1
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Patil A, Mirando AC, Liatsou I, Sgouros G, Popel AS, Pandey NB. Gel-forming therapeutic peptide exhibits sustained delivery and efficacy in a mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer. Peptides 2023; 169:171075. [PMID: 37591441 PMCID: PMC10529050 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive and invasive subtype of breast cancer that represents a major cause of death of women worldwide. Here we describe the efficacy of an integrin-binding antiangiogenic peptide in a variety of delivery methods and dosing conditions. This peptide, AXT201, demonstrated consistent anti-tumor efficacy when administered intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, and intratumorally, and retained this activity even when dosing frequency was reduced to once every two weeks. Finally, in vivo imaging and biodistribution studies of AXT201 showed a long-term persistence of at least 10 days at the site of injection and a stable detectable signal in the blood over 48 h, indicating a sustained release profile. Taken together, these findings indicate AXT201 exhibits favorable pharmacokinetic properties for a 20-mer peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Patil
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Adam C Mirando
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; AsclepiX Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Ioanna Liatsou
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - George Sgouros
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Niranjan B Pandey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; AsclepiX Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, MD, USA
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2
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Lima e Silva R, Mirando AC, Tzeng SY, Green JJ, Popel AS, Pandey NB, Campochiaro PA. Anti-angiogenic collagen IV-derived peptide target engagement with α vβ 3 and α 5β 1 in ocular neovascularization models. iScience 2023; 26:106078. [PMID: 36844452 PMCID: PMC9947312 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
AXT107, a collagen-derived peptide that binds integrins αvβ3 and α5β1 with high affinity, suppresses vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, promotes angiopoietin 2-induced Tie2 activation, and suppresses neovascularization (NV) and vascular leakage. Immunohistochemical staining for αvβ3 and α5β1 was markedly increased in NV compared with normal retinal vessels. After intravitreous injection of AXT107, there was no staining with an anti-AXT107 antibody on normal vessels but robust staining of NV that co-localized with αvβ3 and α5β1. Likewise, after intravitreous injection, fluorescein amidite-labeled AXT107 co-localized with αvβ3 and α5β1 on NV but not normal vessels. AXT107 also co-localized with αv and α5 at cell-cell junctions of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). AXT107-integrin binding was demonstrated by ex vivo cross-linking/pull-down experiments. These data support the hypothesis that AXT107 therapeutic activity is mediated through binding αvβ3 and α5β1 which are markedly upregulated on endothelial cells in NV providing selective targeting of diseased vessels which has therapeutic and safety benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Lima e Silva
- Department of Ophthalmology and The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam C. Mirando
- AsclepiX Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephany Y. Tzeng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jordan J. Green
- Department of Ophthalmology and The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Niranjan B. Pandey
- AsclepiX Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Peter A. Campochiaro
- Department of Ophthalmology and The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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3
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Mirando AC, Patil A, Rafie CI, Christmas BJ, Pandey NB, Stearns V, Jaffee EM, Roussos Torres ET, Popel AS. Regulation of the tumor immune microenvironment and vascular normalization in TNBC murine models by a novel peptide. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1760685. [PMID: 32923118 PMCID: PMC7458646 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1760685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly metastatic and aggressive disease with limited treatment options. Recently, the combination of the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) with nab-paclitaxel was approved following a clinical trial that showed response rates in at least 43% of patients. While this approval marks a major advance in the treatment of TNBC it may be possible to improve the efficacy of ICI therapies through further modulation of the suppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Several factors may limit immune response in TNBC including aberrant growth factor signaling, such as VEGFR2 and cMet signaling, inefficient vascularization, poor delivery of drugs and immune cells, and the skewing of immune cell populations toward immunosuppressive phenotypes. Here we investigate the immune-modulating properties of AXT201, a novel 20 amino-acid integrin-binding peptide in two syngeneic mouse TNBC models: 4T1-BALB/c and NT4-FVB. AXT201 treatment improved survival in the NT4 model by 20% and inhibited the growth of 4T1 tumors by 47% over 22 days post-inoculation. Subsequent immunohistochemical analyses of 4T1 tumors also showed a 53% reduction in vascular density and a 184% increase in pericyte coverage following peptide treatment. Flow cytometry analyses demonstrated evidence of a more favorable anti-tumor immune microenvironment following treatment with AXT201, including significant decreases in the populations of T regulatory cells, monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and PD-L1 expressing cells and increased expression of T cell functional markers. Together, these findings demonstrate immune-activating properties of AXT201 that could be developed in combination with other immunomodulatory agents in the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam C Mirando
