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Chen Y, Song S, Sun Y, Wu F, Yang G, Wang Z, Yu M. Small animal PET imaging with the 68Ga-labeled pH (low) insertion peptide-like peptide YJL-4 in a triple-negative breast cancer mouse model. EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem 2024; 9:33. [PMID: 38678139 PMCID: PMC11055835 DOI: 10.1186/s41181-024-00267-x] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to prepare a novel 68Ga-labeled pH (low) insertion peptide (pHLIP)-like peptide, YJL-4, and determine its value for the early diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) via in vivo imaging of tumor-bearing nude mice. The novel peptide YJL-4 was designed using a template-assisted method and synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis. After modification with the chelator 1,4,7‑triazacyclononane-N,N',N″-triacetic acid (NOTA), the peptide was labeled with 68Ga. Then, the biodistribution of 68Ga-YJL-4 in tumor-bearing nude mice was investigated, and the mice were imaged by small animal positron emission tomography (PET). RESULTS The radiochemical yield and radiochemical purity of 68Ga-YJL-4 were 89.5 ± 0.16% and 97.95 ± 0.06%, respectively. The biodistribution of 68Ga-YJL-4 in tumors (5.94 ± 1.27% ID/g, 6.72 ± 1.69% ID/g and 4.54 ± 0.58% ID/g at 1, 2 and 4 h after injection, respectively) was significantly greater than that of the control peptide in tumors at the corresponding time points (P < 0.01). Of the measured off-target organs, 68Ga-YJL-4 was highly distributed in the liver and blood. The small animal PET imaging results were consistent with the biodistribution results. The tumors were visualized by PET at 2 and 4 h after the injection of 68Ga-YJL-4. No tumors were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS The novel pHLIP family peptide YJL-4 can adopt an α-helical structure for easy insertion into the cell membrane in an acidic environment. 68Ga-YJL-4 was produced in high radiochemical yield with good stability and can target TNBC tissue. Moreover, the strong concentration of radioactive 68Ga-YJL-4 in the abdomen does not hinder the imaging of early TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- YueHua Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - ShuangShuang Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - YanQin Sun
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - FengYu Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - GuangJie Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - ZhenGuang Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266100, China.
| | - MingMing Yu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266100, China.
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Degro CE, Jiménez-Vargas NN, Tsang Q, Yu Y, Guzman-Rodriguez M, Alizadeh E, Hurlbut D, Reed DE, Lomax AE, Stein C, Bunnett NW, Vanner SJ. Evolving acidic microenvironments during colitis provide selective analgesic targets for a pH-sensitive opioid. Pain 2023; 164:2501-2515. [PMID: 37326658 PMCID: PMC10731875 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002956] [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: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Targeting the acidified inflammatory microenvironment with pH-sensitive opioids is a novel approach for managing visceral pain while mitigating side effects. The analgesic efficacy of pH-dependent opioids has not been studied during the evolution of inflammation, where fluctuating tissue pH and repeated therapeutic dosing could influence analgesia and side effects. Whether pH-dependent opioids can inhibit human nociceptors during extracellular acidification is unexplored. We studied the analgesic efficacy and side-effect profile of a pH-sensitive fentanyl analog, (±)- N -(3-fluoro-1-phenethylpiperidine-4-yl)- N -phenyl propionamide (NFEPP), during the evolution of colitis induced in mice with dextran sulphate sodium. Colitis was characterized by granulocyte infiltration, histological damage, and acidification of the mucosa and submucosa at sites of immune cell infiltration. Changes in nociception were determined by measuring visceromotor responses to noxious colorectal distension in conscious mice. Repeated doses of NFEPP inhibited nociception throughout the course of disease, with maximal efficacy at the peak of inflammation. Fentanyl was antinociceptive regardless of the stage of inflammation. Fentanyl inhibited gastrointestinal transit, blocked defaecation, and induced hypoxemia, whereas NFEPP had no such side effects. In proof-of-principle experiments, NFEPP inhibited mechanically provoked activation of human colonic nociceptors under acidic conditions mimicking the inflamed state. Thus, NFEPP provides analgesia throughout the evolution of colitis with maximal activity at peak inflammation. The actions of NFEPP are restricted to acidified layers of the colon, without common side effects in normal tissues. N -(3-fluoro-1-phenethylpiperidine-4-yl)- N -phenyl propionamide could provide safe and effective analgesia during acute colitis, such as flares of ulcerative colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudius E. Degro
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Kingston General Hospital, Queeńs University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Quentin Tsang
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Kingston General Hospital, Queeńs University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yang Yu
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Kingston General Hospital, Queeńs University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mabel Guzman-Rodriguez
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Kingston General Hospital, Queeńs University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elahe Alizadeh
- Queen’s Cardiopulmonary Unit (QCPU), Translational Institute of Medicine (TIME), Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Hurlbut
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Kingston General Hospital, Queeńs University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queeńs University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - David E. Reed
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Kingston General Hospital, Queeńs University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alan E. Lomax
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Kingston General Hospital, Queeńs University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christoph Stein
- Department of Experimental Anaesthesiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nigel W. Bunnett
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Stephen J. Vanner
- Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Kingston General Hospital, Queeńs University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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3
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Chu T, Cao B, Wang P, Li B, Ren J, Nie G, Wei J, Li S. Tumor-Targeted Delivery of IL-2 by Fusing with a pH Low Insertion Peptide for Antitumor Immunotherapy. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:1894-1901. [PMID: 37787935 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
As a pleiotropic cytokine, interleukin-2 (IL-2) can effectively regulate lymphocyte proliferation, survival, and active antitumor immune responses in tumor microenvironments. Although the ability of IL-2 to boost immune responses was reported in cancer patients, its short circulating half-life and high toxicity hinder its broad and continual clinical application. Herein, we developed a novel tumor target agent by fusing pH low insertion peptides (pHLIP) with IL-2, forming the fusion protein pHLIP-IL2. Based on the low pH insertion property of pHLIP, the pHLIP-IL2 fusion protein could be selectively delivered to the acidic tumor microenvironments and then promote the proliferation of killer immune cells to elicit tumor regression. We found that pHLIP-IL2 fusion proteins can be significantly enriched in tumor tissues and can effectively reduce tumor size in diverse tumor models, including breast cancer and melanoma, without apparent adverse effects. These data suggest that the pHLIP-IL2 fusion protein may be a promising solution for the continual and extensive application of IL-2, and pHLIP-IL2 is a potential and valuable therapeutic drug for cancer patients with antitumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjiao Chu
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Bowei Cao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Peina Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
- College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei Province, China
| | - Bozhao Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jinna Ren
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Guangjun Nie
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
- GBA Research Innovation Institute for Nanotechnology, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Jingyan Wei
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Suping Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
- GBA Research Innovation Institute for Nanotechnology, Guangzhou 510530, China
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4
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Wachira FW, Githirwa DC, McPartlon T, Nazarenko V, Gonzales JJC, Gazura MM, Leen C, Clary HR, Alston C, Klees LM, Yao L, An M. D-to-E and T19V Variants of the pH-Low Insertion Peptide and Their Doxorubicin Conjugates Interact with Membrane at Higher pH Ranges Than WT. Biochemistry 2023; 62:2997-3011. [PMID: 37793002 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00218] [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] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
To improve targeted cargo delivery to cancer cells, pH-Low Insertion Peptide (pHLIP) variants were developed to interact with the membrane at pH values higher than those of the WT. The Asp-to-Glu variants aim to increase side chain pKa without disturbing the sequence of protonations that underpin membrane insertion. The Thr19 variants represent efforts to perturb the critical Pro20 residue. To study the effect of cargo on pHLIP insertion, doxorubicin (Dox), a fluorescent antineoplastic drug, was conjugated to selected variants near the inserting C-terminus. Variants and conjugates were characterized on a POPC membrane using Trp and Dox fluorescence methods to define the entire pH range of insertion (pHinitial-pHfinal). Compared to WT with a pHi-pHf range of 6.7-5.6, D25E-D31E-D33E, D14E-D25E-D31E-D33E, and T19V-D25E variants demonstrated higher pHi-pHf ranges of 7.3-6.1, 7.3-6.3, and 8.2-5.4, respectively. The addition of Dox expanded the pHi-pHf range, mainly by shifting pHi to higher pH values (e.g., WT pHLIP-Dox has a pHi-pHf range of 7.7-5.2). Despite the low Hill coefficient observed for the conjugates, D14E-D25E-D31E-D33E pHLIP-Dox completed insertion by a pHf of 5.7. However, the Dox cargo remained in the hydrophobic membrane interior after pHLIP insertion, which may impede drug release. Finally, a logistic function can describe pHLIP insertion as a peripheral-to-TM (start-to-finish) two-state transition; wherever possible, we discuss data deviating from such sigmoidal fitting in support of the idea that pH-specific intermediate states distinct from the initial peripheral state and the final TM state exist at intervening pH values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith W Wachira
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Dancan C Githirwa
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Thomas McPartlon
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Vladyslav Nazarenko
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Jerel J C Gonzales
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Makenzie M Gazura
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Caitlin Leen
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Hannah R Clary
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Claire Alston
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Lukas M Klees
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Lan Yao
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
- Department of Physics, SUNY, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Ming An
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
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5
