1
|
Garcia-Guerra A, Ellerington R, Gaitzsch J, Bath J, Kye M, Varela MA, Battaglia G, Wood MJA, Manzano R, Rinaldi C, Turberfield AJ. A modular RNA delivery system comprising spherical nucleic acids built on endosome-escaping polymeric nanoparticles. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:2941-2949. [PMID: 37260495 PMCID: PMC10228346 DOI: 10.1039/d2na00846g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid therapeutics require delivery systems to reach their targets. Key challenges to be overcome include avoidance of accumulation in cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system and escape from the endosomal pathway. Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), in which a gold nanoparticle supports a corona of oligonucleotides, are promising carriers for nucleic acids with valuable properties including nuclease resistance, sequence-specific loading and control of receptor-mediated endocytosis. However, SNAs accumulate in the endosomal pathway and are thus vulnerable to lysosomal degradation or recycling exocytosis. Here, an alternative SNA core based on diblock copolymer PMPC25-PDPA72 is investigated. This pH-sensitive polymer self-assembles into vesicles with an intrinsic ability to escape endosomes via osmotic shock triggered by acidification-induced disassembly. DNA oligos conjugated to PMPC25-PDPA72 molecules form vesicles, or polymersomes, with DNA coronae on luminal and external surfaces. Nucleic acid cargoes or nucleic acid-tagged targeting moieties can be attached by hybridization to the coronal DNA. These polymeric SNAs are used to deliver siRNA duplexes against C9orf72, a genetic target with therapeutic potential for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, to motor neuron-like cells. By attaching a neuron-specific targeting peptide to the PSNA corona, effective knock-down is achieved at doses of 2 particles per cell.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Garcia-Guerra
- Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PU UK
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3QX UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3QU UK +44-1865-272359
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine (IDRM) IMS-Tetsuya Nakamura Building, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Dr, Headington Oxford OX3 7TY UK +44-1865-272166
| | - Ruth Ellerington
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3QX UK
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine (IDRM) IMS-Tetsuya Nakamura Building, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Dr, Headington Oxford OX3 7TY UK +44-1865-272166
| | - Jens Gaitzsch
- Department of Chemistry, University College London London WC1H 0AJ UK
- Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research Dresden Hohe Str. 6 01069 Dresden Germany
| | - Jonathan Bath
- Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PU UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3QU UK +44-1865-272359
| | - Mahnseok Kye
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3QX UK
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine (IDRM) IMS-Tetsuya Nakamura Building, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Dr, Headington Oxford OX3 7TY UK +44-1865-272166
| | - Miguel A Varela
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3QX UK
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine (IDRM) IMS-Tetsuya Nakamura Building, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Dr, Headington Oxford OX3 7TY UK +44-1865-272166
| | - Giuseppe Battaglia
- Department of Chemistry, University College London London WC1H 0AJ UK
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology Baldiri Reixac, 10-12 08028 Barcelona Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies Passeig de Lluís Companys, 23 08010 Barcelona Spain
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3QX UK
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine (IDRM) IMS-Tetsuya Nakamura Building, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Dr, Headington Oxford OX3 7TY UK +44-1865-272166
| | - Raquel Manzano
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3QX UK
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, University of Zaragoza Zaragoza 50013 Spain
| | - Carlo Rinaldi
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3QX UK
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine (IDRM) IMS-Tetsuya Nakamura Building, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Dr, Headington Oxford OX3 7TY UK +44-1865-272166
| | - Andrew J Turberfield
- Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PU UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3QU UK +44-1865-272359
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hidalgo Martinez D, Melis A. Cyanobacterial phycobilisomes as a platform for the stable production of heterologous enzymes and other proteins. Metab Eng 2023; 77:174-187. [PMID: 37030607 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.04.002] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
Efforts to stably over-express recombinant proteins in cyanobacteria are hindered due to cellular proteasome activity that efficiently degrades foreign proteins. Recent work from this lab showed that a variety of exogenous genes from plants, bacteria, and humans can be successfully and stably over-expressed in cyanobacteria, as fusion constructs with the abundant β-subunit of phycocyanin (the cpcB gene product) in quantities up to 10-15% of the total cell protein. The CpcB*P fusion proteins did not simply accumulate in a soluble free-floating form in the cell but, rather, they assembled as functional (α,β*P)3CpcG1 heterohexameric light-harvesting phycocyanin antenna discs, where α is the CpcA α-subunit of phycocyanin, β*P is the CpcB*P fusion protein, the asterisk denoting fusion, and CpcG1 is the 28.9 kDa phycocyanin disc linker polypeptide (Hidalgo Martinez et al., 2022). The present work showed that the CpcA α-subunit of phycocyanin and the CpcG1 28.9 kDa phycocyanin disc linker polypeptide can also successfully serve as leading sequences in functional heterohexameric (α*P,β)3CpcG1 and (α,β)3CpcG1*P fusion constructs that permit stable recombinant protein over-expression and accumulation. These were shown to form a residual light-harvesting antenna and to contribute to photosystem-II photochemistry in the cyanobacterial cells. The work suggested that cyanobacterial cells need phycocyanin for light absorption, photosynthesis, and survival and, therefore, may tolerate the presence of heterologous recombinant proteins, when the latter are in a fusion construct configuration with essential cellular proteins, e.g., phycocyanin, thus allowing their substantial and stable accumulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anastasios Melis