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Akash Patil
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christine I Rafie
- Viragh Center for Pancreatic Clinical Research and Care, Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brian J Christmas
- Viragh Center for Pancreatic Clinical Research and Care, Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Niranjan B Pandey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Research and Development, AsclepiX Therapeutics, Inc, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vered Stearns
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Jaffee
- Viragh Center for Pancreatic Clinical Research and Care, Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Evanthia T Roussos Torres
- Viragh Center for Pancreatic Clinical Research and Care, Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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4
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Molecular Docking Studies of a Cyclic Octapeptide-Cyclosaplin from Sandalwood. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9110740. [PMID: 31731771 PMCID: PMC6920920 DOI: 10.3390/biom9110740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products from plants, such as chemopreventive agents, attract huge attention because of their low toxicity and high specificity. The rational drug design in combination with structure-based modeling and rapid screening methods offer significant potential for identifying and developing lead anticancer molecules. Thus, the molecular docking method plays an important role in screening a large set of molecules based on their free binding energies and proposes structural hypotheses of how the molecules can inhibit the target. Several peptide-based therapeutics have been developed to combat several health disorders, including cancers, metabolic disorders, heart-related diseases, and infectious diseases. Despite the discovery of hundreds of such therapeutic peptides however, only few peptide-based drugs have made it to the market. Moreover, the in silico activities of cyclic peptides towards molecular targets, such as protein kinases, proteases, and apoptosis related proteins have not been extensively investigated. In this study, we explored the in silico kinase and protease inhibitor potentials of cyclosaplin, and studied the interactions of cyclosaplin with other apoptosis-related proteins. Previously, the structure of cyclosaplin was elucidated by molecular modeling associated with dynamics that were used in the current study as well. Docking studies showed strong affinity of cyclosaplin towards cancer-related proteins. The binding affinity closer to 10 kcal/mol indicated efficient binding. Cyclosaplin showed strong binding affinities towards protein kinases such as EGFR, VEGFR2, PKB, and p38, indicating its potential role in protein kinase inhibition. Moreover, it displayed strong binding affinity to apoptosis-related proteins and revealed the possible role of cyclosaplin in apoptotic cell death. The protein–ligand interactions using LigPlot displayed some similar interactions between cyclosaplin and peptide-based ligands, especially in case of protein kinases and a few apoptosis related proteins. Thus, the in silico analyses gave the insights of cyclosaplin being a potential apoptosis inducer and protein kinase inhibitor.
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5
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Anisotropic poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles enable sustained release of a peptide for long-term inhibition of ocular neovascularization. Acta Biomater 2019; 97:451-460. [PMID: 31374338 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leading causes of vision loss include neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD) and macular edema (ME), which both require frequent intravitreal injections for treatment. A safe, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based biodegradable polymeric microparticle (MP) delivery system was developed that encapsulates and protects a biomimetic peptide from degradation, allows sustained intraocular release through polymer hydrolysis, and demonstrates a prolonged anti-angiogenic effect in vivo in three different NVAMD animal models (a laser-induced choroidal neovascularization mouse model, a rhoVEGF transgenic mouse model, and a Tet/opsin/VEGF transgenic mouse model) following intravitreal administration. The role of copolymer composition and microparticle shape was explored and 85:15 lactide-to-glycolide PLGA formed into ellipsoidal microparticles was found to be effective at inhibiting neovascularization for at least 16 weeks in vivo. Treatments were found to not only inhibit the growth of neovascularization, but also to cause regression of the neovasculature, reduce vascular leakage, and prevent exudative retinal detachment. These particulate devices are promising for the sustained release of biologics in the eye and may be useful for treating retinal diseases. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Devastating retinal diseases cause blindness in millions of people around the world. Current protein-based treatments have insufficient efficacy for many patients and also necessitate frequent intravitreal injections. Here, we demonstrate a new treatment consisting of a peptide encapsulated in biodegradable microparticles. We explore the effects of copolymer composition and physical shape of polymeric microparticles and find that both modulate peptide release. Efficacy of the treatment was validated in three different mouse models and the lead formulation was determined to be effective long-term, for at least 16 weeks in vivo, following a single injection. Treatments inhibited and regressed neovascularization as well as reduced vascular leakage. Anisotropic polymeric microparticles are promising for the sustained release of biologics in the eye.