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Yi W, Xiao P, Liu X, Zhao Z, Sun X, Wang J, Zhou L, Wang G, Cao H, Wang D, Li Y. Recent advances in developing active targeting and multi-functional drug delivery systems via bioorthogonal chemistry. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:386. [PMID: 36460660 PMCID: PMC9716178 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01250-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioorthogonal chemistry reactions occur in physiological conditions without interfering with normal physiological processes. Through metabolic engineering, bioorthogonal groups can be tagged onto cell membranes, which selectively attach to cargos with paired groups via bioorthogonal reactions. Due to its simplicity, high efficiency, and specificity, bioorthogonal chemistry has demonstrated great application potential in drug delivery. On the one hand, bioorthogonal reactions improve therapeutic agent delivery to target sites, overcoming off-target distribution. On the other hand, nanoparticles and biomolecules can be linked to cell membranes by bioorthogonal reactions, providing approaches to developing multi-functional drug delivery systems (DDSs). In this review, we first describe the principle of labeling cells or pathogenic microorganisms with bioorthogonal groups. We then highlight recent breakthroughs in developing active targeting DDSs to tumors, immune systems, or bacteria by bioorthogonal chemistry, as well as applications of bioorthogonal chemistry in developing functional bio-inspired DDSs (biomimetic DDSs, cell-based DDSs, bacteria-based and phage-based DDSs) and hydrogels. Finally, we discuss the difficulties and prospective direction of bioorthogonal chemistry in drug delivery. We expect this review will help us understand the latest advances in the development of active targeting and multi-functional DDSs using bioorthogonal chemistry and inspire innovative applications of bioorthogonal chemistry in developing smart DDSs for disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhe Yi
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Drug Research & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Ping Xiao
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Drug Research & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Xiaochen Liu
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Drug Research & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Zitong Zhao
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Drug Research & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Xiangshi Sun
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Drug Research & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Jue Wang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Drug Research & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Lei Zhou
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Drug Research & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Guanru Wang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Drug Research & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Haiqiang Cao
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Drug Research & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Dangge Wang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Drug Research & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China ,Yantai Key Laboratory of Nanomedicine & Advanced Preparations, Yantai Institute of Materia Medica, Yantai, 264000 China
| | - Yaping Li
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Drug Research & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China ,Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, 264000 China
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6
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Wilson AD, Richards MA, Curtis MK, Gunadasa-Rohling M, Monterisi S, Loonat AA, Miller JJ, Ball V, Lewis A, Tyler DJ, Moshnikova A, Andreev OA, Reshetnyak YK, Carr C, Swietach P. Acidic environments trigger intracellular H+-sensing FAK proteins to re-balance sarcolemmal acid-base transporters and auto-regulate cardiomyocyte pH. Cardiovasc Res 2022; 118:2946-2959. [PMID: 34897412 PMCID: PMC9648823 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS In cardiomyocytes, acute disturbances to intracellular pH (pHi) are promptly corrected by a system of finely tuned sarcolemmal acid-base transporters. However, these fluxes become thermodynamically re-balanced in acidic environments, which inadvertently causes their set-point pHi to fall outside the physiological range. It is unclear whether an adaptive mechanism exists to correct this thermodynamic challenge, and return pHi to normal. METHODS AND RESULTS Following left ventricle cryo-damage, a diffuse pattern of low extracellular pH (pHe) was detected by acid-sensing pHLIP. Despite this, pHi measured in the beating heart (13C NMR) was normal. Myocytes had adapted to their acidic environment by reducing Cl-/HCO3- exchange (CBE)-dependent acid-loading and increasing Na+/H+ exchange (NHE1)-dependent acid-extrusion, as measured by fluorescence (cSNARF1). The outcome of this adaptation on pHi is revealed as a cytoplasmic alkalinization when cells are superfused at physiological pHe. Conversely, mice given oral bicarbonate (to improve systemic buffering) had reduced myocardial NHE1 expression, consistent with a needs-dependent expression of pHi-regulatory transporters. The response to sustained acidity could be replicated in vitro using neonatal ventricular myocytes incubated at low pHe for 48 h. The adaptive increase in NHE1 and decrease in CBE activities was linked to Slc9a1 (NHE1) up-regulation and Slc4a2 (AE2) down-regulation. This response was triggered by intracellular H+ ions because it persisted in the absence of CO2/HCO3- and became ablated when acidic incubation media had lower chloride, a solution manoeuvre that reduces the extent of pHi-decrease. Pharmacological inhibition of FAK-family non-receptor kinases, previously characterized as pH-sensors, ablated this pHi autoregulation. In support of a pHi-sensing role, FAK protein Pyk2 (auto)phosphorylation was reduced within minutes of exposure to acidity, ahead of adaptive changes to pHi control. CONCLUSIONS Cardiomyocytes fine-tune the expression of pHi-regulators so that pHi is at least 7.0. This autoregulatory feedback mechanism defines physiological pHi and protects it during pHe vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail D Wilson
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Mark A Richards
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - M Kate Curtis
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Mala Gunadasa-Rohling
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Stefania Monterisi
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Aminah A Loonat
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Jack J Miller
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
- Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, UK
- Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR), Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Level 0, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Vicky Ball
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Andrew Lewis
- Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR), Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Level 0, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Damian J Tyler
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
- Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR), Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Level 0, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Anna Moshnikova
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippitt Rd, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Oleg A Andreev
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippitt Rd, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Yana K Reshetnyak
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippitt Rd, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Carolyn Carr
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Pawel Swietach
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
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7
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Sharma GP, Meyer AC, Habeeb S, Karbach M, Müller G. Free-energy landscapes and insertion pathways for peptides in membrane environment. Phys Rev E 2022; 106:014404. [PMID: 35974613 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.106.014404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Free-energy landscapes for short peptides-specifically for variants of the pH low insertion peptide (pHLIP)-in the heterogeneous environment of a lipid bilayer or cell membrane are constructed, taking into account a set of dominant interactions and the conformational preferences of the peptide backbone. Our methodology interprets broken internal H-bonds along the backbone of a polypeptide as statistically interacting quasiparticles, activated from the helix reference state. The favored conformation depends on the local environment (ranging from polar to nonpolar), specifically on the availability of external H-bonds (with H_{2}O molecules or lipid headgroups) to replace internal H-bonds. The dominant side-chain contribution is accounted for by residue-specific transfer free energies between polar and nonpolar environments. The free-energy landscape is sensitive to the level of pH in the aqueous environment surrounding the membrane. For high pH, we identify pathways of descending free energy that suggest a coexistence of membrane-adsorbed peptides with peptides in solution. A drop in pH raises the degree of protonation of negatively charged residues and thus increases the hydrophobicity of peptide segments near the C terminus. For low pH, we identify insertion pathways between the membrane-adsorbed state and a stable trans-membrane state with the C terminus having crossed the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganga P Sharma
- Department of Physics, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, USA
| | - Aaron C Meyer
- Department of Physics, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, USA
| | - Suhail Habeeb
- Department of Physics, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, USA
| | - Michael Karbach
- Fachgruppe Physik, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, D-42097 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Gerhard Müller
- Department of Physics, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, USA
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8
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Chen Y, Su Y, Pang X, Song X, Zhao W, Yu M. Synthesis and Evaluation of Technetium-99m-Labeled pH (Low) Insertion Peptide Variant 7 for Early Diagnosis of MDA-MB-231 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:869260. [PMID: 35530359 PMCID: PMC9069674 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.869260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To prepare technetium-99m (99mTc)-labeled pH (low) insertion peptide variant 7 [pHLIP (Var7)] and carry out small-animal single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) imaging of tumor-bearing nude mice in vivo to study its value in the early diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Methods The pHLIP (Var7) sequence was synthesized via solid-phase peptide synthesis. Four amino acids, Gly-(D)-Ala-Gly-Gly, were attached to the N-terminus of pHLIP (Var7) to form a strong chelating group containing an N4 structure. The peptide was labeled with 99mTc using a direct labeling method. We determined the in vitro binding fraction of 99mTc-pHLIP (Var7) to MDA-MB-231 cells. Serial biodistribution studies and small-animal SPECT/CT imaging in MDA-MB-231 TNBC-bearing mice were performed using 99mTc-pHLIP (Var7). Results The radiochemical yield and purity of 99mTc-pHLIP (Var7) were 99.49 ± 0.17% and 99.63 ± 0.44%, respectively. The radiochemical purity was still more than 96% after 24 h in serum. The binding fraction of 99mTc-pHLIP (Var7) to MDA-MB-231 cells continuously increased in an acidic environment and was significantly higher than the cell-binding fraction (P < 0.01) at pH = 7.4 and the cell-binding fraction (P < 0.01) of 99mTc-kVar7 at different pH values (pH = 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 and 7.4) at each time point (P < 0.01). The distribution of 99mTc-pHLIP (Var7) in tumors at each time point was significantly greater than that of 99mTc-kVar7 (P < 0.01). SPECT/CT imaging was largely consistent with the biodistribution results; the tumor was clearly imaged at each time point after injection of 99mTc-pHLIP (Var7) but could not be imaged after injection of 99mTc-kVar7. Conclusion 99mTc-pHLIP (Var7) showed a high radiochemical yield and stability and was highly concentrated in tumor tissues. Although there was strong radioactive background in the abdomen of tumor-bearing nude mice, it did not hinder early diagnosis of TNBC.
