Biopharmaceuticals, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Jannik B. Larsen, ; Thomas L. Andresen,
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26
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Canepa E, Relini A, Bochicchio D, Lavagna E, Mescola A. Amphiphilic Gold Nanoparticles: A Biomimetic Tool to Gain Mechanistic Insights into Peptide-Lipid Interactions. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:673. [PMID: 35877876 PMCID: PMC9324301 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12070673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Functional peptides are now widely used in a myriad of biomedical and clinical contexts, from cancer therapy and tumor targeting to the treatment of bacterial and viral infections. Underlying this diverse range of applications are the non-specific interactions that can occur between peptides and cell membranes, which, in many contexts, result in spontaneous internalization of the peptide within cells by avoiding energy-driven endocytosis. For this to occur, the amphipathicity and surface structural flexibility of the peptides play a crucial role and can be regulated by the presence of specific molecular residues that give rise to precise molecular events. Nevertheless, most of the mechanistic details regulating the encounter between peptides and the membranes of bacterial or animal cells are still poorly understood, thus greatly limiting the biomimetic potential of these therapeutic molecules. In this arena, finely engineered nanomaterials-such as small amphiphilic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) protected by a mixed thiol monolayer-can provide a powerful tool for mimicking and investigating the physicochemical processes underlying peptide-lipid interactions. Within this perspective, we present here a critical review of membrane effects induced by both amphiphilic AuNPs and well-known amphiphilic peptide families, such as cell-penetrating peptides and antimicrobial peptides. Our discussion is focused particularly on the effects provoked on widely studied model cell membranes, such as supported lipid bilayers and lipid vesicles. Remarkable similarities in the peptide or nanoparticle membrane behavior are critically analyzed. Overall, our work provides an overview of the use of amphiphilic AuNPs as a highly promising tailor-made model to decipher the molecular events behind non-specific peptide-lipid interactions and highlights the main affinities observed both theoretically and experimentally. The knowledge resulting from this biomimetic approach could pave the way for the design of synthetic peptides with tailored functionalities for next-generation biomedical applications, such as highly efficient intracellular delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Canepa
- Department of Physics, University of Genoa, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genoa, Italy; (E.C.); (A.R.); (D.B.)
| | - Annalisa Relini
- Department of Physics, University of Genoa, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genoa, Italy; (E.C.); (A.R.); (D.B.)
| | - Davide Bochicchio
- Department of Physics, University of Genoa, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genoa, Italy; (E.C.); (A.R.); (D.B.)
| | - Enrico Lavagna
- Department of Physics, University of Genoa, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genoa, Italy; (E.C.); (A.R.); (D.B.)
| | - Andrea Mescola
- CNR-Nanoscience Institute-S3, Via Campi 213/A, 41125 Modena, Italy
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27
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Mechanisms of selective monocyte targeting by liposomes functionalized with a cationic, arginine-rich lipopeptide. Acta Biomater 2022; 144:96-108. [PMID: 35314364 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Stimulation of monocytes with immunomodulating agents can harness the immune system to treat a long range of diseases, including cancers, infections and autoimmune diseases. To this end we aimed to develop a monocyte-targeting delivery platform based on cationic liposomes, which can be utilized to deliver immunomodulators and thus induce monocyte-mediated immune responses while avoiding off-target side-effects. The cationic liposome design is based on functionalizing the liposomal membrane with a cholesterol-anchored tri-arginine peptide (TriArg). We demonstrate that TriArg liposomes can target monocytes with high specificity in both human and murine blood and that this targeting is dependent on the content of TriArg in the liposomal membrane. In addition, we show that the mechanism of selective monocyte targeting involves the CD14 co-receptor, and selectivity is compromised when the TriArg content is increased, resulting in complement-mediated off-target uptake in granulocytes. The presented mechanistic findings of uptake by peripheral blood leukocytes may guide the design of future drug delivery systems utilized for immunotherapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Monocytes are attractive targets for immunotherapies of cancers, infections and autoimmune diseases. Specific delivery of immunostimulatory drugs to monocytes is typically achieved using ligand-targeted drug delivery systems, but a simpler approach is to target monocytes using cationic liposomes. To achieve this, however, a deep understanding of the mechanisms governing the interactions of cationic liposomes with monocytes and other leukocytes is required. We here investigate these interactions using liposomes incorporating a cationic arginine-rich lipopeptide. We demonstrate that monocyte targeting can be achieved by fine-tuning the lipopeptide content in the liposomes. Additionally, we reveal that the CD14 receptor is involved in the targeting process, whereas the complement system is not. These mechanistic findings are critical for future design of monocyte-targeting liposomal therapies.
