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Seixas Feio JA, de Oliveira ECL, de Sales CDS, da Costa KS, e Lima AHL. Investigating molecular descriptors in cell-penetrating peptides prediction with deep learning: Employing N, O, and hydrophobicity according to the Eisenberg scale. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305253. [PMID: 38870192 PMCID: PMC11175476 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides comprise a group of molecules that can naturally cross the lipid bilayer membrane that protects cells, sharing physicochemical and structural properties, and having several pharmaceutical applications, particularly in drug delivery. Investigations of molecular descriptors have provided not only an improvement in the performance of classifiers but also less computational complexity and an enhanced understanding of membrane permeability. Furthermore, the employment of new technologies, such as the construction of deep learning models using overfitting treatment, promotes advantages in tackling this problem. In this study, the descriptors nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrophobicity on the Eisenberg scale were investigated, using the proposed ConvBoost-CPP composed of an improved convolutional neural network with overfitting treatment and an XGBoost model with adjusted hyperparameters. The results revealed favorable to the use of ConvBoost-CPP, having as input nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrophobicity together with ten other descriptors previously investigated in this research line, showing an increase in accuracy from 88% to 91.2% in cross-validation and 82.6% to 91.3% in independent test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Auzier Seixas Feio
- Laboratório de Inteligência Computacional e Pesquisa Operacional, Campus Belém, Instituto de Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Pará, Brazil
| | - Ewerton Cristhian Lima de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Inteligência Computacional e Pesquisa Operacional, Campus Belém, Instituto de Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Pará, Brazil
- Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Claudomiro de Souza de Sales
- Laboratório de Inteligência Computacional e Pesquisa Operacional, Campus Belém, Instituto de Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Pará, Brazil
| | - Kauê Santana da Costa
- Laboratório de Simulação Computacional, Campus Marechal Rondom, Instituto de Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Anderson Henrique Lima e Lima
- Laboratório de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
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2
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Wang N, Mcneer NA, Eton E, Fass J, Kentsis A. Proteomic Barcoding Platform for Macromolecular Screening and Delivery. J Proteome Res 2024; 23:2067-2077. [PMID: 38776430 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Engineered macromolecules offer compelling means for the therapy of conventionally undruggable interactions in human disease. However, their efficacy is limited by barriers to tissue and intracellular delivery. Inspired by recent advances in molecular barcoding and evolution, we developed BarcodeBabel, a generalized method for the design of libraries of peptide barcodes suitable for high-throughput mass spectrometry proteomics. Combined with PeptideBabel, a Monte Carlo sampling algorithm for the design of peptides with evolvable physicochemical properties and sequence complexity, we developed a barcoded library of cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) with distinct physicochemical features. Using quantitative targeted mass spectrometry, we identified CPPS with improved nuclear and cytoplasmic delivery exceeding hundreds of millions of molecules per human cell while maintaining minimal membrane disruption and negligible toxicity in vitro. These studies provide a proof of concept for peptide barcoding as a homogeneous high-throughput method for macromolecular screening and delivery. BarcodeBabel and PeptideBabel are available open-source from https://github.com/kentsisresearchgroup/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Wang
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Nicole A Mcneer
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Elliot Eton
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Josh Fass
- Tri-I PhD Program in Computational Biology and Medicine, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Alex Kentsis
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and Physiology & Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065, United States
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3
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Röckendorf N, Ramaker K, Gaede K, Tappertzhofen K, Lunding L, Wegmann M, Horbert P, Weber K, Frey A. Parallel detection of multiple biomarkers in a point-of-care-competent device for the prediction of exacerbations in chronic inflammatory lung disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12830. [PMID: 38834656 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62784-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Sudden aggravations of chronic inflammatory airway diseases are difficult-to-foresee life-threatening episodes for which advanced prognosis-systems are highly desirable. Here we present an experimental chip-based fluidic system designed for the rapid and sensitive measurement of biomarkers prognostic for potentially imminent asthma or COPD exacerbations. As model biomarkers we chose three cytokines (interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha), the bacterial infection marker C-reactive protein and the bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae-all relevant factors in exacerbation episodes. Assay protocols established in laboratory environments were adapted to 3D-printed fluidic devices with emphasis on short processing times, low reagent consumption and a low limit of detection in order to enable the fluidic system to be used in point-of-care settings. The final device demonstrator was validated with patient sample material for its capability to detect endogenous as well as exogenous biomarkers in parallel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Röckendorf
- Division of Mucosal Immunology and Diagnostics, Priority Area Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel - Leibniz Lung Center, Member of Leibniz Health Technologies, Parkallee 1-40, Borstel, Germany
| | - Katrin Ramaker
- Division of Mucosal Immunology and Diagnostics, Priority Area Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel - Leibniz Lung Center, Member of Leibniz Health Technologies, Parkallee 1-40, Borstel, Germany
| | - Karoline Gaede
- BioMaterialBank-North, Department of Medicine, Research Center Borstel - Leibniz Lung Center, Parkallee 1-40, Borstel, Germany
- Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Kristof Tappertzhofen
- Division of Mucosal Immunology and Diagnostics, Priority Area Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel - Leibniz Lung Center, Member of Leibniz Health Technologies, Parkallee 1-40, Borstel, Germany
| | - Lars Lunding
- Division of Lung Immunology, Priority Area Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel - Leibniz Lung Center, Member of Leibniz Health Technologies, Parkallee 1-40, Borstel, Germany
- Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Michael Wegmann
- Division of Lung Immunology, Priority Area Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel - Leibniz Lung Center, Member of Leibniz Health Technologies, Parkallee 1-40, Borstel, Germany
- Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Peter Horbert
- Department of Spectroscopy and Imaging, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Member of Leibniz Health Technologies, Member of the Leibniz Centre for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI), Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, Jena, Germany
| | - Karina Weber
- Department of Spectroscopy and Imaging, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Member of Leibniz Health Technologies, Member of the Leibniz Centre for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI), Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, Jena, Germany
| | - Andreas Frey
- Division of Mucosal Immunology and Diagnostics, Priority Area Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel - Leibniz Lung Center, Member of Leibniz Health Technologies, Parkallee 1-40, Borstel, Germany.
