1
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He PY, Zhou Y, Chen PG, Zhang MQ, Hu JJ, Lim YJ, Zhang H, Liu K, Li YM. A Hydroxylamine-Mediated Amidination of Lysine Residues That Retains the Protein's Positive Charge. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202402880. [PMID: 38758629 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202402880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Lysine-specific peptide and protein modification strategies are widely used to study charge-related functions and applications. However, these strategies often result in the loss of the positive charge on lysine, significantly impacting the charge-related properties of proteins. Herein, we report a strategy to preserve the positive charge and selectively convert amines in lysine side chains to amidines using nitriles and hydroxylamine under aqueous conditions. Various unprotected peptides and proteins were successfully modified with a high conversion rate. Moreover, the reactive amidine moiety and derived modification site enable subsequent secondary modifications. Notably, positive charges were retained during the modification. Therefore, positive charge-related protein properties, such as liquid-liquid phase separation behaviour of α-synuclein, were not affected. This strategy was subsequently applied to a lysine rich protein to develop an amidine-containing coacervate DNA complex with outstanding mechanical properties. Overall, our innovative strategy provides a new avenue to explore the characteristics of positively charged proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yang He
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yusai Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials, (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Pu-Guang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Meng-Qian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Jin-Jian Hu
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yeh-Jun Lim
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Hongjie Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials, (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Kai Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials, (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yan-Mei Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, P. R. China
- Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
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2
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Santoro A, Buonocore M, Firoznezhad M, Grimaldi M, D'Ursi AM. Conformational analysis of a new peptide derived from feline immunodeficiency virus gp36 in SDS micelles: An NMR-MD based investigation. J Pept Sci 2024:e3645. [PMID: 39030892 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3645] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) shares structural similarities with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): the surface glycoprotein gp36 corresponds to the HIV gp41, which drives virus-host cell interactions and is targeted by the peptide entry inhibitor enfuvirtide. Following a similar drug design strategy for the development of an anti-FIV therapy, the present study investigates 627-646gp36 NHR, a peptide sequence derived from a region of gp36 that was previously found to interfere with the antiviral activity of the peptide C8, which instead derives from the gp36 MPER. CD, NMR, and MD simulations were employed to probe the conformational characteristics of 627-646gp36 NHR in the membrane-mimicking environment of SDS micelles. Our data show that 627-646gp36 NHR is characterized by three dynamic helix structures. MD simulations involving 627-646gp36 NHR, C8, and a larger protein, including the CHR and MPER regions, suggest that the interaction of C8 with the MPER region, the origin of the antiviral activity of C8, is disfavored in the presence of 627-646gp36 NHR in the simulation. This evidence can be useful for interpreting the molecular mechanism that leads to interference with the activity of C8, providing information on the folding/unfolding mechanism of the viral glycoprotein to design new strategies to inhibit viral entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Santoro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, Scuola di Specializzazione in Farmacia Ospedaliera, University of Salerno, Italy
| | - Michela Buonocore
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Mohammad Firoznezhad
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Trento, Italy
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3
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Chan A, Haley RM, Najar MA, Gonzalez-Martinez D, Bugaj LJ, Burslem GM, Mitchell MJ, Tsourkas A. Lipid-mediated intracellular delivery of recombinant bioPROTACs for the rapid degradation of undruggable proteins. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5808. [PMID: 38987546 PMCID: PMC11237011 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50235-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, targeted degradation has emerged as a powerful therapeutic modality. Relying on "event-driven" pharmacology, proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) can degrade targets and are superior to conventional inhibitors against undruggable proteins. Unfortunately, PROTAC discovery is limited by warhead scarcity and laborious optimization campaigns. To address these shortcomings, analogous protein-based heterobifunctional degraders, known as bioPROTACs, have been developed. Compared to small-molecule PROTACs, bioPROTACs have higher success rates and are subject to fewer design constraints. However, the membrane impermeability of proteins severely restricts bioPROTAC deployment as a generalized therapeutic modality. Here, we present an engineered bioPROTAC template able to complex with cationic and ionizable lipids via electrostatic interactions for cytosolic delivery. When delivered by biocompatible lipid nanoparticles, these modified bioPROTACs can rapidly degrade intracellular proteins, exhibiting near-complete elimination (up to 95% clearance) of targets within hours of treatment. Our bioPROTAC format can degrade proteins localized to various subcellular compartments including the mitochondria, nucleus, cytosol, and membrane. Moreover, substrate specificity can be easily reprogrammed, allowing modular design and targeting of clinically-relevant proteins such as Ras, Jnk, and Erk. In summary, this work introduces an inexpensive, flexible, and scalable platform for efficient intracellular degradation of proteins that may elude chemical inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Chan
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca M Haley
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mohd Altaf Najar
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David Gonzalez-Martinez
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lukasz J Bugaj
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - George M Burslem
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael J Mitchell
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew Tsourkas
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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4
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Lei L, Pan W, Shou X, Shao Y, Ye S, Zhang J, Kolliputi N, Shi L. Nanomaterials-assisted gene editing and synthetic biology for optimizing the treatment of pulmonary diseases. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:343. [PMID: 38890749 PMCID: PMC11186260 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02627-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of nanomaterials in gene editing and synthetic biology has emerged as a pivotal strategy in the pursuit of refined treatment methodologies for pulmonary disorders. This review discusses the utilization of nanomaterial-assisted gene editing tools and synthetic biology techniques to promote the development of more precise and efficient treatments for pulmonary diseases. First, we briefly outline the characterization of the respiratory system and succinctly describe the principal applications of diverse nanomaterials in lung ailment treatment. Second, we elaborate on gene-editing tools, their configurations, and assorted delivery methods, while delving into the present state of nanomaterial-facilitated gene-editing interventions for a spectrum of pulmonary diseases. Subsequently, we briefly expound on synthetic biology and its deployment in biomedicine, focusing on research advances in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary conditions against the backdrop of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Finally, we summarize the extant lacunae in current research and delineate prospects for advancement in this domain. This holistic approach augments the development of pioneering solutions in lung disease treatment, thereby endowing patients with more efficacious and personalized therapeutic alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanjie Lei
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Organs and Computational Medicine in Zhejiang Province, Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310015, China
| | - Wenjie Pan
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325200, China
| | - Xin Shou
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Organs and Computational Medicine in Zhejiang Province, Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310015, China
| | - Yunyuan Shao
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Organs and Computational Medicine in Zhejiang Province, Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310015, China
| | - Shuxuan Ye
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Organs and Computational Medicine in Zhejiang Province, Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310015, China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- Department of Immunology and Medical Microbiology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Narasaiah Kolliputi
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Liyun Shi
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Organs and Computational Medicine in Zhejiang Province, Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310015, China.
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5
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Kumar M, Kumar D, Kumar D, Garg Y, Chopra S, Bhatia A. Therapeutic Potential of Nanocarrier Mediated Delivery of Peptides for Wound Healing: Current Status, Challenges and Future Prospective. AAPS PharmSciTech 2024; 25:108. [PMID: 38730090 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-024-02827-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Wound healing presents a complex physiological process that involves a sequence of events orchestrated by various cellular and molecular mechanisms. In recent years, there has been growing interest in leveraging nanomaterials and peptides to enhance wound healing outcomes. Nanocarriers offer unique properties such as high surface area-to-volume ratio, tunable physicochemical characteristics, and the ability to deliver therapeutic agents in a controlled manner. Similarly, peptides, with their diverse biological activities and low immunogenicity, hold great promise as therapeutics in wound healing applications. In this review, authors explore the potential of peptides as bioactive components in wound healing formulations, focusing on their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and pro-regenerative properties. Despite the significant progress made in this field, several challenges remain, including the need for standardized characterization methods, optimization of biocompatibility and safety profiles, and translation from bench to bedside. Furthermore, developing multifunctional nanomaterial-peptide hybrid systems represents promising avenues for future research. Overall, the integration of nanomaterials made up of natural or synthetic polymers with peptide-based formulations holds tremendous therapeutic potential in advancing the field of wound healing and improving clinical outcomes for patients with acute and chronic wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda, 151001, Punjab, India
| | - Dikshant Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda, 151001, Punjab, India
| | - Devesh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda, 151001, Punjab, India
| | - Yogesh Garg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda, 151001, Punjab, India
| | - Shruti Chopra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda, 151001, Punjab, India
| | - Amit Bhatia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda, 151001, Punjab, India.