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28
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Schissel C, Farquhar CE, Malmberg AB, Loas A, Pentelute BL. Cell-Penetrating d-Peptides Retain Antisense Morpholino Oligomer Delivery Activity. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2022; 2:150-160. [PMID: 37101743 PMCID: PMC10114648 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.1c00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can cross the cell membrane to enter the cytosol and deliver otherwise nonpenetrant macromolecules such as proteins and oligonucleotides. For example, recent clinical trials have shown that a CPP attached to phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) resulted in higher muscle concentration, increased exon skipping, and dystrophin production relative to another study of the PMO alone in patients of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Therefore, effective design and the study of CPPs could help enhance therapies for difficult-to-treat diseases. So far, the study of CPPs for PMO delivery has been restricted to predominantly canonical l-peptides. We hypothesized that mirror-image d-peptides could have similar PMO delivery activity as well as enhanced proteolytic stability, facilitating their characterization and quantification from biological milieu. We found that several enantiomeric peptide sequences could deliver a PMO-biotin cargo with similar activities while remaining stable against serum proteolysis. The biotin label allowed for affinity capture of fully intact PMO-peptide conjugates from whole-cell and cytosolic lysates. By profiling a mixture of these constructs in cells, we determined their relative intracellular concentrations. When combined with PMO activity, these concentrations provide a new metric for delivery efficiency, which may be useful for determining which peptide sequence to pursue in further preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly
K. Schissel
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Charlotte E. Farquhar
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Annika B. Malmberg
- Sarepta
Therapeutics, 215 First Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Andrei Loas
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Bradley L. Pentelute
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, 500 Main
Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Center
for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Broad
Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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29
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Seisel Q, Lakumpa I, Josse E, Vivès E, Varilh J, Taulan-Cadars M, Boisguérin P. Highway to Cell: Selection of the Best Cell-Penetrating Peptide to Internalize the CFTR-Stabilizing iCAL36 Peptide. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14040808. [PMID: 35456644 PMCID: PMC9032934 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic peptides have regained interest as they can address unmet medical needs and can be an excellent complement to pharmaceutic small molecules and other macromolecular therapeutics. Over the past decades, correctors and potentiators of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a chloride ion channel causing cystic fibrosis (CF) when mutated, were developed to reduce the symptoms of the patients. In this context, we have previously designed a CFTR-stabilizing iCAL36 peptide able to further increase the CFTR amount in epithelial cells, thereby resulting in a higher CFTR activity. In the present study, optimization of the peptidyl inhibitor was performed by coupling five different cell-penetrating peptides (CPP), which are Tat, dTat, TatRI (retro-inverso), MPG, and Penetratin. Screening of the internalization properties of these CPP-iCAL36 peptides under different conditions (with or without serum or endocytosis inhibitors, etc.) was performed to select TatRI as the optimal CPP for iCAL36 delivery. More importantly, using this TatRI-iCAL36 peptide, we were able to reveal for the first time an additive increase in the CFTR amount in the presence of VX-445/VX-809 compared to VX-445/VX-809 treatment alone. This finding is a significant contribution to the development of CFTR-stabilizing peptides in addition to currently used treatments (small-molecule correctors or potentiators) for CF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Seisel
- CRBM, University of Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5237, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Israpong Lakumpa
- CRBM, University of Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5237, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Emilie Josse
- PhyMedExp, Bâtiment Crastes de Paulet, University of Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Eric Vivès
- PhyMedExp, Bâtiment Crastes de Paulet, University of Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Jessica Varilh
- PhyMedExp, Institut Universitaire de Recherche Clinique, University of Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Magali Taulan-Cadars
- PhyMedExp, Institut Universitaire de Recherche Clinique, University of Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Prisca Boisguérin
- PhyMedExp, Bâtiment Crastes de Paulet, University of Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, 34000 Montpellier, France
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30
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Multiscale Modeling of the Cellular Uptake of C6 Peptide-siRNA Complexes. Comput Biol Chem 2022; 98:107679. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2022.107679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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31
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Tietz O, Cortezon-Tamarit F, Chalk R, Able S, Vallis KA. Tricyclic cell-penetrating peptides for efficient delivery of functional antibodies into cancer cells. Nat Chem 2022; 14:284-293. [PMID: 35145246 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-021-00866-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The intracellular environment hosts a large number of cancer- and other disease-relevant human proteins. Targeting these with internalized antibodies would allow therapeutic modulation of hitherto undruggable pathways, such as those mediated by protein-protein interactions. However, one of the major obstacles in intracellular targeting is the entrapment of biomacromolecules in the endosome. Here we report an approach to delivering antibodies and antibody fragments into the cytosol and nucleus of cells using trimeric cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). Four trimers, based on linear and cyclic sequences of the archetypal CPP Tat, are significantly more potent than monomers and can be tuned to function by direct interaction with the plasma membrane or escape from vesicle-like bodies. These studies identify a tricyclic Tat construct that enables intracellular delivery of functional immunoglobulin-G antibodies and Fab fragments that bind intracellular targets in the cytosol and nuclei of live cells at effective concentrations as low as 1 μM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Tietz
