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Morla-Folch J, Ranzenigo A, Fayad ZA, Teunissen AJP. Nanotherapeutic Heterogeneity: Sources, Effects, and Solutions. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2307502. [PMID: 38050951 PMCID: PMC11045328 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202307502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Nanomaterials have revolutionized medicine by enabling control over drugs' pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and biocompatibility. However, most nanotherapeutic batches are highly heterogeneous, meaning they comprise nanoparticles that vary in size, shape, charge, composition, and ligand functionalization. Similarly, individual nanotherapeutics often have heterogeneously distributed components, ligands, and charges. This review discusses nanotherapeutic heterogeneity's sources and effects on experimental readouts and therapeutic efficacy. Among other topics, it demonstrates that heterogeneity exists in nearly all nanotherapeutic types, examines how nanotherapeutic heterogeneity arises, and discusses how heterogeneity impacts nanomaterials' in vitro and in vivo behavior. How nanotherapeutic heterogeneity skews experimental readouts and complicates their optimization and clinical translation is also shown. Lastly, strategies for limiting nanotherapeutic heterogeneity are reviewed and recommendations for developing more reproducible and effective nanotherapeutics provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Morla-Folch
- Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Anna Ranzenigo
- Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Zahi Adel Fayad
- Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Abraham Jozef Petrus Teunissen
- Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
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2
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Chen X, Xia C, Guo P, Wang C, Zuo X, Jiang YB, Jiang T. Preserving Structurally Labile Peptide Nanosheets After Molecular Functionalization of the Self-Assembling Peptides. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202315296. [PMID: 38009674 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
A significant challenge in creating supramolecular materials is that conjugating molecular functionalities to building blocks often results in dissociation or undesired morphological transformation of their assemblies. Here we present a facile strategy to preserve structurally labile peptide assemblies after molecular modification of the self-assembling peptides. Sheet-forming peptides are designed to afford a staggered alignment with the segments bearing chemical modification sites protruding from the sheet surfaces. The staggered assembly allows for simultaneous separation of attached molecules from each other and from the underlying assembly motifs. Strikingly, using PEGs as the external molecules, PEG400 - and PEG700 -peptide conjugates directly self-associate into nanosheets with the PEG chains localized on the sheet surfaces. In contrast, the sheet formation based on in-register lateral packing of peptides does not recur upon the peptide PEGylation. This strategy allows for fabrication of densely modified assemblies with a variety of molecules, as demonstrated using biotin (hydrophobic molecule), c(RGDfK) (cyclic pentapeptide), and nucleic acid aptamer (negatively charged ssDNA). The staggered co-assembly also enables extended tunability of the amount/density of surface molecules, as exemplified by screening ligand-appended assemblies for cell targeting. This study paves the way for functionalization of historically challenging fragile assemblies while maintaining their overall morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Cai Xia
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Pan Guo
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Chenru Wang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Xiaobing Zuo
- X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Yun-Bao Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, Xiamen, 361005, China
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Wang H, Mills J, Sun B, Cui H. Therapeutic Supramolecular Polymers: Designs and Applications. Prog Polym Sci 2024; 148:101769. [PMID: 38188703 PMCID: PMC10769153 DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2023.101769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The self-assembly of low-molecular-weight building motifs into supramolecular polymers has unlocked a new realm of materials with distinct properties and tremendous potential for advancing medical practices. Leveraging the reversible and dynamic nature of non-covalent interactions, these supramolecular polymers exhibit inherent responsiveness to their microenvironment, physiological cues, and biomolecular signals, making them uniquely suited for diverse biomedical applications. In this review, we intend to explore the principles of design, synthesis methodologies, and strategic developments that underlie the creation of supramolecular polymers as carriers for therapeutics, contributing to the treatment and prevention of a spectrum of human diseases. We delve into the principles underlying monomer design, emphasizing the pivotal role of non-covalent interactions, directionality, and reversibility. Moreover, we explore the intricate balance between thermodynamics and kinetics in supramolecular polymerization, illuminating strategies for achieving controlled sizes and distributions. Categorically, we examine their exciting biomedical applications: individual polymers as discrete carriers for therapeutics, delving into their interactions with cells, and in vivo dynamics; and supramolecular polymeric hydrogels as injectable depots, with a focus on their roles in cancer immunotherapy, sustained drug release, and regenerative medicine. As the field continues to burgeon, harnessing the unique attributes of therapeutic supramolecular polymers holds the promise of transformative impacts across the biomedical landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Jason Mills