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4
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Dowaidar M. Uptake pathways of cell-penetrating peptides in the context of drug delivery, gene therapy, and vaccine development. Cell Signal 2024; 117:111116. [PMID: 38408550 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides have been extensively utilized for the purpose of facilitating the intracellular delivery of cargo that is impermeable to the cell membrane. The researchers have exhibited proficient delivery capabilities for oligonucleotides, thereby establishing cell-penetrating peptides as a potent instrument in the field of gene therapy. Furthermore, they have demonstrated a high level of efficiency in delivering several additional payloads. Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) possess the capability to efficiently transport therapeutic molecules to specific cells, hence offering potential remedies for many illnesses. Hence, their utilization is imperative for the improvement of therapeutic vaccines. In contemporary studies, a plethora of cell-penetrating peptides have been unveiled, each characterized by its own distinct structural attributes and associated mechanisms. Although it is widely acknowledged that there are multiple pathways through which particles might be internalized, a comprehensive understanding of the specific mechanisms by which these particles enter cells has to be fully elucidated. The absorption of cell-penetrating peptides can occur through either direct translocation or endocytosis. However, it is worth noting that categories of cell-penetrating peptides are not commonly linked to specific entrance mechanisms. Furthermore, research has demonstrated that cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) possess the capacity to enhance antigen uptake by cells and facilitate the traversal of various biological barriers. The primary objective of this work is to examine the mechanisms by which cell-penetrating peptides are internalized by cells and their significance in facilitating the administration of drugs, particularly in the context of gene therapy and vaccine development. The current study investigates the immunostimulatory properties of numerous vaccine components administered using different cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). This study encompassed a comprehensive discussion on various topics, including the uptake pathways and mechanisms of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), the utilization of CPPs as innovative vectors for gene therapy, the role of CPPs in vaccine development, and the potential of CPPs for antigen delivery in the context of vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moataz Dowaidar
- Bioengineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia; Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen Technologies and Carbon Management, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia; Biosystems and Machines Research Center, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
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5
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Lifshits LA, Breuer Y, Sova M, Gupta S, Kadosh D, Weinberg E, Hayouka Z, Bar DZ, Gal M. Nature-inspired peptide of MtDef4 C-terminus tail enables protein delivery in mammalian cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4604. [PMID: 38409451 PMCID: PMC10897151 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55274-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides show promise as versatile tools for intracellular delivery of therapeutic agents. Various peptides have originated from natural proteins with antimicrobial activity. We investigated the mammalian cell-penetrating properties of a 16-residue peptide with the sequence GRCRGFRRRCFCTTHC from the C-terminus tail of the Medicago truncatula defensin MtDef4. We evaluated the peptide's ability to penetrate multiple cell types. Our results demonstrate that the peptide efficiently penetrates mammalian cells within minutes and at a micromolar concentration. Moreover, upon N-terminal fusion to the fluorescent protein GFP, the peptide efficiently delivers GFP into the cells. Despite its remarkable cellular permeability, the peptide has only a minor effect on cellular viability, making it a promising candidate for developing a cell-penetrating peptide with potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Adriana Lifshits
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Medicine, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoav Breuer
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Medicine, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Marina Sova
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Medicine, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sumit Gupta
- BLAVATNIK CENTER for Drug Discovery, Tel-Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dar Kadosh
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Medicine, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Evgeny Weinberg
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Medicine, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Zvi Hayouka
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 76100, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Daniel Z Bar
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Medicine, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Maayan Gal
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Medicine, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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6
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Grohn K, Parella K, Lumen E, Colegrove H, Bjork V, Franceski A, Wolfe A, Moody K. Comparative transport analysis of cell penetrating peptides and Lysosomal sequences for selective tropism towards RPE cells. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3651531. [PMID: 38234750 PMCID: PMC10793506 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3651531/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides are typically nonspecific, targeting multiple cell types without discrimination. However, subsets of Cell penetrating peptides (CPP) have been found, which show a 'homing' capacity or increased likelihood of internalizing into specific cell types and subcellular locations. Therapeutics intended to be delivered to tissues with a high degree of cellular diversity, such as the intraocular space, would benefit from delivery using CPP that can discriminate across multiple cell types. Lysosomal storage diseases in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) can impair cargo clearance, leading to RPE atrophy and blindness. Characterizing CPP for their capacity to effectively deliver cargo to the lysosomes of different cell types may expand treatment options for lysosomal storage disorders. We developed a combinatorial library of CPP and lysosomal sorting signals, applied to ARPE19 and B3 corneal lens cells, for the purpose of determining cell line specificity and internal targeting. Several candidate classes of CPP were found to have as much as 4 times the internalization efficiency in ARPE19 compared to B3. Follow-up cargo transport studies were also performed, which demonstrate effective internalization and lysosomal targeting in ARPE19 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Grohn
- SUNY-ESF: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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7
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Greschner AA, Brahiti N, Auger M, Hu L, Soleymani Abyaneh H, Barbeau X, Parent V, Gaillet B, Guay D, Soultan AH, Gauthier MA. PEGylation of a Peptide-Based Amphiphilic Delivery Agent and Influence on Protein Delivery to Cells. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:4890-4900. [PMID: 37862236 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The cell membrane is a restrictive biological barrier, especially for large, charged molecules, such as proteins. The use of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can facilitate the delivery of proteins, protein complexes, and peptides across the membrane by a variety of mechanisms that are all limited by endosomal sequestration. To improve CPP-mediated delivery, we previously reported the rapid and effective cytosolic delivery of proteins in vitro and in vivo by their coadministration with the peptide S10, which combines a CPP and an endosomal leakage domain. Amphiphilic peptides with hydrophobic properties, such as S10, can interact with lipids to destabilize the cell membrane, thus promoting cargo internalization or escape from endosomal entrapment. However, acute membrane destabilization can result in a dose-limiting cytotoxicity. In this context, the partial or transient deactivation of S10 by modification with methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG; i.e., PEGylation) may provide the means to alter membrane destabilization kinetics, thereby attenuating the impact of acute permeabilization on cell viability. This study investigates the influence of PEGylation parameters (molecular weight, architecture, and conjugation chemistry) on the delivery efficiency of a green fluorescent protein tagged with a nuclear localization signal (GFP-NLS) and cytotoxicity on cells in vitro. Results suggest that PEGylation mostly interferes with adsorption and secondary structure formation of S10 at the cell membrane, and this effect is exacerbated by the mPEG molecular weight. This effect can be compensated for by increasing the concentration of conjugates prepared with lower molecular weight mPEG (5 to ∼20 kDa) but not for conjugates prepared with higher molecular weight mPEG (40 kDa). For conjugates prepared with moderate-to-high molecular weight mPEG (10 to 20 kDa), partial compensation of inactivation could be achieved by the inclusion of a reducible disulfide bond, which provides a mechanism to liberate the S10 from the polymer. Grafting multiple copies of S10 to a high-molecular-weight multiarmed PEG (40 kDa) improved GFP-NLS delivery efficiency. However, these constructs were more cytotoxic than the native peptide. Considering that PEGylation could be harnessed for altering the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution profiles of peptide-based delivery agents in vivo, the trends observed herein provide new perspectives on how to manipulate the membrane permeabilization process, which is an important variable for achieving delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea A Greschner
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS),EMT Research Center, 1650 boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC J3X 1P7, Canada
| | - Nadine Brahiti
- Feldan Therapeutics, 2666 boulevard du Parc Technologique Suite 290, Québec QC G1P 4S6, Canada
| | - Maud Auger
- Feldan Therapeutics, 2666 boulevard du Parc Technologique Suite 290, Québec QC G1P 4S6, Canada
- Département de génie chimique Université Laval, Room #3570, 1065 avenue de la Médecine, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, Québec QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Lei Hu
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS),EMT Research Center, 1650 boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC J3X 1P7, Canada
| | - Hoda Soleymani Abyaneh
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS),EMT Research Center, 1650 boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC J3X 1P7, Canada
| | - Xavier Barbeau
- Feldan Therapeutics, 2666 boulevard du Parc Technologique Suite 290, Québec QC G1P 4S6, Canada
| | - Victor Parent
- Feldan Therapeutics, 2666 boulevard du Parc Technologique Suite 290, Québec QC G1P 4S6, Canada
| | - Bruno Gaillet
- Département de génie chimique Université Laval, Room #3570, 1065 avenue de la Médecine, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, Québec QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - David Guay
- Feldan Therapeutics, 2666 boulevard du Parc Technologique Suite 290, Québec QC G1P 4S6, Canada
- Département de génie chimique Université Laval, Room #3570, 1065 avenue de la Médecine, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, Québec QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Al-Halifa Soultan
- Feldan Therapeutics, 2666 boulevard du Parc Technologique Suite 290, Québec QC G1P 4S6, Canada
| | - Marc A Gauthier
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS),EMT Research Center, 1650 boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC J3X 1P7, Canada
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8