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6
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Hrebonkin A, Afonin S, Nikitjuka A, Borysov OV, Leitis G, Babii O, Koniev S, Lorig T, Grage SL, Nick P, Ulrich AS, Jirgensons A, Komarov IV. Spiropyran-Based Photoisomerizable α-Amino Acid for Membrane-Active Peptide Modification. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202400066. [PMID: 38366887 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Photoisomerizable peptides are promising drug candidates in photopharmacology. While azobenzene- and diarylethene-containing photoisomerizable peptides have already demonstrated their potential in this regard, reports on the use of spiropyrans to photoregulate bioactive peptides are still scarce. This work focuses on the design and synthesis of a spiropyran-derived amino acid, (S)-2-amino-3-(6'-methoxy-1',3',3'-trimethylspiro-[2H-1-benzopyran-2,2'-indolin-6-yl])propanoic acid, which is suitable for the preparation of photoisomerizable peptides. The utility of this amino acid is demonstrated by incorporating it into the backbone of BP100, a known membrane-active peptide, and by examining the photoregulation of the membrane perturbation by the spiropyran-containing peptides. The toxicity of the peptides (against the plant cell line BY-2), their bacteriotoxicity (E. coli), and actin-auxin oscillator modulation ability were shown to be significantly dependent on the photoisomeric state of the spiropyran unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrii Hrebonkin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
- Enamine, Vul. Winstona Churchilla 78, 02094, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Sergii Afonin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Anna Nikitjuka
- Enamine, Vul. Winstona Churchilla 78, 02094, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles iela 21, 1006, Riga, Latvia
| | - Oleksandr V Borysov
- Enamine, Vul. Winstona Churchilla 78, 02094, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles iela 21, 1006, Riga, Latvia
| | - Gundars Leitis
- Enamine, Vul. Winstona Churchilla 78, 02094, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles iela 21, 1006, Riga, Latvia
| | - Oleg Babii
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Serhii Koniev
- Enamine, Vul. Winstona Churchilla 78, 02094, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Vul. Volodymyrska 60, 01601, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Theo Lorig
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Stephan L Grage
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Peter Nick
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Anne S Ulrich
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Aigars Jirgensons
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles iela 21, 1006, Riga, Latvia
| | - Igor V Komarov
- Enamine, Vul. Winstona Churchilla 78, 02094, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Vul. Volodymyrska 60, 01601, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Lumobiotics, Auerstraße 2, 76227, Karlsruhe., Germany
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7
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Aschmann D, Knol RA, Kros A. Lipid-Based Nanoparticle Functionalization with Coiled-Coil Peptides for In Vitro and In Vivo Drug Delivery. Acc Chem Res 2024; 57:1098-1110. [PMID: 38530194 PMCID: PMC11025025 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
For the delivery of drugs, different nanosized drug carriers (e.g., liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, and micelles) have been developed in order to treat diseases that afflict society. Frequently, these vehicles are formed by the self-assembly of small molecules to encapsulate the therapeutic cargo of interest. Over decades, nanoparticles have been optimized to make them more efficient and specific to fulfill tailor-made tasks, such as specific cell targeting or enhanced cellular uptake. In recent years, lipid-based nanoparticles in particular have taken center stage; however, off-targeting side effects and poor endosomal escape remain major challenges since therapies require high efficacy and acceptable toxicity.To overcome these issues, many different approaches have been explored to make drug delivery more specific, resulting in reduced side effects, to achieve an optimal therapeutic effect and a lower required dose. The fate of nanoparticles is largely dependent on size, shape, and surface charge. A common approach to designing drug carriers with targeting capability is surface modification. Different approaches to functionalize nanoparticles have been investigated since the attachment of targeting moieties plays a significant role in whether they can later interact with surface-exposed receptors of cells. To this end, various strategies have been used involving different classes of biomolecules, such as small molecules, nucleic acids, antibodies, aptamers, and peptides.Peptides in particular are often used since there are many receptors overexpressed in different specific cell types. Furthermore, peptides can be produced and modified at a low cost, enabling high therapeutic screening. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and cell-targeting peptides (CTPs) are frequently used for this purpose. Less studied in this context are fusogenic coiled-coil peptides. Lipid-based nanoparticles functionalized with these peptides are able to avoid the endolysosomal pathway; instead such particles can be taken up by membrane fusion, resulting in increased delivery of payload. Furthermore, they can be used for targeting cells/organs but are not directed at surface-exposed receptors. Instead, they recognize complementary peptide sequences, facilitating their uptake into cells.In this Account, we will discuss peptides as moieties for enhanced cytosolic delivery, targeted uptake, and how they can be attached to lipid-based nanoparticles to alter their properties. We will discuss the properties imparted to the particles by peptides, surface modification approaches, and recent examples showing the power of peptides for in vitro and in vivo drug delivery. The main focus will be on the functionalization of lipid-based nanoparticles by fusogenic coiled-coil peptides, highlighting the relevance of this concept for the development of future therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Aschmann
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Renzo A. Knol
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Kros
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
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8
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Wu J, Roesger S, Jones N, Hu CMJ, Li SD. Cell-penetrating peptides for transmucosal delivery of proteins. J Control Release 2024; 366:864-878. [PMID: 38272399 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Enabling non-invasive delivery of proteins across the mucosal barriers promises improved patient compliance and therapeutic efficacies. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are emerging as a promising and versatile tool to enhance protein and peptide permeation across various mucosal barriers. This review examines the structural and physicochemical attributes of the nasal, buccal, sublingual, and oral mucosa that hamper macromolecular delivery. Recent development of CPPs for overcoming those mucosal barriers for protein delivery is summarized and analyzed. Perspectives regarding current challenges and future research directions towards improving non-invasive transmucosal delivery of macromolecules for ultimate clinical translation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamin Wu
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Sophie Roesger
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Natalie Jones
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Che-Ming J Hu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Shyh-Dar Li
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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9
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Shi Y, Yu M, Qiu K, Kong T, Guo C, Zhang W, Chen D, Kong M. Immuno-modulation of tumor and tumor draining lymph nodes through enhanced immunogenic chemotherapy by nano-complexed hyaluronic acid/polyvinyl alcohol microneedle. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 325:121491. [PMID: 38008469 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Certain chemo-drugs could induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) activating T cell antitumor immunity while trigger indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) upregulation suppressing immune responses. Moreover, to achieve therapeutic efficacies on both primary tumors and tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) in the meantime is still a big challenge. In this study, transfersomes functionalized with a tumor targeting, cell penetrating peptide tLyp1 (CGNKRTR) was developed to co-encapsulate doxorubicin (DOX, ICD inducer) and 1MT (IDO inhibitor). The functionalized transfersomes were complexed with microneedles (MNs) to realize co-delivery towards primary tumors and TDLNs via transdermal administration. The transfersomes were concentrated in the needles of MNs and released with needle dissolution after insertion into skin. After being internalized by cells, DOX induced tumor ICD effect to promote DCs maturation and dramatically activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ T), while 1MT inhibited IDO activity in DCs and reduced the immunosuppressive Tregs, thus mitigating tumor suppressive microenvironment. The nano-complexed microneedles exhibited 2.2-fold suppression in tumor growth compared with the I.V. group, which significantly enhanced anti-tumor effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Shi
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Miao Yu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Kaijin Qiu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Tiantian Kong
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Chunjing Guo
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Wenxue Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Daquan Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
| | - Ming Kong
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
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10
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Agiba AM, Arreola-Ramírez JL, Carbajal V, Segura-Medina P. Light-Responsive and Dual-Targeting Liposomes: From Mechanisms to Targeting Strategies. Molecules 2024; 29:636. [PMID: 38338380 PMCID: PMC10856102 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29030636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, nanocarriers have played an ever-increasing role in clinical and biomedical applications owing to their unique physicochemical properties and surface functionalities. Lately, much effort has been directed towards the development of smart, stimuli-responsive nanocarriers that are capable of releasing their cargos in response to specific stimuli. These intelligent-responsive nanocarriers can be further surface-functionalized so as to achieve active tumor targeting in a sequential manner, which can be simply modulated by the stimuli. By applying this methodological approach, these intelligent-responsive nanocarriers can be directed to different target-specific organs, tissues, or cells and exhibit on-demand controlled drug release that may enhance therapeutic effectiveness and reduce systemic toxicity. Light, an external stimulus, is one of the most promising triggers for use in nanomedicine to stimulate on-demand drug release from nanocarriers. Light-triggered drug release can be achieved through light irradiation at different wavelengths, either in the UV, visible, or even NIR region, depending on the photophysical properties of the photo-responsive molecule embedded in the nanocarrier system, the structural characteristics, and the material composition of the nanocarrier system. In this review, we highlighted the emerging functional role of light in nanocarriers, with an emphasis on light-responsive liposomes and dual-targeted stimuli-responsive liposomes. Moreover, we provided the most up-to-date photo-triggered targeting strategies and mechanisms of light-triggered drug release from liposomes and NIR-responsive nanocarriers. Lastly, we addressed the current challenges, advances, and future perspectives for the deployment of light-responsive liposomes in targeted drug delivery and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M. Agiba
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Mexico;
| | - José Luis Arreola-Ramírez
- Departamento de Investigación en Hiperreactividad Bronquial, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (J.L.A.-R.); (V.C.)
| | - Verónica Carbajal
- Departamento de Investigación en Hiperreactividad Bronquial, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (J.L.A.-R.); (V.C.)
| | - Patricia Segura-Medina
- Departamento de Investigación en Hiperreactividad Bronquial, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (J.L.A.-R.); (V.C.)
