1
|
Sitkov N, Ryabko A, Moshnikov V, Aleshin A, Kaplun D, Zimina T. Hybrid Impedimetric Biosensors for Express Protein Markers Detection. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:181. [PMID: 38398911 PMCID: PMC10890403 DOI: 10.3390/mi15020181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Impedimetric biosensors represent a powerful and promising tool for studying and monitoring biological processes associated with proteins and can contribute to the development of new approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The basic principles, analytical methods, and applications of hybrid impedimetric biosensors for express protein detection in biological fluids are described. The advantages of this type of biosensors, such as simplicity and speed of operation, sensitivity and selectivity of analysis, cost-effectiveness, and an ability to be integrated into hybrid microfluidic systems, are demonstrated. Current challenges and development prospects in this area are analyzed. They include (a) the selection of materials for electrodes and formation of nanostructures on their surface; (b) the development of efficient methods for biorecognition elements' deposition on the electrodes' surface, providing the specificity and sensitivity of biosensing; (c) the reducing of nonspecific binding and interference, which could affect specificity; (d) adapting biosensors to real samples and conditions of operation; (e) expanding the range of detected proteins; and, finally, (f) the development of biosensor integration into large microanalytical system technologies. This review could be useful for researchers working in the field of impedimetric biosensors for protein detection, as well as for those interested in the application of this type of biosensor in biomedical diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Sitkov
- Department of Micro and Nanoelectronics, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”, 197022 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (V.M.); (T.Z.)
- Engineering Centre for Microtechnology and Diagnostics, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”, 197022 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Andrey Ryabko
- Laboratory of Nonequilibrium Processes in Semiconductors, Ioffe Institute, 26 Politekhnicheskaya, 194021 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Vyacheslav Moshnikov
- Department of Micro and Nanoelectronics, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”, 197022 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (V.M.); (T.Z.)
| | - Andrey Aleshin
- Laboratory of Nonequilibrium Processes in Semiconductors, Ioffe Institute, 26 Politekhnicheskaya, 194021 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Dmitry Kaplun
- Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, China University of Mining and Technology, 1 Daxue Road, Xuzhou 221116, China;
- Department of Automation and Control Processes, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”, 197022 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tatiana Zimina
- Department of Micro and Nanoelectronics, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”, 197022 Saint Petersburg, Russia; (V.M.); (T.Z.)
- Engineering Centre for Microtechnology and Diagnostics, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”, 197022 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cai Y, Ren J, Jin J, Shao H, Wang P, Cheng K, Jiang P, Jiang P, Zhu S, Zhu G, Zhang L. Novel affibody molecules as potential agents in molecular imaging for MAGE-A3-positive tumor diagnosis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116895. [PMID: 37586454 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cancer-testis protein melanoma antigen A3 (MAGE-A3) is highly expressed in a broad range of malignant tumor forms. It has been confirmed that affibody molecules, a novel family of small (∼6.5 kDa) targeting proteins, are useful agents for molecular imaging and targeted tumor treatment. As a novel agent for in vivo molecular imaging detection of MAGE-A3-positive tumors, the efficacy of affibody molecules was assessed in this research. METHODS In this study, three cycles of phage display library screening resulted in the isolation of two new affibody molecules (ZMAGE-A3:172 and ZMAGE-A3:770) that attach to MAGE-A3. These molecules were then expressed in bacteria and purified. The affibody molecules with high affinity and specificity were evaluated using western blotting, immunohistochemistry, indirect immunofluorescence, surface plasmon resonance, and near-infrared optical imaging of tumor-bearing nude mice. RESULTS The selected ZMAGE-A3 affibodies can precisely bind to the MAGE-A3 protein in living cells and display high-affinity binding to the MAGE-A3 protein at the molecular level. Furthermore, the accumulation of DyLight755-labeled ZMAGE-A3:172 or ZMAGE-A3:770 in MAGE-A3-positive tumors was achieved as early as 30 min and disappeared at 48 h post-injection. CONCLUSION Our findings support the potential of the two MAGE-A3 protein-binding affibody molecules for their use as molecular imaging agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiqi Cai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, PR China
| | - Jiahuan Ren
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, PR China
| | - Jinji Jin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, PR China
| | - Huanyi Shao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, PR China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, PR China
| | - Kai Cheng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, PR China
| | - Peipei Jiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, PR China
| | - Pengfei Jiang
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, PR China
| | - Shanli Zhu
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, PR China
| | - Guanbao Zhu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, PR China.
| | - Lifang Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mestre Borras A, Dahlsson Leitao C, Ståhl S, Löfblom J. Generation of an anti-idiotypic affibody-based masking domain for conditional activation of EGFR-targeting. N Biotechnol 2023; 73:9-18. [PMID: 36526248 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2022.12.002] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Conditional activation of engineered affinity proteins by proteolytic processing is an interesting approach for a wide range of applications. We have generated an anti-idiotypic masking domain with specificity for the binding surface of an EGFR-targeting affibody molecule using an in-house developed staphylococcal display method. The masking domain could specifically abrogate EGFR-binding on cancer cells when fused to the EGFR-targeting affibody molecule via a linker comprising a protease cleavage site. EGFR-binding was restored by proteolytic cleavage of the linker region resulting in release of the masking domain. A saturation mutagenesis study provided detailed information on the interaction between the EGFR-targeting affibody molecule and the masking domain. Introducing an anti-idiotypic masking affibody domain is a viable approach for blocking EGFR-binding and allows for conditional activation by proteolytic processing. The results warrant further studies evaluating the therapeutic and diagnostic applicability both in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mestre Borras
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charles Dahlsson Leitao
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan Ståhl
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Löfblom
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sepahdar Z, Saghiri R, Miroliaei M, Salimi M. In silico approach to probe the binding affinity between OMVs harboring the Z EGFR affibody and the EGF receptor. J Mol Model 2022; 28:113. [PMID: 35381900 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-022-05043-9] [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: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing interest in designing a nanocarrier containing an EGFR targeting affibody to direct toward cancer cells. Here, cytolysin A was cloned at the N-terminus of ZEGFR:1907 affibody to guarantee its surface presentation on the OMVs while targeting the epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs). A separate construct including a fusogenic peptide (GALA) was also designed for the endosomal escape of the nanocarrier. Binding of the two constructs ClyA-affiEGFR and ClyA-affiEGFR-GALA to domain III of EGFR was investigated using molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations. The higher stability of the ClyA-affiEGFR-GALA/EGFR as compared to the ClyA-affiEGFR/EGFR complex was evident. The ClyA-affiEGFR-GALA structure showed a higher RMSD during the first half of the simulation time implying a much less stable behavior. Plateau state of the radius of gyration plot of ClyA-affiEGFR-GALA confirmed a well-folded structure in the presence of the GALA sequence. Solvent accessible surface area for both proteins was in the same range. The data obtained from hydrogen bond analysis revealed a more equilibrated and stable form of the ClyA-affiEGFR-GALA structure upon interaction with EGFR. The data provided here was a requisite for our biological evaluation of the synthesized constructs as a component of a novel drug delivery system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Sepahdar
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology & Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Reza Saghiri
- Biochemistry Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehran Miroliaei
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology & Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Mona Salimi
- Physiology and Pharmacology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Westerlund K, Myrhammar A, Tano H, Gestin M, Karlström AE. Stability Enhancement of a Dimeric HER2-Specific Affibody Molecule through Sortase A-Catalyzed Head-to-Tail Cyclization. Molecules 2021; 26:2874. [PMID: 34066245 PMCID: PMC8150554 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26102874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural backbone-cyclized proteins have an increased thermostability and resistance towards proteases, characteristics that have sparked interest in head-to-tail cyclization as a method to stability-enhance proteins used in diagnostics and therapeutic applications, for example. In this proof-of principle study, we have produced and investigated a head-to-tail cyclized and HER2-specific ZHER2:342 Affibody dimer. The sortase A-mediated cyclization reaction is highly efficient (>95%) under optimized conditions, and renders a cyclic ZHER3:342-dimer with an apparent melting temperature, Tm, of 68 °C, which is 3 °C higher than that of its linear counterpart. Circular dichroism spectra of the linear and cyclic dimers looked very similar in the far-UV range, both before and after thermal unfolding to 90 °C, which suggests that cyclization does not negatively impact the helicity or folding of the cyclic protein. The cyclic dimer had an apparent sub-nanomolar affinity (Kd ~750 pM) to the HER2-receptor, which is a ~150-fold reduction in affinity relative to the linear dimer (Kd ~5 pM), but the anti-HER2 Affibody dimer remained a high-affinity binder even after cyclization. No apparent difference in proteolytic stability was detected in an endopeptidase degradation assay for the cyclic and linear dimers. In contrast, in an exopeptidase degradation assay, the linear dimer was shown to be completely degraded after 5 min, while the cyclic dimer showed no detectable degradation even after 60 min. We further demonstrate that a site-specifically DyLight 594-labeled cyclic dimer shows specific binding to HER2-overexpressing cells. Taken together, the results presented here demonstrate that head-to-tail cyclization can be an effective strategy to increase the stability of an Affibody dimer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Amelie Eriksson Karlström
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.W.); (A.M.); (H.T.); (M.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ramasubramanian A, Muckom R, Sugnaux C, Fuentes C, Ekerdt BL, Clark DS, Healy KE, Schaffer DV. High-Throughput Discovery of Targeted, Minimally Complex Peptide Surfaces for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:1344-1360. [PMID: 33750112 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells harbor an unlimited capacity to generate therapeutically relevant cells for applications in regenerative medicine. However, to utilize these cells in the clinic, scalable culture systems that activate defined receptors and signaling pathways to sustain stem cell self-renewal are required; and synthetic materials offer considerable promise to meet these needs. De novo development of materials that target novel pathways has been stymied by a limited understanding of critical receptor interactions maintaining pluripotency. Here, we identify peptide agonists for the human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) laminin receptor and pluripotency regulator, α6-integrin, through unbiased, library-based panning strategies. Biophysical characterization of adhesion suggests that identified peptides bind hPSCs through α6-integrin with sub-μM dissociation constants similar to laminin. By harnessing a high-throughput microculture platform, we developed predictive guidelines for presenting these integrin-targeting peptides alongside canonical binding motifs at optimal stoichiometries to generate nascent culture surfaces. Finally, when presented as self-assembled monolayers, predicted peptide combinations supported hPSC expansion, highlighting how unbiased screens can accelerate the discovery of targeted biomaterials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anusuya Ramasubramanian
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Riya Muckom
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Caroline Sugnaux
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Christina Fuentes
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Barbara L Ekerdt
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Douglas S Clark
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Kevin E Healy
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - David V Schaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Selection and characterization of a novel affibody peptide and its application in a two-site ELISA for the detection of cancer biomarker alpha-fetoprotein. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 166:884-892. [PMID: 33157139 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.10.245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is one of the most important biomarkers associated with primary liver cancer, and the main approaches for diagnosis are based on immunoassay. Affibody is a 58 amino acids peptide derived from the Z domain of staphylococcal protein A and generally applied in imaging diagnosis, clinical therapeutics and biotechnology research. The aim of this study was therefore to develop a novel affibody-based ELISA for detection of AFP. After three rounds of biopanning, six AFP-binding affibody peptides were selected using phage display technology, among them affibody ZAFPD2 showed high and specific binding affinity to AFP. An affibody dimer of ZAFPD2 was created, named (ZAFP D2)2, expressed in E.coli and the purified (ZAFP D2)2 recombinant protein showed higher binding affinity to AFP, as well as high thermal stability. A novel affibody-based two-site ELISA method using ZAFPD2 or (ZAFP D2)2 and polyclonal antibody to detect AFP was developed, the detection limit of the immunoassay using (ZAFP D2)2 was 2 ng mL-1 that was 4 times lower than ZAFPD2, which meets the requirements for practical application. Therefore, this concept of affibody-based ELISA may provide a new method for the detection of various cancer biomarkers.
