Development of an artificial antibody specific for HLA/peptide complex derived from cancer stem-like cell/cancer-initiating cell antigen DNAJB8

Applications of the phage display technology in molecular biology, biotechnology and medicine

The phage display technology is based on the presentation of peptide sequences on the surface of virions of bacteriophages. Its development led to creation of sophisticated systems based on the possibility of the presentation of a huge variability of peptides, attached to one of proteins of bacteriophage capsids. The use of such systems allowed for achieving enormous advantages in the processes of selection of bioactive molecules. In fact, the phage display technology has been employed in numerous fields of biotechnology, as diverse as immunological and biomedical applications (in both diagnostics and therapy), the formation of novel materials, and many others. In this paper, contrary to many other review articles which were focussed on either specific display systems or the use of phage display in selected fields, we present a comprehensive overview of various possibilities of applications of this technology. We discuss an usefulness of the phage display technology in various fields of science, medicine and the broad sense of biotechnology. This overview indicates the spread and importance of applications of microbial systems (exemplified by the phage display technology), pointing to the possibility of developing such sophisticated tools when advanced molecular methods are used in microbiological studies, accompanied with understanding of details of structures and functions of microbial entities (bacteriophages in this case).

Applications of self-assembled peptide hydrogels in anti-tumor therapy

Peptides are a class of active substances composed of a variety of amino acids with special physiological functions. The rational design of peptide sequences at the molecular level enables their folding into diverse secondary structures. This property has garnered significant attention in the biomedical sphere owing to their favorable biocompatibility, adaptable mechanical traits, and exceptional loading capabilities. Concurrently with advancements in modern medicine, the diagnosis and treatment of tumors have increasingly embraced targeted and personalized approaches. This review explores recent applications of self-assembled peptides derived from natural amino acids in chemical therapy, immunotherapy, and other adjunctive treatments. We highlighted the utilization of peptide hydrogels as delivery systems for chemotherapeutic drugs and other bioactive molecules and then discussed the challenges and prospects for their future application.

Development of CAR-T cells specifically targeting cancer stem cell antigen DNAJB8 against solid tumours

BACKGROUND

As therapy for solid tumours, various tumour antigens have been selected as targets, but CAR-T cells targeting these antigens have shown limited efficacy, in contrast to the effectiveness of CAR-T cells targeting haematological malignancies. In a previous report, we identified a cancer-testis antigen, DNAJB8. DNAJB8 plays a major role in tumorigenicity in cancer stem-like cells/cancer-initiating cells (CSCs/CICs). Here, we report a DNAJB8-reactive CAR yielding anti-tumour effects against renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and osteosarcoma.

METHODS

We constructed a second-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) against HLA-A*24:02/DNAJB8-derived peptide (DNAJB_143) complex (B10 CAR). The reactivity of B10-CAR T cells against T2-A24 cells pulsed with the cognate peptide and an RCC and osteosarcoma cell lines were quantified. The effects of adoptive cell transfer (ACT) therapy were assessed using in vivo xenografted mice models.

RESULTS

B10 CAR-T cells recognised DNAJB8_143-pulsed T2-A24 cells and HLA-A*24:02(+)/DNAJB8(+) renal cell carcinoma and osteosarcoma cell lines. Moreover, ACT using B10 CAR-T cells showed anti-tumour effects against RCC and osteosarcoma cells.

CONCLUSION

B10 CAR-T cells could show specific cytotoxicity against RCC and osteosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo. B10 CAR-T cells targeting the CSC/CIC antigen DNAJB8 might be a candidate immunotherapy for carcinoma and sarcoma.

B cell receptor repertoire analysis from autopsy samples of COVID-19 patients

Neutralizing antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are being developed world over. We investigated the possibility of producing artificial antibodies from the formalin fixation and paraffin-embedding (FFPE) lung lobes of a patient who died by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The B-cell receptors repertoire in the lung tissue where SARS-CoV-2 was detected were considered to have highly sensitive virus-neutralizing activity, and artificial antibodies were produced by combining the most frequently detected heavy and light chains. Some neutralizing effects against the SARS-CoV-2 were observed, and mixing two different artificial antibodies had a higher tendency to suppress the virus. The neutralizing effects were similar to the immunoglobulin G obtained from healthy donors who had received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Therefore, the use of FFPE lung tissue, which preserves the condition of direct virus sensitization, to generate artificial antibodies may be useful against future unknown infectious diseases.