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Carrera-Aubesart A, Gallo M, Defaus S, Todorovski T, Andreu D. Topoisomeric Membrane-Active Peptides: A Review of the Last Two Decades. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2451. [PMID: 37896211 PMCID: PMC10610229 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, bioactive peptides have been gaining recognition in various biomedical areas, such as intracellular drug delivery (cell-penetrating peptides, CPPs) or anti-infective action (antimicrobial peptides, AMPs), closely associated to their distinct mode of interaction with biological membranes. Exploiting the interaction of membrane-active peptides with diverse targets (healthy, tumoral, bacterial or parasitic cell membranes) is opening encouraging prospects for peptides in therapeutics. However, ordinary peptides formed by L-amino acids are easily decomposed by proteases in biological fluids. One way to sidestep this limitation is to use topoisomers, namely versions of the peptide made up of D-amino acids in either canonic (enantio) or inverted (retroenantio) sequence. Rearranging peptide sequences in this fashion provides a certain degree of native structure mimicry that, in appropriate contexts, may deliver desirable biological activity while avoiding protease degradation. In this review, we will focus on recent accounts of membrane-active topoisomeric peptides with therapeutic applications as CPP drug delivery vectors, or as antimicrobial and anticancer candidates. We will also discuss the most common modes of interaction of these peptides with their membrane targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Carrera-Aubesart
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
| | - Maria Gallo
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
| | - Sira Defaus
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
| | - Toni Todorovski
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
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Lerksuthirat T, On‐yam P, Chitphuk S, Stitchantrakul W, Newburg DS, Morrow AL, Hongeng S, Chiangjong W, Chutipongtanate S. ALA-A2 Is a Novel Anticancer Peptide Inspired by Alpha-Lactalbumin: A Discovery from a Computational Peptide Library, In Silico Anticancer Peptide Screening and In Vitro Experimental Validation. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2023; 7:2200213. [PMID: 36910465 PMCID: PMC10000267 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202200213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Anticancer peptides (ACPs) are rising as a new strategy for cancer therapy. However, traditional laboratory screening to find and identify novel ACPs from hundreds to thousands of peptides is costly and time consuming. Here, a sequential procedure is applied to identify candidate ACPs from a computer-generated peptide library inspired by alpha-lactalbumin, a milk protein with known anticancer properties. A total of 2688 distinct peptides, 5-25 amino acids in length, are generated from alpha-lactalbumin. In silico ACP screening using the physicochemical and structural filters and three machine learning models lead to the top candidate peptides ALA-A1 and ALA-A2. In vitro screening against five human cancer cell lines supports ALA-A2 as the positive hit. ALA-A2 selectively kills A549 lung cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, with no hemolytic side effects, and acts as a cell penetrating peptide without membranolytic effects. Sequential window acquisition of all theorical fragment ions-proteomics and functional validation reveal that ALA-A2 induces autophagy to mediate lung cancer cell death. This approach to identify ALA-A2 is time and cost-effective. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the exact intracellular targets of ALA-A2. Moreover, these findings support the use of larger computational peptide libraries built upon multiple proteins to further advance ACP research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tassanee Lerksuthirat
- Research CenterFaculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkok10400Thailand
| | - Pasinee On‐yam
- Pediatric Translational Research UnitDepartment of PediatricsFaculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkok10400Thailand
- Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkok10400Thailand
| | - Sermsiri Chitphuk
- Research CenterFaculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkok10400Thailand
| | - Wasana Stitchantrakul
- Research CenterFaculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkok10400Thailand
| | - David S. Newburg
- Division of EpidemiologyDepartment of Environmental and Public Health SciencesUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOH45267USA
| | - Ardythe L. Morrow
- Division of EpidemiologyDepartment of Environmental and Public Health SciencesUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOH45267USA
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of PediatricsCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOH45267USA
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Division of Hematology and OncologyDepartment of PediatricsFaculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkok10400Thailand
| | - Wararat Chiangjong
- Pediatric Translational Research UnitDepartment of PediatricsFaculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkok10400Thailand
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- Pediatric Translational Research UnitDepartment of PediatricsFaculty of Medicine Ramathibodi HospitalMahidol UniversityBangkok10400Thailand
- Division of EpidemiologyDepartment of Environmental and Public Health SciencesUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOH45267USA
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10
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Darif N, Vogelsang K, Vorgia E, Schneider D, Deligianni E, Geibel S, Vontas J, Denecke S. Cell penetrating peptides are versatile tools for enhancing multimodal uptake into cells from pest insects. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 190:105317. [PMID: 36740333 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are small peptides defined by their ability to deliver molecular cargo into cells. While the subject of frequent investigation for pharmaceutical drug delivery, little consideration has been given to the possibility of CPPs for use as insecticides or insecticide enhancers. Here, we characterize the entry of four fluorescently tagged CPPs into two insect cell lines and dissected midgut tissues in terms of both total quantity and mode of penetration. Fluorescent microscopy showed that substantial amounts of CPPs penetrate the plasma membrane via endosomal uptake in ovarian (Sf9) and midgut derived (AW1) lepidopteran cells and that this process was sensitive to selected endocytosis inhibitors. Differences in the quantity of uptake was observed between CPPs, and further differences were found in the ability CPP-1838 to efficiently penetrate membranes through passive diffusion. These findings were extended to primary midgut derived cells and dissected tissues suggesting that CPPs show a preference for goblet cells and that CPP-1838 shows far higher rates of penetration. CPP-1838 thus shows extraordinary abilities to penetrate cells efficiency in both a diffusional and endocytotic manner. From these results more sophisticated delivery methods based on the utilization of CPPs can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nedal Darif
- Bayer AG, Applied Physics, Engineering & Technology, Leverkusen, Germany
| | | | - Elena Vorgia
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - David Schneider
- Bayer AG, Applied Physics, Engineering & Technology, Leverkusen, Germany
| | - Elena Deligianni
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Sven Geibel
- R&D Pest Control, Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, Monheim, Germany.
| | - John Vontas
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece; Pesticide Science Lab, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
| | - Shane Denecke
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece.
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11
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Morofuji R, Enomoto H, Honda T, Oyama Y, Ishida R, Kudo K, Okabe K. Exploring Cell-Penetrating Peptides as Penetration Enhancers in Eye Drop Formulations Using a Reconstructed Human Corneal Epithelial Model. Biol Pharm Bull 2023; 46:1720-1730. [PMID: 38044130 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Ocular tissues function as biological barriers that hinder drug delivery, depending on the target tissue and route of administration, and must be overcome to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. Penetration enhancers have long been investigated to improve corneal drug penetration via eye drop instillation; however, further development is warranted owing to potential safety concerns. In the present study, we focused on cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) as a penetration enhancer to address the requirements and explored CPP candidates suitable for corneal drug delivery. Using a reconstructed human corneal epithelial tissue model, LabCyte CORNEA-MODEL24 as an alternative to animal testing that is expected to have higher reproducibility than extracted eyeballs and octa-arginine (R8) as a representative model CPP with simple structure, we investigated the enhancement of 6-carboxyfluorescein (6-FAM) uptake by fluorescence imaging and the potential of eye irritation by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Also, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) evaluated the interaction between R8 and model compounds, suggesting that the stronger interaction could facilitate the corneal uptake of compounds. A comparative screening study of corneal uptake using various CPPs showed that the CPPs other than R8 also have the potential to enhance the corneal uptake of 6-FAM. In particular, penetratin (PNT) showed stronger fluorescence intensity. Through these findings, this manuscript provides beneficial information for the development of a novel corneal penetration enhancer with CPPs. In the future, it is expected that the basic findings with R8 will be verified to be applicable to other CPPs for development as penetration enhancers for eye drop formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Morofuji
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
- Pharmaceutical Development Division, Nara Research & Development Center, Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
| | - Hiroshi Enomoto
- Pharmaceutical Development Division, Nara Research & Development Center, Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
| | - Takahiro Honda
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
- Pharmaceutical Development Division, Nara Research & Development Center, Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
| | - Yuki Oyama
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
| | - Reiji Ishida
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
| | - Kazuhiro Kudo
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
- Pharmaceutical Development Division, Nara Research & Development Center, Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
| | - Komei Okabe
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
- Pharmaceutical Development Division, Nara Research & Development Center, Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
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12
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Ouyang J, Sheng Y, Wang W. Recent Advances of Studies on Cell-Penetrating Peptides Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244016. [PMID: 36552778 PMCID: PMC9776715 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
With the ability to transport cargo molecules across cell membranes with low toxicity, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have become promising candidates for next generation peptide-based drug delivery vectors. Over the past three decades since the first CPP was discovered, a great deal of work has been done on the cellular uptake mechanisms and the applications for the delivery of therapeutic molecules, and significant advances have been made. But so far, we still do not have a precise and unified understanding of the structure-activity relationship of the CPPs. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide a method to reveal peptide-membrane interactions at the atomistic level and have become an effective complement to experiments. In this paper, we review the progress of the MD simulations on CPP-membrane interactions, including the computational methods and technical improvements in the MD simulations, the research achievements in the CPP internalization mechanism, CPP decoration and coupling, and the peptide-induced membrane reactions during the penetration process, as well as the comparison of simulated and experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ouyang
- School of Public Courses, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233030, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yuebiao Sheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- High Performance Computing Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (W.W.)
| | - Wei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (W.W.)