Collapse
|
8
|
Lindenburg L, Huovinen T, van de Wiel K, Herger M, Snaith MR, Hollfelder F. Split & mix assembly of DNA libraries for ultrahigh throughput on-bead screening of functional proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:e63. [PMID: 32383757 PMCID: PMC7293038 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Site-saturation libraries reduce protein screening effort in directed evolution campaigns by focusing on a limited number of rationally chosen residues. However, uneven library synthesis efficiency leads to amino acid bias, remedied at high cost by expensive custom synthesis of oligonucleotides, or through use of proprietary library synthesis platforms. To address these shortcomings, we have devised a method where DNA libraries are constructed on the surface of microbeads by ligating dsDNA fragments onto growing, surface-immobilised DNA, in iterative split-and-mix cycles. This method-termed SpliMLiB for Split-and-Mix Library on Beads-was applied towards the directed evolution of an anti-IgE Affibody (ZIgE), generating a 160,000-membered, 4-site, saturation library on the surface of 8 million monoclonal beads. Deep sequencing confirmed excellent library balance (5.1% ± 0.77 per amino acid) and coverage (99.3%). As SpliMLiB beads are monoclonal, they were amenable to direct functional screening in water-in-oil emulsion droplets with cell-free expression. A FACS-based sorting of the library beads allowed recovery of hits improved in Kd over wild-type ZIgE by up to 3.5-fold, while a consensus mutant of the best hits provided a 10-fold improvement. With SpliMLiB, directed evolution workflows are accelerated by integrating high-quality DNA library generation with an ultra-high throughput protein screening platform.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurens Lindenburg
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Tuomas Huovinen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Kayleigh van de Wiel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Michael Herger
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
- AstraZeneca Medimmune Cambridge, Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael R Snaith
- AstraZeneca Medimmune Cambridge, Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, Cambridge, UK
| | - Florian Hollfelder
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lown PS, Hackel BJ. Magnetic Bead-Immobilized Mammalian Cells Are Effective Targets to Enrich Ligand-Displaying Yeast. ACS COMBINATORIAL SCIENCE 2020; 22:274-284. [PMID: 32283920 DOI: 10.1021/acscombsci.0c00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Yeast surface display empowers selection of protein binding ligands, typically using recombinant soluble antigens. However, ectodomain fragments of transmembrane targets may fail to recapitulate their true, membrane-bound form. Direct selections against adhered mammalian cells empower enrichment of genuine binders yet benefit from high target expression, robustly adherent mammalian cells, and nanomolar affinity ligands. This study evaluates a modified format with mammalian cells immobilized to magnetic beads; yeast-displayed fibronectin domain and affibody ligands of known affinities and cells with expression ranges of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and CD276 elucidate important parameters to ligand enrichment and yield in cell suspension panning with comparison to adherent panning. Cell suspension panning is hindered by significant background of nondisplaying yeast but exhibits yield advantages in model EGFR systems for a high affinity (KD = 2 nM) binder on cells with both high (106 per cell) target expression (9.6 ± 0.6% vs 3.2 ± 0.4%, p < 0.0001) and mid (105) target expression (2.3 ± 0.5% vs 0.41 ± 0.09%, p = 0.0008), as well as for a low affinity (KD > 600 nM) binder on high target expression cells (2.0 ± 0.5% vs 0.017 ± 0.005%; p = 0.001). Significant enrichment was observed for all EGFR systems except the low-affinity, high expression system. The CD276 system failed to provide significant enrichment, indicating that this technique may not be suitable for all targets. Collectively, this study highlights new approaches that yield successful enrichment of yeast-displayed ligands via panning on immobilized mammalian cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick S. Lown
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota−Twin Cities, 421 Washington Avenue Southeast, 356 Amundson Hall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Benjamin J. Hackel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota−Twin Cities, 421 Washington Avenue Southeast, 356 Amundson Hall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
HER2-Specific Pseudomonas Exotoxin A PE25 Based Fusions: Influence of Targeting Domain on Target Binding, Toxicity, and In Vivo Biodistribution. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12040391. [PMID: 32344762 PMCID: PMC7238247 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12040391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a clinically validated target for cancer therapy, and targeted therapies are often used in regimens for patients with a high HER2 expression level. Despite the success of current drugs, a number of patients succumb to their disease, which motivates development of novel drugs with other modes of action. We have previously shown that an albumin binding domain-derived affinity protein with specific affinity for HER2, ADAPT6, can be used to deliver the highly cytotoxic protein domain PE25, a derivative of Pseudomonas exotoxin A, to HER2 overexpressing malignant cells, leading to potent and specific cell killing. In this study we expanded the investigation for an optimal targeting domain and constructed two fusion toxins where a HER2-binding affibody molecule, ZHER2:2891, or the dual-HER2-binding hybrid ZHER2:2891-ADAPT6 were used for cancer cell targeting. We found that both targeting domains conferred strong binding to HER2; both to the purified extracellular domain and to the HER2 overexpressing cell line SKOV3. This resulted in fusion toxins with high cytotoxic potency toward cell lines with high expression levels of HER2, with EC50 values between 10 and 100 pM. For extension of the plasma half-life, an albumin binding domain was also included. Intravenous injection of the fusion toxins into mice showed a profound influence of the targeting domain on biodistribution. Compared to previous results, with ADAPT6 as targeting domain, ZHER2:2891 gave rise to further extension of the plasma half-life and also shifted the clearance route of the fusion toxin from the liver to the kidneys. Collectively, the results show that the targeting domain has a major impact on uptake of PE25-based fusion toxins in different organs. The results also show that PE25-based fusion toxins with high affinity to HER2 do not necessarily increase the cytotoxicity beyond a certain point in affinity. In conclusion, ZHER2:2891 has the most favorable characteristics as targeting domain for PE25.
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhu J, Kamara S, Cen D, Tang W, Gu M, Ci X, Chen J, Wang L, Zhu S, Jiang P, Chen S, Xue X, Zhang L. Generation of novel affibody molecules targeting the EBV LMP2A N-terminal domain with inhibiting effects on the proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:213. [PMID: 32238802 PMCID: PMC7113277 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2410-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) induced by latent infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) remains the most common head and neck cancer in Southeast Asia, especially in the southern part of China. It is well known that persistent expression of two EBV latent membrane proteins (LMP1/LMP2A) plays a key role in nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis. Therefore, the therapeutic approach of targeting the LMP1/LMP2A protein and subsequently blocking the LMP1/LMP2A-mediated signalling pathway has been considered for treating patients with NPC. Recently, affibody molecules, a new class of small (~6.5 kDa) affinity proteins, have been confirmed to be powerful generalisable tools for developing imaging or therapeutic agents by targeting specific molecules. In this study, three EBV LMP2A N-terminal domain-binding affibody molecules (ZLMP2A-N85, ZLMP2A-N110 and ZLMP2A-N252) were identified by screening a phage-displayed peptide library, and their high affinity and specificity for the EBV LMP2A N-terminal domain were confirmed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR), indirect immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation and near-infrared small animal fluorescence imaging in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, affibody molecules targeting the EBV LMP2A N-terminal domain significantly reduced the viability of the EBV-positive cell lines C666-1, CNE-2Z and B95-8. Further investigations showed that affibody ZLMP2A-N110 could inhibit the phosphorylation of AKT, GSK-3β and β-catenin signalling proteins, leading to suppression of β-catenin nuclear translocation and subsequent inhibition of c-Myc oncogene expression, which may be responsible for the reduced viability of NPC-derived cell lines. In conclusion, our findings provide a strong evidence that three novel EBV LMP2A N-terminal domain-binding affibody molecules have great potential for utilisation and development as agents for both molecular imaging and targeted therapy of EBV-related NPC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinshun Zhu
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Saidu Kamara
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Danwei Cen
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wanlin Tang
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Meiping Gu
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xingyuan Ci
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lude Wang
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shanli Zhu
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Jiang
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shao Chen
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiangyang Xue
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lifang Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Affibody Molecules as Targeting Vectors for PET Imaging. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030651. [PMID: 32168760 PMCID: PMC7139392 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Affibody molecules are small (58 amino acids) engineered scaffold proteins that can be selected to bind to a large variety of proteins with a high affinity. Their small size and high affinity make them attractive as targeting vectors for molecular imaging. High-affinity affibody binders have been selected for several cancer-associated molecular targets. Preclinical studies have shown that radiolabeled affibody molecules can provide highly specific and sensitive imaging on the day of injection; however, for a few targets, imaging on the next day further increased the imaging sensitivity. A phase I/II clinical trial showed that 68Ga-labeled affibody molecules permit an accurate and specific measurement of HER2 expression in breast cancer metastases. This paper provides an overview of the factors influencing the biodistribution and targeting properties of affibody molecules and the chemistry of their labeling using positron emitters.