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Manners N, Priya V, Mehata AK, Rawat M, Mohan S, Makeen HA, Albratty M, Albarrati A, Meraya AM, Muthu MS. Theranostic Nanomedicines for the Treatment of Cardiovascular and Related Diseases: Current Strategies and Future Perspectives. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040441. [PMID: 35455438 PMCID: PMC9029632 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular and related diseases (CVRDs) are among the most prevalent chronic diseases in the 21st century, with a high mortality rate. This review summarizes the various nanomedicines for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in CVRDs, including nanomedicine for angina pectoris, myocarditis, myocardial infarction, pericardial disorder, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension and stroke. Theranostic nanomedicines can prolong systemic circulation, escape from the host defense system, and deliver theranostic agents to the targeted site for imaging and therapy at a cellular and molecular level. Presently, discrete non-invasive and non-surgical theranostic methodologies are such an advancement modality capable of targeted diagnosis and therapy and have better efficacy with fewer side effects than conventional medicine. Additionally, we have presented the recent updates on nanomedicine in clinical trials, targeted nanomedicine and its translational challenges for CVRDs. Theranostic nanomedicine acts as a bridge towards CVRDs amelioration and its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Manners
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India; (N.M.); (V.P.); (A.K.M.)
| | - Vishnu Priya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India; (N.M.); (V.P.); (A.K.M.)
| | - Abhishesh Kumar Mehata
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India; (N.M.); (V.P.); (A.K.M.)
| | - Manoj Rawat
- Novartis Healthcare Private Limited, Hyderabad 500078, India;
| | - Syam Mohan
- Substance Abuse and Toxicology Research Center, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia;
- School of Health Sciences, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Hafiz A. Makeen
- Pharmacy Practice Research Unit, Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; (H.A.M.); (A.M.M.)
| | - Mohammed Albratty
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ali Albarrati
- Rehabilitation Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Abdulkarim M. Meraya
- Pharmacy Practice Research Unit, Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; (H.A.M.); (A.M.M.)
| | - Madaswamy S. Muthu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India; (N.M.); (V.P.); (A.K.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +91-923-519-5928; Fax: +91-542-236-8428
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10
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Hulikova A, Park KC, Loonat AA, Gunadasa-Rohling M, Curtis MK, Chung YJ, Wilson A, Carr CA, Trafford AW, Fournier M, Moshnikova A, Andreev OA, Reshetnyak YK, Riley PR, Smart N, Milne TA, Crump NT, Swietach P. Alkaline nucleoplasm facilitates contractile gene expression in the mammalian heart. Basic Res Cardiol 2022; 117:17. [PMID: 35357563 PMCID: PMC8971196 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-022-00924-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac contractile strength is recognised as being highly pH-sensitive, but less is known about the influence of pH on cardiac gene expression, which may become relevant in response to changes in myocardial metabolism or vascularization during development or disease. We sought evidence for pH-responsive cardiac genes, and a physiological context for this form of transcriptional regulation. pHLIP, a peptide-based reporter of acidity, revealed a non-uniform pH landscape in early-postnatal myocardium, dissipating in later life. pH-responsive differentially expressed genes (pH-DEGs) were identified by transcriptomics of neonatal cardiomyocytes cultured over a range of pH. Enrichment analysis indicated "striated muscle contraction" as a pH-responsive biological process. Label-free proteomics verified fifty-four pH-responsive gene-products, including contractile elements and the adaptor protein CRIP2. Using transcriptional assays, acidity was found to reduce p300/CBP acetylase activity and, its a functional readout, inhibit myocardin, a co-activator of cardiac gene expression. In cultured myocytes, acid-inhibition of p300/CBP reduced H3K27 acetylation, as demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation. H3K27ac levels were more strongly reduced at promoters of acid-downregulated DEGs, implicating an epigenetic mechanism of pH-sensitive gene expression. By tandem cytoplasmic/nuclear pH imaging, the cardiac nucleus was found to exercise a degree of control over its pH through Na+/H+ exchangers at the nuclear envelope. Thus, we describe how extracellular pH signals gain access to the nucleus and regulate the expression of a subset of cardiac genes, notably those coding for contractile proteins and CRIP2. Acting as a proxy of a well-perfused myocardium, alkaline conditions are permissive for expressing genes related to the contractile apparatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alzbeta Hulikova
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Kyung Chan Park
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Aminah A Loonat
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Mala Gunadasa-Rohling
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - M Kate Curtis
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Yu Jin Chung
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Abigail Wilson
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Carolyn A Carr
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Andrew W Trafford
- Unit of Cardiac Physiology, Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Marjorie Fournier
- Department of Biochemistry, Advanced Proteomics Facility, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anna Moshnikova
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippitt Rd, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Oleg A Andreev
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippitt Rd, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Yana K Reshetnyak
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippitt Rd, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Paul R Riley
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Nicola Smart
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Thomas A Milne
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas T Crump
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Pawel Swietach
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK.
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11
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Wu F, Chen Y, Li D, Wang Z, Yu M. Synthesis and Evaluation of Radioiodine-Labeled pH (Low) Insertion Peptide Variant 7-Like Peptide as a Noninvasive Tumor Microenvironment Imaging Agent in a Mouse MDA-MB-231 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Model. Mol Imaging Biol 2022; 24:570-579. [PMID: 35006491 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-021-01702-0] [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: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The pH (low) insertion peptide (pHLIP) family can target the tumor microenvironment (TME). If pHLIP can be labeled with radioiodine, the imaging and treatment of tumors can be considered. However, tyrosine and tryptophan can bind with iodine in the insertion region of pHLIP, and radioiodine labeling may affect the formation of α-helix structures in acidic environments; therefore, it is necessary to adjust the structure of pHLIP. This study aims to develop an 125I-labeled pH (low) insertion peptide variant 7-like peptide (pHLIP (Var7) LP) for imaging the TME in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) xenograft tumor models. PROCEDURES Based on pHLIP (Var7), a new peptide sequence, pHLIP (Var7) LP, was obtained by the sequence modification method and then characterized. The binding of pHLIP (Var7) LP to MDA-MB-231 cells was analyzed. pHLIP (Var7) LP was labeled with 125I by the iodogen iodination method. Serial biodistribution studies and small-animal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) imaging in subcutaneous MDA-MB-231 TNBC-bearing mice were performed using [125I] I-pHLIP (Var7) LP. RESULTS A novel peptide, pHLIP (Var7) LP, has the characteristics of an α-helix structure, electronegativity, and amphiphilicity. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy showed that the peptide presented a typical pH-dependent transition from an unstructured conformation to an α-helix structure when the pH was reduced from 8.0 to 4.0. The relative fluorescence intensities of 5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine (5-TAMRA)-pHLIP(var7) LP at pH = 6.0, 6.6, and 7.4 were 100.00 ± 5.98%, 72.10 ± 4.65%, and 13.72 ± 1.41%, respectively. The distribution of [125I] I-pHLIP (Var7) LP in tumors reached the highest level (8.7 ± 1.6% ID/g) at 2 h after injection, and the tumor-to-muscle ratios and tumor-to-blood ratios increased with time. Of the measured off-target organs, the stomach, kidney, and bladder showed higher uptake levels. SPECT imaging revealed rapid and sustained tumor uptake of [125I] I-pHLIP (Var7) LP in breast cancer-bearing mice. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that [125I]I-pHLIP (Var7)LP had rapid and sustained tumor uptake in MDA-MB-231 TNBC and provided a new method for TNBC imaging and further treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- FengYu Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.59, Haier St., Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - YueHua Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.59, Haier St., Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - DaCheng Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.59, Haier St., Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - ZhenGuang Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.59, Haier St., Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - MingMing Yu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.59, Haier St., Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266100, China.