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13
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Porosk L, Langel Ü. Approaches for evaluation of novel CPP-based cargo delivery systems. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1056467. [PMID: 36339538 PMCID: PMC9634181 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1056467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) can be broadly defined as relatively short synthetic, protein derived or chimeric peptides. Their most remarkable property is their ability to cross cell barriers and facilitate the translocation of cargo, such as drugs, nucleic acids, peptides, small molecules, dyes, and many others across the plasma membrane. Over the years there have been several approaches used, adapted, and developed for the evaluation of CPP efficacies as delivery systems, with the fluorophore attachment as the most widely used approach. It has become progressively evident, that the evaluation method, in order to lead to successful outcome, should concede with the specialties of the delivery. For characterization and assessment of CPP-cargo a combination of research tools of chemistry, physics, molecular biology, engineering, and other fields have been applied. In this review, we summarize the diverse, in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches used for evaluation and characterization of CPP-based cargo delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ly Porosk
- Laboratory of Drug Delivery, Institute of Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ülo Langel
- Laboratory of Drug Delivery, Institute of Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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14
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Zhou M, Zou X, Cheng K, Zhong S, Su Y, Wu T, Tao Y, Cong L, Yan B, Jiang Y. The role of cell-penetrating peptides in potential anti-cancer therapy. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e822. [PMID: 35593206 PMCID: PMC9121317 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the complex physiological structure, microenvironment and multiple physiological barriers, traditional anti-cancer drugs are severely restricted from reaching the tumour site. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are typically made up of 5-30 amino acids, and can be utilised as molecular transporters to facilitate the passage of therapeutic drugs across physiological barriers. Up to now, CPPs have widely been used in many anti-cancer treatment strategies, serving as an excellent potential choice for oncology treatment. However, their drawbacks, such as the lack of cell specificity, short duration of action, poor stability in vivo, compatibility problems (i.e. immunogenicity), poor therapeutic efficacy and formation of unwanted metabolites, have limited their further application in cancer treatment. The cellular uptake mechanisms of CPPs involve mainly endocytosis and direct penetration, but still remain highly controversial in academia. The CPPs-based drug delivery strategy could be improved by clever design or chemical modifications to develop the next-generation CPPs with enhanced cell penetration capability, stability and selectivity. In addition, some recent advances in targeted cell penetration that involve CPPs provide some new ideas to optimise CPPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xi Zou
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Kexin Cheng
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Suye Zhong
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yangzhou Su
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tao Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongguang Tao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Li Cong
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bin Yan
- Department of Pathology, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yiqun Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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15
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Design of Membrane Active Peptides Considering Multi-Objective Optimization for Biomedical Application. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12020180. [PMID: 35207101 PMCID: PMC8880019 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12020180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
A multitude of membrane active peptides exists that divides into subclasses, such as cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) capable to enter eukaryotic cells or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) able to interact with prokaryotic cell envelops. Peptide membrane interactions arise from unique sequence motifs of the peptides that account for particular physicochemical properties. Membrane active peptides are mainly cationic, often primary or secondary amphipathic, and they interact with membranes depending on the composition of the bilayer lipids. Sequences of these peptides consist of short 5–30 amino acid sections derived from natural proteins or synthetic sources. Membrane active peptides can be designed using computational methods or can be identified in screenings of combinatorial libraries. This review focuses on strategies that were successfully applied to the design and optimization of membrane active peptides with respect to the fact that diverse features of successful peptide candidates are prerequisites for biomedical application. Not only membrane activity but also degradation stability in biological environments, propensity to induce resistances, and advantageous toxicological properties are crucial parameters that have to be considered in attempts to design useful membrane active peptides. Reliable assay systems to access the different biological characteristics of numerous membrane active peptides are essential tools for multi-objective peptide optimization.
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16
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Abstract
In this introductory chapter, we first define cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), give short overview of CPP history and discuss several aspects of CPP classification. Next section is devoted to the mechanism of CPP penetration into the cells, where direct and endocytic internalization of CPP is explained. Kinetics of internalization is discussed more extensively, since this topic is not discussed in other chapters of this book. At the end of this section some features of the thermodynamics of CPP interaction with the membrane is also presented. Finally, we present different cargoes that can be transferred into the cells by CPPs and briefly discuss the effect of cargo on the rate and efficiency of penetration into the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matjaž Zorko
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Ülo Langel
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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17
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Artificial Evolutionary Optimization Process to Improve the Functionality of Cell Penetrating Peptides. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 34766281 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1752-6_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Crossing cellular membranes is a versatile molecular property that allows for a wide variety of peptides with cell penetrating capabilities. This broadness complicates identification of candidates suited best for a specific application. To facilitate the screening of this enormous molecular space in a supervised manner we here present a method to "breed" the desired molecules by applying the rules of Darwinian evolution. With this mate-and-check protocol, which combines an in silico evolution step with an in vitro performance test, cell penetrating peptides that are optimized for a specific task can be achieved in a few rounds of breeding. The procedure is simple and straightforward on the synthetic site but requires robust, highly reproducible and close-to-reality biological assays to yield realistic functional output. With this technology even top-performing peptides can be further improved and functionally adjusted.
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18
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A Re-evaluation of the Free Energy Profiles for Cell-Penetrating Peptides Across DOPC Membranes. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10301-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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19
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Zhang Y, Guo P, Ma Z, Lu P, Kebebe D, Liu Z. Combination of cell-penetrating peptides with nanomaterials for the potential therapeutics of central nervous system disorders: a review. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:255. [PMID: 34425832 PMCID: PMC8381574 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-01002-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although nanomedicine have greatly developed and human life span has been extended, we have witnessed the soared incidence of central nervous system (CNS) diseases including neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease), ischemic stroke, and brain tumors, which have severely damaged the quality of life and greatly increased the economic and social burdens. Moreover, partial small molecule drugs and almost all large molecule drugs (such as recombinant protein, therapeutic antibody, and nucleic acid) cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, it is especially important to develop a drug delivery system that can effectively deliver therapeutic drugs to the central nervous system for the treatment of central nervous system diseases. Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) provide a potential strategy for the transport of macromolecules through the blood-brain barrier. This study analyzed and summarized the progress of CPPs in CNS diseases from three aspects: CPPs, the conjugates of CPPs and drug, and CPPs modified nanoparticles to provide scientific basis for the application of CPPs for CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Pan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Zhe Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Peng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Dereje Kebebe
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,School of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Zhidong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China. .,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.