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6
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Bazzazi H, Zhang Y, Jafarnejad M, Popel AS. Computational modeling of synergistic interaction between αVβ3 integrin and VEGFR2 in endothelial cells: Implications for the mechanism of action of angiogenesis-modulating integrin-binding peptides. J Theor Biol 2018; 455:212-221. [PMID: 30036530 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2018.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cooperation between VEGFR2 and integrin αVβ3 is critical for neovascularization in wound healing, cardiovascular ischemic diseases, ocular diseases, and tumor angiogenesis. In the present study, we developed a rule-based computational model to investigate the potential mechanism by which the Src-induced integrin association with VEGFR2 enhances VEGFR2 activation. Simulations demonstrated that the main function of integrin is to reduce the degradation of VEGFR2 and hence stabilize the activation signal. In addition, receptor synthesis rate and recruitment from internal compartment were found to be sensitive determinants of the activation state of VEGFR2. The model was then applied to simulate the effect of integrin-binding peptides such as tumstatin and cilengitide on VEGFR2 signaling. Further, computational modeling proposed potential molecular mechanisms for the angiogenesis-modulating activity of other integrin-binding peptides. The model highlights the complexity of the crosstalk between αVβ3 integrin and VEGFR2 and the necessity of utilizing models to elucidate potential mechanisms in angiogenesis-modulating peptide therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojjat Bazzazi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
| | - Mohammad Jafarnejad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
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7
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Bressler EM, Kim J, Shmueli RB, Mirando AC, Bazzazi H, Lee E, Popel AS, Pandey NB, Green JJ. Biomimetic peptide display from a polymeric nanoparticle surface for targeting and antitumor activity to human triple-negative breast cancer cells. J Biomed Mater Res A 2018; 106:1753-1764. [PMID: 29424479 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.36360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
While poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-block-polyethylene glycol (PLGA-PEG) nanoparticles (NPs) can encapsulate drug cargos and prolong circulation times, they show nonspecific accumulation in off-target tissues. Targeted delivery of drugs to tumor tissue and tumor vasculature is a promising approach for treating solid tumors while enhancing specificity and reducing systemic toxicity. AXT050, a collagen-IV derived peptide with both antitumor and antiangiogenic properties, is shown to bind to tumor-associated integrins with high affinity, which leads to targeted accumulation in tumor tissue. AXT050 conjugated to PLGA-PEG NPs at precisely controlled surface density functions both as a targeting agent to human tumor cells and demonstrates potential for simultaneous antitumorigenic and antiangiogenic activity. These targeted NPs cause inhibition of adhesion and proliferation in vitro when added to human triple-negative breast cancer cells and microvascular endothelial cells through binding to integrin αV β3 . Furthermore, we find an in vivo biphasic relationship between tumor targeting and surface coating density of NPs coated with AXT050. NPs with an intermediate level of 10% peptide surface coating show approximately twofold greater accumulation in tumors and lower accumulation in the liver compared to nontargeted PLGA-PEG NPs in a murine biodistribution model. Display of biomimetic peptides from NP surfaces to both target and inhibit cancer cells has the potential to enhance the activity of cancer nanomedicines. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1753-1764, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jayoung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231.,Translational Tissue Engineering Cancer, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231
| | - Ron B Shmueli
- AsclepiX Therapeutics, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231.,Translational Tissue Engineering Cancer, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231
| | - Adam C Mirando
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231
| | - Hojjat Bazzazi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231
| | - Esak Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- AsclepiX Therapeutics, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231.,Department of Oncology and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231
| | - Niranjan B Pandey
- AsclepiX Therapeutics, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231
| | - Jordan J Green
- AsclepiX Therapeutics, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231.,Translational Tissue Engineering Cancer, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231.,Department of Oncology and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231.,Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurosurgery, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231.,Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21231
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8