- University of California, 111 Koshland Hall, MC-3102, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3102, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li Y, Chen Y, Cui J, Liu D, Zhang W, Xue C, Xiong X, Liu G, Chen H. Preparation and characterization of a neutralizing murine monoclonal antibody against tetanus toxin. J Immunol Methods 2023; 513:113427. [PMID: 36652969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2023.113427] [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: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
After Clostridium tetani infects the human body, it propagates under anaerobic conditions and produces tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT). TeNT can affect the central nervous system, inhibit the release of neurotransmitters, and result in respiratory failure, which are the root causes of death in tetanus patients. Identifying monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting TeNT with neutralizing activity is urgently needed for the prevention and treatment of tetanus infection. In this study, through immunizing BALB/c mice with tetanus toxoid (TT), we obtained six positive hybridoma cell lines (1A7, 2C7, 3A7, 3H4, 4C1, and 4E12). Antibody isotyping showed that the antibodies are all of the IgG1/κ subclass. Ascites fluid was prepared by allogeneic ascites induction and the antibodies were purified through protein G affinity chromatography columns. Purities of the produced murine mAbs were all greater than 95%. All six antibodies bound to linear epitopes, among which 3A7 bound to the TeNT/L domain and the other five antibodies bound to the TeNT/Hc domain. Moreover, the affinity constants of these six antibodies against the antigen were all in the nanomolar range, and the affinity of 4E12 antibody reached the picomolar range. Results from toxin-neutralization assays in mice showed that 2C7 antibody delayed animal death, while 1A7, 3A7, 3H4, and 4E12 antibodies conferred partial protection. Additionally, 4C1 antibody offered complete protection, as 200 μg of 4C1 antibody fully protected against toxin challenge with 10 LD50 of TeNT and had a window period of 1 h. Antibody epitope grouping results revealed that the binding epitopes of 4C1 antibody were different from those of the other five antibodies. When 4C1 antibody was used in combination with another antibody, the neutralizing activities of antibodies were all evidently enhanced. Specifically, 4C1 combined with 3A7 antibody led to the greatest improvement in neutralizing activities, and 20 μg antibodies total (10 + 10 μg) fully protected against toxin challenge with 10 LD50. When 4E12, 3A7, and 4C1 antibodies were used in combination, 18 μg antibodies total (6 + 6 + 6 μg) completely neutralized 10 LD50 toxin. The present study derived murine mAbs with neutralizing activities and laid the foundation for follow-up therapeutic drug development for TeNT poisoning as well as establishment of TeNT detection methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Yangyang Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin 1500076, China
| | - Jiazhen Cui
- Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Dongqi Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin 1500076, China
| | - Weicai Zhang
- Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Chong Xue
- Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Xianghua Xiong
- Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100080, China.
| | - Gang Liu
- Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100080, China.
| | - Huipeng Chen
- Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100080, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Díaz A, Flores I, Treviño S. Neurotrophic fragments as therapeutic alternatives to ameliorate brain aging. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:51-56. [PMID: 35799508 PMCID: PMC9241392 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.331867] [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] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is a global phenomenon and a complex biological process of all living beings that introduces various changes. During this physiological process, the brain is the most affected organ due to changes in its structural and chemical functions, such as changes in plasticity and decrease in the number, diameter, length, and branching of dendrites and dendritic spines. Likewise, it presents a great reduction in volume resulting from the contraction of the gray matter. Consequently, aging can affect not only cognitive functions, including learning and memory, but also the quality of life of older people. As a result of the phenomena, various molecules with notable neuroprotective capacity have been proposed, which provide a therapeutic alternative for people under conditions of aging or some neurodegenerative diseases. It is important to indicate that in recent years the use of molecules with neurotrophic activity has shown interesting results when evaluated in in vivo models. This review aims to describe the neurotrophic potential of molecules such as resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene), neurotrophins (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), and neurotrophic-type compounds such as the terminal carboxyl domain of the heavy chain of tetanus toxin, cerebrolysin, neuropeptide-12, and rapamycin. Most of these molecules have been evaluated by our research group. Studies suggest that these molecules exert an important therapeutic potential, restoring brain function in aging conditions or models of neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, our interest is in describing the current scientific evidence that supports the therapeutic potential of these molecules with active neurotrophic.