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12
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Sun Y, Davis E. Nanoplatforms for Targeted Stimuli-Responsive Drug Delivery: A Review of Platform Materials and Stimuli-Responsive Release and Targeting Mechanisms. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:746. [PMID: 33809633 PMCID: PMC8000772 DOI: 10.3390/nano11030746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
To achieve the promise of stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems for the treatment of cancer, they should (1) avoid premature clearance; (2) accumulate in tumors and undergo endocytosis by cancer cells; and (3) exhibit appropriate stimuli-responsive release of the payload. It is challenging to address all of these requirements simultaneously. However, the numerous proof-of-concept studies addressing one or more of these requirements reported every year have dramatically expanded the toolbox available for the design of drug delivery systems. This review highlights recent advances in the targeting and stimuli-responsiveness of drug delivery systems. It begins with a discussion of nanocarrier types and an overview of the factors influencing nanocarrier biodistribution. On-demand release strategies and their application to each type of nanocarrier are reviewed, including both endogenous and exogenous stimuli. Recent developments in stimuli-responsive targeting strategies are also discussed. The remaining challenges and prospective solutions in the field are discussed throughout the review, which is intended to assist researchers in overcoming interdisciplinary knowledge barriers and increase the speed of development. This review presents a nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems toolbox that enables the application of techniques across platforms and inspires researchers with interdisciplinary information to boost the development of multifunctional therapeutic nanoplatforms for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward Davis
- Materials Engineering Program, Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, 101 Wilmore Drive, Auburn, AL 36830, USA;
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13
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Targeting the Hypoxic and Acidic Tumor Microenvironment with pH-Sensitive Peptides. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030541. [PMID: 33806273 PMCID: PMC8000199 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The delivery of cancer therapeutics can be limited by pharmacological issues such as poor bioavailability and high toxicity to healthy tissue. pH-low insertion peptides (pHLIPs) represent a promising tool to overcome these limitations. pHLIPs allow for the selective delivery of agents to tumors on the basis of pH, taking advantage of the acidity of the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. This review article highlights the various applications in which pHLIPs have been utilized for targeting and treating diseases in hypoxic environments, including delivery of small molecule inhibitors, toxins, nucleic acid analogs, fluorescent dyes, and nanoparticles.
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14
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Sharma KS, Raju M. S, Goswami D, De A, Phadnis PP, Vatsa RK. pH-(Low)-Insertion Peptide-Assisted Detection and Diagnosis of Cancer Using Zinc Gallate-Based Persistent Luminescence Nanoparticles. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Swathi Raju M.
- Molecular Functional Imaging Lab, Tata Memorial Centre, ACTREC, Sector 22, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, India
| | - Dibakar Goswami
- Bio-Organic Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Abhijit De
- Molecular Functional Imaging Lab, Tata Memorial Centre, ACTREC, Sector 22, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Prasad P. Phadnis
- Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Rajesh K. Vatsa
- Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
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15
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The pHLIP system as a vehicle for microRNAs in the kidney. Nefrologia 2020; 40:491-498. [PMID: 32693933 DOI: 10.1016/j.nefro.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous RNAs that regulate gene expression through post-transcriptional repression of their target messenger RNAs. A study of changes in expression of certain miRNAs in the kidney has supplied evidence on their pathogenic role and therapeutic potential in nephrology. This review proposes a nanotechnology approach based on the binding of analogs or inhibitors of miRNAs formed by peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) to peptides with a transmembrane structure sensitive to a low pH, called pHLIPs (pH [low] insertion peptides). The review draws on the concept that an acidic pH in the microenvironment of the renal tubule may facilitate concentration and distribution of the pHLIP-PNA complex in this organ. In this context, we have demonstrated for the first time that targeted administration of miR-33 inhibitors with the pHLIP system effectively prevents the development of renal fibrosis, thus opening up this technology to new strategies for diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases.
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16
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Reshetnyak YK, Moshnikova A, Andreev OA, Engelman DM. Targeting Acidic Diseased Tissues by pH-Triggered Membrane-Associated Peptide Folding. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:335. [PMID: 32411684 PMCID: PMC7198868 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The advantages of targeted therapy have motivated many efforts to find distinguishing features between the molecular cell surface landscapes of diseased and normal cells. Typically, the features have been proteins, lipids or carbohydrates, but other approaches are emerging. In this discussion, we examine the use of cell surface acidity as a feature that can be exploited by using pH-sensitive peptide folding to target agents to diseased cell surfaces or cytoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana K Reshetnyak
- Department of Physics, The University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Anna Moshnikova
- Department of Physics, The University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Oleg A Andreev
- Department of Physics, The University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Donald M Engelman
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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17
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Albumin nanocomposites with MnO 2/Gd 2O 3 motifs for precise MR imaging of acute myocardial infarction in rabbit models. Biomaterials 2019; 230:119614. [PMID: 31753475 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The severe mortality and morbidity of myocardial infarction requests appropriate and accurate detection. Considering pathological profile of the acidic myocardial infarction microenvironments, herein, the low pH-sensitive albumin nanocomposites with MnO2 motifs (MnO2@BSA) have been engineered for T1-weighted MR imaging of myocardial infarction, while using non-pH-responsive Gd2O3@BSA nanocomposites as control. The nanocomposites were 20-30 nm in diameter with spheroid morphology. Besides, the MnO2@BSA have exhibited pH-triggered releasing of Mn2+, demonstrating approximately 38-fold and 55-fold increased molecular relaxivity at acute myocardial infarction-mimicking pH 6.5 (13.08 mM-1s-1) and macrophage intracellular pH 5.0 (18.76 mM-1s-1) compared to the extremely low relaxivity (0.34 mM-1s-1) at normal physiological conditions (pH 7.4). However, the Gd2O3@BSA with molecular relaxivity approximately 10 mM-1s-1 were without pH-sensitive properties. Furthermore, the MnO2@BSA have demonstrated high accumulation in the acute myocardial infarction regions and fast metabolism from the body after systemic injection, accounting high contrast enhancement for accurate MR imaging of acute myocardial infarction in rabbit models, demonstrating better diagnostic performance over the controls.
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Therapeutic Effect of pHLIP-mediated CEACAM6 Gene Silencing in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11607. [PMID: 31474761 PMCID: PMC6717735 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48104-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) plays an important role in lung cancer progression. Here, we examined the therapeutic efficacy of CEACAM6 gene silencing using an siRNA delivery platform targeting the acidic tumour microenvironment in a lung adenocarcinoma xenograft mouse model. An siRNA delivery vector was constructed by tethering the peptide nucleic acid form of an siRNA targeting CEACAM6 (siCEACAM6) to a peptide with a low pH-induced transmembrane structure (pHLIP) to transport siRNAs across the plasma membrane. Specific binding of the pHLIP-siCEACAM6 conjugate to A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells at low pH was demonstrated by flow cytometry. A549 cells incubated with pHLIP-siCEACAM6 at an acidic pH showed downregulated expression of endogenous CEACAM6 protein and reduced cell viability. The in vivo tumour-suppressing effects of pHLIP-siCEACAM6 in lung adenocarcinoma were assessed in a xenograft model generated by injecting BALB/c nude mice with A549 cells. pHLIP-siCEACAM6 treatment alone resulted in tumour growth inhibition of up to 35.5%. When combined with cisplatin treatment, pHLIP-siCEACAM6 markedly enhanced tumour growth inhibition by up to 47%. In conclusion, the delivery of siCEACAM6 to lung adenocarcinoma using the pHLIP peptide has therapeutic potential as a unique cancer treatment approach.
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19
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Joyce S, Nour AM. Blocking transmembrane219 protein signaling inhibits autophagy and restores normal cell death. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218091. [PMID: 31220095 PMCID: PMC6586287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy plays a vital role in tumor therapy and survival of dormant tumor cells. Here we describe a novel function of a protein known as Transmembrane 219 (TM219) as an autophagy activator. TM219 is a small membrane protein expressed in all known human tissues except the thymus. We used biochemical approaches to identify calmodulin and calmodulin dependent protein kinase II as a part of TM219 protein complex. Then, we employed in vitro reconstitution system and fluorescence anisotropy to study the requirements of TM219 to bind calmodulin in vitro. We also used this system to study the effects of a synthetic peptide derived from the sequence of the short cytoplasmic tail of TM219 (SCTT) on calmodulin-TM219 receptor interactions. We conjugated SCTT peptide with a pH Low Insertion peptide (pHLIP) for optimal cellular delivery. We finally tested the effects of SCTT-pHLIP on triple negative human breast cancer cells in three dimension culture. Our data defined a novel function of TM219 protein and an efficient approach to inhibit it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Joyce
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Adel M. Nour
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
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20
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Karabadzhak AG, Weerakkody D, Deacon J, Andreev OA, Reshetnyak YK, Engelman DM. Bilayer Thickness and Curvature Influence Binding and Insertion of a pHLIP Peptide. Biophys J 2019; 114:2107-2115. [PMID: 29742404 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The physical properties of lipid bilayers, such as curvature and fluidity, can affect the interactions of polypeptides with membranes, influencing biological events. Additionally, given the growing interest in peptide-based therapeutics, understanding the influence of membrane properties on membrane-associated peptides has potential utility. pH low insertion peptides (pHLIPs) are a family of water-soluble peptides that can insert across cell membranes in a pH-dependent manner, enabling the use of pH to follow peptide-lipid interactions. Here we study pHLIP interactions with liposomes varying in size and composition, to determine the influence of several key membrane physical properties. We find that pHLIP binding to bilayer surfaces at neutral pH is governed by the ease of access to the membrane's hydrophobic core, which can be facilitated by membrane curvature, thickness, and the cholesterol content of the membrane. After surface binding, if the pH is lowered, the kinetics of pHLIP folding to form a helix and subsequent insertion across the membrane depends on the fluidity and energetic dynamics of the membrane. We showed that pHLIP is capable of forming a helix across lipid bilayers of different thicknesses at low pH. However, the kinetics of the slow phase of insertion corresponding to the translocation of C-terminal end of the peptide across lipid bilayer, vary approximately twofold, and correlate with bilayer thickness and fluidity. Although these influences are not large, local curvature variations in membranes of different fluidity could selectively influence surface binding in mixed cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G Karabadzhak
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | - John Deacon
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Oleg A Andreev
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
| | - Yana K Reshetnyak
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island.
