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Liang T, Dong Y, Cheng I, Wen P, Li F, Liu F, Wu Q, Ren E, Liu P, Li H, Gu Z. In situ formation of biomolecular condensates as intracellular drug reservoirs for augmenting chemotherapy. Nat Biomed Eng 2024:10.1038/s41551-024-01254-y. [PMID: 39271933 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01254-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates, which arise from liquid-liquid phase separation within cells, may provide a means of enriching and prolonging the retention of small-molecule drugs within cells. Here we report a method for the controlled in situ formation of biomolecular condensates as reservoirs for the enrichment and retention of chemotherapeutics in cancer cells, and show that the approach can be leveraged to enhance antitumour efficacies in mice with drug-resistant tumours. The method involves histones as positively charged proteins and doxorubicin-intercalated DNA strands bioorthogonally linked via a click-to-release reaction between trans-cyclooctene and tetrazine groups. The reaction temporarily impaired the phase separation of histones in vitro, favoured the initiation of liquid-liquid phase separation within cells and led to the formation of biomolecular condensates that were sufficiently large to be retained within tumour cells. The controlled formation of biomolecular condensates as drug reservoirs within cells may offer new options for boosting the efficacies of cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingxizi Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, and Liangzhu Laboratory, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuxiang Dong
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
| | - Irina Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, and Liangzhu Laboratory, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ping Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, and Liangzhu Laboratory, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fengqin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, and Liangzhu Laboratory, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, and Liangzhu Laboratory, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - En Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, and Liangzhu Laboratory, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hongjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, and Liangzhu Laboratory, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Zhen Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, and Liangzhu Laboratory, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua, China.
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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2
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Scherer D, Burger M, Leroux JC. Revival of Bioengineered Proteins as Carriers for Nucleic Acids. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:561-566. [PMID: 38621363 PMCID: PMC11099893 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.4c00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- David Scherer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Michael Burger
- Institute of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Christophe Leroux
- Institute of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
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3
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Goyal P, Malviya R. Advances in nuclei targeted delivery of nanoparticles for the management of cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188881. [PMID: 36965678 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188881] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
A carrier is inserted into the appropriate organelles (nucleus) in successful medication transport, crucial to achieving very effective illness treatment. Cell-membrane targeting is the major focus of using nuclei to localize delivery. It has been demonstrated that high quantities of anticancer drugs can be injected directly into the nuclei of cancer cells, causing the cancer cells to die and increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy. There are several effective ways to functionalize Nanoparticles (NPs), including changing their chemical makeup or attaching functional groups to their surface to increase their ability to target organelles. To cause tumor cells to apoptosis, released medicines must engage with molecular targets on particular organelles when their concentration is high enough. Targeted medication delivery studies will increasingly focus on organelle-specific delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanshi Goyal
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rishabha Malviya
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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Rosenkranz AA, Slastnikova TA. Prospects of Using Protein Engineering for Selective Drug Delivery into a Specific Compartment of Target Cells. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030987. [PMID: 36986848 PMCID: PMC10055131 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A large number of proteins are successfully used to treat various diseases. These include natural polypeptide hormones, their synthetic analogues, antibodies, antibody mimetics, enzymes, and other drugs based on them. Many of them are demanded in clinical settings and commercially successful, mainly for cancer treatment. The targets for most of the aforementioned drugs are located at the cell surface. Meanwhile, the vast majority of therapeutic targets, which are usually regulatory macromolecules, are located inside the cell. Traditional low molecular weight drugs freely penetrate all cells, causing side effects in non-target cells. In addition, it is often difficult to elaborate a small molecule that can specifically affect protein interactions. Modern technologies make it possible to obtain proteins capable of interacting with almost any target. However, proteins, like other macromolecules, cannot, as a rule, freely penetrate into the desired cellular compartment. Recent studies allow us to design multifunctional proteins that solve these problems. This review considers the scope of application of such artificial constructs for the targeted delivery of both protein-based and traditional low molecular weight drugs, the obstacles met on the way of their transport to the specified intracellular compartment of the target cells after their systemic bloodstream administration, and the means to overcome those difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey A Rosenkranz
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Intracellular Transport, Institute of Gene Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov St., 119334 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskie Gory St., 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana A Slastnikova
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Intracellular Transport, Institute of Gene Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov St., 119334 Moscow, Russia
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5
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Ren XH, Han D, He XY, Guo T, Chen XS, Pang X, Cheng SX. Multi-Targeting Nano-Systems Targeting Heterogeneous Cancer Cells for Therapeutics and Biomarker Detection. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202155. [PMID: 36333906 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202155] [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: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Cancer heterogeneity plays a vital part in cancer resistance and metastasis. To provide a reliable approach to exert a therapy action and evaluate its efficiency in heterogeneous cancer cells, a multiple targeting delivery vector composed of histone encapsulating the therapeutic or diagnostic agent, hyaluronic acid targeting CD44 overexpressed in stem tumor cells, SYL3C aptamer targeting epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) overexpressed in epithelial cancer cells, and CL4 aptamer targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpressed in mesenchymal cancer cells, is developed. The vector can efficiently target different cancer cells and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the peripheral blood of patients for mucin 1 (MUC1) knockout. Furthermore, the multiple targeting vector can be used to co-encapsulate three types of molecular beacons for probing various mRNA biomarkers at single-cell resolution after genome editing. This study provides an efficient approach for exerting therapeutic actions in heterogeneous cancer cells and assessing the therapeutic efficacy by detection of cancer biomarkers via liquid biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-He Ren
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Di Han
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Xiao-Yan He
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230011, China
