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Li Z, Ma Y, Ren Y, Lin X, Su Z, Zhang S. Thermal-triggered loading and GSH-responsive releasing property of HBc particles for drug delivery. J Control Release 2023; 362:784-796. [PMID: 37003490 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B core protein virus-like particles (HBc VLPs) have attracted wide attentions using as drug delivery vehicles, due to its excellent stability and easy in large scale production. Here in the present work, we report unique thermal-triggered loading and glutathione-responsive releasing property of the HBc particles for anticancer drug delivery. Through reversible temperature-dependent hole gating of the HBc particle capsid, about 4248 doxorubicin (DOX) were successfully encapsulated inside nanocage of a single nanoparticle at high HBc recovery of 83.2%, by simply incubating the DOX with HBc at 70 °C for 90 min. The new strategy was significantly superior to the disassembly-reassembly methods, which can only yield 3556 DOX loading at 52.3% HBc recovery. The thermal-sensitive drug entry channel in HBc was analyzed by molecular dynamic simulations, and the G113, G117 and R127 were identified as the key amino acid residues that are not conducive to the entrance of DOX but sensitive to temperature. Especially, the ΔGbind of R127 become even higher at high temperature, mutation of the R127 would be the first choice to make the drug entry thermodynamically easier. Due to plenty of disulfide bonds linking the HBc subunits, the HBc particles loaded with DOX exhibited intrinsic glutathione (GSH) responsivity for efficient controlled release in tumor sites. To further increase the tumor-targeting effect of the drug, Cyclo(Arg-Gly-Asp-d-Tyr-Lys) peptide was conjugated to the surface of HBc through a PEG linker. The prepared HBc-based anticancer drug showed significantly improved stability, tumor specificity, and in vivo anticancer activity on MCF7-bearing Balb/c-nu mice. Overall, our work demonstrated that the HBc VLPs can be an ideal drug carrier to fulfill requirement of the intelligent loading and "on demand" release of the therapeutic agents for efficient cancer therapy with minimal adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
| | - Yanyan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
| | - Ying Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex System, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Xuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
| | - Zhiguo Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
| | - Songping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China.
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Virus-Like Particles as Nanocarriers for Intracellular Delivery of Biomolecules and Compounds. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091905. [PMID: 36146711 PMCID: PMC9503347 DOI: 10.3390/v14091905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are nanostructures assemble from viral proteins. Besides widely used for vaccine development, VLPs have also been explored as nanocarriers for cargo delivery as they combine the key advantages of viral and non-viral vectors. While it protects cargo molecules from degradation, the VLP has good cell penetrating property to mediate cargo passing the cell membrane and released into cells, making the VLP an ideal tool for intracellular delivery of biomolecules and drugs. Great progresses have been achieved and multiple challenges are still on the way for broad applications of VLP as delivery vectors. Here we summarize current advances and applications in VLP as a delivery vector. Progresses on delivery of different types of biomolecules as well as drugs by VLPs are introduced, and the strategies for cargo packaging are highlighted which is one of the key steps for VLP mediated intracellular delivery. Production and applications of VLPs are also briefly reviewed, with a discussion on future challenges in this rapidly developing field.
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Singh AK, Verma S, Kushwaha PP, Prajapati KS, Shuaib M, Kumar S, Gupta S. Role of ZBTB7A zinc finger in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:4703-4719. [PMID: 34014468 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06405-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The zinc finger and BTB (broad-complex, tramtrack and bric a brac) domain containing protein 7A (ZBTB7A) is a pleiotropic transcription factor that plays an important role in various stages of cell proliferation, differentiation, and other developmental processes. ZBTB7A is a member of the POK family that directly and specifically binds to short DNA recognition sites located near their target genes thereby acting as transcriptional activator or repressor. ZBTB7A overexpression has been associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis in various human cancer types, including breast, prostate, lung, ovarian, and colon cancer. However in some instances downregulation of ZBTB7A results in tumor progression, suggesting its role as a tumor suppressor. ZBTB7A is involved with complicated regulatory networks which include protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions. ZBTB7A involvement in cancer progression and metastasis is perhaps enabled through the regulation of various signaling pathways depending on the type and genetic context of cancer. The association of ZBTB7A with other proteins affects cancer aggressiveness, therapeutic resistance and clinical outcome. This review focuses on the involvement of ZBTB7A in various signaling pathways and its role in cancer progression. We will also review the literature on ZBTB7A and cancer which could be potentially explored for its therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atul Kumar Singh
- Molecular Signaling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Shiv Verma
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.,Department of Urology, The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Prem Prakash Kushwaha
- Molecular Signaling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Kumari Sunita Prajapati
- Molecular Signaling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Mohd Shuaib
- Molecular Signaling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Shashank Kumar
- Molecular Signaling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India.