Collapse
|
5
|
Tetanus Toxin Fragment C: Structure, Drug Discovery Research and Production. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060756. [PMID: 35745675 PMCID: PMC9227095 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetanus toxoid (TTd) plays an important role in the pharmaceutical world, especially in vaccines. The toxoid is obtained after formaldehyde treatment of the tetanus toxin. In parallel, current emphasis in the drug discovery field is put on producing well-defined and safer drugs, explaining the interest in finding new alternative proteins. The tetanus toxin fragment C (TTFC) has been extensively studied both as a neuroprotective agent for central nervous system disorders owing to its neuronal properties and as a carrier protein in vaccines. Indeed, it is derived from a part of the tetanus toxin and, as such, retains its immunogenic properties without being toxic. Moreover, this fragment has been well characterized, and its entire structure is known. Here, we propose a systematic review of TTFC by providing information about its structural features, its properties and its methods of production. We also describe the large uses of TTFC in the field of drug discovery. TTFC can therefore be considered as an attractive alternative to TTd and remarkably offers a wide range of uses, including as a carrier, delivery vector, conjugate, booster, inducer, and neuroprotector.
Collapse
|
6
|
Candalija A, Scior T, Rackwitz HR, Ruiz-Castelan JE, Martinez-Laguna Y, Aguilera J. Interaction between a Novel Oligopeptide Fragment of the Human Neurotrophin Receptor TrkB Ectodomain D5 and the C-Terminal Fragment of Tetanus Neurotoxin. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26133988. [PMID: 34208805 PMCID: PMC8272241 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This article presents experimental evidence and computed molecular models of a potential interaction between receptor domain D5 of TrkB with the carboxyl-terminal domain of tetanus neurotoxin (Hc-TeNT). Computational simulations of a novel small cyclic oligopeptide are designed, synthesized, and tested for possible tetanus neurotoxin-D5 interaction. A hot spot of this protein-protein interaction is identified in analogy to the hitherto known crystal structures of the complex between neurotrophin and D5. Hc-TeNT activates the neurotrophin receptors, as well as its downstream signaling pathways, inducing neuroprotection in different stress cellular models. Based on these premises, we propose the Trk receptor family as potential proteic affinity receptors for TeNT. In vitro, Hc-TeNT binds to a synthetic TrkB-derived peptide and acts similar to an agonist ligand for TrkB, resulting in phosphorylation of the receptor. These properties are weakened by the mutagenesis of three residues of the predicted interaction region in Hc-TeNT. It also competes with Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a native binder to human TrkB, for the binding to neural membranes, and for uptake in TrkB-positive vesicles. In addition, both molecules are located together in vivo at neuromuscular junctions and in motor neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Candalija
- Molecular Biology Department, Institut de Neruociènces and Biochemistry, Medicine Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.); (J.A.)
| | - Thomas Scior
- Faculty of Chemical Sciences, BUAP, Puebla 72000, Mexico; (J.E.R.-C.); (Y.M.-L.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +52-222-229-5500 (ext. 7529)
| | - Hans-Richard Rackwitz
- Peptide Specialities Laboratory, Im Neuenheimer Feld, Univerisity Campus, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | | | | | - José Aguilera
- Molecular Biology Department, Institut de Neruociènces and Biochemistry, Medicine Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.); (J.A.)
- Center for Biomedical Research Network on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Netzahualcoyotzi C, Pellerin L. Neuronal and astroglial monocarboxylate transporters play key but distinct roles in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory formation. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 194:101888. [PMID: 32693190 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Brain lactate formation, intercellular exchange and utilization has been implicated in memory formation. However, the individual role of either neuronal or astroglial monocarboxylate transporters for the acquisition and consolidation of information remains incomplete. Using novel transgenic mice and a viral vector approach to decrease the expression of each transporter in a cell-specific manner within the dorsal hippocampus, we show that both neuronal MCT2 and astroglial MCT4 are required for spatial information acquisition and retention (at 24 h post-training) in distinct hippocampus-dependent tasks. Intracerebral infusion of lactate rescued spatial learning in mice with reduced levels of astroglial MCT4 but not of neuronal MCT2, suggesting that lactate transfer from astrocytes and utilization in neurons contribute to hippocampal-dependent learning. In contrast, only neuronal MCT2 was shown to be required for long-term (7 days post training) memory formation. Interestingly, reduced MCT2 expression levels in mature neurons result in a heterologous effect as it blunts hippocampal neurogenesis associated with memory consolidation. These results suggest important but distinct contributions of both neuronal MCT2 and astroglial MCT4 in learning and memory processes, going beyond a simple passive role as alternative energy substrate suppliers or in waste product disposal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Luc Pellerin
- Department of Physiology, University of Lausanne, 7 Rue du Bugnon, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland; Centre de Résonance Magnétique des Systèmes Biologiques, UMR 5536, CNRS/Université de Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux 33076, France.
| |
Collapse
|