Collapse
|
13
|
Kadonosono T, Kizaka-Kondoh S. [Semi-rational Design of Target-binding Small Proteins for Cancer Treatment]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2020; 140:159-162. [PMID: 32009038 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.19-00187-4] [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: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Small proteins that have a high affinity for cancer cell surface markers can be promising cheap alternatives to antibodies (antibody mimetics). Various types of antibody mimetics have thus been extensively developed. We recently found that a target-binding peptide binds to its target molecule more strongly when it is structurally constrained. To apply this finding to the development of chemically synthesizable small antibody mimetics, we have established an efficient method of creating such proteins, named fluctuation-regulated affinity proteins (FLAPs). To identify desirable scaffolds, first, 13 human proteins (46-104 aa) were selected from the Protein Data Bank. Then, thirteen graft acceptor (GA) sites that efficiently immobilize the grafted peptide structure were identified from six small protein scaffolds using molecular dynamics simulation. To assess the designed antibody mimetics in vitro, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-binding peptides were selected from the anti-HER2 antibody drugs trastuzumab and pertuzumab by calculating the binding energy, and these were then grafted into the GA sites of scaffolds to create 65 FLAP candidates. The FLAP candidates were expressed in bacteria as fusion proteins with Renilla luciferase (Rluc), and their relative binding affinity to HER2 was easily determined by measuring the Rluc bioluminescence intensity without protein purification. Finally, four out of the 65 showed specific binding to HER2 with a dissociation constant (KD) of 24-65 nM, and these were used for the detection of HER2-expressing cancer cells. Our design strategy will promote the development of antibody mimetics for the effective treatment of cancers and other diseases.
Collapse
|
14
|
Kadonosono T, Yimchuen W, Ota Y, See K, Furuta T, Shiozawa T, Kitazawa M, Goto Y, Patil A, Kuchimaru T, Kizaka-Kondoh S. Design Strategy to Create Antibody Mimetics Harbouring Immobilised Complementarity Determining Region Peptides for Practical Use. Sci Rep 2020; 10:891. [PMID: 31964960 PMCID: PMC6972867 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57713-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are attractive therapeutics for treating a wide range of human disorders, and bind to the antigen through their complementarity-determining regions (CDRs). Small stable proteins containing structurally retained CDRs are promising alternatives to mAbs. In this report, we present a method to create such proteins, named fluctuation-regulated affinity proteins (FLAPs). Thirteen graft acceptor (GA) sites that efficiently immobilise the grafted peptide structure were initially selected from six small protein scaffolds by computational identification. Five CDR peptides extracted by binding energy calculations from mAbs against breast cancer marker human epithelial growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) were then grafted to the selected scaffolds. The combination of five CDR peptides and 13 GA sites in six scaffolds revealed that three of the 65 combinations showed specific binding to HER2 with dissociation constants (KD) of 270–350 nM in biolayer interferometry and 24–65 nM in ELISA. The FLAPs specifically detected HER2-overexpressing cancer cells. Thus, the present strategy is a promising and practical method for developing small antibody mimetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Kadonosono
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Wanaporn Yimchuen
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Yumi Ota
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Kyra See
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Tadaomi Furuta
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Tadashi Shiozawa
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Maika Kitazawa
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Yu Goto
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Akash Patil
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kuchimaru
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Shinae Kizaka-Kondoh
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Stern LA, Lown PS, Hackel BJ. Ligand Engineering via Yeast Surface Display and Adherent Cell Panning. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2070:303-320. [PMID: 31625103 PMCID: PMC6996137 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9853-1_17] [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: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput ligand discovery and evolution-via genotype-phenotype linkage strategies-empower molecularly targeted therapy, diagnostics, and fundamental science. Maintaining high-quality target antigen in these selections, particularly for membrane targets, is often a technical challenge. Panning yeast-displayed ligand libraries on intact mammalian cells expressing the molecular target has emerged as an effective strategy. Herein we describe the techniques used to select target-binding ligands via this approach including the use of target-negative cells to deplete non-specific binders and avidity reduction to preferentially select high-affinity ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence A Stern
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Patrick S Lown
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Benjamin J Hackel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Jing L, Liu J, Cui D, Li Y, Liu Z, Tao L, Zhao Q, Diao A. Screening and production of an affibody inhibiting the interaction of the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 166:105520. [PMID: 31644959 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.105520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
An affibody is a 58 amino acids peptide derived from the Z domain of staphylococcal protein A and generally applied in areas such as imaging diagnosis, clinical therapeutics and biotechnology research. To screen for an affibody targeting the immune checkpoint PD-L1, a combinatorial affibody library was generated in yeast using degenerate overlap PCR primers and In-fusion technology. Z-j1 and Z-j2 affibodies targeting the Ig-like V domain of PD-L1 were screened and identified from this combinatorial library using the yeast two hybrid system. The Z-j1 and Z-j2 recombinant affibody proteins were over produced in E.coli and purified. ELISA and GST pull-down assays showed that recombinant Z-j1 and Z-j2 affibody proteins bound with high affinity to PD-L1 and inhibited the interaction of PD-1/PD-L1. Thus, novel affibodies targeting the immune checkpoint PD-1/PD-L1 were identified and produced in this study and have the potential to be used in cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Jing
- School of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Key Lab of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Juanjuan Liu
- School of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Key Lab of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Dongxu Cui
- School of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Key Lab of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Yuyin Li
- School of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Key Lab of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Zhenxing Liu
- School of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Key Lab of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Li Tao
- School of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Key Lab of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Qing Zhao
- School of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Key Lab of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Safety Control Technology in Food Processing, 300457, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Microbial Metabolism and Fermentation Process Control, 300457, Tianjin, China.
| | - Aipo Diao
- School of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Key Lab of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chen W, Shen B, Sun X. Analysis of Progress and Challenges of EGFR-Targeted Molecular Imaging in Cancer With a Focus on Affibody Molecules. Mol Imaging 2019; 18:1536012118823473. [PMID: 30799684 PMCID: PMC6348515 DOI: 10.1177/1536012118823473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted cancer therapy requires an accurate estimation of EGFR expression in tumors to identify responsive patients, monitor therapeutic effect, and estimate prognosis. The EGFR molecular imaging is an optimal method for evaluating EGFR expression in vivo accurately and noninvasively. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in EGFR-targeted molecular imaging in cancer, with a special focus on the development of imaging agents, including epidermal growth factor (EGF) ligand, monoclonal antibodies, antibody fragments, Affibody, and small molecules. Each substrate or probe, whether it is an endogenous ligand, antibody, peptide, or small molecule labeled with fluorochrome or radionuclide, has unique advantages and limitations. Antibody-based probes have high affinity but a long metabolic cycle and therefore offer poor imaging quality. Affibody molecules promise to surpass antibody-based probes due to their small size, stable chemical properties, and high affinity to the target. Small-molecule probes are safe, have favorable pharmacokinetics, and show high affinity and specificity, in addition to having an ideal size, but are inadequate for delayed imaging after injection due to their fast clearance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weizhi Chen
- 1 Molecular Imaging Research Center, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China.,2 TOF-PET/CT/MR Center, The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Baozhong Shen
- 1 Molecular Imaging Research Center, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China.,2 TOF-PET/CT/MR Center, The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xilin Sun
- 1 Molecular Imaging Research Center, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China.,2 TOF-PET/CT/MR Center, The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Zhu W, Wang Z, Hu S, Gong Y, Liu Y, Song H, Ding X, Fu Y, Yan Y. Human C5-specific single-chain variable fragment ameliorates brain injury in a model of NMOSD. NEUROLOGY(R) NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2019; 6:e561. [PMID: 31044149 PMCID: PMC6467685 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000000561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Objective Using phage display, we sought to screen single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) against complement C5 to treat neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Methods After 5 rounds of phage display, we isolated individual clones and identified phage clones specifically binding to C5 using ELISA. Using aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-transfected cells in vitro, we confirmed whether these scFvs prevented complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) caused by the serum of patients with NMOSD and human complement (hC). We selected an NMOSD mouse model, in which intracerebral NMOSD immunoglobulin G (IgG) and hC injections induce NMOSD-like lesions in vivo. Results We obtained scFvs to test specificity and blocking efficiency. The scFv C5B3 neutralized C5 in the complement activation pathway, which prevented AQP4-IgG-mediated CDC in AQP4-transfected cells. In an NMOSD mouse model, C5B3 prevented AQP4 and astrocyte loss, decreased demyelination, and reduced inflammatory infiltration and membrane attack complex formation in lesions. Conclusions We used phage display to screen C5B3 against C5, which was effective in inhibiting cytotoxicity in vitro and preventing CNS pathology in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Zhu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (W.Z., Z.W., S.H., Y.G., Y.L., H.S., X.D., Y.F., Y.Y.), National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an; Department of Neurology (W.Z.), Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital; and Department of Neurology (Z.W.), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (W.Z., Z.W., S.H., Y.G., Y.L., H.S., X.D., Y.F., Y.Y.), National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an; Department of Neurology (W.Z.), Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital; and Department of Neurology (Z.W.), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Suying Hu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (W.Z., Z.W., S.H., Y.G., Y.L., H.S., X.D., Y.F., Y.Y.), National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an; Department of Neurology (W.Z.), Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital; and Department of Neurology (Z.W.), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Gong
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (W.Z., Z.W., S.H., Y.G., Y.L., H.S., X.D., Y.F., Y.Y.), National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an; Department of Neurology (W.Z.), Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital; and Department of Neurology (Z.W.), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanchu Liu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (W.Z., Z.W., S.H., Y.G., Y.L., H.S., X.D., Y.F., Y.Y.), National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an; Department of Neurology (W.Z.), Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital; and Department of Neurology (Z.W.), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huanhuan Song
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (W.Z., Z.W., S.H., Y.G., Y.L., H.S., X.D., Y.F., Y.Y.), National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an; Department of Neurology (W.Z.), Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital; and Department of Neurology (Z.W.), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoli Ding