An ultrasensitive label-free electrochemical impedimetric immunosensor for vascular endothelial growth factor based on specific phage via negative pre-screening

As a vascular growth regulator, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) exerts significant biological roles through specific binding to its receptors on the vascular endothelial cells. VEGF165 is generally referenced as a potential therapeutic target of many malignant tumors. In this study, a negative pre-screening strategy with structurally analogous members of VEGF121, VEGFC and VEGFD was first proposed for VEGF165 biopanning, aiming at significantly improving the specificity of the selected phage monoclones. Indirect ELISA experiment showed that the phage monoclone expressing peptide SPFLLRM demonstrates excellent affinity and specificity. Then a VEGF165 electrochemical impedimetric spectroscopy (EIS) immunosensor was constructed by above specific phage modified electrode. After optimizing the experimental conditions, the as-explored EIS immunosensor had a linear range of 0.5-1000 pg/mL with the limit of detection of 0.15 pg/mL VEGF165. In addition, the developed phage-based EIS immunosensor was applied to satisfactorily detect VEGF165 in human serum samples. Considering its ultra-sensitivity, good selectivity, batch reproducibility and stability, the screened selective phage-based EIS sensor is envisioned potential application in diagnosis and therapy.

The role of heat shock protein 40 in carcinogenesis and biology of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Despite the enormous amount of effort in the diagnosis and treatment of CRC, the overall survival rate of patients remains low. The precise molecular and cellular basis underlying CRC has not been completely understood yet. Over time, new genes and molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of the disease are being identified. Accurate discovery of these genes and signaling pathways are important and urgent missions for the next generation of anticancer therapy research. Chaperone DnaJ, also known as Hsp40 (heat shock protein 40), has been of particular interest in CRC pathogenesis, as it is involved in the fundamental cell activities for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Evidence show that protein family members of DnaJ/Hsp40 play both roles; enhancing and reducing the growth of CRC cells. In the present review, we focus on the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms responsible for the role of DnaJ/Hsp40 in CRC carcinogenesis and biology.

Biorecognition Engineering Technologies for Cancer Diagnosis: A Systematic Literature Review of Non-Conventional and Plausible Sensor Development Methods

Cancer is the second cause of mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis of this multifactorial disease is challenging, especially in populations with limited access to healthcare services. A vast repertoire of cancer biomarkers has been studied to facilitate early diagnosis; particularly, the use of antibodies against these biomarkers has been of interest to detect them through biorecognition. However, there are certain limitations to this approach. Emerging biorecognition engineering technologies are alternative methods to generate molecules and molecule-based scaffolds with similar properties to those presented by antibodies. Molecularly imprinted polymers, recombinant antibodies, and antibody mimetic molecules are three novel technologies commonly used in scientific studies. This review aimed to present the fundamentals of these technologies and address questions about how they are implemented for cancer detection in recent scientific studies. A systematic analysis of the scientific peer-reviewed literature regarding the use of these technologies on cancer detection was carried out starting from the year 2000 up to 2021 to answer these questions. In total, 131 scientific articles indexed in the Web of Science from the last three years were included in this analysis. The results showed that antibody mimetic molecules technology was the biorecognition technology with the highest number of reports. The most studied cancer types were: multiple, breast, leukemia, colorectal, and lung. Electrochemical and optical detection methods were the most frequently used. Finally, the most analyzed biomarkers and cancer entities in the studies were carcinoembryonic antigen, MCF-7 cells, and exosomes. These technologies are emerging tools with adequate performance for developing biosensors useful in cancer detection, which can be used to improve cancer diagnosis in developing countries.

Plasma Exosome-Derived Sentrin SUMO-Specific Protease 1: A Prognostic Biomarker in Patients With Osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND

The exosomes contain many important proteins that can be used for early tumor diagnosis or patient prognosis analysis. In this study, we investigated plasma exosome-derived sentrin SUMO-specific protease 1 (SENP1) levels as a prognostic biomarker in patients with osteosarcoma.

METHODS

The expression of SENP1 protein in osteosarcoma tissues and adjacent tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The exosomes were identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and western blotting. ELISA was used to detect plasma exosome-derived SENP1 levels to assess prognosis in patients with osteosarcoma.

RESULTS

IHC showed that the positive expression rate of SENP1 in osteosarcoma tissues was 88.33%, whereas that in adjacent tissues was 46.67% (P < 0.05). Plasma exosome-derived SENP1 levels were related to tumor size, tumor location, necrosis rate, pulmonary metastasis, and surgical stage. Both disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were worse in patients who had higher plasma exosome-derived SENP1 levels compared with those in patients with lower plasma exosome-derived SENP1 levels (P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of plasma exosome-derived SENP1, as 1-year DFS and 3-year DFS prognostic biomarkers, was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.83-0.98) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.94-0.99), respectively. As to OS, the AUROC of plasma exosome-derived SENP1 for 1-year and 3-year prediction was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.82-0.99) and 0.96 (0.93-0.98), respectively. The plasma exosome-derived SENP1 was better than plasma SENP1 as a prognostic biomarker both in DFS and OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that the plasma exosome-derived SENP1 may serve as a novel and independent prognostic predictor in clinical applications.