| | - Tao Guo
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, Anhui, 230011, China
| | - Xue-Si Chen
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
| | - Xuan Pang
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
| | - Si-Xue Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
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Selective Targeting of Protein Kinase C (PKC)-θ Nuclear Translocation Reduces Mesenchymal Gene Signatures and Reinvigorates Dysfunctional CD8 + T Cells in Immunotherapy-Resistant and Metastatic Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061596. [PMID: 35326747 PMCID: PMC8946217 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Some important signaling proteins that control how cells grow and behave not only act in the cytoplasm but also in the nucleus, where they tether to chromatin. This is especially true for protein kinase C (PKC)-θ, which acts in the nucleus to mediate cancer hallmarks that drive metastasis and in normal T cells. However, current PKC-θ inhibitors are either non-specific or target only its cytoplasmic function. In a bid to develop a novel class of PKC-θ inhibitor that maintains cytoplasmic signaling but inhibits its nuclear function, here we present a novel PKC-θ inhibitor (nPKC-θi2) that specifically inhibits nuclear translocation of PKC-θ without interrupting normal signaling in healthy T cells. We show for the first time that nPKC-θ mediates immunotherapy resistance via its activity in circulating tumor cells and dysfunctional CD8+ T cells. Our novel inhibitor provides a means to target this process by simultaneously overcoming T-cell exhaustion and cancer stem cell burden. As part of a sequential approach with other therapies, this work paves the way for improving outcomes in cancer patients with immunotherapy-resistant relapse and metastasis. Abstract Protein kinase C (PKC)-θ is a serine/threonine kinase with both cytoplasmic and nuclear functions. Nuclear chromatin-associated PKC-θ (nPKC-θ) is increasingly recognized to be pathogenic in cancer, whereas its cytoplasmic signaling is restricted to normal T-cell function. Here we show that nPKC-θ is enriched in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) brain metastases and immunotherapy-resistant metastatic melanoma and is associated with poor survival in immunotherapy-resistant disease. To target nPKC-θ, we designed a novel PKC-θ peptide inhibitor (nPKC-θi2) that selectively inhibits nPKC-θ nuclear translocation but not PKC-θ signaling in healthy T cells. Targeting nPKC-θ reduced mesenchymal cancer stem cell signatures in immunotherapy-resistant CTCs and TNBC xenografts. PKC-θ was also enriched in the nuclei of CD8+ T cells isolated from stage IV immunotherapy-resistant metastatic cancer patients. We show for the first time that nPKC-θ complexes with ZEB1, a key repressive transcription factor in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), in immunotherapy-resistant dysfunctional PD1+/CD8+ T cells. nPKC-θi2 inhibited the ZEB1/PKC-θ repressive complex to induce cytokine production in CD8+ T cells isolated from patients with immunotherapy-resistant disease. These data establish for the first time that nPKC-θ mediates immunotherapy resistance via its activity in CTCs and dysfunctional CD8+ T cells. Disrupting nPKC-θ but retaining its cytoplasmic function may offer a means to target metastases in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
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Panigrahi S, Ghosh SK, Ferrari B, Wyrick JM, Podrez EA, Weinberg A, Sieg SF. Human β-Defensin-3 is Associated With Platelet-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and is a Potential Contributor to Endothelial Dysfunction. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:824954. [PMID: 35355507 PMCID: PMC8959671 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.824954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
While platelets are the essential mediators of hemostasis, they are being increasingly recognized for their potential of contributing to host defenses. Here, using immunofluorescent microscopy, western blot, and ELISA, we found that human β-defensin 3 (hBD-3), an important antimicrobial peptide produced by epithelial cells, can be detected in human platelets and megakaryocytes. Flow cytometry and immuno-electron microscopy revealed hBD-3 on the surface of thrombin activated platelets. Moreover, hBD-3 was also found in platelet derived extracellular vesicles (p-EVs), isolated from platelet poor plasma and from platelet supernatants following thrombin stimulation. Incubation of platelets with hBD-3 peptide resulted in modest platelet activation and pre-incubation of platelets with synthetic hBD-3 prior to exposure to thrombin appeared to increase hBD-3 content in platelet lysates as well as in p-EVs, suggesting that hBD-3 can be initially taken up by platelets, perhaps via their open canalicular system. Interestingly, in vitro exposure of primary human endothelial cells to either hBD-3 peptide or purified p-EVs, caused significant endothelial dysfunction as documented by diminished levels of phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), Krüppel like factor-2 (KLF-2), and elevated relative expression of von Willebrand Factor (vWF). Pre-incubation of platelets with hBD-3 appeared to augment endothelial dysfunction caused by p-EVs. Overall, the current study provides evidence that hBD-3 enriched EVs can be released by activated platelets and may play a role in positive feedback of platelet activation as well as in endothelial dysfunction. Theoretically, these effects could contribute to both cellular recruitment to the endothelium creating a pro-thrombotic vascular microenvironment which serve as a bridge between innate immunity and hemostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Panigrahi
- Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Soumya Panigrahi, ; Scott F. Sieg,
| | - Santosh K. Ghosh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Brian Ferrari
- Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Jonathan M. Wyrick
- Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Eugene A Podrez
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Aaron Weinberg
- Department of Biological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Scott F. Sieg
- Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Soumya Panigrahi, ; Scott F. Sieg,
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8
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Cerrato CP, Langel Ü. An update on cell-penetrating peptides with intracellular organelle targeting. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2022; 19:133-146. [PMID: 35086398 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2022.2034784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) technologies represent an important strategy to address drug delivery to specific intracellular compartments by covalent conjugation to targeting sequences, potentially enabling strategies to combat most diseases. AREAS COVERED This updated review article provides an overview of current intracellular organelle targeting by CPP. The targeting strategies of CPP and CPP/cargo complexes to specific cells or intracellular organelles are summarized, and the review provides an update on the current data for their pharmacological and therapeutical applications. EXPERT OPINION Targeted drug delivery is moving from the level of tissue or specific pathogenic cell to the level of specific organelle that is the target of the drug, an important aspect in drug design and development. Organelle-targeted drug delivery results in improved efficacy, ability to control mode of action, reduction of undesired toxicities and side effects, and possibility to overcome drug resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ülo Langel
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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9
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Mitochondrial Targeting Probes, Drug Conjugates, and Gene Therapeutics. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 34766305 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1752-6_27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Mitochondria represent an important drug target for many phatology, including neurodegeneration, metabolic disease, heart failure, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and cancer. Mitochondrial dysfunctions are caused by mutation in mitochondrial DNA or in nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been employed to overcome biological barriers, target this organelle, and therapeuticaly restore mitochondrial functions. Here, we describe recent methods used to deliver oligonucleotides targeting mitochondrial protein by using mitochondrial penetrating peptides. In particular, we highlight recent advances of formulated peptides/oligonucleotides nanocomplexes as a proof-of-principle for pharmaceutical form of peptide-based therapeutics.