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico City 14380, Mexico
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11
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Pang H, Wu Y, Chen Y, Chen C, Nie X, Li P, Huang G, Xu ZP, Han FY. Development of polysaccharide-coated layered double hydroxide nanocomposites for enhanced oral insulin delivery. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s13346-023-01504-7. [PMID: 38214820 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01504-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Oral insulin (INS) is predicted to have the most therapeutic advantages in treating diabetes to repress hepatic glucose production through its potential to mimic the endogenous insulin pathway. Many oral insulin delivery systems have been investigated. Layered double hydroxide (LDH) as an inorganic material has been widely used in drug delivery thanks to its appealing features such as good biocompatibility, low toxicity, and excellent loading capability. However, when used in oral drug delivery, the effectiveness of LDH is limited due to the acidic degradation in the stomach. In this study, to overcome these challenges, chitosan (Chi) and alginate (Alg) dual-coated LDH nanocomposites with the loading of insulin (Alg-Chi-LDH@INS) were developed by the layered-by-layered method for oral insulin delivery with dynamic size of ~ 350.8 nm, negative charge of ~ - 13.0 mV, and dispersity index 0.228. The insulin release profile was evaluated by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The drug release profiles evidenced that alginate and chitosan coating partially protect insulin release from a burst release in acidic conditions. The analysis using flow cytometry showed that chitosan coating significantly enhanced the uptake of LDH@INS by Caco-2 cells compared to unmodified LDH and free insulin. Further in the in vivo study in streptozocin-induced diabetic mice, a significant hypoglycemic effect was maintained following oral administration with great biocompatibility (~ 50% blood glucose level reduction at 4 h). This research has thus provided a potential nanocomposite system for oral delivery of insulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiwen Pang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Youzhi Wu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Yang Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Chen Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Xuqiang Nie
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- College of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563006, China
- Key Lab of the Basic Pharmacology of the Ministry of Education & Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563006, China
| | - Peng Li
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Guojun Huang
- Hainan Beautech Stem Cell Anti-Aging Hospital, Hainan, 571400, China
| | - Zhi Ping Xu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Felicity Y Han
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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Pang H, Wu Y, Chen Y, Chen C, Nie X, Li P, Huang G, Xu ZP, Han FY. Development of polysaccharide-coated layered double hydroxide nanocomposites for enhanced oral insulin delivery. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1007/s13346-023-01504-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2024]
Abstract
AbstractOral insulin (INS) is predicted to have the most therapeutic advantages in treating diabetes to repress hepatic glucose production through its potential to mimic the endogenous insulin pathway. Many oral insulin delivery systems have been investigated. Layered double hydroxide (LDH) as an inorganic material has been widely used in drug delivery thanks to its appealing features such as good biocompatibility, low toxicity, and excellent loading capability. However, when used in oral drug delivery, the effectiveness of LDH is limited due to the acidic degradation in the stomach. In this study, to overcome these challenges, chitosan (Chi) and alginate (Alg) dual-coated LDH nanocomposites with the loading of insulin (Alg-Chi-LDH@INS) were developed by the layered-by-layered method for oral insulin delivery with dynamic size of ~ 350.8 nm, negative charge of ~ − 13.0 mV, and dispersity index 0.228. The insulin release profile was evaluated by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The drug release profiles evidenced that alginate and chitosan coating partially protect insulin release from a burst release in acidic conditions. The analysis using flow cytometry showed that chitosan coating significantly enhanced the uptake of LDH@INS by Caco-2 cells compared to unmodified LDH and free insulin. Further in the in vivo study in streptozocin-induced diabetic mice, a significant hypoglycemic effect was maintained following oral administration with great biocompatibility (~ 50% blood glucose level reduction at 4 h). This research has thus provided a potential nanocomposite system for oral delivery of insulin.
Graphical Abstract
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13
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Jiang H, Li X, Li Y, Liu X, Zhang S, Li H, Zhang M, Wang L, Yu M, Qiao Z. Molecular and functional characterization of ribosome protein S24 in ovarian development of Macrobrachium nipponense. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127934. [PMID: 37939777 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Ribosomal proteins (RPs) have mang extraribosomal functions including regulation of ovarian development in some organisms. In order to solve the problem of rapid ovarian maturation in Macrobrachium nipponense aquaculture, this study identified a RPS24 (MnRPS24) gene from M. nipponense, which encodes a protein of ββαβαααα folding structure type. MnRPS24 exhibited the greatest expressions in the female adult stage among the six growth stages, in the ovary among the nine tissues, and in the stage I ovary among the six ovarian development stages. The MnRPS24 protein located in the cytoplasm of oogonia, previtellogenic and early-vitellogenic oocytes, and the follicular cells surrounding the oocytes. The expression of the vitellogenin (MnVg), vitellogenin receptor (MnVgr), cell cycle protein B (MnCyclin B) and cell division cyclin 2 (MnCdc2) genes were increased by recombinant MnRPS24 protein incubation. Conversely, the expression of the Wee1 kinase (MnWee1) gene was decreased. MnRPS24 gene silencing downregulated the expression for MnVg, MnVgr, MnCyclin B and MnCdc2 and upregulated the expression for MnWee1. Furthermore, MnRPS24 gene silencing delayed the vitellogenesis of oocytes, halting the progression of ovarian development. The findings of this research demonstrate that MnRPS24 could potentially function as a stimulator in promoting the development of ovaries in M. nipponense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Jiang
- Engineering Lab of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Disease Control, Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China.
| | - Xiao Li
- Engineering Lab of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Disease Control, Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Yizheng Li
- Engineering Lab of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Disease Control, Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Xuewei Liu
- Engineering Lab of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Disease Control, Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Shuaishuai Zhang
- Engineering Lab of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Disease Control, Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Huanxin Li
- Engineering Lab of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Disease Control, Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Engineering Lab of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Disease Control, Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Engineering Lab of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Disease Control, Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Miao Yu
- Engineering Lab of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Disease Control, Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Zhigang Qiao
- Engineering Lab of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Disease Control, Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
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Matsuura K, Inaba H. Photoresponsive peptide materials: Spatiotemporal control of self-assembly and biological functions. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:041303. [PMID: 38505425 PMCID: PMC10903425 DOI: 10.1063/5.0179171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Peptides work as both functional molecules to modulate various biological phenomena and self-assembling artificial materials. The introduction of photoresponsive units to peptides allows the spatiotemporal remote control of their structure and function upon light irradiation. This article overviews the photoresponsive peptide design, interaction with biomolecules, and applications in self-assembling materials over the last 30 years. Peptides modified with photochromic (photoisomerizable) molecules, such as azobenzene and spiropyran, reversibly photo-controlled the binding to biomolecules and nanostructure formation through self-assembly. Photocleavable molecular units irreversibly control the functions of peptides through cleavage of the main chain and deprotection by light. Photocrosslinking between peptides or between peptides and other biomolecules enhances the structural stability of peptide assemblies and complexes. These photoresponsive peptides spatiotemporally controlled the formation and dissociation of peptide assemblies, gene expressions, protein-drug interactions, protein-protein interactions, liposome deformation and motility, cytoskeleton structure and stability, and cell functions by appropriate light irradiation. These molecular systems can be applied to photo-control biological functions, molecular robots, artificial cells, and next-generation smart drug delivery materials.
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McGibbon M, Shave S, Dong J, Gao Y, Houston DR, Xie J, Yang Y, Schwaller P, Blay V. From intuition to AI: evolution of small molecule representations in drug discovery. Brief Bioinform 2023; 25:bbad422. [PMID: 38033290 PMCID: PMC10689004 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Within drug discovery, the goal of AI scientists and cheminformaticians is to help identify molecular starting points that will develop into safe and efficacious drugs while reducing costs, time and failure rates. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to represent molecules in a digital format that makes them machine-readable and facilitates the accurate prediction of properties that drive decision-making. Over the years, molecular representations have evolved from intuitive and human-readable formats to bespoke numerical descriptors and fingerprints, and now to learned representations that capture patterns and salient features across vast chemical spaces. Among these, sequence-based and graph-based representations of small molecules have become highly popular. However, each approach has strengths and weaknesses across dimensions such as generality, computational cost, inversibility for generative applications and interpretability, which can be critical in informing practitioners' decisions. As the drug discovery landscape evolves, opportunities for innovation continue to emerge. These include the creation of molecular representations for high-value, low-data regimes, the distillation of broader biological and chemical knowledge into novel learned representations and the modeling of up-and-coming therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles McGibbon
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Shave
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Jie Dong
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Yumiao Gao
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas R Houston
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Jiancong Xie
- Key Laboratory of Machine Intelligence and Advanced Computing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Yuedong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Machine Intelligence and Advanced Computing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Philippe Schwaller
- Laboratory of Artificial Chemical Intelligence (LIAC), Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Blay
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
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16
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Wang W, Wang Q, Yu L, Ge G, Liu X, Gao A, Wang G, Wu Z, Bai J, Wang H, Chu PK, Geng D. Bio-orthogonal engineered peptide: A multi-functional strategy for the gene therapy of osteoporotic bone loss. Biomaterials 2023; 302:122352. [PMID: 37866014 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease affecting millions of elderly people globally and increases the risk of bone fractures due to the reduced bone density. Drugs are normally prescribed to treat osteoporosis, especially after surgical treatment of osteoporotic fractures. However, many anti-osteoporotic drugs produce deleterious side effects. The recent development of gene therapy utilizing oligonucleotides (ONs) has spurred the development of new therapies for osteoporosis. Nevertheless, most ONs lack the capability of cell penetration and lysosome escape and hence, intracellular delivery of ON remains a challenge. Herein, a novel strategy is demonstrated to efficiently deliver ON to cells by combining ON with the cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) via the bio-orthogonal click reaction. Several dopamine (DOPA) groups are also introduced into the fabricated peptide to scavenge intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Owing to favorable properties such as good cytocompatibility, cell penetration, lysosome escape, ROS scavenging, and osteoclastogenesis suppression, the hybrid CPP-DOPA-ON peptide improves the osteoporotic conditions significantly in vivo even when bone implants are involved. This strategy has great potential in the treatment of osteoporosis and potentially broadens the scope of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Medical 3D Printing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Medical 3D Printing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, Medical 3D Printing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China; Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Gaoran Ge
- Department of Orthopedics, Medical 3D Printing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Medical 3D Printing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ang Gao
- Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Guomin Wang
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, And Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhengwei Wu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, And Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; School of Nuclear Science and Technology and CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jiaxiang Bai
- Department of Orthopedics, Medical 3D Printing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China; Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230022, China; National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai) SHU Branch, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Huaiyu Wang
- Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Paul K Chu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, And Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dechun Geng
- Department of Orthopedics, Medical 3D Printing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China.
