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Riopedre-Fernandez M, Biriukov D, Dračínský M, Martinez-Seara H. Hyaluronan-arginine enhanced and dynamic interaction emerges from distinctive molecular signature due to electrostatics and side-chain specificity. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 325:121568. [PMID: 38008475 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121568] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Hyaluronan is a natural carbohydrate polymer with a negative charge that fosters gel-like conditions crucial for its cellular functions and industrial applications. As a recognized ligand for proteins, understanding their mutual interactions provides solid ground to tune hyaluronan's gel properties using biocompatible peptides. This work employs NMR and molecular dynamics simulations to identify molecular motifs relevant to hyaluronan-peptide interactions using arginine, lysine, and glycine oligopeptides. Arginine-rich peptides exhibit the strongest binding to hyaluronan according to chemical shift perturbation measurements, followed distantly by the similarly charged lysine. This difference highlights the significance of electrostatics and the peculiarities of the guanidinium side chain in arginine, capable of non-polar interactions that further stabilize the binding. Additional nuclear Overhauser effect measurements do not show stable interaction partners, precluding strong and well-defined complexes. Finally, molecular simulations support our findings and show an extended but significant interaction region, especially for arginine, responsible for the observed enhanced binding, which can also promote cross-linking of hyaluronan polymers. Our findings pave the way for optimizing biocompatible peptides to alter hyaluronan gels' properties efficiently and also explain why hyaluronan-protein interaction typically involves positively charged arginine-rich regions also capable of forming hydrogen bonds and non-polar interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Riopedre-Fernandez
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 6 16000, Czech Republic
| | - Denys Biriukov
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 6 16000, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Dračínský
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 6 16000, Czech Republic
| | - Hector Martinez-Seara
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 6 16000, Czech Republic.
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Casey-Power S, Vardar C, Ryan R, Behl G, McLoughlin P, Byrne ME, Fitzhenry L. NAD+-associated-hyaluronic acid and poly(L-lysine) polyelectrolyte complexes: An evaluation of their potential for ocular drug delivery. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2023; 192:62-78. [PMID: 37797681 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
This study details the formation and characterisation of a novel nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-associated polymeric nanoparticle system. The development of a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) composed of two natural polyelectrolytes, hyaluronic acid and poly(L-lysine), and an evaluation of its suitability for NAD+ ocular delivery, primarily based on its physicochemical properties and in vitro release profile under physiological ocular flow rates, were of key focus. Following optimisation of formulation method conditions such as complexation pH, mode of addition, and charge ratio, the PEC was successfully formulated under mild formulation conditions via polyelectrolyte complexation. With a size of 235.1 ± 19.0 nm, a PDI value of 0.214 ± 0.140, and a zeta potential value of - 38.0 ± 1.1 mV, the chosen PEC, loaded with 430 µg of NAD+ per mg of PEC, exhibited non-Fickian, sustained release at physiological flowrates of 10.9 ± 0.2 mg of NAD+ over 14 h. PECs containing up to 200 µM of NAD+ did not induce any significant cytotoxic effects on an immortalised human corneal epithelial cell line. Using fluorescent labeling, the NAD+-associated PECs demonstrated retention within the corneal epithelium layer of a porcine model up to 6 h post incubation under physiological conditions. A study of the physicochemical behaviour of the PECs, in terms of size, zeta potential and NAD+ complexation in response to environmental stimuli,highlighted the dynamic nature of the PEC matrix and its dependence on both pH and ionic condition. Considering the successful formation of reproducible NAD+-associated PECs with suitable characteristics for ocular drug delivery via an inexpensive formulation method, they provide a promising platform for NAD+ ocular delivery with a strong potential to improve ocular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saoirse Casey-Power
- Ocular Therapeutics Research Group, Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, Waterford Campus, South East Technological University, Waterford X91 K0EK, Ireland.
| | - Camila Vardar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| | - Richie Ryan
- Ocular Therapeutics Research Group, Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, Waterford Campus, South East Technological University, Waterford X91 K0EK, Ireland.
| | - Gautam Behl
- EirGen Pharma, UNIT 64/64A, Westside Business Park, Old Kilmeaden Road, Co. Waterford X91 YV67, Ireland.
| | - Peter McLoughlin
- Ocular Therapeutics Research Group, Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, Waterford Campus, South East Technological University, Waterford X91 K0EK, Ireland.
| | - Mark E Byrne
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| | - Laurence Fitzhenry
- Ocular Therapeutics Research Group, Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, Waterford Campus, South East Technological University, Waterford X91 K0EK, Ireland.
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Casey-Power S, Ryan R, Behl G, McLoughlin P, Byrne ME, Fitzhenry L. Hyaluronic Acid: Its Versatile Use in Ocular Drug Delivery with a Specific Focus on Hyaluronic Acid-Based Polyelectrolyte Complexes. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071479. [PMID: 35890371 PMCID: PMC9323903 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive research is currently being conducted into novel ocular drug delivery systems (ODDS) that are capable of surpassing the limitations associated with conventional intraocular anterior and posterior segment treatments. Nanoformulations, including those synthesised from the natural, hydrophilic glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronic acid (HA), have gained significant traction due to their enhanced intraocular permeation, longer retention times, high physiological stability, inherent biocompatibility, and biodegradability. However, conventional nanoformulation preparation methods often require large volumes of organic solvent, chemical cross-linkers, and surfactants, which can pose significant toxicity risks. We present a comprehensive, critical review of the use of HA in the field of ophthalmology and ocular drug delivery, with a discussion of the physicochemical and biological properties of HA that render it a suitable excipient for drug delivery to both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. The pivotal focus of this review is a discussion of the formation of HA-based nanoparticles via polyelectrolyte complexation, a mild method of preparation driven primarily by electrostatic interaction between opposing polyelectrolytes. To the best of our knowledge, despite the growing number of publications centred around the development of HA-based polyelectrolyte complexes (HA-PECs) for ocular drug delivery, no review articles have been published in this area. This review aims to bridge the identified gap in the literature by (1) reviewing recent advances in the area of HA-PECs for anterior and posterior ODD, (2) describing the mechanism and thermodynamics of polyelectrolyte complexation, and (3) critically evaluating the intrinsic and extrinsic formulation parameters that must be considered when designing HA-PECs for ocular application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saoirse Casey-Power
- Ocular Therapeutics Research Group, Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, Waterford Campus, South East Technological University, X91 K0EK Waterford, Ireland; (R.R.); (G.B.); (P.M.); (L.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Richie Ryan
- Ocular Therapeutics Research Group, Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, Waterford Campus, South East Technological University, X91 K0EK Waterford, Ireland; (R.R.); (G.B.); (P.M.); (L.F.)
| | - Gautam Behl
- Ocular Therapeutics Research Group, Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, Waterford Campus, South East Technological University, X91 K0EK Waterford, Ireland; (R.R.); (G.B.); (P.M.); (L.F.)
| | - Peter McLoughlin
- Ocular Therapeutics Research Group, Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, Waterford Campus, South East Technological University, X91 K0EK Waterford, Ireland; (R.R.); (G.B.); (P.M.); (L.F.)
| | - Mark E. Byrne
- Biomimetic & Biohybrid Materials, Biomedical Devices & Drug Delivery Laboratories, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Laurence Fitzhenry
- Ocular Therapeutics Research Group, Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, Waterford Campus, South East Technological University, X91 K0EK Waterford, Ireland; (R.R.); (G.B.); (P.M.); (L.F.)
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