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Mabrouk MT, Zhang H, Zidan AA, Kilian HI, Huang WC, Jahagirdar D, Ortega J, Xia J, Lovell JF. Cross-linked Histone as a Nanocarrier for Gut Delivery of Hydrophobic Cargos. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:26712-26720. [PMID: 34082523 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c04134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Delivering hydrophobic molecules through the intestine can be challenging due to limited cargo solubility and the harsh biochemical environment of the stomach. Here, we show that a protein-based nanocarrier system based on the abundant protein histone and the natural cross-linker genipin can deliver hydrophobic cargos, such as dyes and therapeutic molecules, through the gastrointestinal tract. Using hydrophobic near-infrared dyes as model cargos, a panel of potential protein carriers was screened, and histone was identified as the one with the best loading capability. The resulting nanoparticles had a positive ζ potential and were mucoadhesive. Cross-linking of the amine-rich nanocarrier with genipin was particularly effective relative to other proteins and increased the stability of the system during incubation with pepsin. Cross-linking was required for successful delivery of a hydrophobic dye to the colon of mice after oral gavage. To assess the platform for therapeutic delivery, another hydrophobic model compound, curcumin, was delivered using cross-linked histone nanoparticles in a murine colitis model and significantly alleviated the disease. Taken together, these results demonstrate that histone is a cationic, mucoadhesive, and cross-linkable protein nanocarrier that can be considered for oral delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moustafa T Mabrouk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Huijuan Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Asmaa A Zidan
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
- Department of Medical Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21561, Egypt
| | - Hailey I Kilian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Wei-Chiao Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Dushyant Jahagirdar
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Joaquin Ortega
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Jun Xia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Jonathan F Lovell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
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Al-Wassiti HA, Thomas DR, Wagstaff KM, Fabb SA, Jans DA, Johnston AP, Pouton CW. Adenovirus Terminal Protein Contains a Bipartite Nuclear Localisation Signal Essential for Its Import into the Nucleus. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3310. [PMID: 33804953 PMCID: PMC8036708 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenoviruses contain dsDNA covalently linked to a terminal protein (TP) at the 5'end. TP plays a pivotal role in replication and long-lasting infectivity. TP has been reported to contain a nuclear localisation signal (NLS) that facilitates its import into the nucleus. We studied the potential NLS motifs within TP using molecular and cellular biology techniques to identify the motifs needed for optimum nuclear import. We used confocal imaging microscopy to monitor the localisation and nuclear association of GFP fusion proteins. We identified two nuclear localisation signals, PV(R)6VP and MRRRR, that are essential for fully efficient TP nuclear entry in transfected cells. To study TP-host interactions further, we expressed TP in Escherichia coli (E. coli). Nuclear uptake of purified protein was determined in digitonin-permeabilised cells. The data confirmed that nuclear uptake of TP requires active transport using energy and shuttling factors. This mechanism of nuclear transport was confirmed when expressed TP was microinjected into living cells. Finally, we uncovered the nature of TP binding to host nuclear shuttling proteins, revealing selective binding to Imp β, and a complex of Imp α/β but not Imp α alone. TP translocation to the nucleus could be inhibited using selective inhibitors of importins. Our results show that the bipartite NLS is required for fully efficient TP entry into the nucleus and suggest that this translocation can be carried out by binding to Imp β or Imp α/β. This work forms the biochemical foundation for future work determining the involvement of TP in nuclear delivery of adenovirus DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hareth A. Al-Wassiti
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia;
| | - David R. Thomas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Melbourne 3800, Australia; (D.R.T.); (K.M.W.); (D.A.J.)
| | - Kylie M. Wagstaff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Melbourne 3800, Australia; (D.R.T.); (K.M.W.); (D.A.J.)
| | - Stewart A. Fabb
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3052, Australia;
| | - David A. Jans
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Melbourne 3800, Australia; (D.R.T.); (K.M.W.); (D.A.J.)
| | - Angus P. Johnston
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia;
| | - Colin W. Pouton
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia;
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12
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Wang Y, Wagner E. Non-Viral Targeted Nucleic Acid Delivery: Apply Sequences for Optimization. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E888. [PMID: 32961908 PMCID: PMC7559072 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12090888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In nature, genomes have been optimized by the evolution of their nucleic acid sequences. The design of peptide-like carriers as synthetic sequences provides a strategy for optimizing multifunctional targeted nucleic acid delivery in an iterative process. The optimization of sequence-defined nanocarriers differs for different nucleic acid cargos as well as their specific applications. Supramolecular self-assembly enriched the development of a virus-inspired non-viral nucleic acid delivery system. Incorporation of DNA barcodes presents a complementary approach of applying sequences for nanocarrier optimization. This strategy may greatly help to identify nucleic acid carriers that can overcome pharmacological barriers and facilitate targeted delivery in vivo. Barcode sequences enable simultaneous evaluation of multiple nucleic acid nanocarriers in a single test organism for in vivo biodistribution as well as in vivo bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research, Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, D-81377 Munich, Germany;
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13
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Killian T, Buntz A, Herlet T, Seul H, Mundigl O, Längst G, Brinkmann U. Antibody-targeted chromatin enables effective intracellular delivery and functionality of CRISPR/Cas9 expression plasmids. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:e55. [PMID: 30809660 PMCID: PMC6547418 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We report a novel system for efficient and specific targeted delivery of large nucleic acids to and into cells. Plasmid DNA and core histones were assembled to chromatin by salt gradient dialysis and subsequently connected to bispecific antibody derivatives (bsAbs) via a nucleic acid binding peptide bridge. The resulting reconstituted vehicles termed 'plasmid-chromatin' deliver packaged nucleic acids to and into cells expressing antigens that are recognized by the bsAb, enabling intracellular functionality without detectable cytotoxicity. High efficiency of intracellular nucleic acid delivery is revealed by intracellular expression of plasmid encoded genes in most (∼90%) target cells to which the vehicles were applied under normal growth/medium conditions in nanomolar concentrations. Specific targeting, uptake and transgene expression depends on antibody-mediated cell surface binding: plasmid chromatin of identical composition but with non-targeting bsAbs or without bsAbs is ineffective. Examples that demonstrate applicability, specificity and efficacy of antibody-targeted plasmid chromatin include reporter gene constructs as well as plasmids that enable CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome editing of target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Killian
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Therapeutic Modalities - Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, D-82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Annette Buntz
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Therapeutic Modalities - Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, D-82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Teresa Herlet
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Therapeutic Modalities - Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, D-82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Heike Seul
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Therapeutic Modalities - Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, D-82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Mundigl
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Therapeutic Modalities - Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, D-82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Gernot Längst
- Biochemistry III; Biochemistry Centre Regensburg (BCR), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Brinkmann
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Therapeutic Modalities - Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Nonnenwald 2, D-82377 Penzberg, Germany