| | - Donald M Engelman
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
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21
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Kalmouni M, Al-Hosani S, Magzoub M. Cancer targeting peptides. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:2171-2183. [PMID: 30877335 PMCID: PMC11105397 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03061-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite continuing advances in the development of biomacromolecules for therapeutic purposes, successful application of these often large and hydrophilic molecules has been hindered by their inability to efficiently traverse the cellular plasma membrane. In recent years, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have received considerable attention as a promising class of delivery vectors due to their ability to mediate the efficient import of a large number of cargoes in vitro and in vivo. However, the lack of target specificity of CPPs remains a major obstacle to their clinical development. To address this issue, researchers have developed strategies in which chemotherapeutic drugs are conjugated to cancer targeting peptides (CTPs) that exploit the unique characteristics of the tumor microenvironment or cancer cells, thereby improving cancer cell specificity. This review highlights several of these strategies that are currently in use, and discusses how multi-component nanoparticles conjugated to CTPs can be designed to provide a more efficient cancer therapeutic delivery strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Kalmouni
- Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Saadiyat Island Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sumaya Al-Hosani
- Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Saadiyat Island Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mazin Magzoub
- Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Saadiyat Island Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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22
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Kohout C, Santi C, Polito L. Anisotropic Gold Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E3385. [PMID: 30380664 PMCID: PMC6274885 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) play a crucial role in the development of nanomedicine, principally due to their unique photophysical properties and high biocompatibility. The possibility to tune and customize the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) toward near-infrared region by modulating the AuNP shape is one of the reasons for the huge widespread use of AuNPs. The controlled synthesis of no-symmetrical nanoparticles, named anisotropic, is an exciting goal achieved by the scientific community which explains the exponential increase of the number of publications related to the synthesis and use of such type of AuNPs. Even with such steps forward and the AuNP translation in clinic being done, some key issues are still remain and they are related to a reliable and scalable production, a full characterization, and to the development of nanotoxicology studies on the long run. In this review we highlight the very recent advances on the synthesis of the main classes of anisotropic AuNPs (nanorods, nanourchins and nanocages) and their use in the biomedical fields, in terms of diagnosis and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Kohout
- Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, via C. Golgi 19, 20131 Milan, Italy.
| | - Cristina Santi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, via C. Golgi 19, 20131 Milan, Italy.
| | - Laura Polito
- ISTM-CNR, Nanotechnology Lab., via G. Fantoli 16/15, 20138 Milan, Italy.
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23
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Shi Q, Zhang Y, Liu S, Liu G, Xu J, Zhao X, Anderson GJ, Nie G, Li S. Specific tissue factor delivery using a tumor-homing peptide for inducing tumor infarction. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 156:501-510. [PMID: 30222966 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Targeting the human blood coagulation-inducing protein tissue factor (TF) to the tumor vasculature to induce infarction and disrupt the blood vessels has proven to be an effective approach for tumor therapy. In this study, we investigated the thrombogenic activity and anti-tumor potential of a novel fusion protein (tTF-CREKA) comprising the extracellular domain of human tissue factor (truncated TF, tTF) and a tumor targeting pentapeptide, Cys-Arg-Glu-Lys-Ala (CREKA). tTF is soluble and inactive in its free state, but when it is targeted to the plasma membrane of both tumor vessel endothelial cells and stromal cells by the CREKA peptide, its native coagulation-inducing activity is restored. Systemic administration of the tTF-CREKA fusion protein into tumor-bearing mice induced tumor-selective intravascular thrombosis and reduced tumor blood perfusion, consequently inhibiting tumor growth. The development of tTF-CREKA introduces a new method for treating a wide spectrum of solid tumors by selectively blocking tumor blood supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanwei Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yinlong Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Shaoli Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Guangna Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China; College of Pharmaceutical Science, Jilin University, Changchun 30021, China
| | - Junchao Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Xiao Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Gregory J Anderson
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, PO Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Guangjun Nie
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Suping Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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24
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Hierarchical drug release of pH-sensitive liposomes encapsulating aqueous two phase system. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2018; 127:177-182. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2018.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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25
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pH-responsive liposomes self-assembled from electrosprayed microparticles, and their drug release properties. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2017.09.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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26
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Vasquez-Montes V, Gerhart J, King KE, Thévenin D, Ladokhin AS. Comparison of lipid-dependent bilayer insertion of pHLIP and its P20G variant. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1860:534-543. [PMID: 29138065 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The ability of the pH-Low Insertion Peptide (pHLIP) to insert into lipid membranes in a transbilayer conformation makes it an important tool for targeting acidic diseased tissues. pHLIP can also serve as a model template for thermodynamic studies of membrane insertion. We use intrinsic fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy to examine the effect of replacing pHLIP's central proline on the pH-triggered lipid-dependent conformational switching of the peptide. We find that the P20G variant (pHLIP-P20G) has a higher helical propensity than the native pHLIP (pHLIP-WT), in both water:organic solvent mixtures and in the presence of lipid bilayers. Spectral shifts of tryptophan fluorescence reveal that with both pHLIP-WT and pHLIP-P20G, the deeply penetrating interfacial form (traditionally called State II) is populated only in pure phosphocholine bilayers. The presence of either anionic lipids or phosphatidylethanolamine leads to a much shallower penetration of the peptide (referred to here as State IIS, for "shallow"). This novel state can be differentiated from soluble state by a reduction in accessibility of tryptophans to acrylamide and by FRET to vesicles doped with Dansyl-PE, but not by a spectral shift in fluorescence emission. FRET experiments indicate free energies for interfacial partitioning range from 6.2 to 6.8kcal/mol and are marginally more favorable for pHLIP-P20G. The effective pKa for the insertion of both peptides depends on the lipid composition, but is always higher for pHLIP-P20G than for pHLIP-WT by approximately one pH unit, which corresponds to a difference of 1.3kcal/mol in free energy of protonation favoring insertion of pHLIP-P20G.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Vasquez-Montes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, United States
| | - Janessa Gerhart
- Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, 18015, United States
| | - Kelly E King
- Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, 18015, United States
| | - Damien Thévenin
- Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, 18015, United States
| | - Alexey S Ladokhin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, United States.
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27
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Cellular Entry of the Diphtheria Toxin Does Not Require the Formation of the Open-Channel State by Its Translocation Domain. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9100299. [PMID: 28937631 PMCID: PMC5666346 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9100299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular entry of diphtheria toxin is a multistage process involving receptor targeting, endocytosis, and translocation of the catalytic domain across the endosomal membrane into the cytosol. The latter is ensured by the translocation (T) domain of the toxin, capable of undergoing conformational refolding and membrane insertion in response to the acidification of the endosomal environment. While numerous now classical studies have demonstrated the formation of an ion-conducting conformation-the Open-Channel State (OCS)-as the final step of the refolding pathway, it remains unclear whether this channel constitutes an in vivo translocation pathway or is a byproduct of the translocation. To address this question, we measure functional activity of known OCS-blocking mutants with H-to-Q replacements of C-terminal histidines of the T-domain. We also test the ability of these mutants to translocate their own N-terminus across lipid bilayers of model vesicles. The results of both experiments indicate that translocation activity does not correlate with previously published OCS activity. Finally, we determined the topology of TH5 helix in membrane-inserted T-domain using W281 fluorescence and its depth-dependent quenching by brominated lipids. Our results indicate that while TH5 becomes a transbilayer helix in a wild-type protein, it fails to insert in the case of the OCS-blocking mutant H322Q. We conclude that the formation of the OCS is not necessary for the functional translocation by the T-domain, at least in the histidine-replacement mutants, suggesting that the OCS is unlikely to constitute a translocation pathway for the cellular entry of diphtheria toxin in vivo.
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28
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Applications of pHLIP Technology for Cancer Imaging and Therapy. Trends Biotechnol 2017; 35:653-664. [PMID: 28438340 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acidity is a biomarker of cancer that is not subject to the blunting clonal selection effects that reduce the efficacy of other biomarker technologies, such as antibody targeting. The pH (low) insertion peptides (pHLIP®s) provide new opportunities for targeting acidic tissues. Through the physical mechanism of membrane-associated folding, pHLIPs are triggered by the acidic microenvironment to insert and span the membranes of tumor cells. The pHLIP platform can be applied to imaging acidic tissues, delivering cell-permeable and impermeable molecules to the cytoplasm, and promoting the cellular uptake of nanoparticles. Since acidosis is a hallmark of tumor development, progression, and aggressiveness, the pHLIP technology may prove useful in targeting cancer cells and metastases for tumor diagnosis, imaging, and therapy.