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Silva RLE, Kanan Y, Mirando AC, Kim J, Shmueli RB, Lorenc VE, Fortmann SD, Sciamanna J, Pandey NB, Green JJ, Popel AS, Campochiaro PA. Tyrosine kinase blocking collagen IV-derived peptide suppresses ocular neovascularization and vascular leakage. Sci Transl Med 2018; 9. [PMID: 28100839 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aai8030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-neutralizing proteins provide benefit in several retinal and choroidal vascular diseases, but some patients still experience suboptimal outcomes, and the need for frequent intraocular injections is a barrier to good outcomes. A mimetic peptide derived from collagen IV, AXT107, suppressed subretinal neovascularization (NV) in two mouse models predictive of effects in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD) and inhibited retinal NV in a model predictive of effects in ischemic retinopathies. A combination of AXT107 and the current treatment aflibercept suppressed subretinal NV better than either agent alone. Furthermore, AXT107 caused regression of choroidal NV. AXT107 reduced the VEGF-induced vascular leakage that underlies macular edema in ischemic retinopathies and NVAMD. In rabbit eyes, which are closer to the size of human eyes, intraocular injection of AXT107 significantly reduced VEGF-induced vascular leakage by 86% at 1 month and 70% at 2 months; aflibercept significantly reduced leakage by 69% at 1 month and did not reduce leakage at 2 months, demonstrating the longer effectiveness of AXT107. AXT107 reduced ligand-induced phosphorylation of multiple receptors: VEGFR2, c-Met, and PDGFRβ. Optimal signaling through these receptors requires complex formation with β3 integrin, which was reduced by AXT107 binding to αvβ3 AXT107 also reduced total VEGFR2 levels by increasing internalization, ubiquitination, and degradation. This biomimetic peptide is a sustained, multitargeted therapy that may provide advantages over intraocular injections of specific VEGF-neutralizing proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Lima E Silva
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yogita Kanan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Adam C Mirando
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jayoung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ron B Shmueli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Valeria E Lorenc
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Seth D Fortmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jason Sciamanna
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Niranjan B Pandey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,AsclepiX Therapeutics, LLC, Baltimore, MD 21211, USA
| | - Jordan J Green
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Peter A Campochiaro
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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9
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Barbhuiya MA, Mirando AC, Simons BW, Lemtiri-Chlieh G, Green JJ, Popel AS, Pandey NB, Tran PT. Therapeutic potential of an anti-angiogenic multimodal biomimetic peptide in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:101520-101534. [PMID: 29254183 PMCID: PMC5731893 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Due to inadequate screening methods and the common coexistence of limited functional liver reserves, curative treatment options are limited. Liver transplantation is the only curative treatment modality for early HCC. There are multidisciplinary treatment options like ablative treatments, radiation and systemic therapy available for more advanced patients or those that are inoperable. Treatment resistance and progression is inevitable for these HCC patients. Newer therapeutics need to be explored for better management of HCC. HCC is a hypervascular tumor and many pro-angiogenic proteins are found significantly overexpressed in HCC. Here we explored the therapeutic potential of the anti-angiogenic, anti-lymphangiogenic, and directly anti-tumorigenic biomimetic collagen IV-derived peptide developed by our group. Human HCC cell lines HuH7, Hep3b and HepG2 showed significant disruption of cell adhesion and migration upon treatment with the peptide. Consistent with previously described multimodal inhibitory properties, the peptide was found to inhibit both c-Met and IGF1R signaling in HepG2 cells and blocked HepG2 conditioned media stimulation of microvascular endothelial cell (MEC) tube formation. Furthermore, the peptide treatment of mouse HepG2 tumor xenografts significantly inhibited growth relative to untreated controls. The peptide was also found to improve the survival of autochthonous Myc-induced HCC in a transgenic mouse model. Mechanistically, we found that the peptide treatment reduced microvascular density in the autochthonous liver tumors with increased apoptosis. This study shows the promising therapeutic potential of our biomimetic peptide in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa A Barbhuiya
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular and Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam C Mirando
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brian W Simons
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Department of Urology, The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ghali Lemtiri-Chlieh
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular and Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jordan J Green