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Piao C, Kim G, Ha J, Lee M. Inhalable Gene Delivery System Using a Cationic RAGE-Antagonist Peptide for Gene Delivery to Inflammatory Lung Cells. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2019; 5:2247-2257. [PMID: 33405776 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe lung inflammatory disease. In ALI, the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is overexpressed in lung epithelial cells and involved in inflammatory reactions. A previous report showed that a RAGE-antagonist peptide (RAP), from high-mobility group box-1, bound to RAGE and reduced inflammatory reactions. RAP has high levels of positive amino acids, which suggests that RAP may form a complex with plasmid DNA (pDNA) by charge interactions. Because the charge density of RAP is lower than polyethylenimine (25 kDa, PEI25k), it may be able to avoid capture by the negatively charged mucus layer more easily and deliver pDNA into RAGE-positive lung cells of ALI animals by RAGE-mediated endocytosis. To prove this hypothesis, RAP was evaluated as a delivery carrier of adiponectin plasmid (pAPN) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI animal models. In vitro transfection assays showed that RAP had lower transfection efficiency than PEI25k in L2 lung epithelial cells. However, in vivo administration to ALI animal models by inhalation showed that RAP had higher gene delivery efficiency than PEI25k. Particularly, due to a higher expression of RAGE in lung cells of ALI animals, the gene delivery efficiency of RAP was higher in ALI animals than that in normal animals. Delivery of the pAPN/RAP complex had anti-inflammatory effects, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Hematoxylin and eosin staining confirmed that pAPN/RAP decreased inflammation in ALI models. Therefore, the results suggest that RAP may be useful as a carrier of pDNA into the lungs for ALI gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxian Piao
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Gyeungyun Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Junkyu Ha
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Minhyung Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
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15
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Han H, Yang J, Chen W, Li Q, Yang Y, Li Q. A comprehensive review on histone-mediated transfection for gene therapy. Biotechnol Adv 2018; 37:132-144. [PMID: 30472306 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Histone has been considered to be an effective carrier in non-viral gene delivery due to its unique properties such as efficient DNA binding ability, direct translocation to cytoplasm and favorable nuclear localization ability. Meanwhile, the rapid development of genetic engineering techniques could facilitate the construction of multifunctional fusion proteins based on histone molecules to further improve the transfection efficiency. Remarkably, histone has been demonstrated to achieve gene transfection in a synergistic manner with cationic polymers, affording to a significant improvement of transfection efficiency. In the review, we highlighted the recent developments and future trends in gene delivery mediated by histones or histone-based fusion proteins/peptides. This review also discussed the mechanism of histone-mediated gene transfection and provided an outlook for future therapeutic opportunities in the viewpoint of transfection efficacy and biosafety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haobo Han
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Jiebing Yang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Wenqi Chen
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Qing Li
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Quanshun Li
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.
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16
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Nishihara M, Kanda GN, Suzuki T, Yamakado S, Harashima H, Kamiya H. Enhanced transgene expression by plasmid-specific recruitment of histone acetyltransferase. J Biosci Bioeng 2017; 123:277-280. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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17
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Cerrato CP, Künnapuu K, Langel Ü. Cell-penetrating peptides with intracellular organelle targeting. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2016; 14:245-255. [PMID: 27426871 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2016.1213237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION One of the major limiting steps in order to have an effective drug is the passage through one or more cell membranes to reach its site of action. To reach the action-site, the specific macromolecules are required to be delivered specifically to the cell compartment/organelle in their (pre)active form. Areas covered: In this review, we will discuss cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) developed in the last decade to transport small RNA/DNA, plasmids, antibodies, and nanoparticles into specific sites of the cell. The article describes CPPs in complex with cargo molecules that target specific intracellular organelles and their potential for pharmacological or clinical use. Expert opinion: Organelle targeting is the ultimate goal to ensure selective delivery to the site of action in the cells. CPP technologies represent an important strategy to address drug delivery to specific intracellular compartments by covalent conjugation to targeting sequences, potentially enabling strategies to combat genomic diseases as well as infections, cancer, neurodegenerative and hereditary diseases. They have proven to be successful in delivering various therapeutic agents into cells however, further in vivo experiments and clinical trials are required to demonstrate the efficacy of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kadri Künnapuu
- b Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Technology , University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
| | - Ülo Langel
- a Department of Neurochemistry , Stockholm University , Stockholm , Sweden.,b Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Technology , University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
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McBride JW, Massey AS, McCaffrey J, McCrudden CM, Coulter JA, Dunne NJ, Robson T, McCarthy HO. Development of TMTP-1 targeted designer biopolymers for gene delivery to prostate cancer. Int J Pharm 2016; 500:144-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2016.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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19
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Cui PF, Zhuang WR, Qiao JB, Zhang JL, He YJ, Luo CQ, Jin QR, Xing L, Jiang HL. Histone-inspired biomimetic polymeric gene vehicles with excellent biocompatibility and enhanced transfection efficacy. Polym Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6py01703g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Histone-inspired biomimetic polymeric gene vectors show great biocompatibility and enhanced transfection efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Fei Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Wan-Ru Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Jian-Bin Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Jia-Liang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Yu-Jing He
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Cheng-Qiong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Qing-Ri Jin
- College of Animal Science and Technology
- Zhejiang A&F University
- Lin'an
- China
| | - Lei Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
| | - Hu-Lin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Pharmaceutics
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- China
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20
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Panigrahi S, Freeman ML, Funderburg NT, Mudd JC, Younes SA, Sieg SF, Zidar DA, Paiardini M, Villinger F, Calabrese LH, Ransohoff RM, Jain MK, Lederman MM. SIV/SHIV Infection Triggers Vascular Inflammation, Diminished Expression of Krüppel-like Factor 2 and Endothelial Dysfunction. J Infect Dis 2015; 213:1419-27. [PMID: 26671887 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiv749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with increased risk of thromboembolic and cardiovascular comorbid conditions. Although systemic inflammation is linked to cardiovascular risk, direct evidence of vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction is lacking. METHODS We examined by immunofluorescence microscopy thoracic aortas from 16 simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)- or simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-infected and 16 uninfected rhesus macaques. RESULTS Focal endothelial proliferation and subendothelial inflammatory cells were found in sections of all infected animals, compared with minimal changes in sections from the 16 uninfected controls. In the infected animals, we detected increased endothelial levels of bacterial 16s ribosomal DNA as well as increased subendothelial accumulation of CD68(+) monocytes/macrophages (P< .001) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes (P< .001). Endothelial dysfunction was manifested by decreased levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (P< .005) and Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) (P< .005). KLF2 expression was decreased in primary human aortic endothelial cells exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide or to oxidized low-density lipoprotein in vitro, and this could be prevented by simvastatin. CONCLUSIONS SIV and SHIV infection lead to endothelial inflammation, dysfunction, and decreased KLF2 expression reflecting early atherosclerotic changes. Translocated bacterial components and lipid oxidation products may induce endothelial dysfunction in HIV infection that could be prevented by statin treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Panigrahi
- Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals/Case Medical Center
| | - Michael L Freeman
- Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals/Case Medical Center
| | | | - Joseph C Mudd
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Souheil A Younes
- Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals/Case Medical Center