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20
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Collado Camps E, van Lith SAM, Frielink C, Lankhof J, Dijkgraaf I, Gotthardt M, Brock R. CPPs to the Test: Effects on Binding, Uptake and Biodistribution of a Tumor Targeting Nanobody. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:602. [PMID: 34201507 PMCID: PMC8308549 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanobodies are well-established targeting ligands for molecular imaging and therapy. Their short circulation time enables early imaging and reduces systemic radiation exposure. However, shorter circulation time leads to lower tracer accumulation in the target tissue. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) improve cellular uptake of various cargoes, including nanobodies. CPPs could enhance tissue retention without compromising rapid clearance. However, systematic investigations on how the functionalities of nanobody and CPP combine with each other at the level of 2D and 3D cell cultures and in vivo are lacking. Here, we demonstrate that conjugates of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-binding nanobody 7D12 with different CPPs (nonaarginine, penetratin, Tat and hLF) differ with respect to cell binding and induction of endocytosis. For nonaarginine and penetratin we compared the competition of EGF binding and performance of L- and D-peptide stereoisomers, and tested the D-peptide conjugates in tumor cell spheroids and in vivo. The D-peptide conjugates showed better penetration into spheroids than the unconjugated 7D12. Both in vivo and in vitro, the behavior of the agent reflects the combination of both functionalities. Although CPPs cause promising increases in in vitro uptake and 3D penetration, the dominant effect of the CPP in the control of biodistribution warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estel Collado Camps
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (E.C.C.); (J.L.)
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (S.A.M.v.L.); (C.F.); (M.G.)
| | - Sanne A. M. van Lith
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (S.A.M.v.L.); (C.F.); (M.G.)
| | - Cathelijne Frielink
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (S.A.M.v.L.); (C.F.); (M.G.)
| | - Jordi Lankhof
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (E.C.C.); (J.L.)
| | - Ingrid Dijkgraaf
- Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Martin Gotthardt
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (S.A.M.v.L.); (C.F.); (M.G.)
| | - Roland Brock
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (E.C.C.); (J.L.)
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 293, Bahrain
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21
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Adhesion and proliferation of living cell on surface functionalized with glycine nanostructures. NANO SELECT 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/nano.202100043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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22
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Predicting cell-penetrating peptides using machine learning algorithms and navigating in their chemical space. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7628. [PMID: 33828175 PMCID: PMC8027643 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87134-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are naturally able to cross the lipid bilayer membrane that protects cells. These peptides share common structural and physicochemical properties and show different pharmaceutical applications, among which drug delivery is the most important. Due to their ability to cross the membranes by pulling high-molecular-weight polar molecules, they are termed Trojan horses. In this study, we proposed a machine learning (ML)-based framework named BChemRF-CPPred (beyond chemical rules-based framework for CPP prediction) that uses an artificial neural network, a support vector machine, and a Gaussian process classifier to differentiate CPPs from non-CPPs, using structure- and sequence-based descriptors extracted from PDB and FASTA formats. The performance of our algorithm was evaluated by tenfold cross-validation and compared with those of previously reported prediction tools using an independent dataset. The BChemRF-CPPred satisfactorily identified CPP-like structures using natural and synthetic modified peptide libraries and also obtained better performance than those of previously reported ML-based algorithms, reaching the independent test accuracy of 90.66% (AUC = 0.9365) for PDB, and an accuracy of 86.5% (AUC = 0.9216) for FASTA input. Moreover, our analyses of the CPP chemical space demonstrated that these peptides break some molecular rules related to the prediction of permeability of therapeutic molecules in cell membranes. This is the first comprehensive analysis to predict synthetic and natural CPP structures and to evaluate their chemical space using an ML-based framework. Our algorithm is freely available for academic use at http://comptools.linc.ufpa.br/BChemRF-CPPred .
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23
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Verbeek SF, Awasthi N, Teiwes NK, Mey I, Hub JS, Janshoff A. How arginine derivatives alter the stability of lipid membranes: dissecting the roles of side chains, backbone and termini. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL : EBJ 2021; 50:127-142. [PMID: 33661339 PMCID: PMC8071801 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-021-01503-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Arginine (R)-rich peptides constitute the most relevant class of cell-penetrating peptides and other membrane-active peptides that can translocate across the cell membrane or generate defects in lipid bilayers such as water-filled pores. The mode of action of R-rich peptides remains a topic of controversy, mainly because a quantitative and energetic understanding of arginine effects on membrane stability is lacking. Here, we explore the ability of several oligo-arginines R[Formula: see text] and of an arginine side chain mimic R[Formula: see text] to induce pore formation in lipid bilayers employing MD simulations, free-energy calculations, breakthrough force spectroscopy and leakage assays. Our experiments reveal that R[Formula: see text] but not R[Formula: see text] reduces the line tension of a membrane with anionic lipids. While R[Formula: see text] peptides form a layer on top of a partly negatively charged lipid bilayer, R[Formula: see text] leads to its disintegration. Complementary, our simulations show R[Formula: see text] causes membrane thinning and area per lipid increase beside lowering the pore nucleation free energy. Model polyarginine R[Formula: see text] similarly promoted pore formation in simulations, but without overall bilayer destabilization. We conclude that while the guanidine moiety is intrinsically membrane-disruptive, poly-arginines favor pore formation in negatively charged membranes via a different mechanism. Pore formation by R-rich peptides seems to be counteracted by lipids with PC headgroups. We found that long R[Formula: see text] and R[Formula: see text] but not short R[Formula: see text] reduce the free energy of nucleating a pore. In short R[Formula: see text], the substantial effect of the charged termini prevent their membrane activity, rationalizing why only longer [Formula: see text] are membrane-active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah F. Verbeek
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Neha Awasthi
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nikolas K. Teiwes
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ingo Mey
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jochen S. Hub
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Theoretical Physics and Center for Biophyics, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Andreas Janshoff
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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24
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Cai L, Wang L, Fu X, Xia C, Zeng X, Zou Q. ITP-Pred: an interpretable method for predicting, therapeutic peptides with fused features low-dimension representation. Brief Bioinform 2020; 22:6032630. [PMID: 33313672 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbaa367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The peptide therapeutics market is providing new opportunities for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, identifying therapeutic peptides and exploring their properties are important. Although several studies have proposed different machine learning methods to predict peptides as being therapeutic peptides, most do not explain the decision factors of model in detail. In this work, an Interpretable Therapeutic Peptide Prediction (ITP-Pred) model based on efficient feature fusion was developed. First, we proposed three kinds of feature descriptors based on sequence and physicochemical property encoded, namely amino acid composition (AAC), group AAC and coding autocorrelation, and concatenated them to obtain the feature representation of therapeutic peptide. Then, we input it into the CNN-Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) model to automatically learn recognition of therapeutic peptides. The cross-validation and independent verification experiments results indicated that ITP-Pred has a higher prediction performance on the benchmark dataset than other comparison methods. Finally, we analyzed the output of the model from two aspects: sequence order and physical and chemical properties, mining important features as guidance for the design of better models that can complement existing methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Quan Zou
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
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25
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Porosk L, Gaidutšik I, Langel Ü. Approaches for the discovery of new cell-penetrating peptides. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 16:553-565. [PMID: 33874824 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2021.1851187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The capability of cell-penetrating peptides (CPP), also known as protein transduction domains (PTD), to enter into cells possibly with an attached cargo, makes their application as delivery vectors or as direct therapeutics compelling. They are generally biocompatible, nontoxic, and easy to synthesize and modify. Three decades after the discovery of the first CPPs, ~2,000 CPP sequences have been identified, and many more predicted. Nevertheless, the field has a strong commitment to authenticate new, more efficient, and specific CPPs.Areas covered: Although a scattering of CPPs have been found by chance, various systematic approaches have been developed and refined over the years to directly aid the identification and depiction of new peptide-based delivery vectors or therapeutics. Here, the authors give an overview of CPPs, and review various approaches of discovering new ones. An emphasis is placed on in silico methods, as these have advanced rapidly in recent years.Expert opinion: Although there are many known CPPs, there is a need to find more efficient and specific CPPs. Several approaches are used to identify such sequences. The success of these approaches depends on the advancement of others and the successful prediction of CPP sequences relies on experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ly Porosk
