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Wang S, Wang D, Shen WT, Kai M, Yu Y, Peng Y, Xian N, Fang RH, Gao W, Zhang L. Protein-Loaded Cellular Nanosponges for Dual-Biomimicry Neurotoxin Countermeasure. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2309635. [PMID: 37990378 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202309635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Neurotoxins present a substantial threat to human health and security as they disrupt and damage the nervous system. Their potent and structurally diverse nature poses challenges in developing effective countermeasures. In this study, a unique nanoparticle design that combines dual-biomimicry mechanisms to enhance the detoxification efficacy of neurotoxins is introduced. Using saxitoxin (STX), one of the deadliest neurotoxins, and its natural binding protein saxiphilin (Sxph) as a model system, human neuronal membrane-coated and Sxph-loaded metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosponges (denoted "Neuron-MOF/Sxph-NS") are successfully developed. The resulting Neuron-MOF/Sxph-NS exhibit a biomimetic design that not only emulates host neurons for function-based detoxification through the neuronal membrane coating, but also mimics toxin-resistant organisms by encapsulating the Sxph protein within the nanoparticle core. The comprehensive in vitro assays, including cell osmotic swelling, calcium flux, and cytotoxicity assays, demonstrate the improved detoxification efficacy of Neuron-MOF/Sxph-NS. Furthermore, in mouse models of STX intoxication, the application of Neuron-MOF/Sxph-NS shows significant survival benefits in both therapeutic and prophylactic regimens, without any apparent acute toxicity. Overall, the development of Neuron-MOF/Sxph-NS represents an important advancement in neurotoxin detoxification, offering promising potential for treating injuries and diseases caused by neurotoxins and addressing the current limitations in neurotoxin countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Wang
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Wei-Ting Shen
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Mingxuan Kai
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Yiyan Yu
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Yifei Peng
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Nianfei Xian
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ronnie H Fang
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Weiwei Gao
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Liangfang Zhang
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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Bele T, Turk T, Križaj I. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in cancer: Limitations and prospects. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:166875. [PMID: 37673358 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have long been considered to solely mediate neurotransmission. However, their widespread distribution in the human body suggests a more diverse physiological role. Additionally, the expression of nAChRs is increased in certain cancers, such as lung cancer, and has been associated with cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal cell transition, angiogenesis and apoptosis prevention. Several compounds that interact with these receptors have been identified as potential therapeutic agents. They have been tested as drugs for treating nicotine addiction, alcoholism, depression, pain and Alzheimer's disease. This review focuses on nAChR-mediated signalling in cancer, presenting opportunities for the development of innovative nAChR-based anticancer drugs. It displays the differences in expression of each nAChR subunit between normal and cancer cells for selected cancer types, highlighting their possible involvement in specific cases. Antagonists of nAChRs that could complement existing cancer therapies are summarised and critically discussed. We hope that this review will stimulate further research on the role of nAChRs in cancer potentially leading to innovative cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Bele
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - T Turk
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - I Križaj
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Natural compounds interacting with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: from low-molecular weight ones to peptides and proteins. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:1683-701. [PMID: 26008231 PMCID: PMC4448168 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7051683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) fulfill a variety of functions making identification and analysis of nAChR subtypes a challenging task. Traditional instruments for nAChR research are d-tubocurarine, snake venom protein α-bungarotoxin (α-Bgt), and α-conotoxins, neurotoxic peptides from Conus snails. Various new compounds of different structural classes also interacting with nAChRs have been recently identified. Among the low-molecular weight compounds are alkaloids pibocin, varacin and makaluvamines C and G. 6-Bromohypaphorine from the mollusk Hermissenda crassicornis does not bind to Torpedo nAChR but behaves as an agonist on human α7 nAChR. To get more selective α-conotoxins, computer modeling of their complexes with acetylcholine-binding proteins and distinct nAChRs was used. Several novel three-finger neurotoxins targeting nAChRs were described and α-Bgt inhibition of GABA-A receptors was discovered. Information on the mechanisms of nAChR interactions with the three-finger proteins of the Ly6 family was found. Snake venom phospholipases A2 were recently found to inhibit different nAChR subtypes. Blocking of nAChRs in Lymnaea stagnalis neurons was shown for venom C-type lectin-like proteins, appearing to be the largest molecules capable to interact with the receptor. A huge nAChR molecule sensible to conformational rearrangements accommodates diverse binding sites recognizable by structurally very different compounds.
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