| | - Sanjay Gupta
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. .,Department of Urology, The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. .,Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. .,Divison of General Medical Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. .,Department of Urology, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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4
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Hepatitis B Virus-Like Particle: Targeted Delivery of Plasmid Expressing Short Hairpin RNA for Silencing the Bcl-2 Gene in Cervical Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052320. [PMID: 33652577 PMCID: PMC7956328 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy research has advanced to clinical trials, but it is hampered by unstable nucleic acids packaged inside carriers and there is a lack of specificity towards targeted sites in the body. This study aims to address gene therapy limitations by encapsidating a plasmid synthesizing a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) that targets the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene using truncated hepatitis B core antigen (tHBcAg) virus-like particle (VLP). A shRNA sequence targeting anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was synthesized and cloned into the pSilencer 2.0-U6 vector. The recombinant plasmid, namely PshRNA, was encapsidated inside tHBcAg VLP and conjugated with folic acid (FA) to produce FA-tHBcAg-PshRNA VLP. Electron microscopy revealed that the FA-tHBcAg-PshRNA VLP has an icosahedral structure that is similar to the unmodified tHBcAg VLP. Delivery of FA-tHBcAg-PshRNA VLP into HeLa cells overexpressing the folate receptor significantly downregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 at 48 and 72 h post-transfection. The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay demonstrated that the cells' viability was significantly reduced from 89.46% at 24 h to 64.52% and 60.63%, respectively, at 48 and 72 h post-transfection. As a conclusion, tHBcAg VLP can be used as a carrier for a receptor-mediated targeted delivery of a therapeutic plasmid encoding shRNA for gene silencing in cancer cells.
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Suffian IM, Wang JTW, Faruqu FN, Benitez J, Nishimura Y, Ogino C, Kondo A, Al-Jamal KT. Engineering Human Epidermal Growth Receptor 2-Targeting Hepatitis B Virus Core Nanoparticles for siRNA Delivery in Vitro and in Vivo. ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS 2018; 1:3269-3282. [PMID: 30613831 PMCID: PMC6312360 DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.8b00480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus core (HBc) particles acquire the capacity to disassemble and reassemble in a controlled manner, allowing entrapment and delivery of drugs and macromolecules to cells. HBc particles are made of 180-240 copies of 21 kDa protein monomers, assembled into 30-34 nm diameter icosahedral particles. In this study, we aimed at formulating HBc particles for the delivery of siRNA for gene silencing in vitro and in vivo. We have previously reported recombinant HBc particles expressing ZHER2 affibodies, specifically targeting human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2)-expressing cancer cells (ZHER2-ΔHBc). siRNA was encapsulated within the ZHER2-ΔHBc particles following disassembly and reassembly. The ZHER2-ΔHBc-siRNA hybrids were able to secure the encapsulated siRNA from serum and nucleases in vitro. Enhanced siRNA uptake in HER2-expressing cancer cells treated with ZHER2-ΔHBc-siRNA hybrids was observed compared to the nontargeted HBc-siRNA hybrids in a time- and dose-dependent manner. A successful in vitro polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) gene knockdown was demonstrated in cancer cells treated with ZHER2-ΔHBc-siPLK1 hybrids, to levels comparable to commercial transfecting reagents. Interestingly, ZHER2-ΔHBc particles exhibit intrinsic capability of reducing the solid tumor mass, independent of siPLK1 therapy, in an intraperitoneal tumor model following intraperitoneal injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izzat
F. M. Suffian
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s
College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, U.K.
| | - Julie T.-W. Wang
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s
College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, U.K.
| | - Farid N. Faruqu
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s
College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, U.K.
| | - Julio Benitez
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s
College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, U.K.
| | - Yuya Nishimura
- Department
of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Chiaki Ogino
- Department
of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Akihiko Kondo
- Department
of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - Khuloud T. Al-Jamal
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s
College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, U.K.