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ilja Gaidutšik
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ülo Langel
- Department Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Vaithiyanathan M, Hymel HC, Safa N, Sanchez OM, Pettigrew JH, Kirkpatrick CS, Gauthier TJ, Melvin AT. Kinetic analysis of cellular internalization and expulsion of unstructured D‐chirality cell penetrating peptides. AIChE J 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/aic.17087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah C. Hymel
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering Louisiana State University Louisiana USA
| | - Nora Safa
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering Louisiana State University Louisiana USA
| | - Olivia M. Sanchez
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering Louisiana State University Louisiana USA
| | - Jacob H. Pettigrew
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering Louisiana State University Louisiana USA
| | - Cole S. Kirkpatrick
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering Louisiana State University Louisiana USA
| | - Ted J. Gauthier
- LSU AgCenter Biotechnology Lab Louisiana State University Louisiana USA
| | - Adam T. Melvin
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering Louisiana State University Louisiana USA
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27
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Yin H, Huang YH, Deprey K, Condon ND, Kritzer JA, Craik DJ, Wang CK. Cellular Uptake and Cytosolic Delivery of a Cyclic Cystine Knot Scaffold. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:1650-1661. [PMID: 32315152 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cyclotides are macrocyclic peptides with exceptionally stable structures and have been reported to penetrate cells, making them promising scaffolds for the delivery of inhibitory peptides to target intracellular proteins. However, their cellular uptake and cytosolic localization have been poorly understood until now, which has limited their therapeutic potential. In this study, the recently developed chloroalkane penetration assay was combined with established assays to characterize the cellular uptake and cytosolic delivery of the prototypic cyclotide, kalata B1. We show that kalata B1 enters the cytosol at low efficiency. A structure-activity study of residues in loop 6 showed that some modifications, such as increasing cationic residue content, did not affect delivery efficiency, whereas others, including introducing a single hydrophobic amino acid, did significantly improve cytosolic delivery. Our results provide a foundation for the further development of a structurally unique class of scaffolds for the delivery of therapeutic cargoes into cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huawu Yin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kirsten Deprey
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Nicholas D. Condon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Joshua A. Kritzer
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Conan K. Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Min S, Kim K, Ku S, Park J, Seo J, Roh S. Newly synthesized peptide, Ara‐27, exhibits significant improvement in cell‐penetrating ability compared to conventional peptides. Biotechnol Prog 2020; 36:e3014. [DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sol Min
- Cellular Reprogramming and Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry Seoul National University Seoul Korea
| | - Kichul Kim
- Cellular Reprogramming and Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry Seoul National University Seoul Korea
| | - Seockmo Ku
- Fermentation Science Program, School of Agriculture, College of Basic and Applied Sciences Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Tennessee USA
| | - Jeong‐Yoon Park
- The Spine and Spinal Cord Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongmin Seo
- Cellular Reprogramming and Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry Seoul National University Seoul Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute NeoRegen Biotech Co., Ltd. Gyeonggi‐do Korea
| | - Sangho Roh
- Cellular Reprogramming and Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry Seoul National University Seoul Korea
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Gupta S, Singh I, Sharma AK, Kumar P. Ultrashort Peptide Self-Assembly: Front-Runners to Transport Drug and Gene Cargos. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:504. [PMID: 32548101 PMCID: PMC7273840 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The translational therapies to promote interaction between cell and signal come with stringent eligibility criteria. The chemically defined, hierarchically organized, and simpler yet blessed with robust intermolecular association, the peptides, are privileged to make the cut-off for sensing the cell-signal for biologics delivery and tissue engineering. The signature service and insoluble network formation of the peptide self-assemblies as hydrogels have drawn a spell of research activity among the scientists all around the globe in the past decades. The therapeutic peptide market players are anticipating promising growth opportunities due to the ample technological advancements in this field. The presence of the other organic moieties, enzyme substrates and well-established protecting groups like Fmoc and Boc etc., bring the best of both worlds. Since the large sequences of peptides severely limit the purification and their isolation, this article reviews the account of last 5 years' efforts on novel approaches for formulation and development of single molecule amino acids, ultra-short peptide self-assemblies (di- and tri- peptides only) and their derivatives as drug/gene carriers and tissue-engineering systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Gupta
- Chemistry Department, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Indu Singh
- Chemistry Department, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashwani K. Sharma
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Nucleic Acids Research Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
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Young CC, Vedadghavami A, Bajpayee AG. Bioelectricity for Drug Delivery: The Promise of Cationic Therapeutics. Bioelectricity 2020; 2:68-81. [PMID: 32803148 DOI: 10.1089/bioe.2020.0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological systems overwhelmingly comprise charged entities generating electrical activity that can have significant impact on biological structure and function. This intrinsic bio-electrical activity can also be harnessed for overcoming the tissue matrix and cell membrane barriers, which have been outstanding challenges for targeted drug delivery, by using rationally designed cationic carriers. The weak and reversible long-range electrostatic interactions with fixed negatively charged groups facilitate electro-diffusive transport of cationic therapeutics through full-tissue thickness to effectively reach intra-tissue, cellular, and intracellular target sites. This article presents a perspective on the promise of using rationally designed cationic biomaterials in targeted drug delivery, the underlying charge-based mechanisms, and bio-transport phenomena while addressing outstanding concerns around toxicity and methods to mitigate them. We also discuss electrically charged drugs that are currently being evaluated in clinical trials and identify areas of further development that have the potential to usher in new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron C Young
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Armin Vedadghavami
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ambika G Bajpayee
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Gomes Dos Reis L, Traini D. Advances in the use of cell penetrating peptides for respiratory drug delivery. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2020; 17:647-664. [PMID: 32138567 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2020.1739646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Respiratory diseases are leading causes of death in the world, still inhalation therapies are the largest fail in drug development. There is an evident need to develop new therapies. Biomolecules represent apotential therapeutic agent in this regard, however their translation to the clinic is hindered by the lack of tools to efficiently deliver molecules. Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have arisen as apotential strategy for intracellular delivery that could theoretically enable the translation of new therapies.Areas covered: In this review, the use of CPPs as astrategy to deliver different molecules (cargoes) to treat lung-relateddiseases will be the focus. Abrief description of these molecules and the innovative methods in designing new CPPs is presented. The delivery of different cargoes (proteins, peptides, poorly soluble drugs and nucleic acids) using CPPs is discussed, focusing on benefits to treat different respiratory diseases like inflammatory disorders, cystic fibrosis and lung cancer.Expert opinion: The advantages of using CPPs to deliver biomolecules and poorly soluble drugs to the lungs is evident. This field has advanced in the past few years toward targeted intracellular delivery, although further studies are needed to fully understand its potential and limitations in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Gomes Dos Reis
- Respiratory Technology, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Daniela Traini