| | - Scott F Sieg
- Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals/Case Medical Center
| | - David A Zidar
- Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals/Case Medical Center
| | - Mirko Paiardini
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Francois Villinger
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Leonard H Calabrese
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University
| | | | - Mukesh K Jain
- Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals/Case Medical Center
| | - Michael M Lederman
- Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals/Case Medical Center
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21
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Han H, Shi H, Wu D, Li C, Zhang Y, Xing Z, Shi W, Li Q. Genipin-Cross-Linked Thermophilic Histone-Polyethylenimine as a Hybrid Gene Carrier. ACS Macro Lett 2015; 4:575-578. [PMID: 35596288 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.5b00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A hybrid gene carrier, HGP, has been successfully constructed through the genipin-mediated cross-linking of thermophilic histone and PEI25K. The thermophilic histone gene GK2215 was cloned from Geobacillus kastophilus HTA426 and overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21. The thermophilic histone was systematically characterized and then cross-linked with PEI25K by genipin to obtain HGP. Notably, HGP exhibited superior transfection efficiency due to the synergistic effects between these two components: PEI25K mainly contributed to the condensation and transfer of pDNA, while thermophilic histone could enhance the endosomal escape and further nuclear location to achieve high gene expression. Meanwhile, HGP showed much lower cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity than PEI25K due to the introduction of nontoxic thermophilic histone. In addition, a strong intrinsic red fluorescence could be obviously observed in HGP. In conclusion, the protein-polymer hybrid carrier could potentially be used as a theranostic delivery system for achieving both efficient gene therapy and in vivo imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haobo Han
- Key Laboratory for Molecular
Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life
Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Hui Shi
- Key Laboratory for Molecular
Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life
Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Di Wu
- Key Laboratory for Molecular
Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life
Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Chunjie Li
- Key Laboratory for Molecular
Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life
Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular
Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life
Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Zhen Xing
- Key Laboratory for Molecular
Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life
Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Wei Shi
- Key Laboratory for Molecular
Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life
Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Quanshun Li
- Key Laboratory for Molecular
Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life
Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
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22
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Nastasie MS, Thissen H, Jans DA, Wagstaff KM. Enhanced tumour cell nuclear targeting in a tumour progression model. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:76. [PMID: 25885577 PMCID: PMC4342815 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1045-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an urgent need for new approaches to deliver bioactive molecules to cancer cells efficiently and specifically. METHODS Here we fuse the cancer cell nuclear targeting module of the Chicken Anaemia Virus Apoptin protein to the core histones H2B and H3 and utilise them in transfection, protein transduction and DNA binding assays. RESULTS We found subsequent nuclear accumulation of these proteins to be 2-3 fold higher in tumour compared to normal cells in transfected isogenic human osteosarcoma and breast tumour progression models. This represents the first demonstration of enhanced nuclear targeting by Apoptin in a tumour progression model, and its functionality in a heterologous protein context. Excitingly, we found that the innate transduction ability of histones could be exploited in combination with the Apoptin nuclear targeting module to effect an overall 13-fold higher delivery of protein to osteosarcoma cancer cell nuclei compared to their isogenic normal counterparts. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of cancer-cell specificity by a cell penetrating protein, with important implications for the use of protein transduction as a vehicle for gene/drug delivery in the future, and in particular in the development of highly specific and effective anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Nastasie
- Nuclear Signalling Laboratory, Department Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
| | - Helmut Thissen
- CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Bayview Avenue, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia.
| | - David A Jans
- Nuclear Signalling Laboratory, Department Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
| | - Kylie M Wagstaff
- Nuclear Signalling Laboratory, Department Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
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23
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Pandit V, Watson A, Ren L, Mixon A, Kotha SP. Multilayered Nanoparticles for Gene Delivery Used to Reprogram Human Foreskin Fibroblasts to Neurospheres. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2015; 21:786-94. [PMID: 25687130 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2014.0482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycationic nanocomplexes are a robust means for achieving nucleic acid condensation and efficient intracellular gene deliveries. To enhance delivery, a multilayered nanoparticle consisting of a core of electrostatically bound elements was used. These included a histone-mimetic peptides, poly-l-arginine and poly-d-glutamic acid was coated with silicate before surface functionalization with poly-l-arginine. Transfection efficiencies and duration of expression were similar when using green fluorescent protein (GFP) plasmid DNA (pDNA) or GFP mRNA. These nanoparticles demonstrated significantly higher (>100%) and significantly longer (15 vs. 4 days) transfection efficiencies in comparison to a commercial transfection agent (Lipofectamine 2000). Reprogramming of human foreskin fibroblasts using mRNA to the Sox2 transcription factor resulted in three-fold higher neurosphere formation in comparison to the commercial reagent. These results demonstrate the potential of these nanoparticles as ideal vectors for gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Pandit
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy, New York
| | | | - Liyun Ren
- 3 Department of Material Science and Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy, New York
| | - Amanda Mixon
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy, New York
| | - Shiva P Kotha
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy, New York
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24
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Abstract
AbstractMore than two decades ago, a group of peptides, now known as cell-penetrating peptides, sparked the hope that the ultimate carrier molecules have been found. The high expectations for these peptides, which are reflected in their bold name, led to many disappointments due to the controversial results their utilization entailed and nowadays even their effectiveness has been called into question. In this review, we discuss the uptake mechanism and application of cell penetrating peptides as mediators for organelle specific delivery of nanocarriers, pointing out the possibilities as well as strategies of their successful utilization. Additionally, we provide an overview of the conjugation techniques usually employed for the attachment of cell penetrating peptides to quantum dots, as well as silver and gold nanoparticles, and we address the various aspects that need to be considered for the successful implementation of cell penetrating peptides for organelle-specific delivery of nanoparticles into cells.
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25
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Loughran SP, McCrudden CM, McCarthy HO. Designer peptide delivery systems for gene therapy. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE 2015. [DOI: 10.1515/ejnm-2014-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
AbstractGene therapy has long been hailed as a revolutionary approach for the treatment of genetic diseases. The enthusiasm that greeted the harnessing of viruses for therapeutic DNA delivery has been tempered by concerns over safety. These concerns led to the development of alternative strategies for nucleic acid delivery to cells. One such strategy is the utilization of cationic peptides for the condensation of therapeutic DNA for delivery to its target. However, success of DNA as a therapy relies on its delivery to the nucleus of target cells, a process that is complicated by the many hurdles encountered following systemic administration. Non-viral peptide gene delivery strategies have sought inspiration from viruses in order to retain DNA delivering potency, but limit virulence. This review summarizes the progression of peptide-based DNA delivery systems, from rudimentary beginnings to the recent development of sophisticated multi-functional vectors that comprise distinct motifs with dedicated barrier evasion functions. The most promising peptides that achieve cell membrane permeabilization, endosomal escape and nuclear delivery are discussed.