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Rod Chalk
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah Able
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Katherine A Vallis
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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32
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Avilés-Moreno JR, Berden G, Oomens J, Martínez-Haya B. Insights into the binding of arginine to adenosine phosphate from mimetic complexes. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:27136-27145. [DOI: 10.1039/d2cp04371h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The recognition of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) by arginine-rich proteins is conditioned by the competitive binding of the guanidinium side group with metal cations, as derived from vibrational spectroscopy and modelling of mimetic complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giel Berden
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, FELIX Laboratory, Toernooiveld 7, 6525ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Oomens
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, FELIX Laboratory, Toernooiveld 7, 6525ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno Martínez-Haya
- Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Seville, Spain
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33
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Chen SY, Xu XX, Li X, Yi NB, Li SZ, Xiang XC, Cheng DB, Sun T. Recent advances in the intracellular delivery of macromolecule therapeutics. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:6642-6655. [DOI: 10.1039/d2bm01348g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes the uptake pathway of intracellular delivery vehicles for macromolecule therapeutics, and provides in-depth discussions and prospects about intracellular delivery of macromolecule therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yi Chen
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering & Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, No. 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, 430070, PR China
| | - Xiao-Xue Xu
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering & Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, No. 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, 430070, PR China
| | - Xin Li
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering & Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, No. 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, 430070, PR China
| | - Ning-Bo Yi
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering & Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, No. 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, 430070, PR China
| | - Shi-Zhuo Li
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering & Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, No. 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, 430070, PR China
| | - Xing-Cheng Xiang
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering & Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, No. 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, 430070, PR China
| | - Dong-Bing Cheng
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering & Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, No. 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, 430070, PR China
| | - Taolei Sun
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering & Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, No. 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, 430070, PR China
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34
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Lamin A/C-Dependent Translocation of Megakaryoblastic Leukemia-1 and β-Catenin in Cyclic Strain-Induced Osteogenesis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123518. [PMID: 34944031 PMCID: PMC8700688 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123518] [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: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Lamins are intermediate filaments that play a crucial role in sensing mechanical strain in the nucleus of cells. β-catenin and megakaryoblastic leukemia-1 (MKL1) are critical signaling molecules that need to be translocated to the nucleus for their transcription in response to mechanical strain that induces osteogenesis. However, the exact molecular mechanism behind the translocation of these molecules has not been fully investigated. This study used 10% cyclic strain to induce osteogenesis in the murine osteoblast precursor cell line (MC3T3). The translocation of β-catenin and MKL1 was studied by performing knockdown and overexpression of lamin A/C (LMNA). Cyclic strain increased the expression of osteogenic markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and enhanced ALP staining after seven days of incubation. Resultantly, MKL1 and β-catenin were translocated in the nucleus from the cytoplasm during the stress-induced osteogenic process. Knockdown of LMNA decreased the accumulation of MKL1 and β-catenin in the nucleus, whereas overexpression of LMNA increased the translocation of these molecules. In conclusion, our study indicates that both MKL1 and β-catenin molecules are dependent on the expression of LMNA during strain-induced osteogenesis.
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35
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Horn JM, Obermeyer AC. Genetic and Covalent Protein Modification Strategies to Facilitate Intracellular Delivery. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:4883-4904. [PMID: 34855385 PMCID: PMC9310055 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Protein-based therapeutics represent a rapidly growing segment of approved disease treatments. Successful intracellular delivery of proteins is an important precondition for expanded in vivo and in vitro applications of protein therapeutics. Direct modification of proteins and peptides for improved cytosolic translocation are a promising method of increasing delivery efficiency and expanding the viability of intracellular protein therapeutics. In this Review, we present recent advances in both synthetic and genetic protein modifications for intracellular delivery. Active endocytosis-based and passive internalization pathways are discussed, followed by a review of modification methods for improved cytosolic delivery. After establishing how proteins can be modified, general strategies for facilitating intracellular delivery, such as chemical supercharging or inclusion of cell-penetrating motifs, are covered. We then outline protein modifications that promote endosomal escape. We finally examine the delivery of two potential classes of therapeutic proteins, antibodies and associated antibody fragments, and gene editing proteins, such as cas9.