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (W.Z., Z.W., S.H., Y.G., Y.L., H.S., X.D., Y.F., Y.Y.), National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an; Department of Neurology (W.Z.), Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital; and Department of Neurology (Z.W.), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Fu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (W.Z., Z.W., S.H., Y.G., Y.L., H.S., X.D., Y.F., Y.Y.), National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an; Department of Neurology (W.Z.), Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital; and Department of Neurology (Z.W.), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yaping Yan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry (W.Z., Z.W., S.H., Y.G., Y.L., H.S., X.D., Y.F., Y.Y.), National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an; Department of Neurology (W.Z.), Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital; and Department of Neurology (Z.W.), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Stern LA, Lown PS, Kobe AC, Abou-Elkacem L, Willmann JK, Hackel BJ. Cellular-Based Selections Aid Yeast-Display Discovery of Genuine Cell-Binding Ligands: Targeting Oncology Vascular Biomarker CD276. ACS COMBINATORIAL SCIENCE 2019; 21:207-222. [PMID: 30620189 PMCID: PMC6411437 DOI: 10.1021/acscombsci.8b00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Yeast surface display is a proven tool for the selection and evolution of ligands with novel binding activity. Selections from yeast surface display libraries against transmembrane targets are generally carried out using recombinant soluble extracellular domains. Unfortunately, these molecules may not be good models of their true, membrane-bound form for a variety of reasons. Such selection campaigns often yield ligands that bind a recombinant target but not target-expressing cells or tissues. Advances in cell-based selections with yeast surface display may aid the frequency of evolving ligands that do bind true, membrane-bound antigens. This study aims to evaluate ligand selection strategies using both soluble target-driven and cellular selection techniques to determine which methods yield translatable ligands most efficiently and generate novel binders against CD276 (B7-H3) and Thy1, two promising tumor vasculature targets. Out of four ligand selection campaigns carried out using only soluble extracellular domains, only an affibody library sorted against CD276 yielded translatable binders. In contrast, fibronectin domains against CD276 and affibodies against CD276 were discovered in campaigns that either combined soluble target and cellular selection methods or used cellular selection methods alone. A high frequency of non target-specific ligands discovered from the use of cellular selection methods alone motivated the development of a depletion scheme using disadhered, antigen-negative mammalian cells as a blocking agent. Affinity maturation of CD276-binding affibodies by error-prone PCR and helix walking resulted in strong, specific cellular CD276 affinity ( Kd = 0.9 ± 0.6 nM). Collectively, these results motivate the use of cellular selections in tandem with recombinant selections and introduce promising affibody molecules specific to CD276 for further applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence A. Stern
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Patrick S. Lown
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Alexandra C. Kobe
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
| | | | | | - Benjamin J. Hackel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Roberts SK, Hirsch M, McStea A, Zanetti-Domingues LC, Clarke DT, Claus J, Parker PJ, Wang L, Martin-Fernandez AML. Cluster Analysis of Endogenous HER2 and HER3 Receptors in SKBR3 Cells. Bio Protoc 2018; 8:e3096. [PMID: 34532543 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (HER) family of receptor tyrosine kinases consists of four, single pass, transmembrane receptor homologs (HER1-4) that act to regulate many critical processes in normal and tumor cells. HER2 is overexpressed in many tumors, and the deregulated proliferation of cancerous cells is driven by cooperation with its preferred receptor partner, HER3. The assessment of the in-situ organization of tagged HER2 and HER3 using super-resolution microscopy reveals quantitative Single Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM) as an ideal bioanalytical tool to characterize receptor clusters. Clustering of receptors is an important regulatory mechanism to prime cells to respond to stimuli so, to understand these processes, it is necessary to measure parameters such as numbers of clusters, cluster radii and the number of localizations per cluster for different perturbations. Previously, Fluorescence Localization Imaging with Photobleaching (FLImP), another nanoscale, single-molecule technique, characterized the oligomerization state of HER1 [or Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (EGFR)] in cell membranes. To achieve an unprecedented resolution (< 5 nm) for inter-molecular separations in EGFR oligomers using FLImP, very few receptors are tagged, and so this method is unsuitable for measurements of whole receptor populations in cancer cells where receptors are frequently upregulated. Here, in order to detect all receptors involved in cluster formation, we saturate endogenous HER2 and HER3 membrane receptors with ligands at a 1:1 dye to protein ratio, in the presence or absence of therapeutic drugs (lapatinib or bosutinib). This is performed in the commonly used breast cancer cell line model SKBR3 cells, where there are ~1.6 million HER2 receptors/cell and 10,000-40,000 HER3 receptors/cell. The basal state of these receptors is studied using HER2- or HER3-specific Affibodies, and likewise, the active state is probed using the natural HER3 ligand, Neuregulin-beta1 (NRGβ1). Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM), one form of SMLM, was used here to image cells, which were chemically fixed to minimize image blurring and provide data (x and y coordinates and standard deviation of the measured localizations) for cluster analysis. Further analysis can also determine proportions of receptor colocalizations. Our findings show that lapatinib-bound HER2, complexed with HER3 via a non-canonical kinase dimer structure, induces higher order oligomers. We hypothesized that nucleation of receptors creates signaling platforms that explain the counterintuitive, increase in cell proliferation upon ligand binding, in the presence of the HER2-inhibitor lapatinib.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Selene K Roberts
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Didcot, Oxford, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Michael Hirsch
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Didcot, Oxford, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Alexandra McStea
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Didcot, Oxford, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Laura C Zanetti-Domingues
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Didcot, Oxford, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - David T Clarke
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Didcot, Oxford, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Jeroen Claus
- Protein Phosphorylation Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Peter J Parker
- Protein Phosphorylation Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.,School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, New Hunt's House, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Lin Wang
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Didcot, Oxford, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - And Marisa L Martin-Fernandez
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Didcot, Oxford, OX11 0QX, UK.,School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, New Hunt's House, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Brasino M, Roy S, Erbse AH, He L, Mao C, Park W, Cha JN, Goodwin AP. Anti-EGFR Affibodies with Site-Specific Photo-Cross-Linker Incorporation Show Both Directed Target-Specific Photoconjugation and Increased Retention in Tumors. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:11820-11828. [PMID: 30203972 PMCID: PMC6689236 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b07601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
A significant challenge for solid tumor treatment is ensuring that a sufficient concentration of therapeutic agent is delivered to the tumor site at doses that can be tolerated by the patient. Biomolecular targeting can bias accumulation in tumors by taking advantage of specific interactions with receptors overexpressed on cancerous cells. However, while antibody-based immunoconjugates show high binding to specific cells, their low dissociation constants ( KD) and large Stokes radii hinder their ability to penetrate deep into tumor tissue, leading to incomplete cell killing and tumor recurrence. To address this, we demonstrate the design and production of a photo-cross-linkable affibody that can form a covalent bond to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) under near UV irradiation. Twelve cysteine mutations were created of an EGFR affibody and conjugated with maleimide-benzophenone. Of these only one exhibited photoconjugation to EGFR, as demonstrated by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Next this modified affibody was shown to not only bind EGFR expressing cells but also show enhanced retention in a 3D tumor spheroid model, with minimal loss up to 24 h as compared to either unmodified EGFR-binding affibodies or nonbinding, photo-cross-linkable affibodies. Finally, in order to show utility of photo-cross-linking at clinically relevant wavelengths, upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) were synthesized that could convert 980 nm light to UV and blue light. In the presence of UCNPs, both direct photoconjugation to EGFR and enhanced retention in tumor spheroids could be obtained using near-infrared illumination. Thus, the photoactive affibodies developed here may be utilized as a platform technology for engineering new therapy conjugates that can penetrate deep into tumor tissue and be retained long enough for effective tumor therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Brasino
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Shambojit Roy
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Annette H. Erbse
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Liangcan He
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Chenchen Mao
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, University of Colorado, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Wounjhang Park
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, University of Colorado, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Jennifer N. Cha
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Andrew P. Goodwin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Chiang CJ, Lin LJ, Wu CP, Chen CJ, Chao YP. Development of Nanoscale Oil Bodies for Targeted Treatment of Lung Cancer. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2018; 66:9438-9445. [PMID: 30122032 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b02972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most widespread disease and is frequently associated with a high level of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This study was thus conducted to provide a proof-of-concept approach for targeted therapy of lung cancer by development of nanoscale oil bodies (NOBs). This was carried out by fusion of anti-EGFR affibody (ZEGFR2) with oleosin (Ole), a structure protein of plant seed oils. The fusion protein (Ole-ZEGFR2) was produced in Escherichia coli. NOBs were spontaneously assembled from plant oil, phospholipids, and Ole-ZEGFR2. Consequently, Ole-ZEGFR2-based NOBs were selectively internalized by EGFR-positive lung cancer cells with an efficiency exceeding 90%. Furthermore, the hydrophobic anticancer drug, camptothecin (CPT), was encapsulated into Ole-ZEGFR2-based NOBs. The administration of the CPT formulation based on NOBs resulted in a strong antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yun-Peng Chao
- Department of Medical Research , China Medical University Hospital , Taichung 40447 , Taiwan
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Feng Chia University , 100 Wenhwa Road , Taichung 40724 , Taiwan
- Department of Health and Nutrition Biotechnology , Asia University , Taichung 41354 , Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Xue X, Wang B, Du W, Zhang C, Song Y, Cai Y, Cen D, Wang L, Xiong Y, Jiang P, Zhu S, Zhao KN, Zhang L. Generation of affibody molecules specific for HPV16 E7 recognition. Oncotarget 2018; 7:73995-74005. [PMID: 27659535 PMCID: PMC5342030 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer caused by infection with high-risk human papillomavirus remains to be the most deadly gynecologic malignancy worldwide. It is well documented that persistent expression of two oncogenes (E6/E7) plays the key roles in cervical cancer. Thus, in vivo detection of the oncoproteins is very important for the diagnosis of the cancer. Recently, affibody molecules have been demonstrated to be a powerful targeting probe for tumor-targeted imaging and diagnosis. In this study, four HPV16 E7-binding affibody molecules (Z HPV16 E7127, Z HPV16E7301, Z HPV16E7384 and Z HPV16E7745) were screened from a phage-displayed peptide library and used for molecular imaging in tumor-bearing mice. Biosensor binding analyses showed first that the four affibody molecules bound to HPV16 E7 with very high affinity and specificity. They co-localized with E7 protein only in two HPV16-positive cancer cells (SiHa and CaSki). Furthermore, affibody ZHPV16E7384 was conjugated with Dylight755 and used for in vivo tumor-imaging. Strongly high-contrast tumor retention of this affibody only occurred in HPV16-derived tumors of mice as early as 30 min post-injection, not in HPV-negative and HPV18-derived tumors. The accumulation of Dylight755-conjugated ZHPV16E7384 in tumor was achieved over a longer time period (24 h). The data here provide strong evidence that E7-specific affibody molecules have great potential used for molecular imaging and diagnosis of HPV-induced cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyang Xue
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of molecular virology and immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Bingbing Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of molecular virology and immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wangqi Du
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of molecular virology and immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chanqiong Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of molecular virology and immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yiling Song
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of molecular virology and immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yiqi Cai
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Danwei Cen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of molecular virology and immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ledan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yirong Xiong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of molecular virology and immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of molecular virology and immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shanli Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of molecular virology and immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Kong-Nan Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of molecular virology and immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lifang Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of molecular virology and immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Jacobsen MT, Fairhead M, Fogelstrand P, Howarth M. Amine Landscaping to Maximize Protein-Dye Fluorescence and Ultrastable Protein-Ligand Interaction. Cell Chem Biol 2017; 24:1040-1047.e4. [PMID: 28757182 PMCID: PMC5563079 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2017.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chemical modification of proteins provides great opportunities to control and visualize living systems. The most common way to modify proteins is reaction of their abundant amines with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters. Here we explore the impact of amine number and positioning on protein-conjugate behavior using streptavidin-biotin, a central research tool. Dye-NHS modification of streptavidin severely damaged ligand binding, necessitating development of a new streptavidin-retaining ultrastable binding after labeling. Exploring the ideal level of dye modification, we engineered a panel bearing 1–6 amines per subunit: “amine landscaping.” Surprisingly, brightness increased as amine number decreased, revealing extensive quenching following conventional labeling. We ultimately selected Flavidin (fluorophore-friendly streptavidin), combining ultrastable ligand binding with increased brightness after conjugation. Flavidin enhanced fluorescent imaging, allowing more sensitive and specific cell labeling in tissues. Flavidin should have wide application in molecular detection, providing a general insight into how to optimize simultaneously the behavior of the biomolecule and the chemical probe. Labeling of streptavidin with small-molecule dyes impairs ligand binding K121R mutation rescues ligand stability after dye labeling Landscaping of protein amines optimizes brightness Fluorophore-friendly streptavidin improves imaging specificity and sensitivity