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Carrera-Aubesart A, Gallo M, Defaus S, Todorovski T, Andreu D. Topoisomeric Membrane-Active Peptides: A Review of the Last Two Decades. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2451. [PMID: 37896211 PMCID: PMC10610229 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, bioactive peptides have been gaining recognition in various biomedical areas, such as intracellular drug delivery (cell-penetrating peptides, CPPs) or anti-infective action (antimicrobial peptides, AMPs), closely associated to their distinct mode of interaction with biological membranes. Exploiting the interaction of membrane-active peptides with diverse targets (healthy, tumoral, bacterial or parasitic cell membranes) is opening encouraging prospects for peptides in therapeutics. However, ordinary peptides formed by L-amino acids are easily decomposed by proteases in biological fluids. One way to sidestep this limitation is to use topoisomers, namely versions of the peptide made up of D-amino acids in either canonic (enantio) or inverted (retroenantio) sequence. Rearranging peptide sequences in this fashion provides a certain degree of native structure mimicry that, in appropriate contexts, may deliver desirable biological activity while avoiding protease degradation. In this review, we will focus on recent accounts of membrane-active topoisomeric peptides with therapeutic applications as CPP drug delivery vectors, or as antimicrobial and anticancer candidates. We will also discuss the most common modes of interaction of these peptides with their membrane targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Carrera-Aubesart
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
| | - Maria Gallo
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
| | - Sira Defaus
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
| | - Toni Todorovski
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
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Lunde PK, Manfra O, Støle TP, Lunde M, Martinsen M, Carlson CR, Louch WE. Polyarginine Cell-Penetrating Peptides Bind and Inhibit SERCA2. Cells 2023; 12:2358. [PMID: 37830576 PMCID: PMC10571751 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are short peptide sequences that have the ability to cross the cell membrane and deliver cargo. Although it is critical that CPPs accomplish this task with minimal off-target effects, such actions have in many cases not been robustly screened. We presently investigated whether the commonly used CPPs TAT and the polyarginines Arg9 and Arg11 exert off-target effects on cellular Ca2+ homeostasis. In experiments employing myocytes and homogenates from the cardiac left ventricle or soleus muscle, we observed marked inhibition of Ca2+ recycling into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) following incubation with polyarginine CPPs. In both tissues, the rate of SR Ca2+ leak remained unchanged, indicating that protracted Ca2+ removal from the cytosol stemmed from inhibition of the SR Ca2+ ATPase 2 (SERCA2). No such inhibition occurred following treatment with TAT, or in preparations from the SERCA1-expressing extensor digitorum longus muscle. Experiments in HEK cells overexpressing individual SERCA isoforms confirmed that polyarginine incubation specifically inhibited the activity of SERCA2a and 2b, but not SERCA1 or 3. The attenuation of SERCA2 activity was not dependent on the presence of phospholamban, and ELISA-based analyses rather revealed direct interaction between the polyarginines and the actuator domain of the protein. Surface plasmon resonance experiments confirmed strong binding within this region of SERCA2, and slow dissociation between the two species. Based on these observations, we urge caution when employing polyarginine CPPs. Indeed, as SERCA2 is expressed in diverse cell types, the wide-ranging consequences of SERCA2 binding and inhibition should be anticipated in both experimental and therapeutic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Cathrine Rein Carlson
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (P.K.L.); (O.M.); (T.P.S.); (M.L.); (M.M.); (W.E.L.)
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19
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Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are natural agents that efficiently permeate biological membranes. They are frequently positively charged, which is surprising since membranes pose hydrophobic barriers. In this Perspective, I discuss computations and experiments of a permeation model that couples permeant displacement with a membrane defect. We call the proposed mechanism Defect Assisted by Charge (DAC) and illustrate that it reduces the free energy barrier for translocation. A metastable state at the center of the membrane may be observed due to the charge interactions with the phospholipid head groups at the two leaflets. The combination of experiments and simulations sheds light on the mechanisms of a charged peptide translocation across phospholipid membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Elber
- The Department of Chemistry, The Oden Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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20
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Macyszyn J, Chyży P, Burmistrz M, Lobka M, Miszkiewicz J, Wojciechowska M, Trylska J. Structural dynamics influences the antibacterial activity of a cell-penetrating peptide (KFF) 3K. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14826. [PMID: 37684254 PMCID: PMC10491836 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38745-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the widespread demand for novel antibacterial agents, we modified a cell-penetrating peptide (KFF)3K to transform it into an antibacterial peptide. Namely, we inserted a hydrocarbon staple into the (KFF)3K sequence to induce and stabilize its membrane-active secondary structure. The staples were introduced at two positions, (KFF)3K[5-9] and (KFF)3K[2-6], to retain the initial amphipathic character of the unstapled peptide. The stapled analogues are protease resistant contrary to (KFF)3K; 90% of the stapled (KFF)3K[5-9] peptide remained undigested after incubation in chymotrypsin solution. The stapled peptides showed antibacterial activity (with minimal inhibitory concentrations in the range of 2-16 µM) against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, contrary to unmodified (KFF)3K, which had no antibacterial effect against any strain at concentrations up to 32 µM. Also, both stapled peptides adopted an α-helical structure in the buffer and micellar environment, contrary to a mostly undefined structure of the unstapled (KFF)3K in the buffer. We found that the antibacterial activity of (KFF)3K analogues is related to their disruptive effect on cell membranes and we showed that by stapling this cell-penetrating peptide, we can induce its antibacterial character.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Macyszyn
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Chyży
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Burmistrz
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Lobka
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Miszkiewicz
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- College of Inter-Faculty Individual Studies in Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Joanna Trylska
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
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21
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Asrorov AM, Wang H, Zhang M, Wang Y, He Y, Sharipov M, Yili A, Huang Y. Cell penetrating peptides: Highlighting points in cancer therapy. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:1037-1071. [PMID: 37195405 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), first identified in HIV a few decades ago, deserved great attention in the last two decades; especially to support the penetration of anticancer drug means. In the drug delivery discipline, they have been involved in various approaches from mixing with hydrophobic drugs to the use of genetically conjugated proteins. The early classification as cationic and amphipathic CPPs has been extended to a few more classes such as hydrophobic and cyclic CPPs so far. Developing potential sequences utilized almost all methods of modern science: choosing high-efficiency peptides from natural protein sequences, sequence-based comparison, amino acid substitution, obtaining chemical and/or genetic conjugations, in silico approaches, in vitro analysis, animal experiments, etc. The bottleneck effect in this discipline reveals the complications that modern science faces in drug delivery research. Most CPP-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) efficiently inhibited tumor volume and weight in mice, but only in rare cases reduced their levels and continued further processes. The integration of chemical synthesis into the development of CPPs made a significant contribution and even reached the clinical stage as a diagnostic tool. But constrained efforts still face serious problems in overcoming biobarriers to reach further achievements. In this work, we reviewed the roles of CPPs in anticancer drug delivery, focusing on their amino acid composition and sequences. As the most suitable point, we relied on significant changes in tumor volume in mice resulting from CPPs. We provide a review of individual CPPs and/or their derivatives in a separate subsection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akmal M Asrorov
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, AS of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Department of Natural Substances Chemistry, National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Huiyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang He
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Mirkomil Sharipov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, AS of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Abulimiti Yili
- The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry of Arid Zone, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yongzhuo Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Institutes of Drug Discovery and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients, Shanghai, China
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22
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Zeng Y, Shen M, Singhal A, Sevink GJA, Crone N, Boyle AL, Kros A. Enhanced Liposomal Drug Delivery Via Membrane Fusion Triggered by Dimeric Coiled-Coil Peptides. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2301133. [PMID: 37199140 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202301133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