- K.T.A.-J. Tel: +44(0)20-7848-4525. E-mail:
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Ding Y, Han Y, Wang R, Wang Y, Chi C, Zhao Z, Zhang H, Wang W, Yin L, Zhou J. Rerouting Native HDL to Predetermined Receptors for Improved Tumor-Targeted Gene Silencing Therapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:30488-30501. [PMID: 28828863 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b10047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is an outstanding biocompatible nanovector for tumor-targeted delivery of multimodel drugs in cancer therapy. However, this seemingly promising delivery platform demonstrates an adverse accumulation in liver and adrenal due to the primary expression of natural target scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), which overexpressed in malignant cells as well. Therefore, we endowed native HDLs with rerouting capacity, that is, enabling HDLs to get away from natural receptors (SR-BI) to selectively alternate tumor-rich receptors. The αvβ3-integrin specific cyclic-RGDyk peptide was conjugated with HDL-protein component apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), demonstrating high substitution degree of 26.2%. Afterward, RGD-modified apoA-I was introduced to fabricate cholesterol siRNA-loaded HDL nanoparticles (RGD-HDL/Ch-siRNA) for specific affinity with tumor angiogenesis and αvβ3 integrin on tumor surface. After preparation, RGD-HDL/Ch-siRNA shared desirable particle size, efficient siRNA protection during blood circulation, and favorable proton sponge effect. αvβ3 integrin-associated superior rerouting capacity, endocytosis pathway, and rapid endolysosome escape were confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. For targeted gene silencing therapy, Pokemon-specific siRNA (siPokemon) was introduced as RNA interference candidate; the enhanced antitumor efficacy and decreased Pokemon expression level were commendably confirmed by tumor growth inhibition, survival period extension, and western blot analysis. Collectively, cyclic-RGDyk modification endows native HDLs with rerouting capacity to specific αvβ3 integrin receptor, which provides a promising strategy to extend malignancy targeting potential of native HDL to a broader purview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University , 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yue Han
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University , 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ruoning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University , 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yazhe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University , 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Cheng Chi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University , 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ziqiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University , 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Huaqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University , 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University , 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lifang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University , 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jianping Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University , 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
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Zhang Y, Huang S, Leng Y, Chen X, Liu T, Wang H, Wei F, Luo D, Chen G, Wei Z. Effect of DcR3-specific siRNA on cell growth suppression and apoptosis induction in glioma cells via affecting ERK and AKT. Onco Targets Ther 2016; 9:5195-202. [PMID: 27621648 PMCID: PMC5010168 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s108395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previously, we found that the expression of decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) in gliomas was significantly upregulated compared to normal brain tissues. However, the effect of DcR3-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) on cell biological function of glioma cells remains incompletely understood. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the effect of DcR3 siRNA on cell growth and apoptosis of glioma cells and to investigate the potential downstream pathways affected by DcR3. METHODS DcR3-specific siRNA was transfected into three glioma cell lines (U251MG, LN-308, and U87MG) using combiMAGnetofection method. MTS tetrazolium assay and fluorimetric resorufin viability assay were used to assess the growth of glioma cells. Then, apoptosis was examined using the Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide double-staining assay and fluorescent caspase-3/7 assay. Meanwhile, Western blot was performed to explore the probable pathway by which DcR3-specific siRNA acts in glioma cells. Also, microarray dataset analysis was applied to analyze the potential function of DcR3 in glioma. RESULTS The DcR3-specific siRNA had a potent effect on cell growth and apoptosis of all three glioma cells tested, and the effects were time dependent. Among these three glioma cell lines, U251MG had the most significant effect with regard to growth inhibition and apoptosis induction. MTS assay showed that the proliferation rate at 72 and 96 hours after the transfection was 76.333%±5.131% (t=7.611, P=0.002) and 64.333%±5.859% (t=10.983, P<0.001), respectively. The viability rate of U251MG cells was 80.667%±2.309% (t=12.302, P<0.001) and 62.333%±2.082% (t=21.213, P<0.001) at 72 and 96 hours posttreatment, respectively. The caspase-3/7 activity of U251MG cells was 2.76 (t=-6.601, P=0.003) and 4.75 (t=-9.189, P=0.001) folds that of the mock control at 72 and 96 hours, respectively. The apoptosis rate was increased to 1.85 (t=-2.496, P=0.067) and 3.93 (t=-12.587, P<0.001) folds at 72 and 96 hours after transfection, respectively. Furthermore, the levels of phospho-ERK1/2 and phospho-AKT were significantly downregulated after DcR3 silencing. CONCLUSION The DcR3-specific siRNA could efficiently inhibit growth and induce apoptosis of cells via affecting ERK and AKT. Hence, DcR3-specific siRNA treatment could act as a supplementary targeted therapy strategy for gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suning Huang
- Department of Radiotherapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Zhuxin Wei
- Department of Radiotherapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
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Pumpens P, Grens E. The true story and advantages of the famous Hepatitis B virus core particles: Outlook 2016. Mol Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893316040099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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