1
|
Morais KLP, Ciccone L, Stura E, Alvarez-Flores MP, Mourier G, Driessche MV, Sciani JM, Iqbal A, Kalil SP, Pereira GJ, Marques-Porto R, Cunegundes P, Juliano L, Servent D, Chudzinski-Tavassi AM. Structural and functional properties of the Kunitz-type and C-terminal domains of Amblyomin-X supporting its antitumor activity. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1072751. [PMID: 36845546 PMCID: PMC9948614 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1072751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Amblyomin-X is a Kunitz-type FXa inhibitor identified through the transcriptome analysis of the salivary gland from Amblyomma sculptum tick. This protein consists of two domains of equivalent size, triggers apoptosis in different tumor cell lines, and promotes regression of tumor growth, and reduction of metastasis. To study the structural properties and functional roles of the N-terminal (N-ter) and C-terminal (C-ter) domains of Amblyomin-X, we synthesized them by solid-phase peptide synthesis, solved the X-Ray crystallographic structure of the N-ter domain, confirming its Kunitz-type signature, and studied their biological properties. We show here that the C-ter domain is responsible for the uptake of Amblyomin-X by tumor cells and highlight the ability of this domain to deliver intracellular cargo by the strong enhancement of the intracellular detection of molecules with low cellular-uptake efficiency (p15) after their coupling with the C-ter domain. In contrast, the N-ter Kunitz domain of Amblyomin-X is not capable of crossing through the cell membrane but is associated with tumor cell cytotoxicity when it is microinjected into the cells or fused to TAT cell-penetrating peptide. Additionally, we identify the minimum length C-terminal domain named F2C able to enter in the SK-MEL-28 cells and induces dynein chains gene expression modulation, a molecular motor that plays a role in the uptake and intracellular trafficking of Amblyomin-X.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K. L. P. Morais
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Laboratory of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L. Ciccone
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France,Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - E. Stura
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - M. P. Alvarez-Flores
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G. Mourier
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - M. Vanden Driessche
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - J. M. Sciani
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A. Iqbal
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Laboratory of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - S. P. Kalil
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G. J. Pereira
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R. Marques-Porto
- Laboratory of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P. Cunegundes
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L. Juliano
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - D. Servent
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France,*Correspondence: D. Servent, ; A. M. Chudzinski-Tavassi,
| | - A. M. Chudzinski-Tavassi
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Laboratory of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,*Correspondence: D. Servent, ; A. M. Chudzinski-Tavassi,
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lobba ARM, Alvarez-Flores MP, Fessel MR, Buri MV, Oliveira DS, Gomes RN, Cunegundes PS, DeOcesano-Pereira C, Cinel VD, Chudzinski-Tavassi AM. A Kunitz-type inhibitor from tick salivary glands: A promising novel antitumor drug candidate. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:936107. [PMID: 36052162 PMCID: PMC9424826 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.936107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Salivary glands are vital structures responsible for successful tick feeding. The saliva of ticks contains numerous active molecules that participate in several physiological processes. A Kunitz-type factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor, similar to the tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) precursor, was identified in the salivary gland transcriptome of Amblyomma sculptum ticks. The recombinant mature form of this Kunitz-type inhibitor, named Amblyomin-X, displayed anticoagulant, antiangiogenic, and antitumor properties. Amblyomin-X is a protein that inhibits FXa in the blood coagulation cascade and acts via non-hemostatic mechanisms, such as proteasome inhibition. Amblyomin-X selectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells and promotes tumor regression through these mechanisms. Notably, the cytotoxicity of Amblyomin-X seems to be restricted to tumor cells and does not affect non-tumorigenic cells, tissues, and organs, making this recombinant protein an attractive molecule for anticancer therapy. The cytotoxic activity of Amblyomin-X on tumor cells has led to vast exploration into this protein. Here, we summarize the function, action mechanisms, structural features, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution of this tick Kunitz-type inhibitor recombinant protein as a promising novel antitumor drug candidate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aline R. M. Lobba
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Miryam Paola Alvarez-Flores
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Melissa Regina Fessel
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinicius Buri
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Douglas S. Oliveira
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Biochemistry Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata N. Gomes
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priscila S. Cunegundes
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Biochemistry Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos DeOcesano-Pereira
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Victor D. Cinel
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Biochemistry Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana M. Chudzinski-Tavassi