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26
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Shi H, Han H, Xing Z, Chen J, Wang Y, Zhang A, Shi W, Li Q. A protein–polymer hybrid gene carrier based on thermophilic histone and polyethylenimine. NEW J CHEM 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5nj01272d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Protein–polymer hybrid gene carrier with high transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Shi
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education
- School of Life Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Haobo Han
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education
- School of Life Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Zhen Xing
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education
- School of Life Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Jiawen Chen
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education
- School of Life Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Yudi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education
- School of Life Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Aijun Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education
- School of Life Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Wei Shi
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education
- School of Life Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Quanshun Li
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education
- School of Life Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
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Overlapping binding sites for importin β1 and suppressor of fused (SuFu) on glioma-associated oncogene homologue 1 (Gli1) regulate its nuclear localization. Biochem J 2014; 461:469-76. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20130709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The hedgehog signalling protein Gli1 has overlapping binding sites for the proteins importin β1 and SuFu at its N-terminus. These proteins compete to regulate the nuclear/cytoplasmic localization of Gli1, with importin β promoting nuclear import and SuFu preventing it.
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28
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Abstract
To improve the nuclear-targeted delivery of non-viral vectors, extensive effort has been carried out on the development of smart vectors which could overcome multiple barriers. The nuclear envelope presents a major barrier to transgene delivery. Viruses are capable of crossing the nuclear envelope to efficiently deliver their genome into the nucleus through the specialized protein components. However, non-viral vectors are preferred over viral ones because of the safety concerns associated with the latter. Non-viral delivery systems have been designed to include various types of components to enable nuclear translocation at the periphery of the nucleus. This review summarizes the progress of research regarding nuclear transport mechanisms. "Smart" non-viral vectors that have been modified by peptides and other small molecules are able to facilitate the nuclear translocation and enhance the efficacy of gene expression. The resulting technology may also enhance delivery of other macromolecules to the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yao
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, NC , USA and
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29
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Kamiya H, Miyamoto S, Goto H, Kanda GN, Kobayashi M, Matsuoka I, Harashima H. Enhanced transgene expression from chromatinized plasmid DNA in mouse liver. Int J Pharm 2012; 441:146-50. [PMID: 23247018 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Revised: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Plasmid DNA was chromatinized with core histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) in vitro and was delivered into mouse liver by hydrodynamics-based administration. Transgene expression from the chromatinized plasmid DNA was more efficient than that from plasmid DNA delivered in the naked form. The use of acetylation-enriched histones isolated from cells treated with a histone deacetylase inhibitor (trichostatin A) seemed to be more effective. These results indicated that chromatinized plasmid DNA is useful for efficient transgene expression in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Kamiya
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan.
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30
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Hansen MB, van Gaal E, Minten I, Storm G, van Hest JC, Löwik DW. Constrained and UV-activatable cell-penetrating peptides for intracellular delivery of liposomes. J Control Release 2012; 164:87-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2012.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2012] [Revised: 10/09/2012] [Accepted: 10/09/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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31
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Larsen JD, Ross NL, Sullivan MO. Requirements for the nuclear entry of polyplexes and nanoparticles during mitosis. J Gene Med 2012; 14:580-9. [DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nikki L. Ross
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; University of Delaware; Newark; DE; USA
| | - Millicent O. Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; University of Delaware; Newark; DE; USA
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Ivermectin is a specific inhibitor of importin α/β-mediated nuclear import able to inhibit replication of HIV-1 and dengue virus. Biochem J 2012; 443:851-6. [PMID: 22417684 PMCID: PMC3327999 DOI: 10.1042/bj20120150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 484] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The movement of proteins between the cytoplasm and nucleus mediated by the importin superfamily of proteins is essential to many cellular processes, including differentiation and development, and is critical to disease states such as viral disease and oncogenesis. We recently developed a high-throughput screen to identify specific and general inhibitors of protein nuclear import, from which ivermectin was identified as a potential inhibitor of importin α/β-mediated transport. In the present study, we characterized in detail the nuclear transport inhibitory properties of ivermectin, demonstrating that it is a broad-spectrum inhibitor of importin α/β nuclear import, with no effect on a range of other nuclear import pathways, including that mediated by importin β1 alone. Importantly, we establish for the first time that ivermectin has potent antiviral activity towards both HIV-1 and dengue virus, both of which are strongly reliant on importin α/β nuclear import, with respect to the HIV-1 integrase and NS5 (non-structural protein 5) polymerase proteins respectively. Ivermectin would appear to be an invaluable tool for the study of protein nuclear import, as well as the basis for future development of antiviral agents.