- Respiratory Technology, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Deshayes S, Konate K, Dussot M, Chavey B, Vaissière A, Van TNN, Aldrian G, Padari K, Pooga M, Vivès E, Boisguérin P. Deciphering the internalization mechanism of WRAP:siRNA nanoparticles. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183252. [PMID: 32135145 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Gene silencing mediated by double-stranded small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been widely investigated as a potential therapeutic approach for a variety of diseases and, indeed, the first therapeutic siRNA was approved by the FDA in 2018. As an alternative to the traditional delivery systems for nucleic acids, peptide-based nanoparticles (PBNs) have been applied successfully for siRNA delivery. Recently, we have developed amphipathic cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), called WRAP allowing a rapid and efficient siRNA delivery into several cell lines at low doses (20 to 50 nM). In this study, using a highly specific gene silencing system, we aimed to elucidate the cellular uptake mechanism of WRAP:siRNA nanoparticles by combining biophysical, biological, confocal and electron microscopy approaches. We demonstrated that WRAP:siRNA complexes remain fully active in the presence of chemical inhibitors of different endosomal pathways suggesting a direct cell membrane translocation mechanism. Leakage studies on lipid vesicles indicated membrane destabilization properties of the nanoparticles and this was supported by the measurement of WRAP:siRNA internalization in dynamin triple-KO cells. However, we also observed some evidences for an endocytosis-dependent cellular internalization. Indeed, nanoparticles co-localized with transferrin, siRNA silencing was inhibited by the scavenger receptor A inhibitor Poly I and nanoparticles encapsulated in vesicles were observed by electron microscopy in U87 cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate here that the efficiency of WRAP:siRNA nanoparticles is mainly based on the use of multiple internalization mechanisms including direct translocation as well as endocytosis-dependent pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Deshayes
- Centre de Recherche de Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5237, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Karidia Konate
- Centre de Recherche de Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5237, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Marion Dussot
- Centre de Recherche de Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5237, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Bérengère Chavey
- Centre de Recherche de Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5237, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier Cedex 5, France; Sys2Diag, UMR 9005-CNRS/ALCEDIAG, 1682 Rue de la Valsière, 34184, Montpellier, CEDEX 4, France
| | - Anaïs Vaissière
- Centre de Recherche de Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5237, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Thi Nhu Ngoc Van
- Sys2Diag, UMR 9005-CNRS/ALCEDIAG, 1682 Rue de la Valsière, 34184, Montpellier, CEDEX 4, France
| | - Gudrun Aldrian
- Sys2Diag, UMR 9005-CNRS/ALCEDIAG, 1682 Rue de la Valsière, 34184, Montpellier, CEDEX 4, France
| | - Kärt Padari
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Margus Pooga
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Eric Vivès
- Centre de Recherche de Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5237, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Prisca Boisguérin
- Centre de Recherche de Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5237, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
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Zarei M, Rahbar MR, Negahdaripour M, Morowvat MH, Nezafat N, Ghasemi Y. Cell Penetrating Peptide: Sequence-Based Computational Prediction for Intercellular Delivery of Arginine Deiminase. CURR PROTEOMICS 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1570164616666190701120351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:Cell-Penetrating Peptides (CPPs), a family of short peptides, are broadly used as the carrier in the delivery of drugs and different therapeutic agents. Thanks to the existence of valuable databases, computational screening of the experimentally validated CPPs can help the researchers to select more effective CPPs for the intercellular delivery of therapeutic proteins. Arginine deiminase of Mycoplasma hominis, an arginine-degrading enzyme, is currently in the clinical trial for treating several arginine auxotrophic cancers. However, some tumor cells have developed resistance to ADI treatment. The ADI resistance arises from the over-expression of argininosuccinate synthetase 1 enzyme, which is involved in arginine synthesis. Intracellular delivery of ADI into tumor cells is suggested as an efficient approach to overcome the aforesaid drawback.Objective:In this study, in-silico tools were used for evaluating the experimentally validated CPPs to select the best CPP candidates for the intracellular delivery of ADI.Results:In this regard, 150 CPPs of protein cargo available at CPPsite were retrieved and evaluated by the CellPPD server. The best CPP candidates for the intracellular delivery of ADI were selected based on stability and antigenicity of the ADI-CPP fusion form. The conjugated forms of ADI with each of the three CPPs including EGFP-hcT (9-32), EGFP-ppTG20, and F(SG)4TP10 were stable and nonantigenic; thus, these sequences were introduced as the best CPP candidates for the intracellular delivery of ADI. In addition, the proposed CPPs had appropriate positive charge and lengths for an efficient cellular uptake.Conclusion:These three introduced CPPs not only are appropriate for the intracellular delivery of ADI, but also can overcome the limitation of its therapeutic application, including short half-life and antigenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh Zarei
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Rahbar
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Manica Negahdaripour
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Navid Nezafat
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Younes Ghasemi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Karatas H, Maric T, D’Alessandro PL, Yevtodiyenko A, Vorherr T, Hollingworth GJ, Goun EA. Real-Time Imaging and Quantification of Peptide Uptake in Vitro and in Vivo. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:2197-2205. [PMID: 31498986 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Peptides constitute an important class of drugs for the treatment of multiple metabolic, oncological, and neurodegenerative diseases, and several hundred novel therapeutic peptides are currently in the preclinical and clinical stages of development. However, many leads fail to advance clinically because of poor cellular membrane and tissue permeability. Therefore, assessment of the ability of a peptide to cross cellular membranes is critical when developing novel peptide-based therapeutics. Current methods to assess peptide cellular permeability are limited by multiple factors, such as the need to introduce rather large modifications (e.g., fluorescent dyes) that require complex chemical reactions as well as an inability to provide kinetic information on the internalization of a compound or distinguish between internalized and membrane-bound compounds. In addition, many of these methods are based on end point assays and require multiple sample manipulation steps. Herein, we report a novel "Split Luciferin Peptide" (SLP) assay that enables the real-time noninvasive imaging and quantification of peptide uptake both in vitro and in vivo using a very sensitive bioluminescence readout. This method is based on a straightforward, stable chemical modification of the peptide of interest with a d-cysteine tag that preserves the overall peptidic character of the original molecule. This method can be easily adapted for screening peptide libraries and can thus become an important tool for preclinical peptide drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hacer Karatas
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Maric
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Aleksey Yevtodiyenko
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Vorherr
- Novartis Pharma AG, Werk Klybeck Postfach, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Elena A. Goun
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Sang J, Kulkarni K, Watson GM, Ma X, Craik DJ, Henriques ST, Poth AG, Benfield AH, Wilce JA. Evaluation of Cyclic Peptide Inhibitors of the Grb7 Breast Cancer Target: Small Change in Cargo Results in Large Change in Cellular Activity. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24203739. [PMID: 31627265 PMCID: PMC6832895 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24203739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Grb7 is an adapter protein, overexpressed in HER2+ve breast and other cancers, and identified as a therapeutic target. Grb7 promotes both proliferative and migratory cellular pathways through interaction of its SH2 domain with upstream binding partners including HER2, SHC, and FAK. Here we present the evaluation of a series of monocyclic and bicyclic peptide inhibitors that have been developed to specifically and potently target the Grb7 SH2-domain. All peptides tested were found to inhibit signaling in both ERK and AKT pathways in SKBR-3 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Proliferation, migration, and invasion assays revealed, however, that the second-generation bicyclic peptides were not more bioactive than the first generation G7-18NATE peptide, despite their higher in vitro affinity for the target. This was found not to be due to steric hindrance by the cell-permeability tag, as ascertained by ITC, but to differences in the ability of the bicyclic peptides to interact with and penetrate cellular membranes, as determined using SPR and mass spectrometry. These studies reveal that just small differences to amino acid composition can greatly impact the effectiveness of peptide inhibitors to their intracellular target and demonstrate that G7-18NATE remains the most effective peptide inhibitor of Grb7 developed to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianrong Sang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China.
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton 3800, Australia.
| | - Ketav Kulkarni
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton 3800, Australia.
| | - Gabrielle M Watson
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton 3800, Australia.
| | - Xiuquan Ma
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton 3800, Australia.
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia.
| | - Sónia T Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane 4102, Australia.
| | - Aaron G Poth
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia.
| | - Aurélie H Benfield
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane 4102, Australia.
| | - Jacqueline A Wilce
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton 3800, Australia.