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Biochemistry Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Ana M. Chudzinski-Tavassi,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Schön MP. The tick and I: Parasite-host interactions between ticks and humans. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2022; 20:818-853. [PMID: 35674196 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ticks, particularly hard ticks (Ixodidae), which are among the most important vectors of dangerous infectious agents, feed on their hosts for extended periods of time. With this lifestyle, numerous adaptations have evolved in ticks and their hosts, the pharmacological importance of which is increasingly being recognized. Many bioactive substances in tick saliva are being considered as the basis of new drugs. For example, components of tick cement can be developed into tissue adhesives or wound closures. Analgesic and antipruritic salivary components inhibit histamine or bradykinin, while other tick-derived molecules bind opioid or cannabinoid receptors. Tick saliva inhibits the extrinsic, intrinsic, or common pathway of blood coagulation with implications for the treatment of thromboembolic diseases. It contains vasodilating substances and affects wound healing. The broad spectrum of immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive effects of tick saliva, such as inhibition of chemokines or cellular immune responses, allows development of drugs against inflammation in autoimmune diseases and/or infections. Finally, modern vaccines against ticks can curb the spread of serious infections. The medical importance of the complex tick-host interactions is increasingly being recognized and translated into first clinical applications. Using selected examples, an overview of the mutual adaptations of ticks and hosts is given here, focusing on their significance to medical advance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Schön
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Schön MP. Die Zecke und ich: Parasiten-Wirt-Interaktionen zwischen Zecken und Menschen. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2022; 20:818-855. [PMID: 35711058 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14821_g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Schön
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Luo R, Liu H, Cheng Z. Protein scaffolds: Antibody alternative for cancer diagnosis and therapy. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:830-847. [PMID: 35866165 PMCID: PMC9257619 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00094f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Although antibodies are well developed and widely used in cancer therapy and diagnostic fields, some defects remain, such as poor tissue penetration, long in vivo metabolic retention, potential cytotoxicity, patent limitation, and high production cost. These issues have led scientists to explore and develop novel antibody alternatives. Protein scaffolds are small monomeric proteins with stable tertiary structures and mutable residues, which emerged in the 1990s. By combining robust gene engineering and phage display techniques, libraries with sufficient diversity could be established for target binding scaffold selection. Given the properties of small size, high affinity, and excellent specificity and stability, protein scaffolds have been applied in basic research, and preclinical and clinical fields over the past two decades. To date, more than 20 types of protein scaffolds have been developed, with the most frequently used being affibody, adnectin, ANTICALIN®, DARPins, and knottin. In this review, we focus on the protein scaffold applications in cancer therapy and diagnosis in the last 5 years, and discuss the pros and cons, and strategies of optimization and design. Although antibodies are well developed and widely used in cancer therapy and diagnostic fields, some defects remain, such as poor tissue penetration, long in vivo metabolic retention, potential cytotoxicity, patent limitation, and high production cost.![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renli Luo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Hongguang Liu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Zhen Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Molecular Imaging Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
- Drug Discovery Shandong Laboratory, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery Yantai Shandong 264117 China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jmel MA, Aounallah H, Bensaoud C, Mekki I, Chmelař J, Faria F, M’ghirbi Y, Kotsyfakis M. Insights into the Role of Tick Salivary Protease Inhibitors during Ectoparasite-Host Crosstalk. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:E892. [PMID: 33477394 PMCID: PMC7831016 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protease inhibitors (PIs) are ubiquitous regulatory proteins present in all kingdoms. They play crucial tasks in controlling biological processes directed by proteases which, if not tightly regulated, can damage the host organism. PIs can be classified according to their targeted proteases or their mechanism of action. The functions of many PIs have now been characterized and are showing clinical relevance for the treatment of human diseases such as arthritis, hepatitis, cancer, AIDS, and cardiovascular diseases, amongst others. Other PIs have potential use in agriculture as insecticides, anti-fungal, and antibacterial agents. PIs from tick salivary glands are special due to their pharmacological properties and their high specificity, selectivity, and affinity to their target proteases at the tick-host interface. In this review, we discuss the structure and function of PIs in general and those PI superfamilies abundant in tick salivary glands to illustrate their possible practical applications. In doing so, we describe tick salivary PIs that are showing promise as drug candidates, highlighting the most promising ones tested in vivo and which are now progressing to preclinical and clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Amine Jmel
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (M.A.J.); (C.B.); (I.M.)