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Reilly MJ, Larsen JD, Sullivan MO. Histone H3 Tail Peptides and Poly(ethylenimine) Have Synergistic Effects for Gene Delivery. Mol Pharm 2012; 9:1031-40. [DOI: 10.1021/mp200372s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meghan J. Reilly
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - John D. Larsen
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Millicent O. Sullivan
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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34
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Dexamethasone-loaded peptide micelles for delivery of the heme oxygenase-1 gene to ischemic brain. J Control Release 2012; 158:131-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Revised: 09/09/2011] [Accepted: 11/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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35
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Lee S, Song H, Kim HA, Oh B, Lee DY, Lee M. The box a domain of high mobility group box-1 protein as an efficient siRNA carrier with anti-inflammatory effects. J Cell Biochem 2011; 113:122-31. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.23334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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36
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Wang C, Zhang Y. Apoptin gene transfer via modified wheat histone H4 facilitates apoptosis of human ovarian cancer cells. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2011; 26:121-6. [PMID: 21355783 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2010.0858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonviral approaches have been used extensively for intracellular gene transfer and gene therapy. A modified wheat histone H4 protein, H4TL (H4-TAT-LHRH), as a protein-based gene delivery vector that was able to form stable complexes with plasmid DNA and increase gene delivery efficiency has been described previously. In this study, H4TL has been used to deliver apoptin gene into a human ovarian carcinoma cell line HO8910. After transfection, increased expression of apoptin at both mRNA and protein levels was detected in HO8910 cells, accompanied by reduced rate of growth of HO8910 cells in vitro and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in these cells. These data demonstrate that H4TL-mediated transfer of apoptin initiates mitochondrial death pathway in ovarian cancer cells and suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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37
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Wagstaff KM, Rawlinson SM, Hearps AC, Jans DA. An AlphaScreen®-based assay for high-throughput screening for specific inhibitors of nuclear import. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 16:192-200. [PMID: 21297106 DOI: 10.1177/1087057110390360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Specific viral proteins enter the nucleus of infected cells to perform essential functions, as part of the viral life cycle. The integrase (IN) molecule of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 is of particular interest in this context due to its integral role in integrating the HIV genome into that of the infected host cell. Most IN-based antiviral compounds target the IN/DNA interaction, but since IN must first enter the nucleus before it can perform these critical functions, nuclear transport of IN is also an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Here the authors describe a novel high-throughput screening assay for identifying inhibitors of nuclear import, particularly IN, based on amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay (AlphaScreen(®)) technology, which is high throughput, requires low amounts of material, and is efficient and cost-effective. The authors use the assay to screen for specific inhibitors of the interaction between IN and its nuclear transport receptor importin α/β, successfully identifying several inhibitors of the IN/importin α/β interaction. Importantly, they demonstrate that one of the identified compounds, mifepristone, is effective in preventing active nuclear transport of IN in transfected cells and hence may represent a useful anti-HIV therapeutic. The screen also identified broad-spectrum importin α/β inhibitors such as ivermectin, which may represent useful tools for nuclear transport research in the future. The authors validate the activity and specificity of mifepristone and ivermectin in inhibiting nuclear protein import in living cells, underlining the utility of the screening approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie M Wagstaff
- Nuclear Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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38
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Won YW, Lim KS, Kim YH. Intracellular organelle-targeted non-viral gene delivery systems. J Control Release 2011; 152:99-109. [PMID: 21255626 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2010] [Revised: 12/30/2010] [Accepted: 01/07/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy is a rapidly growing approach for the treatment of various diseases. To achieve successful gene therapy, a gene delivery system is necessary to overcome several barriers in the extracellular and intracellular spaces. Polymers, peptides, liposomes and nanoparticles developed as gene carriers have achieved efficient cellular uptake of genes. Among these carriers, cationic polymers and peptides have been further developed as intracellular organelle-targeted delivery systems. The cytoplasm, nucleus and mitochondria have been considered primary targets for gene delivery using targeting moieties or environment-responsive materials. In this review, we explore recently developed non-viral gene carriers based on reducible systems specialized to target the cytoplasm, nucleus and mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Wook Won
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical Research, and Institute of Aging Society, Hanyang University, 17 Haengdang-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133-791, Republic of Korea
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Lamarre B, Ryadnov MG. Self-assembling viral mimetics: one long journey with short steps. Macromol Biosci 2010; 11:503-13. [PMID: 21165940 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201000330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the Foresight Institute has pronounced six economic challenges that can be addressed through the progress of nanotechnology. One of these is the health and longevity of human life. Amongst applications anticipated to provide a solution to this challenge, gene therapy appears to be particularly promising. In theory, many diseases that result from genetic disorders can be cured by correcting defective genes. In practice, finding efficient and safe delivery vectors remains the stumbling point on the path of genetic therapies to the clinic. Viruses, otherwise the most efficient transfectors, pose safety concerns over immune reactions, whereas synthetic gene packages greatly lack the structural integrity of viruses. An ideal vector is therefore seen as a compromise between the two: a nanoscale device, which would mimic a virus and act as a virus, but would do this at the designer's whim. A strategy to achieve this is offered by the virus architecture itself, the principles of which are translated into the function via exquisitely reproducible self-assembly mechanisms. Thus, to mimic a virus is to mimic the way it is built, i.e., self-assembly. With just a few attempts made so far, the journey to an artificial virus has had a short lifetime, but the promise it holds is not expected to reduce any time soon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Lamarre
- National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex, TW110LW, UK
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40
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Efficient intracellular gene delivery using the formulation composed of poly (L-glutamic acid) grafted polyethylenimine and histone. Pharm Res 2010; 28:812-26. [PMID: 21161337 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-010-0335-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2010] [Accepted: 11/19/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Inefficient endosomal escape and poor nuclear import are thought to contribute to low gene transfer efficiency of polycations. To overcome these drawbacks, we prepared multiple gene delivery formulations including low cytotoxic polycation, histone containing NLSs and chloroquine as the endosomolytic agent. METHODS Comb-shaped poly (L-glutamic acid) grafted low-molecular-weight polyethylenimine (PLGE) copolymer was synthesized by aminolysis of poly-γ-benzyl-L-glutamate using low-molecular-weight polyethylenimine (800 Da). The formation of DNA/histone/PLGE terplex was observed by atomic force microscope and gel retardation assay. The particle size and zeta potential of DNA complexes with varying content of histone were also measured to confirm the terplex formation. Cytotoxicity of vectors was assayed by MTT. Multiple gene delivery formulations were optimized to their best transfection efficiency that was monitored by fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry. In vivo gene delivery of the optimal formulation was evaluated by the GFP-expression levels in drosophila melanogaster. RESULTS The DNA/histone/PLGE terplex was successfully formed. The PLGE and histone together condensed DNA into small, discrete particles (less than 200 nm in diameter) in isotonic solution. Cytotoxicity of PLGE and histone were much lower than that of PEI 25 K. Either histone or chloroquine contributed to enhancing the levels of transfection activity of PLGE polymer. However, chloroquine and histone did not show a synergistic effect on the improvement of transfection efficiency. The optimal formulation was the DNA/histone/PLGE terplex at the N/P ratio of 15 and histone/ DNA weight ratio of 0.8. Compared with Lipofectamine 2000 and PEI 25 K, the optimal formulation showed significantly increased levels of GFP-expression both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION This formulation provided a versatile approach for preparing high efficiency of the polycation-based gene vectors. It also reinforced the finding of earlier studies that nuclear import and endosomal escape were rate-limiting steps for nonviral gene delivery.