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Jacobsen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Michael Fairhead
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Per Fogelstrand
- Wallenberg Laboratory, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mark Howarth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Stern LA, Csizmar CM, Woldring DR, Wagner CR, Hackel BJ. Titratable Avidity Reduction Enhances Affinity Discrimination in Mammalian Cellular Selections of Yeast-Displayed Ligands. ACS COMBINATORIAL SCIENCE 2017; 19:315-323. [PMID: 28322543 DOI: 10.1021/acscombsci.6b00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Yeast surface display selections against mammalian cell monolayers have proven effective in isolating proteins with novel binding activity. Recent advances in this technique allow for the recovery of clones with even micromolar binding affinities. However, no efficient method has been shown for affinity-based selection in this context. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of titratable avidity reduction using dithiothreitol to achieve this goal. A series of epidermal growth factor receptor binding fibronectin domains with a range of affinities are used to quantitatively identify the number of ligands per yeast cell that yield the strongest selectivity between strong, moderate, and weak affinities. Notably, reduction of ligand display to 3,000-6,000 ligands per yeast cell of a 2 nM binder yields 16-fold better selectivity than that to a 17 nM binder. These lessons are applied to affinity maturation of an EpCAM-binding fibronectin population, yielding an enriched pool of ligands with significantly stronger affinity than that of an analogous pool sorted by standard cellular selection methods. Collectively, this study offers a facile approach for affinity selection of yeast-displayed ligands against full-length cellular targets and demonstrates the effectiveness of this method by generating EpCAM-binding ligands that are promising for further applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence A. Stern
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and ‡Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota−Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Clifford M. Csizmar
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and ‡Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota−Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Daniel R. Woldring
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and ‡Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota−Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Carston R. Wagner
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and ‡Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota−Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Benjamin J. Hackel
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and ‡Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota−Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Woldring DR, Holec PV, Stern LA, Du Y, Hackel BJ. A Gradient of Sitewise Diversity Promotes Evolutionary Fitness for Binder Discovery in a Three-Helix Bundle Protein Scaffold. Biochemistry 2017; 56:1656-1671. [PMID: 28248518 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b01142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Engineered proteins provide clinically and industrially impactful molecules and utility within fundamental research, yet inefficiencies in discovering lead variants with new desired functionality, while maintaining stability, hinder progress. Improved function, which can result from a few strategic mutations, is fundamentally separate from discovering novel function, which often requires large leaps in sequence space. While a highly diverse combinatorial library covering immense sequence space would empower protein discovery, the ability to sample only a minor subset of sequence space and the typical destabilization of random mutations preclude this strategy. A balance must be reached. At library scale, compounding several destabilizing mutations renders many variants unable to properly fold and devoid of function. Broadly searching sequence space while reducing the level of destabilization may enhance evolution. We exemplify this balance with affibody, a three-helix bundle protein scaffold. Using natural ligand data sets, stability and structural computations, and deep sequencing of thousands of binding variants, a protein library was designed on a sitewise basis with a gradient of mutational levels across 29% of the protein. In direct competition of biased and uniform libraries, both with 1 × 109 variants, for discovery of 6 × 104 ligands (5 × 103 clusters) toward seven targets, biased amino acid frequency increased ligand discovery 13 ± 3-fold. Evolutionarily favorable amino acids, both globally and site-specifically, are further elucidated. The sitewise amino acid bias aids evolutionary discovery by reducing the level of mutant destabilization as evidenced by a midpoint of denaturation (62 ± 4 °C) 15 °C higher than that of unbiased mutants (47 ± 11 °C; p < 0.001). Sitewise diversification, identified by high-throughput evolution and rational library design, improves discovery efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Woldring
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities , 421 Washington Avenue Southeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Patrick V Holec
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities , 421 Washington Avenue Southeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Lawrence A Stern
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities , 421 Washington Avenue Southeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Yang Du
- Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University , 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Benjamin J Hackel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities , 421 Washington Avenue Southeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Wang Y, Ballou B, Schmidt BF, Andreko S, St Croix CM, Watkins SC, Bruchez MP. Affibody-targeted fluorogen activating protein for in vivo tumor imaging. Chem Commun (Camb) 2017; 53:2001-2004. [PMID: 28120951 PMCID: PMC5340305 DOI: 10.1039/c6cc09137g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Molecular imaging using near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence is useful for intraoperative imaging and real-time margin identification. Directly conjugated IR dyes possess useful properties for in vivo imaging, but conjugation often substantially alters the circulation dynamics of targeting moieties. We developed and characterized a new tumor-targeting probe, affiFAP, which consists of a protein that specifically binds EGFR (affibody) and a fluorogen activating protein (FAP). This compact molecular recognition reagent can reversibly bind and activate fluorescence of otherwise nonfluorescent dyes and allows tumor visualization with low nonspecific tissue staining. We demonstrate molecular pre-targeting of affiFAPs and subsequent systemic or topical application of fluorogenic dye to achieve high contrast, fast clearance, and good tissue penetration that may be used in clinical settings to molecularly define tumor margins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- The Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. and The Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Byron Ballou
- The Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Brigitte F Schmidt
- The Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Sue Andreko
- The Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Claudette M St Croix
- Center for Biologic Imaging, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Simon C Watkins
- Center for Biologic Imaging, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Marcel P Bruchez
- The Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. and The Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA and The Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Nishimura Y, Ezawa R, Ishii J, Ogino C, Kondo A. Affibody-displaying bio-nanocapsules effective in EGFR, typical biomarker, expressed in various cancer cells. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 27:336-341. [PMID: 27908760 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) across a wide range of tumor cells has attracted attention for use as a tumor marker in drug delivery systems. Therefore, binding molecules with the ability to target EGFR have been developed. Among them, we focused on affibodies that are binding proteins derived from staphylococcal protein A. By displaying affibody (ZEGFR) binding to EGFR on the surface of a bio-nanocapsule (BNC) derived from a hepatitis B virus (HBV), we developed an altered BNC (ZEGFR-BNC) with a high specificity to EGFR-expressing cells. We considered two different types of ZEGFR (Z955 and Z1907), and found that the Z1907 dimer-displaying BNC ([Z1907]2-BNC) could effectively bind to EGFR-expressing cells and deliver drugs to the cytosol. Since this study showed that [Z1907]2-BNC could target EGFR-expressing cells, we would use this particle as a drug delivery carrier for various cancer cells expressing EGFR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Nishimura
- Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Japan.
| | - Ryosuke Ezawa
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Japan.
| | - Jun Ishii
- Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Japan.
| | - Chiaki Ogino
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Japan.
| | - Akihiko Kondo
- Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Japan; Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Needham SR, Roberts SK, Arkhipov A, Mysore VP, Tynan CJ, Zanetti-Domingues LC, Kim ET, Losasso V, Korovesis D, Hirsch M, Rolfe DJ, Clarke DT, Winn MD, Lajevardipour A, Clayton AHA, Pike LJ, Perani M, Parker PJ, Shan Y, Shaw DE, Martin-Fernandez ML. EGFR oligomerization organizes kinase-active dimers into competent signalling platforms. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13307. [PMID: 27796308 PMCID: PMC5095584 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling is activated by ligand-induced receptor dimerization. Notably, ligand binding also induces EGFR oligomerization, but the structures and functions of the oligomers are poorly understood. Here, we use fluorophore localization imaging with photobleaching to probe the structure of EGFR oligomers. We find that at physiological epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations, EGFR assembles into oligomers, as indicated by pairwise distances of receptor-bound fluorophore-conjugated EGF ligands. The pairwise ligand distances correspond well with the predictions of our structural model of the oligomers constructed from molecular dynamics simulations. The model suggests that oligomerization is mediated extracellularly by unoccupied ligand-binding sites and that oligomerization organizes kinase-active dimers in ways optimal for auto-phosphorylation in trans between neighbouring dimers. We argue that ligand-induced oligomerization is essential to the regulation of EGFR signalling. Epidermal growth factor receptors have been shown to oligomerise upon binding to their cognate ligands. Here, the authors use biochemical, biophysical and cell biology techniques to analyse the structures of these oligomers, and argue that these formations are required for signalling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R Needham
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, Oxford OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Selene K Roberts
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, Oxford OX11 0QX, UK
| | | | | | - Christopher J Tynan
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, Oxford OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Laura C Zanetti-Domingues
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, Oxford OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Eric T Kim
- D.E. Shaw Research, New York, New York 10036, USA
| | - Valeria Losasso
- Computational Science and Engineering Department, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD, UK
| | - Dimitrios Korovesis
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, Oxford OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Michael Hirsch
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, Oxford OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Daniel J Rolfe
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, Oxford OX11 0QX, UK
| | - David T Clarke
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, Oxford OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Martyn D Winn
- Computational Science and Engineering Department, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD, UK
| | - Alireza Lajevardipour
- Centre for Micro-Photonics, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia
| | - Andrew H A Clayton
- Centre for Micro-Photonics, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia
| | - Linda J Pike
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Michela Perani
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Peter J Parker
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK.,The Francis Crick Institute, Protein Phosphorylation Laboratory, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LY, UK
| | - Yibing Shan
- D.E. Shaw Research, New York, New York 10036, USA
| | - David E Shaw
- D.E. Shaw Research, New York, New York 10036, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Marisa L Martin-Fernandez
- Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, Oxford OX11 0QX, UK
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Feiner RC, Müller KM. Recent progress in protein-protein interaction study for EGFR-targeted therapeutics. Expert Rev Proteomics 2016; 13:817-32. [PMID: 27424502 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2016.1212665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression is upregulated in many tumors and its aberrant signaling drives progression of many cancer types. Consequently, EGFR has become a clinically validated target as extracellular tumor marker for antibodies as well as for tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Within the last years, new mechanistic insights were uncovered and, based on clinical experience as well as progress in protein engineering, novel bio-therapeutic approaches were developed and tested. AREAS COVERED The potential therapeutic targeting arsenal in the fight against cancer now encompasses bispecific or biparatopic antibodies, DARPins, Adnectins, Affibodies, peptides and combinations of these binding molecules with viral- and nano-particles. We review past and recent binding proteins from the literature and include a brief description of the various targeting approaches. Special attention is given to the binding modes with the EGFR. Expert commentary: Clinical data from the three approved anti EGFR antibodies indicate that there is room for improved therapeutic efficacy. Having choices in size, affinity, avidity and the mode of EGFR binding as well as the possibility to combine various effector functions opens the possibility to rationally design more effective therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Christine Feiner