An ideal nanomedicine system improves the therapeutic efficacy of drugs. However, most nanomedicines enter cells via endosomal/lysosomal pathways and only a small fraction of the cargo enters the cytosol inducing therapeutic effects. To circumvent this inefficiency, alternative approaches are desired. Inspired by fusion machinery found in nature, synthetic lipidated peptide pair E4/K4 is used to induce membrane fusion previously. Peptide K4 interacts specifically with E4, and it has a lipid membrane affinity and resulting in membrane remodeling. To design efficient fusogens with multiple interactions, dimeric K4 variants are synthesized to improve fusion with E4-modified liposomes and cells. The secondary structure and self-assembly of dimers are studied; the parallel PK4 dimer forms temperature-dependent higher-order assemblies, while linear K4 dimers form tetramer-like homodimers. The structures and membrane interactions of PK4 are supported by molecular dynamics simulations. Upon addition of E4, PK4 induced the strongest coiled-coil interaction resulting in a higher liposomal delivery compared to linear dimers and monomer. Using a wide spectrum of endocytosis inhibitors, membrane fusion is found to be the main cellular uptake pathway. Doxorubicin delivery results in efficient cellular uptake and concomitant antitumor efficacy. These findings aid the development of efficient delivery systems of drugs into cells using liposome-cell fusion strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zeng
- Dept. Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Mengjie Shen
- Dept. Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Ankush Singhal
- Dept. Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Geert Jan Agur Sevink
- Dept. Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Niek Crone
- Dept. Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Aimee L Boyle
- Dept. Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Kros
- Dept. Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, 2333 CC, The Netherlands
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23
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Molinar C, Tannous M, Meloni D, Cavalli R, Scomparin A. Current Status and Trends in Nucleic Acids for Cancer Therapy: A Focus on Polysaccharide-Based Nanomedicines. Macromol Biosci 2023; 23:e2300102. [PMID: 37212473 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The efficacious delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids to cancer still remains an open issue. Through the years, several strategies are developed for the encapsulation of genetic molecules exploiting different materials, such as viral vectors, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). Indeed, the rapid approval by regulatory authorities and the wide use of LNPs complexing the mRNA coding for the spark protein for COVID-19 vaccination paved the way for the initiation of several clinical trials exploiting lipid nanoparticles for cancer therapy. Nevertheless, polymers still represent a valuable alternative to lipid-based formulations, due to the low cost and the chemical flexibility that allows for the conjugation of targeting ligands. This review will analyze the status of the ongoing clinical trials for cancer therapy, including vaccination and immunotherapy approaches, exploiting polymeric materials. Among those nanosized carriers, sugar-based backbones are an interesting category. A cyclodextrin-based carrier (CALAA-01) is the first polymeric material to enter a clinical trial complexed with siRNA for cancer therapy, and chitosan is one of the most characterized non-viral vectors able to complex genetic material. Finally, the recent advances in the use of sugar-based polymers (oligo- and polysaccharides) for the complexation of nucleic acids in advanced preclinical stage will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Molinar
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, Torino, 10125, Italy
| | - Maria Tannous
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, Torino, 10125, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 7, Torino, 10125, Italy
| | - Domitilla Meloni
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, Torino, 10125, Italy
| | - Roberta Cavalli
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, Torino, 10125, Italy
| | - Anna Scomparin
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, Torino, 10125, Italy
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24
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Zhu Y, Xiao W, Zhong W, Xi C, Ye J, Zhang Q, Wu H, Du S. Study of the skin-penetration promoting effect and mechanism of combined system of curcumin liposomes prepared by microfluidic chip and skin penetrating peptides TD-1 for topical treatment of primary melanoma. Int J Pharm 2023; 643:123256. [PMID: 37482229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) is an effective strategy for the treatment of melanoma with fewer side effects and good biocompatible, but the skin penetration of drugs should be further promoted. Here, we proposed a new system that combined curcumin liposomes (Cur-Lips) with skin-penetrating peptides to promote skin penetration ability. However, the preparation of Cur-Lips has drawbacks of instability and low entrapment efficiency by the traditional methods. We thus innovatively designed and applied a microfluidic chip to optimize the preparation of Cur-Lips. Cur-Lips exhibited a particle size of 106.22 ± 4.94 nm with a low polydispersity index (<0.3) and high entrapment efficiency of 99.33 ± 1.05 %, which were prepared by the microfluidic chip. The Cur-Lips increased the skin penetration capability of Cur by 2.76 times compared to its solution in vitro skin penetration experiment. With the help of skin-penetrating peptide TD-1, the combined system further promoted the skin penetration capability by 4.48 times. The (TD-1 + Cur-Lips) system also exhibited a superior inhibition effect of the tumor to B16F10 in vitro. Furthermore, the topical application of (TD-1 + Cur-Lips) gel suppressed melanoma growth in vivo, and induced tumor cell apoptosis in tumor tissues. The skin-penetration promotion mechanism of the system was investigated. It was proved that the system could interact with the lipids and keratin on the stratum corneum to promote the Cur distribute into the stratum corneum through hair follicles and sweat glands. We proved that the microfluidic chips had unique advantages for the preparation of liposomes. The innovative combined system of liposomes and biological transdermal enhancers can effectively promote the skin penetration effect of drugs and have great potential for the prevention and treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingyin Zhu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Wuqing Xiao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanling Zhong
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Xi
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhong Ye
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Huichao Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shouying Du
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
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25
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Sun Z, Huang J, Fishelson Z, Wang C, Zhang S. Cell-Penetrating Peptide-Based Delivery of Macromolecular Drugs: Development, Strategies, and Progress. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1971. [PMID: 37509610 PMCID: PMC10377493 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), developed for more than 30 years, are still being extensively studied due to their excellent delivery performance. Compared with other delivery vehicles, CPPs hold promise for delivering different types of drugs. Here, we review the development process of CPPs and summarize the composition and classification of the CPP-based delivery systems, cellular uptake mechanisms, influencing factors, and biological barriers. We also summarize the optimization routes of CPP-based macromolecular drug delivery from stability and targeting perspectives. Strategies for enhanced endosomal escape, which prolong its half-life in blood, improved targeting efficiency and stimuli-responsive design are comprehensively summarized for CPP-based macromolecule delivery. Finally, after concluding the clinical trials of CPP-based drug delivery systems, we extracted the necessary conditions for a successful CPP-based delivery system. This review provides the latest framework for the CPP-based delivery of macromolecular drugs and summarizes the optimized strategies to improve delivery efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jinhai Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Zvi Fishelson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Chenhui Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Sihe Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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26
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Reveret L, Leclerc M, Morin F, Émond V, Calon F. Pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and toxicology of novel cell-penetrating peptides. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11081. [PMID: 37422520 PMCID: PMC10329699 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37280-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been used in basic and preclinical research in the past 30 years to facilitate drug delivery into target cells. However, translation toward the clinic has not been successful so far. Here, we studied the pharmacokinetic (PK) and biodistribution profiles of Shuttle cell-penetrating peptides (S-CPP) in rodents, combined or not with an immunoglobulin G (IgG) cargo. We compared two enantiomers of S-CPP that contain both a protein transduction domain and an endosomal escape domain, with previously shown capacity for cytoplasmic delivery. The plasma concentration versus time curve of both radiolabelled S-CPPs required a two-compartment PK analytical model, which showed a fast distribution phase (t1/2α ranging from 1.25 to 3 min) followed by a slower elimination phase (t1/2β ranging from 5 to 15 h) after intravenous injection. Cargo IgG combined to S-CPPs displayed longer elimination half-life, of up to 25 h. The fast decrease in plasma concentration of S-CPPs was associated with an accumulation in target organs assessed at 1 and 5 h post-injection, particularly in the liver. In addition, in situ cerebral perfusion (ISCP) of L-S-CPP yielded a brain uptake coefficient of 7.2 ± 1.1 µl g-1 s-1, consistent with penetration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), without damaging its integrity in vivo. No sign of peripheral toxicity was detected either by examining hematologic and biochemical blood parameters, or by measuring cytokine levels in plasma. In conclusion, S-CPPs are promising non-toxic transport vectors for improved tissue distribution of drug cargos in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Reveret
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Neurosciences Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-67, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - M Leclerc
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Neurosciences Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-67, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - F Morin
- Neurosciences Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-67, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - V Émond
- Neurosciences Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-67, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - F Calon
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
- Neurosciences Axis, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-67, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.