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36
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Bolaños K, Sánchez-Navarro M, Giralt E, Acosta G, Albericio F, Kogan MJ, Araya E. NIR and glutathione trigger the surface release of methotrexate linked by Diels-Alder adducts to anisotropic gold nanoparticles. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 131:112512. [PMID: 34857291 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The administration and controlled release of drugs over time remains one of the greatest challenges of science today. In the nanomaterials field, anisotropic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with plasmon bands centered at the near-infrared region (NIR), such as gold nanorods (AuNRs) and gold nanoprisms (AuNPrs), under laser irradiation, locally increase the temperature, allowing the release of drugs. In this sense, temporally controlled drug delivery could be promoted by external stimuli using thermo-reversible chemical reactions, such as Diels-Alder cycloadditions from a diene and a dienophile fragment (compound a). In this study, an antitumor drug (methotrexate, MTX) was linked to plasmonic AuNPs by a Diels-Alder adduct (compound c), which after NIR suffers a retro-Diels-Alder reaction, producing release of the drug (compound b). We obtained two nanosystems based on AuNRs and AuNPrs. Both nanoconstructs were coated with BSA-r8 (Bovine Serum Albumin functionalized with Arg8, all-D octa arginine) in order to increase the colloidal stability and promote internalization of the nanosystems on HeLa and SK-BR-3 cells. In addition, the presence of BSA allows protecting the cargo from being released on the extracellular environment and promotes the photothermal release of the drug in the presence of glutathione (GSH). The nanosystems' drug release profile was evaluated after NIR irradiation in the presence and absence of glutathione (GSH), showing a considerable increase of drug release when NIR light and glutathione were combined. This work broadens the range of possibilities of using two complementary strategies for the controlled release of an antitumor drug from AuNRs and AuNPrs: the photothermal cleavage of a thermolabile adduct controlled by an external stimulus (laser irradiation), complemented with the use of the intracellular metabolite GSH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Bolaños
- Advanced Center of Chronic Diseases, Santiago, Chile; Center for studies on Exercise, Metabolism and Cancer (CEMC), Laboratory of Cellular Communication, Program of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Macarena Sánchez-Navarro
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine-Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ernest Giralt
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine-Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gerardo Acosta
- Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER-BBN, Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Spain
| | - Fernando Albericio
- Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER-BBN, Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Spain; School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Marcelo J Kogan
- Advanced Center of Chronic Diseases, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Eyleen Araya
- Departamento de Ciencias Quimicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.
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López-Vidal EM, Schissel CK, Mohapatra S, Bellovoda K, Wu CL, Wood JA, Malmberg AB, Loas A, Gómez-Bombarelli R, Pentelute BL. Deep Learning Enables Discovery of a Short Nuclear Targeting Peptide for Efficient Delivery of Antisense Oligomers. JACS AU 2021; 1:2009-2020. [PMID: 34841414 PMCID: PMC8611673 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic macromolecules such as proteins and oligonucleotides can be highly efficacious but are often limited to extracellular targets due to the cell's impermeable membrane. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are able to deliver such macromolecules into cells, but limited structure-activity relationships and inconsistent literature reports make it difficult to design effective CPPs for a given cargo. For example, polyarginine motifs are common in CPPs, promoting cell uptake at the expense of systemic toxicity. Machine learning may be able to address this challenge by bridging gaps between experimental data in order to discern sequence-activity relationships that evade our intuition. Our earlier data set and deep learning model led to the design of miniproteins (>40 amino acids) for antisense delivery. Here, we leveraged and expanded our model with data augmentation in the short CPP sequence space of the data set to extrapolate and discover short, low-arginine-content CPPs that would be easier to synthesize and amenable to rapid conjugation to desired cargo, and with minimal in vivo toxicity. The lead predicted peptide, termed P6, is as active as a polyarginine CPP for the delivery of an antisense oligomer, while having only one arginine side chain and 18 total residues. We determined the pentalysine motif and the C-terminal cysteine of P6 to be the main drivers of activity. The antisense conjugate was able to enhance corrective splicing in an animal model to produce functional eGFP in heart tissue in vivo while remaining nontoxic up to a dose of 60 mg/kg. In addition, P6 was able to deliver an enzyme to the cytosol of cells. Our findings suggest that, given a data set of long CPPs, we can discover by extrapolation short, active sequences that deliver antisense oligomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M. López-Vidal
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Carly K. Schissel
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Somesh Mohapatra
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Kamela Bellovoda
- Sarepta
Therapeutics, 215 First Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Chia-Ling Wu
- Sarepta
Therapeutics, 215 First Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Jenna A. Wood
- Sarepta
Therapeutics, 215 First Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Annika B. Malmberg
- Sarepta
Therapeutics, 215 First Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Andrei Loas
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Rafael Gómez-Bombarelli
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Bradley L. Pentelute
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Center
for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Broad Institute
of MIT and Harvard, 415
Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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38
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PepFect14 Signaling and Transfection. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 34766293 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1752-6_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
PepFect14 is a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) derived from stearylated transportan-10 (strearil-TP10) with which it shares the stearic acid residue on C' terminus and the amino acid sequence except for lysines that in PepFect14 are substituted with ornithines. Being non-proteinogenic amino acids, ornithines make PepFect14 less sensitive to serum proteases and due to its positive charges the CPP can form complexes with negatively charged cargos, such as splice correcting oligonucleotides (SCOs), plasmid DNA (pDNA), and proteins. It has been reported that PepFect14/SCO complexes enter the cells mainly through endocytosis, in particular: macopinocitosys and caveolae-mediated endocytosis through the interaction with two receptors of the scavenger receptors class A family (SCARAs). PepFect14 and its complexes trigger the chaperone-mediated autophagy response involving the heat shock protein family (HSP70) whose inhibition leads to an increase of PepFect14 transfection efficacy. Exploiting the interaction between HSP70 and PepFect14 and their ability to form nanoparticle. HSP70 has been delivered in Bomirsky Hamster Melanoma cells (BHM) using PepFect14 of which a protocol is described at the end of this chapter.