| | - Hajer Aounallah
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, LR19IPTX, Service d’Entomologie Médicale, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (H.A.); (Y.M.)
- Innovation and Development Laboratory, Innovation and Development Center, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil;
| | - Chaima Bensaoud
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (M.A.J.); (C.B.); (I.M.)
| | - Imen Mekki
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (M.A.J.); (C.B.); (I.M.)
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Jindřich Chmelař
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Fernanda Faria
- Innovation and Development Laboratory, Innovation and Development Center, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil;
| | - Youmna M’ghirbi
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, LR19IPTX, Service d’Entomologie Médicale, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (H.A.); (Y.M.)
| | - Michalis Kotsyfakis
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (M.A.J.); (C.B.); (I.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Aounallah H, Bensaoud C, M'ghirbi Y, Faria F, Chmelar JI, Kotsyfakis M. Tick Salivary Compounds for Targeted Immunomodulatory Therapy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583845. [PMID: 33072132 PMCID: PMC7538779 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunodeficiency disorders and autoimmune diseases are common, but a lack of effective targeted drugs and the side-effects of existing drugs have stimulated interest in finding therapeutic alternatives. Naturally derived substances are a recognized source of novel drugs, and tick saliva is increasingly recognized as a rich source of bioactive molecules with specific functions. Ticks use their saliva to overcome the innate and adaptive host immune systems. Their saliva is a rich cocktail of molecules including proteins, peptides, lipid derivatives, and recently discovered non-coding RNAs that inhibit or modulate vertebrate immune reactions. A number of tick saliva and/or salivary gland molecules have been characterized and shown to be promising candidates for drug development for vertebrate immune diseases. However, further validation of these molecules at the molecular, cellular, and organism levels is now required to progress lead candidates to clinical testing. In this paper, we review the data on the immuno-pharmacological aspects of tick salivary compounds characterized in vitro and/or in vivo and present recent findings on non-coding RNAs that might be exploitable as immunomodulatory therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hajer Aounallah
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR19IPTX, Service d'Entomologie Médicale, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Innovation and Development Laboratory, Innovation and Development Center, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Chaima Bensaoud
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Youmna M'ghirbi
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR19IPTX, Service d'Entomologie Médicale, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Fernanda Faria
- Innovation and Development Laboratory, Innovation and Development Center, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jindr Ich Chmelar
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lichtenstein F, Iqbal A, de Lima Will SEA, Bosch RV, DeOcesano-Pereira C, Goldfeder MB, Chammas R, Trufen CEM, Morais KLP, de Souza JG, Natalino RJM, de Azevedo IJ, Nishiyama Junior MY, Oliveira U, Alves FIA, Araujo JM, Lobba ARM, Chudzinski-Tavassi AM. Modulation of stress and immune response by Amblyomin-X results in tumor cell death in a horse melanoma model. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6388. [PMID: 32286411 PMCID: PMC7156751 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63275-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We have investigated Amblyomin-X-treated horse melanomas to better understand its mode of action through transcriptome analysis and the in vivo model. Amblyomin-X is a Kunitz-type homologous protein that selectively leads to the death of tumor cells via ER stress and apoptosis, currently under investigation as a new drug candidate for cancer treatment. Melanomas are immunogenic tumors, and a better understanding of the immune responses is warranted. Equine melanomas are spontaneous and not so aggressive as human melanomas are, as this study shows that the in vivo treatment of encapsulated horse melanoma tumors led to a significant reduction in the tumor size or even the complete disappearance of the tumor mass through intratumoral injections of Amblyomin-X. Transcriptome analysis identified ER- and mitochondria-stress, modulation of the innate immune system, apoptosis, and possibly immunogenic cell death activation. Interactome analysis showed that Amblyomin-X potentially interacts with key elements found in transcriptomics. Taken together, Amblyomin-X modulated the tumor immune microenvironment in different ways, at least contributing to induce tumor cell death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Lichtenstein
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,CENTD, Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Asif Iqbal
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,CENTD, Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sonia Elisabete Alves de Lima Will