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27
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Singh D. Cell-penetrating peptides are widely used molecular transporter for peptide delivery in cancer: recent advancements. Ther Deliv 2023; 14:401-405. [PMID: 37535345 DOI: 10.4155/tde-2023-0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dilpreet Singh
- University Institute of Pharma Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, 140413, India
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28
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Zakany F, Mándity IM, Varga Z, Panyi G, Nagy P, Kovacs T. Effect of the Lipid Landscape on the Efficacy of Cell-Penetrating Peptides. Cells 2023; 12:1700. [PMID: 37443733 PMCID: PMC10340183 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Every cell biological textbook teaches us that the main role of the plasma membrane is to separate cells from their neighborhood to allow for a controlled composition of the intracellular space. The mostly hydrophobic nature of the cell membrane presents an impenetrable barrier for most hydrophilic molecules larger than 1 kDa. On the other hand, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are capable of traversing this barrier without compromising membrane integrity, and they can do so on their own or coupled to cargos. Coupling biologically and medically relevant cargos to CPPs holds great promise of delivering membrane-impermeable drugs into cells. If the cargo is able to interact with certain cell types, uptake of the CPP-drug complex can be tailored to be cell-type-specific. Besides outlining the major membrane penetration pathways of CPPs, this review is aimed at deciphering how properties of the membrane influence the uptake mechanisms of CPPs. By summarizing an extensive body of experimental evidence, we argue that a more ordered, less flexible membrane structure, often present in the very diseases planned to be treated with CPPs, decreases their cellular uptake. These correlations are not only relevant for understanding the cellular biology of CPPs, but also for rationally improving their value in translational or clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florina Zakany
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - István M. Mándity
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary;
- TTK Lendület Artificial Transporter Research Group, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Varga
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Peter Nagy
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Tamas Kovacs
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
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29
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Kim M, Jo H, Jung GY, Oh SS. Molecular Complementarity of Proteomimetic Materials for Target-Specific Recognition and Recognition-Mediated Complex Functions. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2208309. [PMID: 36525617 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202208309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
As biomolecules essential for sustaining life, proteins are generated from long chains of 20 different α-amino acids that are folded into unique 3D structures. In particular, many proteins have molecular recognition functions owing to their binding pockets, which have complementary shapes, charges, and polarities for specific targets, making these biopolymers unique and highly valuable for biomedical and biocatalytic applications. Based on the understanding of protein structures and microenvironments, molecular complementarity can be exhibited by synthesizable and modifiable materials. This has prompted researchers to explore the proteomimetic potentials of a diverse range of materials, including biologically available peptides and oligonucleotides, synthetic supramolecules, inorganic molecules, and related coordination networks. To fully resemble a protein, proteomimetic materials perform the molecular recognition to mediate complex molecular functions, such as allosteric regulation, signal transduction, enzymatic reactions, and stimuli-responsive motions; this can also expand the landscape of their potential bio-applications. This review focuses on the recognitive aspects of proteomimetic designs derived for individual materials and their conformations. Recent progress provides insights to help guide the development of advanced protein mimicry with material heterogeneity, design modularity, and tailored functionality. The perspectives and challenges of current proteomimetic designs and tools are also discussed in relation to future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minsun Kim
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyesung Jo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, South Korea
| | - Gyoo Yeol Jung
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, South Korea
| | - Seung Soo Oh
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, South Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, South Korea
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30
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Wickline SA, Hou KK, Pan H. Peptide-Based Nanoparticles for Systemic Extrahepatic Delivery of Therapeutic Nucleotides. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119455. [PMID: 37298407 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based nanoparticles (PBN) for nucleotide complexation and targeting of extrahepatic diseases are gaining recognition as potent pharmaceutical vehicles for fine-tuned control of protein production (up- and/or down-regulation) and for gene delivery. Herein, we review the principles and mechanisms underpinning self-assembled formation of PBN, cellular uptake, endosomal release, and delivery to extrahepatic disease sites after systemic administration. Selected examples of PBN that have demonstrated recent proof of concept in disease models in vivo are summarized to offer the reader a comparative view of the field and the possibilities for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A Wickline
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
| | - Kirk K Hou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Hua Pan
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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31
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Chao CJ, Zhang E, Zhao Z. Engineering cells for precision drug delivery: New advances, clinical translation, and emerging strategies. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 197:114840. [PMID: 37088403 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Cells have emerged as a promising new form of drug delivery carriers owing to their distinguished advantages such as naturally bypassing immune recognition, intrinsic capability to navigate biological barriers, and access to hard-to-reach tissues via onboarding sensing and active motility. Over the past two decades, a large body of work has focused on understanding the ability of cell carriers to breach biological barriers and to modulate drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. These efforts have led to the engineering of various cells for tissue-specific drug delivery. Despite exciting advances, clinical translation of cell-based drug carriers demands a thorough understanding of the pressing challenges and potential strategies to overcome them. Here, we summarize recent advances and new concepts in cell-based drug carriers and their clinical translation. We also discuss key considerations and emerging strategies to engineering the next-generation cell-based delivery technologies for more precise, targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Jia Chao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Endong Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Zongmin Zhao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Translational Oncology Program, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60612.
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32
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Noble JE, Vila-Gómez P, Rey S, Dondi C, Briones A, Aggarwal P, Hoose A, Baran M, Ryadnov MG. Folding-Mediated DNA Delivery by α-Helical Amphipathic Peptides. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:2584-2595. [PMID: 37014978 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
The renaissance gene therapy experiences these days requires specialist biomaterials and a systemic understanding of major factors influencing their ability to deliver genetic material. Peptide transfection systems represent a major class of such biomaterials. Several peptidic reagents have been commercialized to date. However, a comparative assessment of peptide sequences alone without auxiliary support or excipients against a common determinant for their ability to complex and deliver DNA has been lacking. This study cross-compares commercial and experimental transfection reagents from the same family of helical amphiphiles. Factors defining the efficacy of DNA delivery including cell uptake and gene expression are assessed along with cytotoxicity and DNA complexation. The results show that despite differences in sequence composition, length, and origin, peptide reagents of the same structural family exhibit similar characteristics and limitations with common variability trends. The cross-comparison revealed that functional DNA delivery is independent of the peptide sequence used but is mediated by the ability of the reagents to co-fold with DNA. Peptide folding proved to be the common determinant for DNA complexation and delivery by peptidic transfection reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Noble
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Paula Vila-Gómez
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London W12 0TR, U.K
| | - Stephanie Rey
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Camilla Dondi
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Andrea Briones
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Purnank Aggarwal
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Alex Hoose
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Maryana Baran
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Maxim G Ryadnov
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, U.K
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33
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Song EC, Park C, Shin Y, Kim WK, Kim SB, Cho S. Neurog1-Derived Peptides RMNE1 and DualPep-Shine Penetrate the Skin and Inhibit Melanin Synthesis by Regulating MITF Transcription. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076158. [PMID: 37047130 PMCID: PMC10094136 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076158] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-pigmentation peptides have been developed as alternative skin-lightening agents to replace conventional chemicals that have adverse effects on the skin. However, the maximum size of these peptides is often limited by their low skin and cell penetration. To address this issue, we used our intra-dermal delivery technology (IDDT) platform to identify peptides with hypo-pigmenting and high cell-penetrating activity. Using our cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) from the IDDT platform, we identified RMNE1 and its derivative RMNE3, "DualPep-Shine", which showed levels of α-Melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanin inhibition comparable to the conventional tyrosinase inhibitor, Kojic acid. In addition, DualPep-Shine was delivered into the nucleus and regulated the gene expression levels of melanogenic enzymes by inhibiting the promoter activity of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor-M (MITF-M). Using a 3D human skin model, we found that DualPep-Shine penetrated the lower region of the epidermis and reduced the melanin content in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, DualPep-Shine showed high safety with little immunogenicity, indicating its potential as a novel cosmeceutical ingredient and anti-pigmentation therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ee Chan Song
- Remedi Co., Ltd., Research Center, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Chanho Park
- Remedi Co., Ltd., Research Center, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Yungyeong Shin
- Remedi Co., Ltd., Research Center, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Wan Ki Kim
- Remedi Co., Ltd., Research Center, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Bum Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongmin Cho
- Remedi Co., Ltd., Research Center, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
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34
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Härk HH, Porosk L, de Mello LR, Arukuusk P, da Silva ER, Kurrikoff K. Modification of the Linker Amino Acid in the Cell-Penetrating Peptide NickFect55 Leads to Enhanced pDNA Transfection for In Vivo Applications. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030883. [PMID: 36986744 PMCID: PMC10051810 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite numerous efforts over the last three decades, nucleic acid-based therapeutics still lack delivery platforms in the clinical stage. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) may offer solutions as potential delivery vectors. We have previously shown that designing a “kinked” structure in the peptide backbone resulted in a CPP with efficient in vitro transfection properties. Further optimization of the charge distribution in the C-terminal part of the peptide led to potent in vivo activity with the resultant CPP NickFect55 (NF55). Currently, the impact of the linker amino acid was further investigated in the CPP NF55, with the aim to discover potential transfection reagents for in vivo application. Taking into account the expression of the delivered reporter in the lung tissue of mice, and the cell transfection in the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, the new peptides NF55-Dap and NF55-Dab* have a high potential for delivering nucleic acid-based therapeutics to treat lung associated diseases, such as adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleri H. Härk
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (L.P.); (P.A.); (K.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ly Porosk
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (L.P.); (P.A.); (K.K.)
| | - Lucas R. de Mello
- Departamento de Biofisica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil; (L.R.d.M.); (E.R.d.S.)
| | - Piret Arukuusk
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (L.P.); (P.A.); (K.K.)
| | - Emerson R. da Silva
- Departamento de Biofisica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil; (L.R.d.M.); (E.R.d.S.)
| | - Kaido Kurrikoff
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (L.P.); (P.A.); (K.K.)
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35
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Laniel A, Marouseau É, Nguyen DT, Froehlich U, McCartney C, Boudreault PL, Lavoie C. Characterization of PGua 4, a Guanidinium-Rich Peptoid that Delivers IgGs to the Cytosol via Macropinocytosis. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:1577-1590. [PMID: 36781165 PMCID: PMC9997486 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the structure-cellular penetration relationship of guanidinium-rich transporters (GRTs), we previously designed PGua4, a five-amino acid peptoid containing a conformationally restricted pattern of eight guanidines, which showed high cell-penetrating abilities and low cell toxicity. Herein, we characterized the cellular uptake selectivity, internalization pathway, and intracellular distribution of PGua4, as well as its capacity to deliver cargo. PGua4 exhibits higher penetration efficiency in HeLa cells than in six other cell lines (A549, Caco-2, fibroblast, HEK293, Mia-PaCa2, and MCF7) and is mainly internalized by clathrin-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis. Confocal microscopy showed that it remained trapped in endosomes at low concentrations but induced pH-dependent endosomal membrane destabilization at concentrations ≥10 μM, allowing its diffusion into the cytoplasm. Importantly, PGua4 significantly enhanced macropinocytosis and the cellular uptake and cytosolic delivery of large IgGs following noncovalent complexation. Therefore, in addition to its peptoid nature conferring high resistance to proteolysis, PGua4 presents characteristics of a promising tool for IgG delivery and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréanne Laniel
- Institut de Pharmacologie
de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty
of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université
de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Étienne Marouseau
- Institut de Pharmacologie
de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty
of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université
de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Duc Tai Nguyen
- Institut de Pharmacologie
de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty
of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université
de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Ulrike Froehlich
- Institut de Pharmacologie
de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty
of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université
de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Claire McCartney
- Institut de Pharmacologie
de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty
of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université
de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Pierre-Luc Boudreault
- Institut de Pharmacologie
de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty
of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université
de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Christine Lavoie
- Institut de Pharmacologie
de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty
of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université
de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
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36
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Topical Delivery of Cell-Penetrating Peptide-Modified Human Growth Hormone for Enhanced Wound Healing. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030394. [PMID: 36986493 PMCID: PMC10053240 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein drugs have been emerging as a class of promising therapeutics. However, their topical application has been limited by their high molecular weight and poor permeability to the cell membrane. In this study, we aimed to enhance human growth hormone (hGH) permeability for topical application by conjugation of TAT peptide, a cell-penetrating peptide, to hGH via crosslinker. After TAT was conjugated to hGH, TAT-hGH was purified by affinity chromatography. TAT-hGH significantly increased cell proliferation compared with the control. Interestingly, the effect of TAT-hGH was higher than hGH at the same concentration. Furthermore, the conjugation of TAT to hGH enhanced the permeability of TAT-hGH across the cell membrane without affecting its biological activity in vitro. In vivo, the topical application of TAT-hGH into scar tissue markedly accelerated wound healing. Histological results showed that TAT-hGH dramatically promoted the re-epithelialization of wounds in the initial stage. These results demonstrate TAT-hGH as a new therapeutic potential drug for wound healing treatment. This study also provides a new method for topical protein application via enhancement of their permeability.