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Ravula V, Lo YL, Wang LF, Patri SV. Gemini Lipopeptide Bearing an Ultrashort Peptide for Enhanced Transfection Efficiency and Cancer-Cell-Specific Cytotoxicity. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:22955-22968. [PMID: 34514266 PMCID: PMC8427783 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c03620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Cationic gemini lipopeptides are a relatively new class of amphiphilic compounds to be used for gene delivery. Through the possibility of incorporating short peptides with cell-penetrating functionalities, these lipopeptides may be advantageous over traditional cationic lipids. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and application of a novel cationic gemini lipopeptide for gene delivery. An ultrashort peptide, containing four amino acids, arginine-cysteine-cysteine-arginine, serves as a cationic head group, and two α-tocopherol moieties act as hydrophobic anchoring groups. The new lipopeptide (ATTA) is incorporated into the conventional liposomes, containing 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), at different molar ratios. The formulated liposomes are characterized and screened for better transfection efficiency. Transfection activity in multiple human cell lines from cancerous and noncancerous origins indicates that the inclusion of an optimal ratio of ATTA in the liposomes substantially enhances the transfection efficiency, superior to that of a traditional liposome, DOTAP-DOPE. Cytotoxicity of ATTA-containing formulations against multiple cell lines indicates potentially distinct activity between cancer and noncancer cell lines. Furthermore, lipoplexes of the ATTA-containing formulations with anticancer therapeutic gene, plasmid encoding tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (pTRAIL), induce obviously more cytotoxicity than conventional formulations. The results indicate that arginine-rich cationic lipopeptide appears to be a promising ingredient in gene delivery vector formulations to enhance transfection efficiency and cell-selective cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatesh Ravula
- Department
of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Warangal 506004, India
- Department
of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung
Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Lun Lo
- Department
of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung
Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Li-Fang Wang
- Department
of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung
Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Department
of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University
Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Srilakshmi V. Patri
- Department
of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Warangal 506004, India
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40
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Zhang X, Lei T, Du H. Prospect of cell penetrating peptides in stem cell tracking. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:457. [PMID: 34391472 PMCID: PMC8364034 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02522-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell therapy has shown great efficacy in many diseases. However, the treatment mechanism is still unclear, which is a big obstacle for promoting clinical research. Therefore, it is particularly important to track transplanted stem cells in vivo, find out the distribution and condition of the stem cells, and furthermore reveal the treatment mechanism. Many tracking methods have been developed, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fluorescence imaging, and ultrasound imaging (UI). Among them, MRI and UI techniques have been used in clinical. In stem cell tracking, a major drawback of these technologies is that the imaging signal is not strong enough, mainly due to the low cell penetration efficiency of imaging particles. Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been widely used for cargo delivery due to its high efficacy, good safety properties, and wide delivery of various cargoes. However, there are few reports on the application of CPPs in current stem cell tracking methods. In this review, we systematically introduced the mechanism of CPPs into cell membranes and their advantages in stem cell tracking, discussed the clinical applications and limitations of CPPs, and finally we summarized several commonly used CPPs and their specific applications in stem cell tracking. Although it is not an innovation of tracer materials, CPPs as a powerful tool have broad prospects in stem cell tracking. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshuang Zhang
- Daxing Research Institute, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.,School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Tong Lei
- Daxing Research Institute, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.,School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hongwu Du
- Daxing Research Institute, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China. .,School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
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41
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Luther DC, Jeon T, Goswami R, Nagaraj H, Kim D, Lee YW, Rotello VM. Protein Delivery: If Your GFP (or Other Small Protein) Is in the Cytosol, It Will Also Be in the Nucleus. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:891-896. [PMID: 33872490 PMCID: PMC8508718 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular protein delivery is a transformative tool for biologics research and medicine. Delivery into the cytosol allows proteins to diffuse throughout the cell and access subcellular organelles. Inefficient delivery caused by endosomal entrapment is often misidentified as cytosolic delivery. This inaccuracy muddles what should be a key checkpoint in assessing delivery efficiency. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a robust cargo small enough to passively diffuse from the cytosol into the nucleus. Fluorescence of GFP in the nucleus is a direct readout for cytosolic access and effective delivery. Here, we highlight recent examples from the literature for the accurate assessment of cytosolic protein delivery using GFP fluorescence in the cytosol and nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Luther
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Taewon Jeon
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 230 Stockbridge Road, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Ritabrita Goswami
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Harini Nagaraj
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Dongkap Kim
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Yi-Wei Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Vincent M. Rotello
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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42