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,CENTD, Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosemary Viola Bosch
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,CENTD, Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos DeOcesano-Pereira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,CENTD, Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Barbugiani Goldfeder
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,CENTD, Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roger Chammas
- ICESP, Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Madureira Trufen
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,CENTD, Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katia Luciano Pereira Morais
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,CENTD, Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jean Gabriel de Souza
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,CENTD, Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato Jose Mendonça Natalino
- ICESP, Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ursula Oliveira
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada - CeTICS, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francisco Ivanio Arruda Alves
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,CENTD, Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Mayara Araujo
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,CENTD, Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline Ramos Maia Lobba
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,CENTD, Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. .,CENTD, Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cárdenas S, Colombero C, Panelo L, Dakarapu R, Falck JR, Costas MA, Nowicki S. GPR75 receptor mediates 20-HETE-signaling and metastatic features of androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2019; 1865:158573. [PMID: 31760076 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2019.158573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Recent studies have shown that 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) is a key molecule in sustaining androgen-mediated prostate cancer cell survival. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether 20-HETE can affect the metastatic potential of androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cells, and the implication of the newly described 20-HETE receptor, GPR75, in mediating these effects. METHODS The expression of GPR75, protein phosphorylation, actin polymerization and protein distribution were assessed by western blot and/or fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, in vitro assays including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity, scratch wound healing, transwell invasion and soft agar colony formation were used to evaluate the effects of 20-HETE agonists/antagonists or GPR75 gene silencing on the aggressive features of PC-3 cells. RESULTS 20-HETE (0.1 nM) promoted the acquisition of a mesenchymal phenotype by increasing EMT, the release of MMP-2, cell migration and invasion, actin stress fiber formation and anchorage-independent growth. Also, 20-HETE augmented the expression of HIC-5, the phosphorylation of EGFR, NF-κB, AKT and p-38 and the intracellular redistribution of p-AKT and PKCα. These effects were impaired by GPR75 antagonism and/or silencing. Accordingly, the inhibition of 20-HETE formation with N-hydroxy-N'-(4-n-butyl-2-methylphenyl) formamidine (HET0016) elicited the opposite effects. CONCLUSIONS The present results show for the first time the involvement of the 20-HETE-GPR75 receptor in the activation of intracellular signaling known to be stimulated in cell malignant transformations leading to the differentiation of PC-3 cells towards a more aggressive phenotype. Targeting the 20-HETE/GPR75 pathway is a promising and novel approach to interfere with prostate tumor cell malignant progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Cárdenas
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. Cesar Bergada" (CEDIE) CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños "Ricardo Gutierrez", Gallo 1330, C1425EFD Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Colombero
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. Cesar Bergada" (CEDIE) CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños "Ricardo Gutierrez", Gallo 1330, C1425EFD Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Panelo
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Apoptosis, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas Alfredo Lanari, IDIM-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Combatientes de Malvinas 3150, C1427ARN Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rambabu Dakarapu
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, United States of America
| | - John R Falck
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, United States of America
| | - Monica A Costas
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Apoptosis, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas Alfredo Lanari, IDIM-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Combatientes de Malvinas 3150, C1427ARN Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Susana Nowicki