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Wen J, Wang W, Lee KJ, Choi BK, Harradine P, Salituro GM, Hittle L. Quantitation of Super Basic Peptides in Biological Matrices by a Generic Perfluoropentanoic Acid-Based Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Method. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2019; 30:1779-1789. [PMID: 31250320 DOI: 10.1007/s13361-019-02257-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Peptides represent a promising modality for the design of novel therapeutics that can potentially modulate traditionally non-druggable targets. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are two large families that are being explored extensively as drug delivery vehicles, imaging reagents, or therapeutic treatments for various diseases. Many CPPs and AMPs are cationic among which a significant portion is extremely basic and hydrophilic (e.g., nona-arginine). Despite their attractive therapeutic potential, it remains challenging to directly analyze and quantify these super cationic peptides from biological matrices due to their poor chromatographic behavior and MS response. Herein, we describe a generic method that combines solid phase extraction and LC-MS/MS for analysis of these peptides. As demonstrated, using a dozen strongly basic peptides, low μM concentration of perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) in the mobile phase enabled excellent compound chromatographic retention, thus avoiding co-elution with solvent front ion suppressants. PFPeA also had a charge reduction effect that allowed the selection of parent/ion fragment pairs in the higher m/z region to further reduce potential low molecular weight interferences. When the method was coupled to the optimized sample extraction process, we routinely achieved low digit ng/ml sensitivity for peptides in plasma/tissue. The method allowed an efficient evaluation of plasma stability of CPPs/AMPs without fluorescence derivatization or other tagging methods. Importantly, using the widely studied HIV-TAT CPP as an example, the method enabled us to directly assess its pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution in preclinical animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhong Wen
- Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA.
| | - Weixun Wang
- Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Keun-Joong Lee
- Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Bernard K Choi
- Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Paul Harradine
- Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Gino M Salituro
- Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Lucinda Hittle
- Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
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37
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Jauset T, Beaulieu ME. Bioactive cell penetrating peptides and proteins in cancer: a bright future ahead. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2019; 47:133-140. [PMID: 31048179 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2019.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Peptides and proteins bear an extraordinary therapeutic potential to effectively and selectively target many components of cells currently considered undruggable. However, their intracellular delivery remains a critical challenge. Cell penetrating peptides and protein domains (CPPs) can be employed to translocate therapeutic polypeptides through the cellular membrane. Here, we describe examples of linear peptides and proteins, byciclic macropeptides and nanobodies that target key players in cancer development, with intrinsic and engineered cell penetrating ability. We also describe current solutions to the main challenges to their clinical viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni Jauset
- Peptomyc, Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | - Marie-Eve Beaulieu
- Peptomyc, Edifici Cellex, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, 08035, Spain.
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Deprey K, Becker L, Kritzer J, Plückthun A. Trapped! A Critical Evaluation of Methods for Measuring Total Cellular Uptake versus Cytosolic Localization. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:1006-1027. [PMID: 30882208 PMCID: PMC6527423 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Biomolecules have many properties that make them promising for intracellular therapeutic applications, but delivery remains a key challenge because large biomolecules cannot easily enter the cytosol. Furthermore, quantification of total intracellular versus cytosolic concentrations remains demanding, and the determination of delivery efficiency is thus not straightforward. In this review, we discuss strategies for delivering biomolecules into the cytosol and briefly summarize the mechanisms of uptake for these systems. We then describe commonly used methods to measure total cellular uptake and, more selectively, cytosolic localization, and discuss the major advantages and drawbacks of each method. We critically evaluate methods of measuring "cell penetration" that do not adequately distinguish total cellular uptake and cytosolic localization, which often lead to inaccurate interpretations of a molecule's cytosolic localization. Finally, we summarize the properties and components of each method, including the main caveats of each, to allow for informed decisions about method selection for specific applications. When applied correctly and interpreted carefully, methods for quantifying cytosolic localization offer valuable insight into the bioactivity of biomolecules and potentially the prospects for their eventual development into therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Deprey
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, 62 Talbot Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Lukas Becker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joshua Kritzer
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, 62 Talbot Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Krause T, Röckendorf N, El-Sourani N, Ramaker K, Henkel M, Hauke S, Borschbach M, Frey A. Breeding Cell Penetrating Peptides: Optimization of Cellular Uptake by a Function-Driven Evolutionary Process. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:4020-4029. [PMID: 30380293 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In nature, building block-based biopolymers can adapt to functional and environmental demands by recombination and mutation of the monomer sequence. We present here an analogous, artificial evolutionary optimization process which we have applied to improve the functionality of cell-penetrating peptide molecules. The "evolution" consisted of repeated rounds of in silico peptide sequence alterations using a genetic algorithm followed by in vitro peptide synthesis, experimental analysis, and ranking according to their "fitness" (i.e., their ability to carry the cargo carboxyfluorescein into cultured cells). The genetic algorithm-based optimization method was customized and adapted from former successful applications in the lab to realize an early convergence and a minimum number of in vitro and in silico processing steps by configured settings derived from empirical in silico simulation. We started out with 20 "lead peptides" which we had previously identified as top performers regarding their ability to enter cultured cells. Ten breeding rounds comprising 240 peptides each yielded a peptide population of which the top 10 candidates displayed a 6-fold (median values) increase in its cell-penetration capability compared with the top 10 lead peptides, and two consensus sequences emerged which represent local fitness optima. In addition, the cell-penetrating potential could be proven independently of the carboxyfluorescein cargo in an alternative setting. Our results demonstrate that we have established a powerful optimization technology that can be used to further improve peptides with known functionality and adapt them to specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten Krause
- Department of Mucosal Immunology and Diagnostics , Priority Area Asthma and Allergy, Research Center Borstel , 23845 Borstel , Germany ; Member of Leibniz Health Technologies
| | - Niels Röckendorf
- Department of Mucosal Immunology and Diagnostics , Priority Area Asthma and Allergy, Research Center Borstel , 23845 Borstel , Germany ; Member of Leibniz Health Technologies
| | - Nail El-Sourani
- Faculty of Computer Science , FHDW University of Applied Sciences , 51465 Bergisch Gladbach , Germany
| | - Katrin Ramaker
- Department of Mucosal Immunology and Diagnostics , Priority Area Asthma and Allergy, Research Center Borstel , 23845 Borstel , Germany ; Member of Leibniz Health Technologies
| | - Maik Henkel
- Department of Mucosal Immunology and Diagnostics , Priority Area Asthma and Allergy, Research Center Borstel , 23845 Borstel , Germany ; Member of Leibniz Health Technologies
| | - Sascha Hauke
- Faculty of Computer Science , FHDW University of Applied Sciences , 51465 Bergisch Gladbach , Germany
| | - Markus Borschbach
- Faculty of Computer Science , FHDW University of Applied Sciences , 51465 Bergisch Gladbach , Germany
| | - Andreas Frey
- Department of Mucosal Immunology and Diagnostics , Priority Area Asthma and Allergy, Research Center Borstel , 23845 Borstel , Germany ; Member of Leibniz Health Technologies
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Gallo M, Defaus S, Andreu D. 1988-2018: Thirty years of drug smuggling at the nano scale. Challenges and opportunities of cell-penetrating peptides in biomedical research. Arch Biochem Biophys 2018; 661:74-86. [PMID: 30447207 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In 1988, two unrelated papers reported the discovery of peptide vectors with innate cell translocation properties, setting the ground for a new area of research that over the years has grown into considerable therapeutic potential. The vectors, named cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), constitute a now large and diversified family, sharing the extraordinary ability to diffuse unaltered across cell membranes while ferrying diverse associated cargos. Such properties have made CPPs ideal tools for delivery of nucleic acids, proteins and other therapeutic/diagnostic molecules to cells and tissues via covalent conjugation or complexation. This year 2018 marks the 30th anniversary of a peptide research landmark opening new perspectives in drug delivery. Given its vastness, exhaustive coverage of the main features and accomplishments in the CPP field is virtually impossible. Hence this manuscript, after saluting the above 30th jubilee, focuses by necessity on the most recent contributions, providing a comprehensive list of recognized CPPs and their latest-reported applications over the last two years. In addition, it thoroughly reviews three areas of peptide vector research of particular interest to us, namely (i) efficient transport of low-bioavailability drugs into the brain; (ii) CPP-delivered disruptors of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCRs) heteromers related to several disorders, and (iii) CPP-mediated delivery of useful but poorly internalized drugs into parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gallo
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sira Defaus
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
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