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Carrion CC, Nasrollahzadeh M, Sajjadi M, Jaleh B, Soufi GJ, Iravani S. Lignin, lipid, protein, hyaluronic acid, starch, cellulose, gum, pectin, alginate and chitosan-based nanomaterials for cancer nanotherapy: Challenges and opportunities. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 178:193-228. [PMID: 33631269 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.02.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although nanotechnology-driven drug delivery systems are relatively new, they are rapidly evolving since the nanomaterials are deployed as effective means of diagnosis and delivery of assorted therapeutic agents to targeted intracellular sites in a controlled release manner. Nanomedicine and nanoparticulate drug delivery systems are rapidly developing as they play crucial roles in the development of therapeutic strategies for various types of cancer and malignancy. Nevertheless, high costs, associated toxicity and production of complexities are some of the critical barriers for their applications. Green nanomedicines have continually been improved as one of the viable approaches towards tumor drug delivery, thus making a notable impact on which considerably affect cancer treatment. In this regard, the utilization of natural and renewable feedstocks as a starting point for the fabrication of nanosystems can considerably contribute to the development of green nanomedicines. Nanostructures and biopolymers derived from natural and biorenewable resources such as proteins, lipids, lignin, hyaluronic acid, starch, cellulose, gum, pectin, alginate, and chitosan play vital roles in the development of cancer nanotherapy, imaging and management. This review uncovers recent investigations on diverse nanoarchitectures fabricated from natural and renewable feedstocks for the controlled/sustained and targeted drug/gene delivery systems against cancers including an outlook on some of the scientific challenges and opportunities in this field. Various important natural biopolymers and nanomaterials for cancer nanotherapy are covered and the scientific challenges and opportunities in this field are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Carrillo Carrion
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Marie Curie, Ctra Nnal IV-A Km. 396, E-14014 Cordoba, Spain
| | | | - Mohaddeseh Sajjadi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Qom, Qom 37185-359, Iran
| | - Babak Jaleh
- Department of Physics, Bu-Ali Sina University, 65174 Hamedan, Iran
| | | | - Siavash Iravani
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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43
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Ida H, Takahashi Y, Kumatani A, Shiku H, Murayama T, Hirose H, Futaki S, Matsue T. Nanoscale Visualization of Morphological Alteration of Live-Cell Membranes by the Interaction with Oligoarginine Cell-Penetrating Peptides. Anal Chem 2021; 93:5383-5393. [PMID: 33769789 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The interactions between the cell membrane and biomolecules remain poorly understood. For example, arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), including octaarginines (R8), are internalized by interactions with cell membranes. However, during the internalization process, the exact membrane dynamics introduced by these CPPs are still unknown. Here, we visualize arginine-rich CPPs and cell-membrane interaction-induced morphological changes using a system that combines scanning ion-conductance microscopy and spinning-disk confocal microscopy, using fluorescently labeled R8. This system allows time-dependent, nanoscale visualization of structural dynamics in live-cell membranes. Various types of membrane remodeling caused by arginine-rich CPPs are thus observed. The induction of membrane ruffling and the cup closure are observed as a process of endocytic uptake of the peptide. Alternatively suggested is the concave structural formation accompanied by direct peptide translocation through cell membranes. Studies using R8 without fluorescent labeling also demonstrate a non-negligible effect of the fluorescent moiety on membrane structural alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Ida
- The Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan.,Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology, Science and Technology Agency (JST), Saitama 332-0012, Japan.,Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan.,Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Yasufumi Takahashi
- Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology, Science and Technology Agency (JST), Saitama 332-0012, Japan.,WPI Nano Life Science Institute (WPI NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Akichika Kumatani
- Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan.,Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan.,International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan.,Center for Science and Innovation in Spintronics (CSIS), Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577 Japan
| | - Hitoshi Shiku
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Tomo Murayama
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Hisaaki Hirose
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Shiroh Futaki
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Matsue
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
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44
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Mandal S, Mann G, Satish G, Brik A. Enhanced Live-Cell Delivery of Synthetic Proteins Assisted by Cell-Penetrating Peptides Fused to DABCYL. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:7333-7343. [PMID: 33615660 PMCID: PMC8048964 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202016208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Live-cell delivery of a fully synthetic protein having selectivity towards a particular target is a promising approach with potential applications for basic research and therapeutics. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) allow the cellular delivery of proteins but mostly result in endosomal entrapment, leading to lack of bioavailability. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a CPP fused to 4-((4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)azo)benzoic acid (DABCYL) to enhance cellular uptake of fluorescently labelled synthetic protein analogues in low micromolar concentration. The attachment of cyclic deca-arginine (cR10) modified with a single lysine linked to DABCYL to synthetic ubiquitin (Ub) and small ubiquitin-like modifier-2 (SUMO-2) scaffolds resulted in a threefold higher uptake efficacy in live cells compared to the unmodified cR10. We could also achieve cR10DABCYL-assisted delivery of Ub and a Ub variant (Ubv) based activity-based probes for functional studies of deubiquitinases in live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaswati Mandal
- Schulich Faculty of ChemistryTechnion-Israel Institute of Technology3200008HaifaIsrael