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Boran Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Nanomedicine, The Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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Wang H, Monroe MK, Wang F, Sun M, Flexner C, Cui H. Constructing Antiretroviral Supramolecular Polymers as Long-Acting Injectables through Rational Design of Drug Amphiphiles with Alternating Antiretroviral-Based and Hydrophobic Residues. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:21293-21302. [PMID: 37747991 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c05645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
One of the main challenges in the development of long-acting injectables for HIV treatment is the limited duration of drug release, which results in the need for frequent dosing and reduced patient adherence. In this context, we leverage the intrinsic reversible features of supramolecular polymers and their unique ability to form a three-dimensional network under physiological conditions to design a class of self-assembling drug amphiphiles (DAs) based upon lamivudine, a water-soluble antiretroviral (ARV) agent and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. The designed ARV DAs contain three pairs of alternating hydrophobic valine (V) and hydrophilic lamivudine-modified lysine (K3TC) residues with a varying number of glutamic acids (E) placed on the C-terminus. Upon dissolution in deionized water, all three ARV DAs were found to spontaneously associate into supramolecular filaments of several micrometers in length, with varying levels of lateral stacking. Addition of 1× PBS triggered immediate gelation of the two ARV DAs with 2 or 3 E residues, and upon dilution in an in vitro setting, the dissociation from the supramolecular state to the monomeric state enabled a long-acting linear release of the ARV DAs. In vivo studies further confirmed their injectability, rapid in situ hydrogel formation, enhanced local retention, and long-acting therapeutic release over a month. Importantly, our pharmacokinetic studies suggest that the injected ARV supramolecular polymeric hydrogel was able to maintain a plasma concentration of lamivudine above its IC50 value for more than 40 days in mice and showed minimal systemic immunogenicity. We believe that these results shed important light on the rational design of long-acting injectables using the drug-based molecular assembly strategy, and the reported ARV supramolecular hydrogels hold great promise for improving HIV treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Maya K Monroe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Feihu Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Mingjiao Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Charles Flexner
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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Hisamatsu Y, Cheng F, Yamamoto K, Takase H, Umezawa N, Higuchi T. Control of the stepwise self-assembly process of a pH-responsive amphiphilic 4-aminoquinoline-tetraphenylethene conjugate. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:3177-3187. [PMID: 36655765 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05756e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Controlling the kinetic processes of self-assembly and switching their kinetic properties according to the changes in external environments are crucial concepts in the field of supramolecular polymers in water for biological and biomedical applications. Here we report a new self-assembling amphiphilic 4-aminoquinoline (4-AQ)-tetraphenylethene (TPE) conjugate that exhibits kinetically controllable stepwise self-assembly and has the ability of switching its kinetic nature in response to pH. The self-assembly process of the 4-AQ amphiphile comprises the formation of sphere-like nanoparticles, a transition to short nanofibers, and their growth to long nanofibers with ∼1 μm length scale at room temperature (RT). The timescale of the self-assembly process differs according to the pH-responsivity of the 4-AQ moiety in a weakly acidic to neutral pH range. Therefore, after aging for 24 h at RT, the 4-AQ amphiphile forms metastable short nanofibers at pH 5.5, while it forms thermodynamically favored long nanofibers at pH 7.4. Moreover, the modulation of nanofiber growth proceeding spontaneously at RT was achieved by switching the kinetic pathway through changing the pH between 7.4 and 5.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Hisamatsu
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan.
| | - Fangzhou Cheng
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takase
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Naoki Umezawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan.
| | - Tsunehiko Higuchi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan.