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. Cesar Bergada" (CEDIE) CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños "Ricardo Gutierrez", Gallo 1330, C1425EFD Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Štibrániová I, Bartíková P, Holíková V, Kazimírová M. Deciphering Biological Processes at the Tick-Host Interface Opens New Strategies for Treatment of Human Diseases. Front Physiol 2019; 10:830. [PMID: 31333488 PMCID: PMC6617849 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligatory blood-feeding ectoparasites, causing blood loss and skin damage in their hosts. In addition, ticks also transmit a number of various pathogenic microorganisms that cause serious diseases in humans and animals. Ticks evolved a wide array of salivary bioactive compounds that, upon injection into the host skin, inhibit or modulate host reactions such as hemostasis, inflammation and wound healing. Modulation of the tick attachment site in the host skin involves mainly molecules which affect physiological processes orchestrated by cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Suppressing host defense reactions is crucial for tick survival and reproduction. Furthermore, pharmacologically active compounds in tick saliva have a promising therapeutic potential for treatment of some human diseases connected with disorders in hemostasis and immune system. These disorders are often associated to alterations in signaling pathways and dysregulation or overexpression of specific cytokines which, in turn, affect mechanisms of angiogenesis, cell motility and cytoskeletal regulation. Moreover, tick salivary molecules were found to exert cytotoxic and cytolytic effects on various tumor cells and have anti-angiogenic properties. Elucidation of the mode of action of tick bioactive molecules on the regulation of cell processes in their mammalian hosts could provide new tools for understanding the complex changes leading to immune disorders and cancer. Tick bioactive molecules may also be exploited as new pharmacological inhibitors of the signaling pathways of cytokines and thus help alleviate patient discomfort and increase patient survival. We review the current knowledge about tick salivary peptides and proteins that have been identified and functionally characterized in in vitro and/or in vivo models and their therapeutic perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iveta Štibrániová
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Pavlína Bartíková
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Viera Holíková
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Kazimírová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Maria DA, Will SEAL, Bosch RV, Souza JG, Sciani JM, Goldfeder MB, Rondon GG, Chudzinski-Tavassi AM. Preclinical evaluation of Amblyomin-X, a Kunitz-type protease inhibitor with antitumor activity. Toxicol Rep 2018; 6:51-63. [PMID: 30581760 PMCID: PMC6298944 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amblyomin-X is a recombinant protein with selective antitumor activity, causing tumor reduction in vivo. Acute and subchronic toxicity studies shows low toxicity in healthy mice, with reversible adverse effects. Amblyomin-X toxicity profile was defined.
Amblyomin-X, a Kunitz-type protease inhibitor, is a recombinant protein that selectively induces apoptosis in tumor cells and promotes tumor reduction in vivo in melanoma animal models. Furthermore, Amblyomin-X was able to drastically reduce lung metastasis in a mice orthotopic kidney tumor model. Due to its antitumor activity, Amblyomin-X potential to become a new drug is currently under investigation, therefore the aim of the present study was to perform preclinical assays to evaluate Amblyomin-X toxicity in healthy mice. Exploratory toxicity assays have shown that treatment with 512 mg/kg of Amblyomin-X lead to animal mortality, therefore two groups of treatment were evaluated in the present work: in the acute toxicity assay, animals were injected once with doses ranging from 4 to 256 mg/kg of Amblyomin-X, while in the subacute toxicity assay, animals were injected with 0.25, 0.57 and 1 mg/kg of Amblyomin-X daily, during 28 days. Following this treatment regimens, Amblyomin-X did not cause any mortality; moreover, toxicity signs were discrete, reversible and observed only at the higher doses, thus establishing a safety profile for administration in mice, which can be further used to determine the dose translation of this novel drug candidate for treatment in other species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Durvanei A Maria
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, São Paulo, 05503-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Sonia Elisabete A L Will
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, São Paulo, 05503-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Rosemary V Bosch
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, São Paulo, 05503-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Jean G Souza
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, São Paulo, 05503-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana M Sciani
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, São Paulo, 05503-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Mauricio B Goldfeder
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, São Paulo, 05503-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Giuliana G Rondon
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, São Paulo, 05503-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana M Chudzinski-Tavassi
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, São Paulo, 05503-900, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|