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37
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Cataldi E, Raschig M, Gutmann M, Geppert PT, Ruopp M, Schock M, Gerwe H, Bertermann R, Meinel L, Finze M, Nowak-Król A, Decker M, Lühmann T. Amber Light Control of Peptide Secondary Structure by a Perfluoroaromatic Azobenzene Photoswitch. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200570. [PMID: 36567253 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The incorporation of photoswitches into the molecular structure of peptides and proteins enables their dynamic photocontrol in complex biological systems. Here, a perfluorinated azobenzene derivative triggered by amber light was site-specifically conjugated to cysteines in a helical peptide by perfluoroarylation chemistry. In response to the photoisomerization (trans→cis) of the conjugated azobenzene with amber light, the secondary structure of the peptide was modulated from a disorganized into an amphiphilic helical structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Cataldi
- Universität Würzburg, Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martina Raschig
- Universität Würzburg, Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Gutmann
- Universität Würzburg, Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Patrick T Geppert
- Universität Würzburg, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Institute for Sustainable Chemistry and Catalysis with Boron, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Ruopp
- Universität Würzburg, Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marvin Schock
- Universität Würzburg, Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hubert Gerwe
- Universität Würzburg, Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Bertermann
- Universität Würzburg, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Institute for Sustainable Chemistry and Catalysis with Boron, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lorenz Meinel
- Universität Würzburg, Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maik Finze
- Universität Würzburg, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Institute for Sustainable Chemistry and Catalysis with Boron, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Agnieszka Nowak-Król
- Universität Würzburg, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Institute for Sustainable Chemistry and Catalysis with Boron, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Decker
- Universität Würzburg, Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tessa Lühmann
- Universität Würzburg, Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
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38
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Narula P, Kiruthika S, Chowdhari S, Vivekanandan P, Chugh A. Inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) by Tachyplesin, a Marine Antimicrobial Cell-Penetrating Peptide. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020672. [PMID: 36839994 PMCID: PMC9962029 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigate the role of Tachyplesin (Tpl), a marine antimicrobial cell-penetrating peptide, as an anti-HBV agent. Our findings, using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, demonstrate the internalization of FITC-Tpl in both Huh7 and HepG2 cell lines. Further, our results show that Tpl inhibits the expression of HBV proteins, including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B 'e' antigen (HBeAg) in cell supernatants of human liver cell lines transfected with 1.3× pHBV. Interestingly Tpl also reduces levels of HBV pre-core RNA and HBV pregenomic RNA, suggesting that Tpl-mediated inhibition occurs at the early stages of HBV replication, including viral transcription. In addition, Tpl led to a significant reduction in levels of hepatitis B virion secretion. In sum, here we demonstrate the potent anti-HBV activity of Tpl at non-cytotoxic concentrations indicating the potential of Tpl to emerge as an effective therapeutic peptide against HBV.
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39
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Al Musaimi O, Morse SV, Lombardi L, Serban S, Basso A, Williams DR. Successful synthesis of a glial-specific blood-brain barrier shuttle peptide following a fragment condensation approach on a solid-phase resin. J Pept Sci 2023; 29:e3448. [PMID: 35997639 PMCID: PMC10078400 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3448] [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: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Successful manual synthesis of the TD2.2 peptide acting as a blood-brain barrier shuttle was achieved. TD2.2 was successfully synthesised by sequential condensation of four protected peptide fragments on solid-phase settings, after several unsuccessful attempts using the stepwise approach. These fragments were chosen to minimise the number of demanding amino acids (in terms of coupling, Fmoc removal) in each fragment that are expected to hamper the overall synthetic process. Thus, the hydrophobic amino acids as well as Arg(Pbf) were strategically spread over multiple fragments rather than having them congested in one fragment. This study shows how a peptide that shows big challenges in the synthesis using the common stepwise elongation methodology can be synthesised with an acceptable purity. It also emphasises that choosing the right fragment with certain amino acid constituents is key for a successful synthesis. It is worth highlighting that lower amounts of reagents were required to synthesise the final peptide with an identical purity to that obtained by the automatic synthesiser.
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Affiliation(s)
- Othman Al Musaimi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.,The Sargent Centre for Process Systems Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sophie V Morse
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Lucia Lombardi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.,The Sargent Centre for Process Systems Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Daryl R Williams
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
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40
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Ghaly G, Tallima H, Dabbish E, Badr ElDin N, Abd El-Rahman MK, Ibrahim MAA, Shoeib T. Anti-Cancer Peptides: Status and Future Prospects. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031148. [PMID: 36770815 PMCID: PMC9920184 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The dramatic rise in cancer incidence, alongside treatment deficiencies, has elevated cancer to the second-leading cause of death globally. The increasing morbidity and mortality of this disease can be traced back to a number of causes, including treatment-related side effects, drug resistance, inadequate curative treatment and tumor relapse. Recently, anti-cancer bioactive peptides (ACPs) have emerged as a potential therapeutic choice within the pharmaceutical arsenal due to their high penetration, specificity and fewer side effects. In this contribution, we present a general overview of the literature concerning the conformational structures, modes of action and membrane interaction mechanisms of ACPs, as well as provide recent examples of their successful employment as targeting ligands in cancer treatment. The use of ACPs as a diagnostic tool is summarized, and their advantages in these applications are highlighted. This review expounds on the main approaches for peptide synthesis along with their reconstruction and modification needed to enhance their therapeutic effect. Computational approaches that could predict therapeutic efficacy and suggest ACP candidates for experimental studies are discussed. Future research prospects in this rapidly expanding area are also offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gehane Ghaly
- Department of Chemistry, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Hatem Tallima
- Department of Chemistry, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Eslam Dabbish
- Department of Chemistry, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Norhan Badr ElDin
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr-El Aini Street, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Mohamed K. Abd El-Rahman
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr-El Aini Street, Cairo 11562, Egypt
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Mahmoud A. A. Ibrahim
- Computational Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt
- School of Health Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal, Westville, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Tamer Shoeib
- Department of Chemistry, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
- Correspondence:
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41
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Gao Y, Liu X, Chen N, Yang X, Tang F. Recent Advance of Liposome Nanoparticles for Nucleic Acid Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15010178. [PMID: 36678807 PMCID: PMC9864445 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy, as an emerging therapeutic approach, has shown remarkable advantages in the treatment of some major diseases. With the deepening of genomics research, people have gradually realized that the emergence and development of many diseases are related to genetic abnormalities. Therefore, nucleic acid drugs are gradually becoming a new boon in the treatment of diseases (especially tumors and genetic diseases). It is conservatively estimated that the global market of nucleic acid drugs will exceed $20 billion by 2025. They are simple in design, mature in synthesis, and have good biocompatibility. However, the shortcomings of nucleic acid, such as poor stability, low bioavailability, and poor targeting, greatly limit the clinical application of nucleic acid. Liposome nanoparticles can wrap nucleic acid drugs in internal cavities, increase the stability of nucleic acid and prolong blood circulation time, thus improving the transfection efficiency. This review focuses on the recent advances and potential applications of liposome nanoparticles modified with nucleic acid drugs (DNA, RNA, and ASO) and different chemical molecules (peptides, polymers, dendrimers, fluorescent molecules, magnetic nanoparticles, and receptor targeting molecules). The ability of liposome nanoparticles to deliver nucleic acid drugs is also discussed in detail. We hope that this review will help researchers design safer and more efficient liposome nanoparticles, and accelerate the application of nucleic acid drugs in gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongguang Gao
- Tangshan Key Laboratory of Green Speciality Chemicals, Department of Chemistry, Tangshan Normal University, Tangshan 063000, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Xinhua Liu
- Tangshan Key Laboratory of Green Speciality Chemicals, Department of Chemistry, Tangshan Normal University, Tangshan 063000, China
| | - Na Chen
- Tangshan Key Laboratory of Green Speciality Chemicals, Department of Chemistry, Tangshan Normal University, Tangshan 063000, China
| | - Xiaochun Yang
- Tangshan Key Laboratory of Green Speciality Chemicals, Department of Chemistry, Tangshan Normal University, Tangshan 063000, China
| | - Fang Tang
- The Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE, Future Technologies), Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
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42
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Progress in oral insulin delivery by PLGA nanoparticles for the management of diabetes. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103393. [PMID: 36208724 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Currently, the only practical way to treat type 1 and advanced insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1/2DM) is the frequent subcutaneous injection of insulin, which is significantly different physiologically from endogenous insulin secretion from pancreatic islets and can lead to hyperinsulinemia, pain, and infection in patients with poor compliance. Hence, oral insulin delivery has been actively pursued to revolutionize the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes. In this review, we provide an overview of recent progress in developing poly(lactic co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) for oral insulin delivery. Different strategies for insulin-loaded PLGA NPs to achieve normoglycemic effects are discussed. Finally, challenges and future perspectives of PLGA NPs for oral insulin delivery are put forward.