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29
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Raso A, Dirkx E. Cardiac regenerative medicine: At the crossroad of microRNA function and biotechnology. Noncoding RNA Res 2017; 2:27-37. [PMID: 30159418 PMCID: PMC6096413 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic strategies to stimulate cardiac repair after damage, such as myocardial infarction. Already for more than a century scientist are intrigued by studying the regenerative capacity of the heart. While moving away from the old classification of the heart as a post-mitotic organ, and being inspired by the stem cell research in other scientific fields, mainly three different strategies arose in order to develop regenerative medicine, namely; the use of cardiac stem cells, reprogramming of fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes or direct stimulation of endogenous cardiomyocyte proliferation. MicroRNAs, known to play a role in orchestrating cell fate processes such as proliferation, differentiation and reprogramming, gained a lot of attention in this context the latest years. Indeed, several research groups have independently demonstrated that microRNA-based therapy shows promising results to induce heart tissue regeneration and improve cardiac pump function after myocardial injury. Nowadays, a whole new biotechnology field has been unveiled to investigate the possibilities for efficient, safe and specific delivery of microRNAs towards the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ellen Dirkx
- Department of Cardiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Disease, Maastricht University, 6229ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
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30
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Wang H, Huang Q, Chang H, Xiao J, Cheng Y. Stimuli-responsive dendrimers in drug delivery. Biomater Sci 2017; 4:375-90. [PMID: 26806314 DOI: 10.1039/c5bm00532a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Dendrimers have shown great promise as carriers in drug delivery due to their unique structures and superior properties. However, the precise control of payload release from a dendrimer matrix still presents a great challenge. Stimuli-responsive dendrimers that release payloads in response to a specific trigger could offer distinct clinical advantages over those dendrimers that release payloads passively. These smart polymers are designed to specifically release their payloads at targeted regions or at constant release profiles for specific therapies. They represent an attractive alternative to targeted dendrimers and enable dendrimer-based therapeutics to be more effective, more convenient, and much safer. The wide range of stimuli, either endogenous (acid, enzyme, and redox potentials) or exogenous (light, ultrasound, and temperature change), allows great flexibility in the design of stimuli-responsive dendrimers. In this review article, we will highlight recent advances and opportunities in the development of stimuli-responsive dendrimers for the treatment of various diseases, with emphasis on cancer. Specifically, the applications of stimuli-responsive dendrimers in drug delivery as well as their mechanisms are intensively reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China. and Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Quan Huang
- Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Hong Chang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China.
| | - Jianru Xiao
- Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Yiyun Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China.
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31
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Tian Y, Zhang Y, Teng Z, Tian W, Luo S, Kong X, Su X, Tang Y, Wang S, Lu G. pH-Dependent Transmembrane Activity of Peptide-Functionalized Gold Nanostars for Computed Tomography/Photoacoustic Imaging and Photothermal Therapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:2114-2122. [PMID: 28058834 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b13237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Progress in multifunctional nanomaterials for tumor therapy mostly depends on the development of tumor-targeting delivery strategies. One approach is to explore a pH-responsive strategy to target the slightly acidic solid tumor microenvironment. A novel class of pH (low) insertion peptides (pHLIPs) with pH-dependent transmembrane activity can fold and rapidly insert into the lipid bilayer of tumor cells triggered by acidity, facilitating the cellular internalization of nanomaterials synchronously. Here, we innovatively decorated gold nanostars (GNSs) with pHLIPs (GNS-pHLIP) to improve their targeting ability and photothermal therapeutic (PTT) efficiency. The obtained GNS-pHLIP exhibited the excellent characteristics of uniform size and good biocompatibility. As compared to GNS-mPEG, the cellular internalization of GNS-pHLIP was 1-fold higher after a 2 h incubation with cells in media at pH 6.4 than at pH 7.4. Moreover, the tumor accumulation of the GNS-pHLIP was 3-fold higher than that of GNS-mPEG after intravenous injection into MCF-7 breast tumor animal models for 24 h. Furthermore, GNS-pHLIP exhibited stronger signals than the GNS-mPEG through computed tomography (CT) and photoacoustic (PA) imaging. Simultaneously, the desirable targeting efficiency significantly improved the PTT efficacy to tumors, with low side effects on normal tissues. The results clearly demonstrate that the GNS-pHLIP successfully took advantage of the tumor-targeting ability of pHLIPs and the good characteristics of GNSs, which may contribute to the study of tumor imaging and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Tian
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University , Nanjing 210002, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunlei Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University , Nanjing 210002, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaogang Teng
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University , Nanjing 210002, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University , Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Tian
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University , Nanjing 210002, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Luo
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University , Nanjing 210002, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Kong
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University , Nanjing 210002, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodan Su
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics & Information Displays and Institute of Advanced Materials, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications , Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxia Tang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University , Nanjing 210002, People's Republic of China
| | - Shouju Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University , Nanjing 210002, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangming Lu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University , Nanjing 210002, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University , Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
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Narayanan T, Weerakkody D, Karabadzhak AG, Anderson M, Andreev OA, Reshetnyak YK. pHLIP Peptide Interaction with a Membrane Monitored by SAXS. J Phys Chem B 2016; 120:11484-11491. [PMID: 27726396 PMCID: PMC5209755 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b06643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
pH (Low) Insertion Peptides (pHLIP peptides) find application in studies of membrane-associated folding because spontaneous insertion of these peptides is conveniently triggered by varying pH. Here, we employed small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to investigate a wild-type (WT) pHLIP peptide oligomeric state in solution at high concentrations and monitor changes in the liposome structure upon peptide insertion into the bilayer. We established that even at high concentrations (up to 300 μM) the WT pHLIP peptide at pH 8.0 does not form oligomers larger than tetramers (which exhibit concentration-dependent transfer to the monomeric state, as was shown previously). This finding has significance for medical applications when high concentration of the peptide is injected into blood and diluted in blood circulation. The interaction of WT pHLIP peptide with liposomes does not alter the unilamellar vesicle structure upon peptide adsorption by the lipid bilayer at high pH or upon insertion across the bilayer at low pH. At the same time, SAXS data clearly demonstrate the insertion of the peptide into the membrane at low pH, which opens the possibility of investigating the kinetic process of polypeptide insertion and exit from the membrane in real time by time-resolved SAXS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dhammika Weerakkody
- Department of Physics, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, United States
| | | | - Michael Anderson
- Department of Physics, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, United States
| | - Oleg A. Andreev
- Department of Physics, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, United States
| | - Yana K. Reshetnyak
- Department of Physics, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, United States
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Hanz SZ, Shu NS, Qian J, Christman N, Kranz P, An M, Grewer C, Qiang W. Protonation‐Driven Membrane Insertion of a pH‐Low Insertion Peptide. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016; 55:12376-81. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201605203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Z. Hanz
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Nicolas S. Shu
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Jieni Qian
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Nathaniel Christman
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Patrick Kranz
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Ming An
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Christof Grewer
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Wei Qiang
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
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34
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Hanz SZ, Shu NS, Qian J, Christman N, Kranz P, An M, Grewer C, Qiang W. Protonation‐Driven Membrane Insertion of a pH‐Low Insertion Peptide. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201605203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Z. Hanz
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Nicolas S. Shu
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Jieni Qian
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Nathaniel Christman
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Patrick Kranz
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Ming An
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Christof Grewer
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
| | - Wei Qiang
- Department of Chemistry Binghamton University State University of New York New York NY 13902 USA
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35
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Janic B, Bhuiyan MPI, Ewing JR, Ali MM. pH-Dependent Cellular Internalization of Paramagnetic Nanoparticle. ACS Sens 2016; 1:975-978. [PMID: 28066811 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.6b00396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A hallmark of the tumor microenvironment in malignant tumor is extracellular acidosis, which can be exploited for targeted delivery of drugs and imaging agents. A pH sensitive paramagnetic nanoaparticle (NP) is developed by incorporating GdDOTA-4AmP MRI contrast agent and pHLIP (pH Low Insertion Peptide) into the surface of a G5-PAMAM dendrimer. pHLIP showed pH-selective insertion and folding into cell membranes, but only in acidic conditions. We demonstrated that pHLIP-conjugated Gd44-G5 paramagnetic nanoparticle binds and fuses with cellular membrane at low pH, but not at normal physiological pH, and that it promotes cellular uptake. Intracellular trafficking of NPs showed endosomal/lysosomal path ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branislava Janic
- Radiation Oncology and ‡Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | - Mohammed PI. Bhuiyan
- Radiation Oncology and ‡Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | - James R. Ewing
- Radiation Oncology and ‡Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | - Meser M. Ali
- Radiation Oncology and ‡Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
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Abstract
We have developed a way to measure cell surface pH by positioning a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye, seminaphtharhodafluor (SNARF), conjugated to the pH low insertion peptide (pHLIP). It has been observed that many diseased tissues are acidic and that tumors are especially so. A combination of effects acidifies tumor cell interiors, and cells pump out lactic acid and protons to maintain intracellular pH, acidifying the extracellular space. Overexpression of carbonic anhydrases on cell surfaces further contributes to acidification. Thus, the pH near tumor cell surfaces is expected to be low and to increase with distance from the membrane, so bulk pH measurements will not report surface acidity. Our new surface pH-measurement tool was validated in cancer cells grown in spheroids, in mouse tumor models in vivo, and in excised tumors. We found that the surface pH is sensitive to cell glycolytic activity: the pH decreases in high glucose and increases if glucose is replaced with nonmetabolized deoxyglucose. For highly metastatic cancer cells, the pH measured at the surface was 6.7-6.8, when the surrounding external pH was 7.4. The approach is sensitive enough to detect 0.2-0.3 pH unit changes in vivo in tumors induced by i.p. injection of glucose. The pH at the surfaces of highly metastatic cells within tumors was found to be about 6.1-6.4, whereas in nonmetastatic tumors, it was 6.7-6.9, possibly creating a way to distinguish more aggressive from less aggressive tumors. Other biological roles of surface acidity may be found, now that targeted measurements are possible.