- a Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology group, Faculty of Technology , Bielefeld University , Bielefeld , Germany
| | - Kristian Mark Müller
- a Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology group, Faculty of Technology , Bielefeld University , Bielefeld , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Martelli C, Dico AL, Diceglie C, Lucignani G, Ottobrini L. Optical imaging probes in oncology. Oncotarget 2016; 7:48753-48787. [PMID: 27145373 PMCID: PMC5217050 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease, characterized by alteration of different physiological molecular processes and cellular features. Keeping this in mind, the possibility of early identification and detection of specific tumor biomarkers by non-invasive approaches could improve early diagnosis and patient management.Different molecular imaging procedures provide powerful tools for detection and non-invasive characterization of oncological lesions. Clinical studies are mainly based on the use of computed tomography, nuclear-based imaging techniques and magnetic resonance imaging. Preclinical imaging in small animal models entails the use of dedicated instruments, and beyond the already cited imaging techniques, it includes also optical imaging studies. Optical imaging strategies are based on the use of luminescent or fluorescent reporter genes or injectable fluorescent or luminescent probes that provide the possibility to study tumor features even by means of fluorescence and luminescence imaging. Currently, most of these probes are used only in animal models, but the possibility of applying some of them also in the clinics is under evaluation.The importance of tumor imaging, the ease of use of optical imaging instruments, the commercial availability of a wide range of probes as well as the continuous description of newly developed probes, demonstrate the significance of these applications. The aim of this review is providing a complete description of the possible optical imaging procedures available for the non-invasive assessment of tumor features in oncological murine models. In particular, the characteristics of both commercially available and newly developed probes will be outlined and discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Martelli
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Centre of Molecular and Cellular Imaging-IMAGO, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Lo Dico
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Umberto Veronesi Foundation, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Diceglie
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Centre of Molecular and Cellular Imaging-IMAGO, Milan, Italy
- Tecnomed Foundation, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lucignani
- Centre of Molecular and Cellular Imaging-IMAGO, Milan, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Ottobrini
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Centre of Molecular and Cellular Imaging-IMAGO, Milan, Italy
- Institute for Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Cheng Q, Wållberg H, Grafström J, Lu L, Thorell JO, Hägg Olofsson M, Linder S, Johansson K, Tegnebratt T, Arnér ESJ, Stone-Elander S, Ahlzén HSM, Ståhl S. Preclinical PET imaging of EGFR levels: pairing a targeting with a non-targeting Sel-tagged Affibody-based tracer to estimate the specific uptake. EJNMMI Res 2016; 6:58. [PMID: 27388754 PMCID: PMC4936982 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-016-0213-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Though overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in several forms of cancer is considered to be an important prognostic biomarker related to poor prognosis, clear correlations between biomarker assays and patient management have been difficult to establish. Here, we utilize a targeting directly followed by a non-targeting tracer-based positron emission tomography (PET) method to examine some of the aspects of determining specific EGFR binding in tumors. Methods The EGFR-binding Affibody molecule ZEGFR:2377 and its size-matched non-binding control ZTaq:3638 were recombinantly fused with a C-terminal selenocysteine-containing Sel-tag (ZEGFR:2377-ST and ZTaq:3638-ST). The proteins were site-specifically labeled with DyLight488 for flow cytometry and ex vivo tissue analyses or with 11C for in vivo PET studies. Kinetic scans with the 11C-labeled proteins were performed in healthy mice and in mice bearing xenografts from human FaDu (squamous cell carcinoma) and A431 (epidermoid carcinoma) cell lines. Changes in tracer uptake in A431 xenografts over time were also monitored, followed by ex vivo proximity ligation assays (PLA) of EGFR expressions. Results Flow cytometry and ex vivo tissue analyses confirmed EGFR targeting by ZEGFR:2377-ST-DyLight488. [Methyl-11C]-labeled ZEGFR:2377-ST-CH3 and ZTaq:3638-ST-CH3 showed similar distributions in vivo, except for notably higher concentrations of the former in particularly the liver and the blood. [Methyl-11C]-ZEGFR:2377-ST-CH3 successfully visualized FaDu and A431 xenografts with moderate and high EGFR expression levels, respectively. However, in FaDu tumors, the non-specific uptake was large and sometimes equally large, illustrating the importance of proper controls. In the A431 group observed longitudinally, non-specific uptake remained at same level over the observation period. Specific uptake increased with tumor size, but changes varied widely over time in individual tumors. Total (membranous and cytoplasmic) EGFR in excised sections increased with tumor growth. There was no positive correlation between total EGFR and specific tracer uptake, which, since ZEGFR:2377 binds extracellularly and is slowly internalized, indicates a discordance between available membranous and total EGFR expression levels. Conclusions Same-day in vivo dual tracer imaging enabled by the Sel-tag technology and 11C-labeling provides a method to non-invasively monitor membrane-localized EGFR as well as factors affecting non-specific uptake of the PET ligand. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13550-016-0213-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Cheng
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Wållberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Grafström
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Li Lu
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Karolinska Experimental Research and Imaging Center, Department of Comparative Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan-Olov Thorell
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Neuroradiology Department, R3:00, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Hägg Olofsson
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stig Linder
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katarina Johansson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tetyana Tegnebratt
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Neuroradiology Department, R3:00, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elias S J Arnér
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sharon Stone-Elander
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Neuroradiology Department, R3:00, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | - Stefan Ståhl
- Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Koduvayur SP, Su Y, Kay BK, Lavie A. Targeted Delivery of Deoxycytidine Kinase to Her2-Positive Cells Enhances the Efficacy of the Nucleoside Analog Fludarabine. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157114. [PMID: 27280468 PMCID: PMC4900609 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic drugs, such as nucleoside analogs and toxins, commonly suffer from off-target effects. One approach to mitigate this problem is to deliver the cytotoxic drug selectively to the intended site. While for toxins this can be achieved by conjugating the cell-killing moiety to a targeting moiety, it is not an option for nucleoside analogs, which rely on intracellular enzymes to convert them to their active triphosphorylated form. To overcome this limitation, and achieve site-targeted activation of nucleoside analogs, we fused the coding region of a prodrug-activating enzyme, deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), to affinity reagents that bind to the Her2 cell surface protein. We evaluated dCK fusions to an anti-Her2 affibody and Designed Ankyrin Repeat Protein (DARPin) for their ability to kill cancer cells by promoting the activation of the nucleoside analog fludarabine. Cell staining and flow cytometry experiments with three Her2 positive cancer cell lines (BT-474-JB, JIMT-1 and SK-OV-3) indicate dCK fusions binding and cellular internalization. In contrast, these reagents bind only weakly to the Her2 negative cell line, MCF-7. Cell proliferation assays indicate that SK-OV-3 and BT-474-JB cell lines exhibit significantly reduced proliferation rates when treated with targeting-module fused dCK and fludarabine, compared to fludarabine alone. These findings demonstrate that we have succeeded in delivering active dCK into the Her2-positive cells, thereby increasing the activation of fludarabine, which ultimately reduces the dose of nucleoside analog needed for cell killing. This strategy may help establish the therapeutic index required to differentiate between healthy tissues and cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sujatha P. Koduvayur
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, United States of America
| | - Ying Su
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, United States of America
| | - Brian K. Kay
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, United States of America
| | - Arnon Lavie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, United States of America
- The Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
Programmed connection of amino acids or nucleotides into chains introduced a revolution in control of biological function. Reacting proteins together is more complex because of the number of reactive groups and delicate stability. Here we achieved sequence-programmed irreversible connection of protein units, forming polyprotein teams by sequential amidation and transamidation. SpyTag peptide is engineered to spontaneously form an isopeptide bond with SpyCatcher protein. By engineering the adhesin RrgA from Streptococcus pneumoniae, we developed the peptide SnoopTag, which formed a spontaneous isopeptide bond to its protein partner SnoopCatcher with >99% yield and no cross-reaction to SpyTag/SpyCatcher. Solid-phase attachment followed by sequential SpyTag or SnoopTag reaction between building-blocks enabled iterative extension. Linear, branched, and combinatorial polyproteins were synthesized, identifying optimal combinations of ligands against death receptors and growth factor receptors for cancer cell death signal activation. This simple and modular route to programmable "polyproteams" should enable exploration of a new area of biological space.
Collapse
|
35
|
Appert-Collin A, Hubert P, Crémel G, Bennasroune A. Role of ErbB Receptors in Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion. Front Pharmacol 2015; 6:283. [PMID: 26635612 PMCID: PMC4657385 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth factors mediate their diverse biologic responses (regulation of cellular proliferation, differentiation, migration and survival) by binding to and activating cell-surface receptors with intrinsic protein kinase activity named receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). About 60 RTKs have been identified and can be classified into more than 16 different receptor families. Their activity is normally tightly controlled and regulated. Overexpression of RTK proteins or functional alterations caused by mutations in the corresponding genes or abnormal stimulation by autocrine growth factor loops contribute to constitutive RTK signaling, resulting in alterations in the physiological activities of cells. The ErbB receptor family of RTKs comprises four distinct receptors: the EGFR (also known as ErbB1/HER1), ErbB2 (neu, HER2), ErbB3 (HER3) and ErbB4 (HER4). ErbB family members are often overexpressed, amplified, or mutated in many forms of cancer, making them important therapeutic targets. EGFR has been found to be amplified in gliomas and non-small-cell lung carcinoma while ErbB2 amplifications are seen in breast, ovarian, bladder, non-small-cell lung carcinoma, as well as several other tumor types. Several data have shown that ErbB receptor family and its downstream pathway regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, and tumor invasion by modulating extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Recent findings indicate that ECM components such as matrikines bind specifically to EGF receptor and promote cell invasion. In this review, we will present an in-depth overview of the structure, mechanisms, cell signaling, and functions of ErbB family receptors in cell adhesion and migration. Furthermore, we will describe in a last part the new strategies developed in anti-cancer therapy to inhibit ErbB family receptor activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aline Appert-Collin
- UMR CNRS 7369, Unité Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne Reims, France
| | - Pierre Hubert
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires, CNRS-AMU UMR 7255 Marseille, France
| | | | - Amar Bennasroune
- UMR CNRS 7369, Unité Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne Reims, France ; UMR CNRS 7360, Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Environnements Continentaux, Université de Lorraine Metz, France
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Vazquez-Lombardi R, Phan TG, Zimmermann C, Lowe D, Jermutus L, Christ D. Challenges and opportunities for non-antibody scaffold drugs. Drug Discov Today 2015; 20:1271-83. [PMID: 26360055 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2015.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The first candidates from the promising class of small non-antibody protein scaffolds are now moving into clinical development and practice. Challenges remain, and scaffolds will need to be further tailored toward applications where they provide real advantages over established therapeutics to succeed in a rapidly evolving drug development landscape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Vazquez-Lombardi
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; The University of New South Wales, Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent's Clinical School, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Tri Giang Phan
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; The University of New South Wales, Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent's Clinical School, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Carsten Zimmermann
- University of San Diego, School of Business Administration, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110, USA
| | - David Lowe
- MedImmune Ltd., Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Lutz Jermutus
- MedImmune Ltd., Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK; Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge, Trinity Lane CB2 1TJ, UK.