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Wang Y, Su H, Wang Y, Cui H. Discovery of Y-Shaped Supramolecular Polymers in a Self-Assembling Peptide Amphiphile System. ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:1355-1361. [PMID: 36413439 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Supramolecular polymers (SPs) formed by self-assembly of peptide-based molecular units assume a variety of interesting one-dimensional (1D) morphologies. While the morphological complexity and phase behavior of self-assembling peptide conjugates bear some resemblance to those of low-molecular-weight and macromolecular surfactants, Y-junctions, or three-way connected constructs, a topological defect observed in traditional surfactants has not been identified, likely due to the intolerance of defective packing by the strong, associative interactions afforded by the peptide segments. Here we report our discovery of branched SPs with Y-junctions and occasionally enlarged spherical end-caps formed by micellization of a ferrocene-based peptide amphiphile in water. Our results suggest that the incorporation of two ferrocenes into the amphiphile design is key to ensure the formation of branched SPs. We hypothesize that the complex interplay of internal interactions limits the effective propagation of hydrogen bonding within the assemblies and, consequently, creates fragmented β-sheets that are more tolerant for supramolecular branching. Given the redox sensitivity of the ferrocene units, sequential addition of reductants and oxidants to the solution led the assemblies to reversibly transform between branched SPs and spherical aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States.,Center for Nanomedicine, The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 North Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United States
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Kim D, Kim S, Park G, Choi H, Ryu JH. Spatiotemporal Self-Assembly of Peptide Amphiphiles by Carbonic Anhydrase IX-Targeting Induces Cancer-Lysosomal Membrane Disruption. JACS AU 2022; 2:2539-2547. [PMID: 36465549 PMCID: PMC9709935 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.2c00422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
To achieve spatiotemporal control, an enzyme-instructed self-assembly system is widely used, but this approach typically has a small effect on cellular fate. In this study, we show that the intralysosomal assembly by a carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX)-targeting peptide amphiphile (Pep-AT) can control cellular fate with a low therapeutic dose by tuning the surface charge based on pH change. Pep-AT self-assembles into a fibrous aggregate with a negative surface charge in an extracellular environment near CAIX. During endocytosis, it changes into a nanofiber with a positive surface charge at the lysosome. Then, it can disrupt the lysosomal membrane and induce cellular apoptosis. This study demonstrates that a spatiotemporal assembly induced by a cancer enzyme and specific organelle can control the cellular fate of cancer.
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Wang C, Xu L, Zhou L, Liu N, Wu Z. Asymmetric Living Supramolecular Polymerization: Precise Fabrication of One‐Handed Helical Supramolecular Polymers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202207028. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202207028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Anhui Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Reaction Engineering Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 Anhui Province China
| | - Lei Xu
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Anhui Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Reaction Engineering Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 Anhui Province China
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Anhui Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Reaction Engineering Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 Anhui Province China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Anhui Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Reaction Engineering Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 Anhui Province China
| | - Zong‐Quan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials College of Chemistry Jilin University Changchun 130012 China
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Wang C, Xu L, Zhou L, Liu N, Wu ZQ. Asymmetric Living Supramolecular Polymerization: Precise Fabrication of One‐handed Helical Supramolecular Polymers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202207028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Hefei University of Technology Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering CHINA
| | - Lei Xu
- Hefei University of Technology Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering CHINA
| | - Li Zhou
- Hefei University of Technology Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering CHINA
| | - Na Liu
- Hefei University of Technology Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering CHINA
| | - Zong-Quan Wu
- Jilin University Polymer Chemistry and Physis Qianjin Street 2699 130012 Changchun CHINA
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