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Niranjan B Pandey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Phuoc T Tran
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular and Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Department of Urology, The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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10
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Kim J, Mirando AC, Popel AS, Green JJ. Gene delivery nanoparticles to modulate angiogenesis. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 119:20-43. [PMID: 27913120 PMCID: PMC5449271 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2016] [Revised: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is naturally balanced by many pro- and anti-angiogenic factors while an imbalance of these factors leads to aberrant angiogenesis, which is closely associated with many diseases. Gene therapy has become a promising strategy for the treatment of such a disordered state through the introduction of exogenous nucleic acids that express or silence the target agents, thereby engineering neovascularization in both directions. Numerous non-viral gene delivery nanoparticles have been investigated towards this goal, but their clinical translation has been hampered by issues associated with safety, delivery efficiency, and therapeutic effect. This review summarizes key factors targeted for therapeutic angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis gene therapy, non-viral nanoparticle-mediated approaches to gene delivery, and recent gene therapy applications in pre-clinical and clinical trials for ischemia, tissue regeneration, cancer, and wet age-related macular degeneration. Enhanced nanoparticle design strategies are also proposed to further improve the efficacy of gene delivery nanoparticles to modulate angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayoung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center and Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Adam C Mirando
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Oncology and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Oncology and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Jordan J Green
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center and Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Oncology and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurosurgery, and Materials Science & Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
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Kim E, Lee E, Plummer C, Gil S, Popel AS, Pathak AP. Vasculature-specific MRI reveals differential anti-angiogenic effects of a biomimetic peptide in an orthotopic breast cancer model. Angiogenesis 2015; 18:125-36. [PMID: 25408417 PMCID: PMC4366284 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-014-9450-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 11/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Translational vasculature-specific MRI biomarkers were used to measure the effects of a novel anti-angiogenic biomimetic peptide in an orthotopic MDA-MB-231 human triple-negative breast cancer model at an early growth stage. In vivo diffusion-weighted and steady-state susceptibility contrast (SSC) MRI was performed pre-treatment and 2 weeks post-treatment in tumor volume-matched treatment and control groups (n = 5/group). Treatment response was measured by changes in tumor volume; baseline transverse relaxation time (T2); apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC); and SSC-MRI metrics of blood volume, vessel size, and vessel density. These vasculature-specific SSC-MRI biomarkers were compared to the more conventional, non-vascular biomarkers (tumor growth, ADC, and T2) in terms of their sensitivity to anti-angiogenic treatment response. After 2 weeks of peptide treatment, tumor growth inhibition was evident but not yet significant, and the changes in ADC or T2 were not significantly different between treated and control groups. In contrast, the vascular MRI biomarkers revealed a significant anti-angiogenic response to the peptide after 2 weeks—blood volume and vessel size decreased, and vessel density increased in treated tumors; the opposite was seen in control tumors. The MRI results were validated with histology—H&E staining showed no difference in tumor viability between groups, while peptide-treated tumors exhibited decreased vascularity. These results indicate that translational SSC-MRI biomarkers are able to detect the differential effects of anti-angiogenic therapy on the tumor vasculature before significant tumor growth inhibition or changes in tumor viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Esak Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Charlesa Plummer
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Stacy Gil
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Ave, 217 Traylor Bldg., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Arvind P. Pathak
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Ave, 217 Traylor Bldg., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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12