| | - Daniel Christ
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; The University of New South Wales, Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent's Clinical School, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Liu H, Seijsing J, Frejd FY, Tolmachev V, Gräslund T. Target-specific cytotoxic effects on HER2-expressing cells by the tripartite fusion toxin ZHER2:2891-ABD-PE38X8, including a targeting affibody molecule and a half-life extension domain. Int J Oncol 2015; 47:601-9. [PMID: 26046132 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.3027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of cancer treatment regimens including immunotoxins is partly hampered by their immunogenicity. Recently, deimmunized versions of toxins have been described, potentially being better suited for translation to the clinic. In this study, a recombinant tripartite fusion toxin consisting of a deimmunized version of exotoxin A from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PE38) genetically fused to an affibody molecule specifically interacting with the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and also an albumin binding domain (ABD) for half-life extension, has been produced and characterized in terms of functionality of the three moieties. Biosensor based assays showed that the fusion toxin was able to interact with human and mouse serum albumin, but not with bovine serum albumin and that it interacted with HER2 (KD=5 nM). Interestingly, a complex of the fusion toxin and human serum albumin also interacted with HER2 but with a somewhat weaker affinity (KD=12 nM). The IC50-values of the fusion toxin ranged from 6 to 300 pM on SKOV-3, SKBR-3 and A549 cells and was lower for cells with higher surface densities of HER2. The fusion toxin was found specific for HER2 as shown by blocking available HER2 receptors with free affibody molecule before subjecting the cells to the toxin. Analysis of contact time showed that 10 min was sufficient to kill 50% of the cells. In conclusion, all three regions of the fusion toxin were found to be functional.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Liu
- School of Biotechnology, Division of Protein Technology, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Seijsing
- School of Biotechnology, Division of Protein Technology, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Torbjörn Gräslund
- School of Biotechnology, Division of Protein Technology, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
PET imaging of insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor expression with a 64Cu-labeled Affibody molecule. Amino Acids 2015; 47:1409-19. [PMID: 25854877 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-1975-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) serves as an attractive target for cancer molecular imaging and therapy. Previous single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) studies showed that the IGF-1R-targeting Affibody molecules (99m)Tc-ZIGF1R:4551-GGGC, [(99m)Tc(CO)3](+)-(HE)3-ZIGF1R:4551 and (111)In-DOTA-ZIGF1R:4551 can discriminate between high and low IGF-1R-expression tumors and have the potential for patient selection for IGF-1R-targeted therapy. Compared with SPECT, positron emission tomography (PET) may improve imaging of IGF-1R-expression, because of its high sensitivity, high spatial resolution, strong quantification ability. The aim of the present study was to develop the (64)Cu-labeled NOTA-conjugated Affibody molecule ZIGF-1R:4:40 as a PET probe for imaging of IGF-1R-positive tumor. An Affibody analogue (Ac-Cys-ZIGF-1R:4:40) binding to IGF-1R was site-specifically conjugated with NOTA and labeled with (64)Cu. Binding affinity and specificity of (64)Cu-NOTA-ZIGF-1R:4:40 to IGF-1R were evaluated using human glioblastoma U87MG cells. Small-animal PET, biodistribution, and metabolic stability studies were conducted on mice bearing U87MG xenografts after the injection of (64)Cu-NOTA-ZIGF-1R:4:40 with or without co-injection of unlabeled Affibody proteins. The radiosynthesis of (64)Cu-NOTA-ZIGF-1R:4:40 was completed successfully within 60 min with a decay-corrected yield of 75 %. (64)Cu-NOTA-ZIGF-1R:4:40 bound to IGF-1R with low nanomolar affinity (K D = 28.55 ± 3.95 nM) in U87MG cells. (64)Cu-NOTA-ZIGF-1R:4:40 also displayed excellent in vitro and in vivo stability. In vivo biodistribution and PET studies demonstrated targeting of U87MG gliomas xenografts was IGF-1R specific. The tumor uptake was 5.08 ± 1.07 %ID/g, and the tumor to muscle ratio was 11.89 ± 2.16 at 24 h after injection. Small animal PET imaging studies revealed that (64)Cu-NOTA-ZIGF-1R:4:40 could clearly identify U87MG tumors with good contrast at 1-24 h after injection. This study demonstrates that (64)Cu-NOTA-ZIGF-1R:4:40 is a promising PET probe for imaging IGF-1R positive tumor.
Collapse
|
39
|
Wang Y, Telmer CA, Schmidt BF, Franke JD, Ort S, Arndt-Jovin DJ, Bruchez MP. Fluorogen activating protein-affibody probes: modular, no-wash measurement of epidermal growth factor receptors. Bioconjug Chem 2014; 26:137-44. [PMID: 25490520 PMCID: PMC4306507 DOI: 10.1021/bc500525b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Fluorescence
is essential for dynamic live cell imaging, and affinity
reagents are required for quantification of endogenous proteins. Various
fluorescent dyes can report on different aspects of biological trafficking,
but must be independently conjugated to affinity reagents and characterized
for specific biological readouts. Here we present the characterization
of a new modular platform for small anti-EGFR affinity probes for
studying rapid changes in receptor pools. A protein domain (FAP dL5**) that binds to malachite-green (MG) derivatives for fluorescence
activation was expressed as a recombinant fusion to one or two copies
of the compact EGFR binding affibody ZEGFR:1907. This is
a recombinant and fluorogenic labeling reagent for native EGFR molecules.
In vitro fluorescence assays demonstrated that the binding of these
dyes to the FAP–affibody fusions produced thousand-fold fluorescence
enhancements, with high binding affinity and fast association rates.
Flow cytometry assays and fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that
these probes label endogenous EGFR on A431 cells without disruption
of EGFR function, and low nanomolar surface Kd values were observed with the double-ZEGFR:1907 constructs. The application of light-harvesting fluorogens (dyedrons)
significantly improved the detected fluorescence signal. Altering
the order of addition of the ligand, probe, and dyes allowed differentiation
between surface and endocytotic pools of receptors to reveal the rapid
dynamics of endocytic trafficking. Therefore, FAP/affibody coupling
provides a new approach to construct compact and modular affinity
probes that label endogenous proteins on living cells and can be used
for studying rapid changes in receptor pools involved in trafficking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- The Department of Biological Sciences, ‡The Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center, and ⊥The Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Su X, Cheng K, Jeon J, Shen B, Venturin GT, Hu X, Rao J, Chin FT, Wu H, Cheng Z. Comparison of two site-specifically (18)F-labeled affibodies for PET imaging of EGFR positive tumors. Mol Pharm 2014; 11:3947-56. [PMID: 24972326 PMCID: PMC4218868 DOI: 10.1021/mp5003043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
![]()
The
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) serves as an attractive target
for cancer molecular imaging and therapy. Our previous positron emission
tomography (PET) studies showed that the EGFR-targeting affibody molecules 64Cu-DOTA-ZEGFR:1907 and 18F-FBEM-ZEGFR:1907 can discriminate between high and low EGFR-expression
tumors and have the potential for patient selection for EGFR-targeted
therapy. Compared with 64Cu, 18F may improve
imaging of EGFR-expression and is more suitable for clinical application,
but the labeling reaction of 18F-FBEM-ZEGFR:1907 requires a long synthesis time. The aim of the present study is
to develop a new generation of 18F labeled affibody probes
(Al18F-NOTA-ZEGFR:1907 and 18F-CBT-ZEGFR:1907) and to determine whether they are suitable agents
for imaging of EGFR expression. The first approach consisted of conjugating
ZEGFR:1907 with NOTA and radiolabeling with Al18F to produce Al18F-NOTA-ZEGFR:1907. In a second
approach the prosthetic group 18F-labeled-2-cyanobenzothiazole
(18F-CBT) was conjugated to Cys-ZEGFR:1907 to
produce 18F-CBT-ZEGFR:1907. Binding affinity
and specificity of Al18F-NOTA-ZEGFR:1907 and 18F-CBT-ZEGFR:1907 to EGFR were evaluated using
A431 cells. Biodistribution and PET studies were conducted on mice
bearing A431 xenografts after injection of Al18F-NOTA-ZEGFR:1907 or 18F-CBT-ZEGFR:1907 with
or without coinjection of unlabeled affibody proteins. The radiosyntheses
of Al18F-NOTA-ZEGFR:1907 and 18F-CBT-ZEGFR:1907 were completed successfully within 40 and 120 min
with a decay-corrected yield of 15% and 41% using a 2-step, 1-pot
reaction and 2-step, 2-pot reaction, respectively. Both probes bound
to EGFR with low nanomolar affinity in A431 cells. Although 18F-CBT-ZEGFR:1907 showed instability in vivo, biodistribution studies revealed rapid and high tumor accumulation
and quick clearance from normal tissues except the bones. In contrast,
Al18F-NOTA-ZEGFR:1907 demonstrated high in vitro and in vivo stability, high tumor
uptake, and relative low uptake in most of the normal organs except
the liver and kidneys at 3 h after injection. The specificity of both
probes for A431 tumors was confirmed by their lower uptake on coinjection
of unlabeled affibody. PET studies showed that Al18F-NOTA-ZEGFR:1907 and 18F-CBT-ZEGFR:1907 could
clearly identify EGFR positive tumors with good contrast. Two strategies
for 18F-labeling of affibody molecules were successfully
developed as two model platforms using NOTA or CBT coupling to affibody
molecules that contain an N-terminal cysteine. Al18F-NOTA-ZEGFR:1907 and 18F-CBT-ZEGFR:1907 can
be reliably obtained in a relatively short time. Biodistribution and
PET studies demonstrated that Al18F-NOTA-ZEGFR:1907 is a promising PET probe for imaging EGFR expression in living mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinhui Su
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University , Xiamen 361004, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Wållberg H, Ståhl S. Design and evaluation of radiolabeled tracers for tumor imaging. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2014; 60:365-83. [PMID: 24033592 DOI: 10.1002/bab.1111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The growing understanding of tumor biology and the identification of tumor-specific genetic and molecular alterations, such as the overexpression of membrane receptors and other proteins, allows for personalization of patient management using targeted therapies. However, this puts stringent demands on the diagnostic tools used to identify patients who are likely to respond to a particular treatment. Radionuclide molecular imaging is a promising noninvasive method to visualize and characterize the expression of such targets. A number of different proteins, from full-length antibodies and their derivatives to small scaffold proteins and peptide receptor-ligands, have been applied to molecular imaging, each demonstrating strengths and weaknesses. Here, we discuss the concept of molecular targeting and, in particular, molecular imaging of cancer-associated targets. Additionally, we describe important biotechnological considerations and desired features when designing and developing tracers for radionuclide molecular imaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helena Wållberg