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Abstract
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a progressive atherosclerotic disease that leads to stenosis or occlusion of blood vessels supplying the lower extremities. Current diagnostic imaging techniques commonly focus on evaluation of anatomy or blood flow at the macrovascular level and do not permit assessment of the underlying pathophysiology associated with disease progression or treatment response. Molecular imaging with radionuclide-based approaches can offer novel insight into PVD by providing noninvasive assessment of biological processes such as angiogenesis and atherosclerosis. This article discusses emerging radionuclide-based imaging approaches that have potential clinical applications in the evaluation of PVD progression and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchel R Stacy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208017, Dana-3, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Albert J Sinusas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208017, Dana-3, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208042, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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Kyrychenko A. NANOGOLD decorated by pHLIP peptide: comparative force field study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 17:12648-60. [PMID: 25903421 DOI: 10.1039/c5cp01136a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The potential of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in therapeutic and diagnostic cancer applications is becoming increasingly recognized, which focuses on their efficient and specific delivery from passive accumulation in tumour tissue to directly targeting tumor-specific biomarkers. AuNPs functionalized by pH low insertion peptide (pHLIP) have recently revealed the capability of targeting acidic tissues and inserting into cell membranes. However, the structure of AuNP-pHLIP conjugates and fundamental gold-peptide interactions still remain unknown. In this study, we have developed a series of molecular dynamics (MD) models reproducing a small gold nanoparticle coupled to pHLIP. We focus on Au135 nanoparticles that comprise a nearly spherical Au core (diameter ∼ 1.4 nm) functionalized with a monomaleimide moiety, mimicking a commercially available monomaleimido NANOGOLD® labelling agent. To probe the structure and folding of pHLIP, which is attached covalently to the maleimide NANOGOLD particle, we have benchmarked the performances of a series of popular, all-atom force fields (FF), including those of OPLS-AA, AMBER03, three variations of CHARMM FFs, as well as united-atom GROMOS G53A6 FF. We found that CHARMMs and OPLSAA FFs predict that in an aqueous salt solution at a neutral pH, pHLIP is partially bound onto the gold surface through some short hydrophobic peptide stretches, while at the same time, a large portion of peptide remains in solution. In contrast, AMBER03 and G53A6 FFs revealed the formation of compact, tightly bound peptide configurations adsorbed onto the nanoparticle core. To reproduce the experimental physical picture of the peptide adsorption onto gold in unfolded and unstructured conformations, our study suggests CHARMM36 and OPLS-AA FFs as a tool of choice for the computational studies of NANOGOLD decorated by pHLIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kyrychenko
- Institute of Chemistry and School of Chemistry, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, 4 Svobody square, Kharkiv 61022, Ukraine.
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Li S, Tian Y, Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Su S, Wang J, Wu M, Shi Q, Anderson GJ, Thomsen J, Zhao R, Ji T, Wang J, Nie G. pHLIP-mediated targeting of truncated tissue factor to tumor vessels causes vascular occlusion and impairs tumor growth. Oncotarget 2015; 6:23523-32. [PMID: 26143637 PMCID: PMC4695134 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Occluding tumor blood supply by delivering the extracellular domain of coagulation-inducing protein tissue factor (truncated tissue factor, tTF) to tumor vasculature has enormous potential to eliminate solid tumors. Yet few of the delivery technologies are moved into clinical practice due to their non-specific tissue biodistribution and rapid clearance by the reticuloendothelial system. Here we introduced a novel tTF delivery method by generating a fusion protein (tTF-pHLIP) consisting of tTF fused with a peptide with a low pH-induced transmembrane structure (pHLIP). This protein targets the acidic tumor vascular endothelium and effectively induces local blood coagulation. tTF-pHLIP, wherein pHLIP is cleverly designed to mimic the natural tissue factor transmembrane domain, triggered thrombogenic activity of the tTF by locating it to the endothelial cell surface, as demonstrated by coagulation assays and confocal microscopy. Systemic administration of tTF-pHLIP into tumor-bearing mice selectively induced thrombotic occlusion of tumor vessels, reducing tumor perfusion and impairing tumor growth without overt side effects. Our work introduces a promising strategy for using tTF as an anti-cancer drug, which has great potential value for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suping Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yanhua Tian
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yinlong Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Shishuai Su
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jing Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Meiyu Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Quanwei Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
| | | | - Johannes Thomsen
- Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Ruifang Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Tianjiao Ji
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Guangjun Nie
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beijing 100190, China
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Tapmeier TT, Moshnikova A, Beech J, Allen D, Kinchesh P, Smart S, Harris A, McIntyre A, Engelman DM, Andreev OA, Reshetnyak YK, Muschel RJ. The pH low insertion peptide pHLIP Variant 3 as a novel marker of acidic malignant lesions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:9710-5. [PMID: 26195776 PMCID: PMC4534280 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1509488112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Current strategies for early detection of breast and other cancers are limited in part because some lesions identified as potentially malignant do not develop into aggressive tumors. Acid pH has been suggested as a key characteristic of aggressive tumors that might distinguish aggressive lesions from more indolent pathology. We therefore investigated the novel class of molecules, pH low insertion peptides (pHLIPs), as markers of low pH in tumor allografts and of malignant lesions in a mouse model of spontaneous breast cancer, BALB/neu-T. pHLIP Variant 3 (Var3) conjugated with fluorescent Alexa546 was shown to insert into tumor spheroids in a sequence-specific manner. Its signal reflected pH in murine tumors. It was induced by carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) overexpression and inhibited by acetazolamide (AZA) administration. By using (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), we demonstrated that pHLIP Var3 was retained in tumors of pH equal to or less than 6.7 but not in tissues of higher pH. In BALB/neu-T mice at different stages of the disease, the fluorescent signal from pHLIP Var3 marked cancerous lesions with a very low false-positive rate. However, only ∼60% of the smallest lesions retained a pHLIP Var3 signal, suggesting heterogeneity in pH. Taken together, these results show that pHLIP can identify regions of lower pH, allowing for its development as a theranostic tool for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas T Tapmeier
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Moshnikova
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881
| | - John Beech
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Danny Allen
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Kinchesh
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Sean Smart
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Harris
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Alan McIntyre
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom; Cancer Biology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - Donald M Engelman
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Oleg A Andreev
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881
| | | | - Ruth J Muschel
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom;
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Shu NS, Chung MS, Yao L, An M, Qiang W. Residue-specific structures and membrane locations of pH-low insertion peptide by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. Nat Commun 2015. [PMID: 26195283 PMCID: PMC4518304 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The pH-low insertion peptide (pHLIP) binds to a membrane at pH 7.4 unstructured but folds across the bilayer as a transmembrane helix at pH∼6. Despite their promising applications as imaging probes and drug carriers that target cancer cells for cytoplasmic cargo delivery, the mechanism of pH modulation on pHLIP-membrane interactions has not been completely understood. Here, we show the first study on membrane-associated pHLIP using solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Data on residue-specific conformation and membrane location describe pHLIP in various surface-bound and membrane-inserted states at pH 7.4, 6.4 and 5.3. The critical membrane-adsorbed state is more complex than previously envisioned. At pH 6.4, for the major unstructured population, the peptide sinks deeper into the membrane in a state II′ that is distinct from the adsorbed state II observed at pH 7.4, which may enable pHLIP to sense slight change in acidity even before insertion. The pH-low insertion peptides (pHLIPs) respond to environmental pH variations by forming transmembrane α-helices. Here, the authors present the residue-specific structures and membrane locations of pHLIPs at different pH levels to probe the mechanism of their pH-dependant membrane insertion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas S Shu
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA
| | - Michael S Chung
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA
| | - Lan Yao
- Department of Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA
| | - Ming An
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA
| | - Wei Qiang
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA
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42
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhushan S Pattni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, Northeastern University , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Vladimir V Chupin
- Laboratory for Advanced Studies of Membrane Proteins, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny 141700, Russia
| | - Vladimir P Torchilin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, Northeastern University , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University , Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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43
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Pereira MC, Arachchige MCM, Reshetnyak YK, Andreev OA. Advanced targeted nanomedicine. J Biotechnol 2015; 202:88-97. [PMID: 25615945 PMCID: PMC4685670 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2015.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2014] [Revised: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Targeted drug delivery has been the major topic in drug formulation and delivery. As nanomedicine emerges to create nano scale therapeutics and diagnostics, it is still essential to embed targeting capability to these novel systems to make them useful. Here we discuss various targeting approaches for delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic nano materials in view of search for more universal methods to target diseased tissues. Many diseases are accompanied with hypoxia and acidosis. Coating nanoparticles with pH Low Insertion Peptides (pHLIPs) increases efficiency of targeting acidic diseased tissues. It has been showing promising results to create future nanotheranostics for cancer and other diseases which are dominating in the present world.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohan C M Arachchige
- Department of Physics, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippit Rd., Kingston, RI 028881, USA
| | - Yana K Reshetnyak
- Department of Physics, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippit Rd., Kingston, RI 028881, USA
| | - Oleg A Andreev
- Department of Physics, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippit Rd., Kingston, RI 028881, USA.