| | - Guy Mann
- Schulich Faculty of ChemistryTechnion-Israel Institute of Technology3200008HaifaIsrael
| | - Gandhesiri Satish
- Schulich Faculty of ChemistryTechnion-Israel Institute of Technology3200008HaifaIsrael
| | - Ashraf Brik
- Schulich Faculty of ChemistryTechnion-Israel Institute of Technology3200008HaifaIsrael
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Mandal S, Mann G, Satish G, Brik A. Enhanced Live‐Cell Delivery of Synthetic Proteins Assisted by Cell‐Penetrating Peptides Fused to DABCYL. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202016208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shaswati Mandal
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry Technion-Israel Institute of Technology 3200008 Haifa Israel
| | - Guy Mann
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry Technion-Israel Institute of Technology 3200008 Haifa Israel
| | - Gandhesiri Satish
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry Technion-Israel Institute of Technology 3200008 Haifa Israel
| | - Ashraf Brik
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry Technion-Israel Institute of Technology 3200008 Haifa Israel
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Rilo-Alvarez H, Ledo AM, Vidal A, Garcia-Fuentes M. Delivery of transcription factors as modulators of cell differentiation. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2021; 11:426-444. [PMID: 33611769 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-021-00931-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fundamental studies performed during the last decades have shown that cell fate is much more plastic than previously considered, and technologies for its manipulation are a keystone for many new tissue regeneration therapies. Transcription factors (TFs) are DNA-binding proteins that control gene expression, and they have critical roles in the control of cell fate and other cellular behavior. TF-based therapies have much medical potential, but their use as drugs depends on the development of suitable delivery technologies that can help them reach their action site inside of the cells. TFs can be used either as proteins or encoded in polynucleotides. When used in protein form, many TFs require to be associated to a cell-penetrating peptide or another transduction domain. As polynucleotides, they can be delivered either by viral carriers or by non-viral systems such as polyplexes and lipoplexes. TF-based therapies have extensively shown their potential to solve many tissue-engineering problems, including bone, cartilage and cardiac regeneration. Yet, their use has expanded beyond regenerative medicine to other prominent disease areas such as cancer therapy and immunomodulation. This review summarizes some of the delivery options for effective TF-based therapies and their current main applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Rilo-Alvarez
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, IDIS Research Institute, CiMUS Research Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Adriana M Ledo
- Respiratory Therapeutic Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc, 700 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Anxo Vidal
- Department of Physiology, IDIS Research Institute, CiMUS Research Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Marcos Garcia-Fuentes
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, IDIS Research Institute, CiMUS Research Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Peier A, Ge L, Boyer N, Frost J, Duggal R, Biswas K, Edmondson S, Hermes JD, Yan L, Zimprich C, Sadruddin A, Kristal Kaan HY, Chandramohan A, Brown CJ, Thean D, Lee XE, Yuen TY, Ferrer-Gago FJ, Johannes CW, Lane DP, Sherborne B, Corona C, Robers MB, Sawyer TK, Partridge AW. NanoClick: A High Throughput, Target-Agnostic Peptide Cell Permeability Assay. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:293-309. [PMID: 33539064 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Macrocyclic peptides open new opportunities to target intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs) that are often considered nondruggable by traditional small molecules. However, engineering sufficient membrane permeability into these molecules is a central challenge for identifying clinical candidates. Currently, there is a lack of high-throughput assays to assess peptide permeability, which limits our capacity to engineer this property into macrocyclic peptides for advancement through drug discovery pipelines. Accordingly, we developed a high throughput and target-agnostic cell permeability assay that measures the relative cumulative cytosolic exposure of a peptide in a concentration-dependent manner. The assay was named NanoClick as it combines in-cell Click chemistry with an intracellular NanoBRET signal. We validated the approach using known cell penetrating peptides and further demonstrated a correlation to cellular activity using a p53/MDM2 model system. With minimal change to the peptide sequence, NanoClick enables the ability to measure uptake of molecules that enter the cell via different mechanisms such as endocytosis, membrane translocation, or passive permeability. Overall, the NanoClick assay can serve as a screening tool to uncover predictive design rules to guide structure-activity-permeability relationships in the optimization of functionally active molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Peier
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Lan Ge
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Nicolas Boyer
- Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - John Frost
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Ruchia Duggal
- Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Kaustav Biswas
- Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Scott Edmondson
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | | | - Lin Yan
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Chad Zimprich
- Promega Corporation, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, United States
| | | | | | | | - Christopher J. Brown
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore 138665, Singapore
| | - Dawn Thean
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore 138665, Singapore
| | - Xue Er Lee
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore 138665, Singapore
| | - Tsz Ying Yuen
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore 138665, Singapore
| | | | - Charles W. Johannes
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore 138665, Singapore
| | - David P. Lane
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore 138665, Singapore
| | - Brad Sherborne
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033, United States
| | - Cesear Corona
- Promega Biosciences Incorporated, San Luis Obispo, California 93401, United States
| | | | - Tomi K. Sawyer
- Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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McErlean EM, McCrudden CM, McBride JW, Cole G, Kett VL, Robson T, Dunne NJ, McCarthy HO. Rational design and characterisation of an amphipathic cell penetrating peptide for non-viral gene delivery. Int J Pharm 2021; 596:120223. [PMID: 33508341 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
RALA is a cationic amphipathic peptide which has shown great promise as an efficient, multifunctional delivery system for the delivery of nucleic acids. Rational peptide design was utilised in this study to understand the essential amino acids required for delivery and if any improvements to the RALA peptide could be made. Six amphipathic peptides were synthesised with strategic sequences and amino acid substitutions to reduce peptide sequence, while maintaining the functional characteristics of RALA including amphipathicity, alpha-helicity and pH responsiveness for endosomal escape. Data demonstrated that all six peptides complexed pEGFP-N1 to produce cationic nanoparticles <200 nm in diameter, but not all peptides resulted in successful transfection; indicating the influence of peptide design for cellular uptake and endosomal escape. Pep2, produced nanoparticles with similar characteristics and transfection efficiency to the parent peptide, RALA. However, Pep2 had issues with toxicity and a lack of pH-responsive alpha-helcity. Therefore, RALA remains the superior sequence for non-toxic gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M McErlean
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Cian M McCrudden
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - John W McBride
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Grace Cole
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Vicky L Kett
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Tracy Robson
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, 111 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, UK
| | - Nicholas J Dunne
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland, UK; Centre for Medical Engineering Research, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland, UK; Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland, UK; Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (I-Form), School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland; Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, UK; Advanced Processing Technology Research Centre, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland, UK; Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland, UK
| | - Helen O McCarthy
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland, UK
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49
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Li S, Zhang X, Guo C, Peng Y, Liu X, Wang B, Zhuang R, Chang M, Wang R. Hydrocarbon staple constructing highly efficient α-helix cell-penetrating peptides for intracellular cargo delivery. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:15655-15658. [PMID: 33355559 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc06312f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The effects of all-hydrocarbon cross-linking on the cell-penetrating properties of Tat were systematically investigated. These stapled cell-penetrating peptides were designed to exhibit a cationic secondary amphipathic profile. We found that the hydrophobicity and helical conformation of these hydrocarbon staple peptides correlate well with their cellular uptake efficiency. Our results also revealed that higher affinity to heparan sulfate of the rigid stapled Tat peptides correlated well with the higher cellular uptake compared with non-stapled Tat peptides with flexible charge display. Notably, the stapled Tat peptides showed increased endosomal escape, high proteolytic stability, and low cytotoxicity. Therefore, they present a potent system for the intracellular transport of bioactive cargos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
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50
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McErlean EM, Ziminska M, McCrudden CM, McBride JW, Loughran SP, Cole G, Mulholland EJ, Kett V, Buckley NE, Robson T, Dunne NJ, McCarthy HO. Rational design and characterisation of a linear cell penetrating peptide for non-viral gene delivery. J Control Release 2020; 330:1288-1299. [PMID: 33227336 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.11.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The design of a non-viral gene delivery system that can release a functional nucleic acid at the intracellular destination site is an exciting but also challenging proposition. The ideal gene delivery vector must be non-toxic, non-immunogenic, overcome extra- and intra-cellular barriers, protect the nucleic acid cargo from degradation with stability over a range of temperatures. A new 15 amino acid linear peptide termed CHAT was designed in this study with the goal of delivering DNA with high efficiency into cells in vitro and tissues in vivo. Rational design involved incorporation of key amino acids including arginine for nucleic acid complexation and cellular uptake, tryptophan to enhance hydrophobic interaction with cell membranes, histidine to facilitate endosomal escape and cysteine for stability and controlled cargo release. Six linear peptides were synthesised with strategic sequences and amino acid substitutions. Data demonstrated that all six peptides complexed pDNA to produce cationic nanoparticles less than 200 nm in diameter, but not all peptides resulted in successful transfection; indicating the influence of peptide design for endosomal escape. Peptide 4, now termed CHAT, was non-cytotoxic, traversed the plasma membrane of breast and prostate cancer cell lines, and elicited reporter-gene expression following intra-tumoural and intravenous delivery in vivo. CHAT presents an exciting new peptide for the delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M McErlean
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Monika Ziminska
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Cian M McCrudden
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - John W McBride
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Stephen P Loughran
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Grace Cole
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Eoghan J Mulholland
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Vicky Kett
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Niamh E Buckley
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Tracy Robson
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, 111 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Nicholas J Dunne
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland; Centre for Medical Engineering Research, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland; Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (I-Form), School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland; Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Helen O McCarthy
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland.
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