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, AlbaNova University Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Tichauer KM, Diop M, Elliott JT, Samkoe KS, Hasan T, St Lawrence K, Pogue BW. Accounting for pharmacokinetic differences in dual-tracer receptor density imaging. Phys Med Biol 2014; 59:2341-51. [PMID: 24743262 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/59/10/2341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Dual-tracer molecular imaging is a powerful approach to quantify receptor expression in a wide range of tissues by using an untargeted tracer to account for any nonspecific uptake of a molecular-targeted tracer. This approach has previously required the pharmacokinetics of the receptor-targeted and untargeted tracers to be identical, requiring careful selection of an ideal untargeted tracer for any given targeted tracer. In this study, methodology capable of correcting for tracer differences in arterial input functions, as well as binding-independent delivery and retention, is derived and evaluated in a mouse U251 glioma xenograft model using an Affibody tracer targeted to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a cell membrane receptor overexpressed in many cancers. Simulations demonstrated that blood, and to a lesser extent vascular-permeability, pharmacokinetic differences between targeted and untargeted tracers could be quantified by deconvolving the uptakes of the two tracers in a region of interest devoid of targeted tracer binding, and therefore corrected for, by convolving the uptake of the untargeted tracer in all regions of interest by the product of the deconvolution. Using fluorescently labeled, EGFR-targeted and untargeted Affibodies (known to have different blood clearance rates), the average tumor concentration of EGFR in four mice was estimated using dual-tracer kinetic modeling to be 3.9 ± 2.4 nM compared to an expected concentration of 2.0 ± 0.4 nM. However, with deconvolution correction a more equivalent EGFR concentration of 2.0 ± 0.4 nM was measured.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K M Tichauer
- Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Gremel G, Grannas K, Sutton LA, Pontén F, Zieba A. In situ Protein Detection for Companion Diagnostics. Front Oncol 2013; 3:271. [PMID: 24199171 PMCID: PMC3814083 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of targeted therapies for cancer has created a need for the development of companion diagnostic tests. Assays developed in recent years are aimed at determining both the effectiveness and safety of specific drugs for a defined group of patients, thus, enabling the more efficient design of clinical trials and also supporting physicians when making treatment-related decisions. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a widely accepted method for protein expression analyses in human tissues. Immunohistochemical assays, used to localize and quantitate relative protein expression levels within a morphological context, are frequently used as companion diagnostics during clinical trials and also following drug approval. Herein, we describe established immunochemistry-based methods and their application in routine diagnostics. We also explore the possibility of using IHC to detect specific protein mutations in addition to DNA-based tests. Finally, we review alternative protein binders and proximity ligation assays and discuss their potential to facilitate the development of novel, targeted therapies against cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Gremel
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Kim D, Kim SK, Valencia CA, Liu R. Tribody: robust self-assembled trimeric targeting ligands with high stability and significantly improved target-binding strength. Biochemistry 2013; 52:7283-94. [PMID: 24050811 DOI: 10.1021/bi400716w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The C-terminal coiled-coil region of mouse and human cartilage matrix protein (CMP) self-assembles into a parallel trimeric complex. Here, we report a general strategy for the development of highly stable trimeric targeting ligands (tribodies), against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as examples, by fusing a specific target-binding moiety with a trimerization domain derived from CMP. The resulting fusion proteins can efficiently self-assemble into a well-defined parallel homotrimer with high stability. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis of the trimeric targeting ligands demonstrated significantly enhanced target-binding strength compared with the corresponding monomers. Cellular-binding studies confirmed that the trimeric targeting ligands have superior binding strength toward their respective receptors. Significantly, the EGFR-binding tribody was considerably accumulated in the tumor of mice bearing xenografted EGFR-positive tumors, indicating its effective cancer-targeting feature under in vivo conditions. Our results demonstrate that CMP-based self-assembly of tribodies can be a general strategy for the facile and robust generation of trivalent targeting ligands for a wide variety of in vitro and in vivo applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongwook Kim
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7568, United States
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Hydrophobic fluorescent probes introduce artifacts into single molecule tracking experiments due to non-specific binding. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74200. [PMID: 24066121 PMCID: PMC3774629 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-molecule techniques are powerful tools to investigate the structure and dynamics of macromolecular complexes; however, data quality can suffer because of weak specific signal, background noise and dye bleaching and blinking. It is less well-known, but equally important, that non-specific binding of probe to substrates results in a large number of immobile fluorescent molecules, introducing significant artifacts in live cell experiments. Following from our previous work in which we investigated glass coating substrates and demonstrated that the main contribution to this non-specific probe adhesion comes from the dye, we carried out a systematic investigation of how different dye chemistries influence the behaviour of spectrally similar fluorescent probes. Single-molecule brightness, bleaching and probe mobility on the surface of live breast cancer cells cultured on a non-adhesive substrate were assessed for anti-EGFR affibody conjugates with 14 different dyes from 5 different manufacturers, belonging to 3 spectrally homogeneous bands (491 nm, 561 nm and 638 nm laser lines excitation). Our results indicate that, as well as influencing their photophysical properties, dye chemistry has a strong influence on the propensity of dye-protein conjugates to adhere non-specifically to the substrate. In particular, hydrophobicity has a strong influence on interactions with the substrate, with hydrophobic dyes showing much greater levels of binding. Crucially, high levels of non-specific substrate binding result in calculated diffusion coefficients significantly lower than the true values. We conclude that the physic-chemical properties of the dyes should be considered carefully when planning single-molecule experiments. Favourable dye characteristics such as photostability and brightness can be offset by the propensity of a conjugate for non-specific adhesion.
Collapse
|
46
|
Molecular imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts with epidermal growth factor receptor targeted affibody probes. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:759057. [PMID: 23710458 PMCID: PMC3654646 DOI: 10.1155/2013/759057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 03/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive and lethal cancer. It is typically asymptomatic at the early stage, with only 10%–20% of HCC patients being diagnosed early enough for appropriate surgical treatment. The delayed diagnosis of HCC is associated with limited treatment options and much lower survival rates. Therefore, the early and accurate detection of HCC is crucial to improve its currently dismal prognosis. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been reported to be involved in HCC tumorigenesis and to represent an attractive target for HCC imaging and therapy. In this study, an affibody molecule, Ac-Cys-ZEGFR:1907, targeting the extracellular domain of EGFR, was used for the first time to assess its potential to detect HCC xenografts. By evaluating radio- or fluorescent-labeled Ac-Cys-ZEGFR:1907 as a probe for positron emission tomography (PET) or optical imaging of HCC, subcutaneous EGFR-positive HCC xenografts were found to be successfully imaged by the PET probe. Thus, affibody-based PET imaging of EGFR provides a promising approach for detecting HCC in vivo.
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) provides the possibility of selectively ablating cancer cells by combining the specificity of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) for a target antigen with the delivery of a highly potent cytotoxic agent. ADC target antigens are typically highly expressed on the surface of cancer cells compared to normal cells. The tumor target, the cytotoxic agent, and the manner in which the agent is attached to the antibody are key determinants of clinical activity and tolerability. Recently, several clinical trials have demonstrated that ADCs achieve higher clinical response rates than unconjugated mAbs targeting the same cell surface antigen. Brentuximab vedotin represents one such ADC that has recently been approved for the treatment of relapsed Hodgkin and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphomas--both characterized by high expression of the target antigen, CD30, on the surface of malignant cells. This review summarizes key characteristics of current, clinically active ADCs and highlights recent clinical data illustrating the benefit of antibody-targeted delivery of cytotoxic agents to cancer cells.
Collapse
|
48
|
Zanetti-Domingues LC, Martin-Fernandez ML, Needham SR, Rolfe DJ, Clarke DT. A systematic investigation of differential effects of cell culture substrates on the extent of artifacts in single-molecule tracking. PLoS One 2012; 7:e45655. [PMID: 23049831 PMCID: PMC3458086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 08/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-molecule techniques are being increasingly applied to biomedical investigation, notwithstanding the numerous challenges they pose in terms of signal-to-noise ratio issues. Non-specific binding of probes to glass substrates, in particular, can produce experimental artifacts due to spurious molecules on glass, which can be particularly deleterious in live-cell tracking experiments. In order to resolve the issue of non-specific probe binding to substrates, we performed systematic testing of a range of available surface coatings, using three different proteins, and then extended our assessment to the ability of these coatings to foster cell growth and retain non-adhesive properties. Linear PEG, a passivating agent commonly used both in immobilized-molecule single-molecule techniques and in tissue engineering, is able to both successfully repel non-specific adhesion of fluorescent probes and to foster cell growth when functionalized with appropriate adhesive peptides. Linear PEG treatment results in a significant reduction of tracking artifacts in EGFR tracking with Affibody ligands on a cell line expressing EGFR-eGFP. The findings reported herein could be beneficial to a large number of experimental situations where single-molecule or single-particle precision is required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura C. Zanetti-Domingues
- Central Laser Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Marisa L. Martin-Fernandez
- Central Laser Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah R. Needham
- Central Laser Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel J. Rolfe
- Central Laser Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - David T. Clarke
- Central Laser Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Kong KV, Lam Z, Goh WD, Leong WK, Olivo M. Metal Carbonyl-Gold Nanoparticle Conjugates for Live-Cell SERS Imaging. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201204349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
50
|
Kong KV, Lam Z, Goh WD, Leong WK, Olivo M. Metal Carbonyl-Gold Nanoparticle Conjugates for Live-Cell SERS Imaging. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2012; 51:9796-9. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201204349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2012] [Revised: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|