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Synergistic effects between natural histone mixtures and polyethylenimine in non-viral gene delivery in vitro. Int J Pharm 2010; 400:86-95. [PMID: 20816738 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2010.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2010] [Revised: 08/18/2010] [Accepted: 08/25/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Nanoparticles made of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and cationic polymers are promising strategies for non-viral gene delivery. However, many cationic polymers are toxic to cells when used in higher concentrations. Positively charged proteins, such as histones, are biodegradable and a good alternative, especially for potential in vivo applications. It has previously been shown that histones are able to complex DNA and mediate transfection of cells. To investigate possible synergistic effects between the different histone types and to avoid the use of recombinant proteins, we analysed whether natural histone mixtures would be functional as gene carriers. Core and linker histones from calf thymus and from chicken erythrocytes were used to transfect different cell lines. The protein mixtures efficiently complexed the pDNA, and the resulting particles entered the cells. However, only marginal expression of the gene encoded by the pDNA was observed. Transfection rates increased drastically when minimal amounts of the basic polymer polyethylenimine (PEI) were added to the particles. Neither PEI nor histones alone mediated any transfection under the conditions where a combination of both worked efficiently, and the combined particles were well tolerated by the cells. These results demonstrate that histone mixtures from natural sources in combination with minimal amounts of PEI can be used as gene carriers. This might have consequences for the development of novel gene delivery strategies, such as DNA vaccines, with minimal side-effects.
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42
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Kamiya H, Goto H, Kanda G, Yamada Y, Harashima H. Transgene expression efficiency from plasmid DNA delivered as a complex with histone H3. Int J Pharm 2010; 392:249-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2010.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2009] [Revised: 03/08/2010] [Accepted: 03/11/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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43
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Glover DJ, Leyton DL, Moseley GW, Jans DA. The efficiency of nuclear plasmid DNA delivery is a critical determinant of transgene expression at the single cell level. J Gene Med 2010; 12:77-85. [DOI: 10.1002/jgm.1406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
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44
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Nuclear drug delivery to target tumour cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2009; 625:174-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.06.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2009] [Revised: 06/05/2009] [Accepted: 06/22/2009] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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45
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Chahine MN, Pierce GN. Therapeutic Targeting of Nuclear Protein Import in Pathological Cell Conditions. Pharmacol Rev 2009; 61:358-72. [DOI: 10.1124/pr.108.000620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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46
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Ghildyal R, Jordan B, Li D, Dagher H, Bardin PG, Gern JE, Jans DA. Rhinovirus 3C protease can localize in the nucleus and alter active and passive nucleocytoplasmic transport. J Virol 2009; 83:7349-52. [PMID: 19403669 PMCID: PMC2704779 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01748-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2008] [Accepted: 03/11/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The degradation of nuclear pore components and disruption of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking during rhinovirus infection have been attributed to viral 2A protease. Here we show for the first time that rhinovirus 3C protease may also have a role. Specifically, we show that 3C and its precursor, 3CD, can target green fluorescent protein to the nucleus of living cells, leading to degradation of nuclear pore components, and that incubation with recombinant 3C disrupts active and passive nucleocytoplasmic transport in a semi-intact cell nuclear transport system dependent on 3C protease activity. 3C may thus contribute to host cell shutoff in infected cells by localizing in the nucleus and facilitating nuclear pore breakdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reena Ghildyal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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47
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Glover DJ, Ng SM, Mechler A, Martin LL, Jans DA. Multifunctional protein nanocarriers for targeted nuclear gene delivery in nondividing cells. FASEB J 2009; 23:2996-3006. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.09-131425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dominic J. Glover
- Nuclear Signalling Laboratory Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Monash University Monash Victoria Australia
| | - Su May Ng
- Department of Chemistry Monash University Monash Victoria Australia
| | - Adam Mechler
- Department of Chemistry Monash University Monash Victoria Australia
| | | | - David A. Jans
- Nuclear Signalling Laboratory Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Monash University Monash Victoria Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Biotechnology and Development Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
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48
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Zhang H, Mitin A, Vinogradov SV. Efficient transfection of blood-brain barrier endothelial cells by lipoplexes and polyplexes in the presence of nuclear targeting NLS-PEG-acridine conjugates. Bioconjug Chem 2009; 20:120-8. [PMID: 19067581 DOI: 10.1021/bc8003414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Brain capillary endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are difficult targets for nonviral transfection even for the most potent transfection agents. Efficient protection and nuclear delivery of plasmid DNA are the key requirements for enhancing the transfection. We designed novel DNA intercalating conjugates of PEG-tris(acridine) with a short nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide and investigated the effect of their complexes with luciferase-encoded plasmid DNA on lipoplex- and polyplex-mediated transfection of murine brain capillary endothelial bEnd.3 cells. These intercalation complexes protected DNA from nucleolytic degradation forming a protective PEG layer around plasmid DNA and could be efficiently condensed by Lipofectamine2000 or Exgen500 into nanosized particles. Complexation of plasmid DNA with a PEG-acridine/NLS-PEG-acridine mixture (9:1 w/w), taken in an amount equal to 5-6 NLS peptides per DNA molecule, significantly enhanced both lipo- and polyplex transfection efficacies and increased the number of transfected bEnd.3 endothelial cells in the presence of serum. Comparative transgene expression efficiency was significantly higher at longer PEG linker and optimal conjugate-to-DNA weight ratio, especially, at lower N/P ratio for both transfection agents, reaching 15-16-fold for lipoplexes and 10-11-fold for polyplexes. In addition, the NLS-PEG-acridine conjugates did not increase cytotoxicity of lipoplexes and polyplexes to bEnd.3 cells. These conjugates can serve as promising components for development of systemic nonviral transfecting approach to the transfection of the BBB and temporary modulation of its drug permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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49
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Kim K, Han JS, Park JH, Ko KS, Lee M. Expression and characterization of a recombinant high mobility group box 1 AB peptide with a 6-histidine tag for delivery of nucleic acids. Enzyme Microb Technol 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2008.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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50
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Wagstaff KM, Fan JY, De Jesus MA, Tremethick DJ, Jans DA. Efficient gene delivery using reconstituted chromatin enhanced for nuclear targeting. FASEB J 2008; 22:2232-42. [PMID: 18356302 DOI: 10.1096/fj.07-099911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Nonviral gene delivery is hampered by difficulties associated with transporting negatively charged DNA through the cell membrane and, more importantly, the nuclear envelope of target cells. Here we show for the first time that chromatin reconstituted with histone H2B proteins optimized for nuclear targeting can be used as an efficient means to deliver DNA to the nucleus of intact living mammalian cells, resulting in high levels of transgene expression that were approximately 6-fold more than those achieved by commercial liposomal preparations. The high efficiency is due in part to DNA condensation and protection against degradation in the reconstituted chromatin, as well as its ability to interact with high affinity with the importin proteins of the cellular nuclear import machinery. "Chromofection," gene delivery by protein transduction using chromatin enhanced for nuclear targeting represents an efficient means to deliver DNA to a wide variety of cell types, with the potential to treat complex genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie M Wagstaff
- Nuclear Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
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