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44
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Role of acidic residues in helices TH8-TH9 in membrane interactions of the diphtheria toxin T domain. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:1303-23. [PMID: 25875295 PMCID: PMC4417968 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7041303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The pH-triggered membrane insertion of the diphtheria toxin translocation domain (T domain) results in transferring the catalytic domain into the cytosol, which is relevant to potential biomedical applications as a cargo-delivery system. Protonation of residues is suggested to play a key role in the process, and residues E349, D352 and E362 are of particular interest because of their location within the membrane insertion unit TH8-TH9. We have used various spectroscopic, computational and functional assays to characterize the properties of the T domain carrying the double mutation E349Q/D352N or the single mutation E362Q. Vesicle leakage measurements indicate that both mutants interact with the membrane under less acidic conditions than the wild-type. Thermal unfolding and fluorescence measurements, complemented with molecular dynamics simulations, suggest that the mutant E362Q is more susceptible to acid destabilization because of disruption of native intramolecular contacts. Fluorescence experiments show that removal of the charge in E362Q, and not in E349Q/D352N, is important for insertion of TH8-TH9. Both mutants adopt a final functional state upon further acidification. We conclude that these acidic residues are involved in the pH-dependent action of the T domain, and their replacements can be used for fine tuning the pH range of membrane interactions.
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45
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Abstract
Previous research has shown that gold nanoparticles can increase the effectiveness of radiation on cancer cells. Improved radiation effectiveness would allow lower radiation doses given to patients, reducing adverse effects; alternatively, it would provide more cancer killing at current radiation doses. Damage from radiation and gold nanoparticles depends in part on the Auger effect, which is very localized; thus, it is important to place the gold nanoparticles on or in the cancer cells. In this work, we use the pH-sensitive, tumor-targeting agent, pH Low-Insertion Peptide (pHLIP), to tether 1.4-nm gold nanoparticles to cancer cells. We find that the conjugation of pHLIP to gold nanoparticles increases gold uptake in cells compared with gold nanoparticles without pHLIP, with the nanoparticles distributed mostly on the cellular membranes. We further find that gold nanoparticles conjugated to pHLIP produce a statistically significant decrease in cell survival with radiation compared with cells without gold nanoparticles and cells with gold alone. In the context of our previous findings demonstrating efficient pHLIP-mediated delivery of gold nanoparticles to tumors, the obtained results serve as a foundation for further preclinical evaluation of dose enhancement.
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46
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Deacon JC, Engelman DM, Barrera FN. Targeting acidity in diseased tissues: mechanism and applications of the membrane-inserting peptide, pHLIP. Arch Biochem Biophys 2014; 565:40-8. [PMID: 25444855 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Revised: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
pHLIPs are a family of soluble ∼36 amino acid peptides, which bind to membrane surfaces. If the environment is acidic, a pHLIP folds and inserts across the membrane to form a stable transmembrane helix, thus preferentially locating itself in acidic tissues. Since tumors and other disease tissues are acidic, pHLIPs' low-pH targeting behavior leads to applications as carriers for diagnostic and surgical imaging agents. The energy of membrane insertion can also be used to promote the insertion of modestly polar, normally cell-impermeable cargos across the cell membrane into the cytosol of targeted cells, leading to applications in tumor-targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules. We review the biochemical and biophysical basis of pHLIPs' unique properties, diagnostic and therapeutic applications, and the principles upon which translational applications are being developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Deacon
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Donald M Engelman
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Francisco N Barrera
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
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47
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Targeted delivery of miRNA therapeutics for cardiovascular diseases: opportunities and challenges. Clin Sci (Lond) 2014; 127:351-65. [PMID: 24895056 DOI: 10.1042/cs20140005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of miRNA expression has been associated with many cardiovascular diseases in animal models, as well as in patients. In the present review, we summarize recent findings on the role of miRNAs in cardiovascular diseases and discuss the opportunities, possibilities and challenges of using miRNAs as future therapeutic targets. Furthermore, we focus on the different approaches that can be used to deliver these newly developed miRNA therapeutics to their sites of action. Since siRNAs are structurally homologous with the miRNA therapeutics, important lessons learned from siRNA delivery strategies are discussed that might be applicable to targeted delivery of miRNA therapeutics, thereby reducing costs and potential side effects, and improving efficacy.
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48
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Andreev OA, Engelman DM, Reshetnyak YK. Targeting diseased tissues by pHLIP insertion at low cell surface pH. Front Physiol 2014; 5:97. [PMID: 24659971 PMCID: PMC3952044 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of the pH Low Insertion Peptides (pHLIPs®) provides an opportunity to develop imaging and drug delivery agents targeting extracellular acidity. Extracellular acidity is associated with many pathological states, such as those in cancer, ischemic stroke, neurotrauma, infection, lacerations, and others. The metabolism of cells in injured or diseased tissues often results in the acidification of the extracellular environment, so acidosis might be useful as a general marker for the imaging and treatment of diseased states if an effective targeting method can be developed. The molecular mechanism of a pHLIP peptide is based on pH-dependent membrane-associated folding. pHLIPs, being moderately hydrophobic peptides, have high affinities for cellular membranes at normal pH, but fold and insert across membranes at low pH, allowing them to sense pH at the surfaces of cells in diseased tissues, where it is the lowest. Here we discuss the main principles of pHLIP interactions with membrane lipid bilayers at neutral and low pHs, the possibility of tuning the folding and insertion pH by peptide sequence variation, and potential applications of pHLIPs for imaging, therapy and image-guided interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg A Andreev
- Department of Physics, University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Donald M Engelman
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University New Haven, CT, USA
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49
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pH dependent transfer of nano-pores into membrane of cancer cells to induce apoptosis. Sci Rep 2013; 3:3560. [PMID: 24356337 PMCID: PMC3868956 DOI: 10.1038/srep03560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper balance of ions in intracellular and extracellular space is the key for normal cell functioning. Changes in the conductance of membranes for ions will lead to cell death. One of the main differences between normal and cancerous cells is the low extracellular pHe and the reverse pH gradient: intracellular pHi is higher than extracellular pHe. We report here pH-selective transfer of nano-pores to cancer cells for the dis-regulation of balance of monovalent cations to induce cell death at mildly acidic pHe as it is in most solid tumors. Our approach is based on the pH-sensitive fusion of cellular membrane with the liposomes containing gramicidin A forming cation-conductive β-helix in the membrane. Fusion is promoted only at low extracellular pH by the pH (Low) Insertion Peptide (pHLIP®) attached to the liposomes. Gramicidin channels inserted into the cancer cells open flux of protons into the cytoplasm and disrupt balance of other monovalent cations, which induces cell apoptosis.
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50
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Abstract
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is an atherosclerotic disease affecting the lower extremities, resulting in skeletal muscle ischemia, intermittent claudication, and, in more severe stages of disease, limb amputation and death. The evaluation of therapy in this patient population can be challenging, as the standard clinical indices are insensitive to assessment of regional alterations in skeletal muscle physiology. Radiotracer imaging of the lower extremities with techniques such as PET and SPECT can provide a noninvasive quantitative technique for the evaluation of the pathophysiology associated with PVD and may complement clinical indices and other imaging approaches. This review discusses the progress in radiotracer-based evaluation of PVD and highlights recent advancements in molecular imaging with potential for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchel R. Stacy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Wunan Zhou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Albert J. Sinusas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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