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Lee E, Lee SJ, Koskimaki JE, Han Z, Pandey NB, Popel AS. Inhibition of breast cancer growth and metastasis by a biomimetic peptide. Sci Rep 2014; 4:7139. [PMID: 25409905 PMCID: PMC4238022 DOI: 10.1038/srep07139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the main cause of mortality in cancer patients. Though there are many anti-cancer drugs targeting primary tumor growth, anti-metastatic agents are rarely developed. Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are crucial for cancer progression, particularly, lymphangiogenesis is pivotal for metastasis in breast cancer. Here we report that a novel collagen IV derived biomimetic peptide inhibits breast cancer growth and metastasis by blocking angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. The peptide inhibits blood and lymphatic endothelial cell viability, migration, adhesion, and tube formation by targeting IGF1R and Met signals. The peptide blocks MDA-MB-231 tumor growth by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis in vivo. Moreover, the peptide inhibits lymphangiogenesis in primary tumors. MDA-MB-231 tumor conditioned media (TCM) was employed to accelerate spontaneous metastasis in tumor xenografts, and the anti-metastatic activity of the peptide was tested in this model. The peptide prevents metastasis to the lungs and lymph nodes by inhibiting TCM-induced lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in the pre-metastatic organs. In summary, a novel biomimetic peptide inhibits breast cancer growth and metastasis by blocking angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in the pre-metastatic organs as well as primary tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esak Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Seung Jae Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Jacob E Koskimaki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Zheyi Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Niranjan B Pandey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- 1] Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States [2] Department of Oncology and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
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13
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A biomimetic collagen derived peptide exhibits anti-angiogenic activity in triple negative breast cancer. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111901. [PMID: 25384034 PMCID: PMC4226498 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the application of a mimetic 20 amino acid peptide derived from type IV collagen for treatment of breast cancer. We showed that the peptide induced a decrease of proliferation, adhesion, and migration of endothelial and tumor cells in vitro. We also observed an inhibition of triple negative MDA-MB-231 xenograft growth by 75% relative to control when administered intraperitoneally for 27 days at 10 mg/kg. We monitored in vivo the changes in vascular properties throughout the treatment using MRI and found that the vascular volume and permeability surface area product decreased significantly. The treatment also resulted in an increase of caspase-3 activity and in a reduction of microvascular density. The multiple mode of action of this peptide, i.e., anti-angiogenic, and anti-tumorigenic, makes it a viable candidate as a therapeutic agent as a monotherapy or in combination with other compounds.
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Koskimaki JE, Lee E, Chen W, Rivera CG, Rosca EV, Pandey NB, Popel AS. Synergy between a collagen IV mimetic peptide and a somatotropin-domain derived peptide as angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis inhibitors. Angiogenesis 2012; 16:159-70. [PMID: 23053781 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-012-9308-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2012] [Accepted: 09/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is central to many physiological and pathological processes. Here we show two potent bioinformatically-identified peptides, one derived from collagen IV and translationally optimized, and one from a somatotropin domain-containing protein, synergize in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis assays including cell adhesion, migration and in vivo Matrigel plugs. Peptide-peptide combination therapies have recently been applied to diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but remain uncommon thus far in cancer, age-related macular degeneration and other angiogenesis-dependent diseases. Previous work from our group has shown that the collagen IV-derived peptide primarily binds β1 integrins, while the receptor for the somatotropin-derived peptide remains unknown. We investigate these peptides' mechanisms of action and find both peptides affect the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway as well as focal adhesion kinase (FAK) by changes in phosphorylation level and total protein content. Blocking of FAK both through binding of β1 integrins and through inhibition of VEGFR2 accounts for the synergy we observe. Since resistance through activation of multiple signaling pathways is a central problem of anti-angiogenic therapies in diseases such as cancer, we suggest that peptide combinations such as these are an approach that should be considered as a means to sustain anti-angiogenic and anti-lymphangiogenic therapy and improve efficacy of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob E Koskimaki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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