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43
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Pang H, Huang X, Xu ZP, Chen C, Han FY. Progress in oral insulin delivery by PLGA nanoparticles for the management of diabetes. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103393. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2024]
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44
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Bottens RA, Yamada T. Cell-Penetrating Peptides (CPPs) as Therapeutic and Diagnostic Agents for Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225546. [PMID: 36428639 PMCID: PMC9688740 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-Penetrating Peptides (CPPs) are short peptides consisting of <30 amino acids. Their ability to translocate through the cell membrane while carrying large cargo biomolecules has been the topic of pre-clinical and clinical trials. The ability to deliver cargo complexes through membranes yields potential for therapeutics and diagnostics for diseases such as cancer. Upon cellular entry, some CPPs have the ability to target specific organelles. CPP-based intracellular targeting strategies hold tremendous potential as they can improve efficacy and reduce toxicities and side effects. Further, recent clinical trials show a significant potential for future CPP-based cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize recent advances in CPPs based on systematic searches in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases until 30 September 2022. We highlight targeted delivery and explore the potential uses for CPPs as diagnostics, drug delivery, and intrinsic anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A. Bottens
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Tohru Yamada
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Richard & Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and Engineering, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Correspondence:
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45
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Strategies for Improving Peptide Stability and Delivery. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15101283. [PMID: 36297395 PMCID: PMC9610364 DOI: 10.3390/ph15101283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides play an important role in many fields, including immunology, medical diagnostics, and drug discovery, due to their high specificity and positive safety profile. However, for their delivery as active pharmaceutical ingredients, delivery vectors, or diagnostic imaging molecules, they suffer from two serious shortcomings: their poor metabolic stability and short half-life. Major research efforts are being invested to tackle those drawbacks, where structural modifications and novel delivery tactics have been developed to boost their ability to reach their targets as fully functional species. The benefit of selected technologies for enhancing the resistance of peptides against enzymatic degradation pathways and maximizing their therapeutic impact are also reviewed. Special note of cell-penetrating peptides as delivery vectors, as well as stapled modified peptides, which have demonstrated superior stability from their parent peptides, are reported.
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46
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Cardenas AE, Hunter A, Wang H, Elber R. ScMiles2: A Script to Conduct and Analyze Milestoning Trajectories for Long Time Dynamics. J Chem Theory Comput 2022; 18:6952-6965. [PMID: 36191005 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.2c00708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Milestoning is a theory and an algorithm that computes kinetics and thermodynamics at long time scales. It is based on partitioning the (phase) space into cells and running a large number of short trajectories between the boundaries of the cells. The termination points of the trajectories are analyzed with the Milestoning theory to obtain kinetic and thermodynamic information. Managing the tens to hundreds of thousands of Milestoning trajectories is a challenge, which we handle with a python script, ScMiles. Here, we introduce a new version of the python script ScMiles2 to conduct Milestoning simulations. Major enhancements are: (i) post analysis of Milestoning trajectories to obtain the free energy, mean first passage time, the committor function, and exit times; (ii) similar to (i) but the post analysis is for a single long trajectory; (iii) we support the use of the GROMACS software in addition to NAMD; (iv) a restart option; (v) the automated finding, sampling, and launching trajectories from new milestones that are found on the fly; and (vi) support Milestoning calculations with several coarse variables and for complex reaction coordinates. We also evaluate the simulation parameters and suggest new algorithmic features to enhance the rate of convergence of observables. We propose the use of an iteration-averaged kinetic matrix for a rapid approach to asymptotic values. Illustrations are provided for small systems and one large example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo E Cardenas
- The Oden Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Allison Hunter
- The Oden Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Hao Wang
- The Oden Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States.,Qingdao Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences, Institute of Frontier and Interdisciplinary Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Ron Elber
- The Oden Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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47
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Abbas G, Cardenas AE, Elber R. The Structures of Heterogeneous Membranes and Their Interactions with an Anticancer Peptide: A Molecular Dynamics Study. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:1473. [PMID: 36294908 PMCID: PMC9604715 DOI: 10.3390/life12101473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
We conduct molecular dynamics simulations of model heterogeneous membranes and their interactions with a 24-amino acid peptide-NAF-144-67. NAF-144-67 is an anticancer peptide that selectively permeates and kills malignant cells; it does not permeate normal cells. We examine three membranes with different binary mixtures of lipids, DOPC-DOPA, DOPC-DOPS, and DOPC-DOPE, with a single peptide embedded in each as models for the diversity of biological membranes. We illustrate that the peptide organization in the membrane depends on the types of nearby phospholipids and is influenced by the charge and size of the head groups. The present study sheds light on early events of permeation and the mechanisms by which an amphiphilic peptide crosses from an aqueous solution to a hydrophobic membrane. Understanding the translocation mechanism is likely to help the design of new permeants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Abbas
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan or
| | - Alfredo E. Cardenas
- Oden Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Ron Elber
- Oden Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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48
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AIEgen-Peptide Bioprobes for the Imaging of Organelles. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12080667. [PMID: 36005064 PMCID: PMC9406086 DOI: 10.3390/bios12080667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Organelles are important subsystems of cells. The damage and inactivation of organelles are closely related to the occurrence of diseases. Organelles’ functional activity can be observed by fluorescence molecular tools. Nowadays, a series of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) bioprobes with organelles-targeting ability have emerged, showing great potential in visualizing the interactions between probes and different organelles. Among them, AIE luminogen (AIEgen)-based peptide bioprobes have attracted more and more attention from researchers due to their good biocompatibility and photostability and abundant diversity. In this review, we summarize the progress of AIEgen-peptide bioprobes in targeting organelles, including the cell membrane, nucleus, mitochondria, lysosomes and endoplasmic reticulum, in recent years. The structural characteristics and biological applications of these bioprobes are discussed, and the development prospect of this field is forecasted. It is hoped that this review will provide guidance for the development of AIEgen-peptide bioprobes at the organelles level and provide a reference for related biomedical research.
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Su L, Sun Z, Qi F, Su H, Qian L, Li J, Zuo L, Huang J, Yu Z, Li J, Chen Z, Zhang S. GRP75-driven, cell-cycle-dependent macropinocytosis of Tat/pDNA-Ca 2+ nanoparticles underlies distinct gene therapy effect in ovarian cancer. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:340. [PMID: 35858873 PMCID: PMC9301890 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01530-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Practice of tumor-targeted suicide gene therapy is hampered by unsafe and low efficient delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA). Using HIV-Tat-derived peptide (Tat) to non-covalently form Tat/pDNA complexes advances the delivery performance. However, this innovative approach is still limited by intracellular delivery efficiency and cell-cycle status. In this study, Tat/pDNA complexes were further condensed into smaller, nontoxic nanoparticles by Ca2+ addition. Formulated Tat/pDNA-Ca2+ nanoparticles mainly use macropinocytosis for intercellular delivery, and their macropinocytic uptake was persisted in mitosis (M-) phase and highly activated in DNA synthesis (S-) phase of cell-cycle. Over-expression or phosphorylation of a mitochondrial chaperone, 75-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP75), promoted monopolar spindle kinase 1 (MPS1)-controlled centrosome duplication and cell-cycle progress, but also driven cell-cycle-dependent macropinocytosis of Tat/pDNA-Ca2+ nanoparticles. Further in vivo molecular imaging based on DF (Fluc-eGFP)-TF (RFP-Rluc-HSV-ttk) system showed that Tat/pDNA-Ca2+ nanoparticles exhibited highly suicide gene therapy efficiency in mouse model xenografted with human ovarian cancer. Furthermore, arresting cell-cycle at S-phase markedly enhanced delivery performance of Tat/pDNA-Ca2+ nanoparticles, whereas targeting GRP75 reduced their macropinocytic delivery. More importantly, in vivo targeting GRP75 combined with cell-cycle or macropinocytosis inhibitors exhibited distinct suicide gene therapy efficiency. In summary, our data highlight that mitochondrial chaperone GRP75 moonlights as a biphasic driver underlying cell-cycle-dependent macropinocytosis of Tat/pDNA-Ca2+ nanoparticles in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linjia Su
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Nankai District, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Weijin Road 92, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Fangzheng Qi
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Nankai District, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China
| | - Huishan Su
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Nankai District, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China
| | - Luomeng Qian
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Nankai District, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Nankai District, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Zuo
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Nankai District, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhai Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Weijin Road 92, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Zhilin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Weijin Road 94, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jinping Li
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 75123, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Zhinan Chen
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Sihe Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Nankai District, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China.
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Kaur J, Gulati M, Kapoor B, Jha NK, Gupta PK, Gupta G, Chellappan DK, Devkota HP, Prasher P, Ansari MS, Aba Alkhayl FF, Arshad MF, Morris A, Choonara YE, Adams J, Dua K, Singh SK. Advances in designing of polymeric micelles for biomedical application in brain related diseases. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 361:109960. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.109960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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