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Tamil Barathi P, Mohanapriya A. Pre-eclampsia: Re-visiting pathophysiology, role of immune cells, biomarker identification and recent advances in its management. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 163:104236. [PMID: 38555746 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a hypertension condition that occurs exclusively during pregnancy and has the potential to impact nearly all organ systems. It is estimated to complicate approximately 2-8% of pregnancies worldwide. PE is a prominent medical disorder that poses a significant risk to pregnant mothers and their infants. This review commences by giving the most up-to- date concepts about the pathophysiology of PE. The condition involves atypical infiltration of trophoblast cells into the spiral arteries of the decidua and myometrium, resulting in an insufficient establishment of proper blood flow between the uterus and placenta. The aberrant activation of natural killer (NK) cells in both the peripheral blood and the decidua has been identified as one of the contributing factors to the development of PE. The strong evidence for the genetic etiology of PE is provided by the association between maternal killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA-C) in trophoblast cells. Recent observations provide evidence that changes in the expression of anti-angiogenic factors in the placenta are the underlying cause of the clinical symptoms associated with the condition. This review also provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in understanding the underlying causes of PE. It specifically highlights the emergence of new diagnostic biomarkers and their potential implications for therapeutic interventions in managing this medical condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palanisamy Tamil Barathi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India.
| | - Arumugam Mohanapriya
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India.
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2
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Beeton K, Mitra D, Akinleye AA, Howell JA, Yu CS, Bidwell GL, Tandon R. An Elastin-like Polypeptide-fusion peptide targeting capsid-tegument interface as an antiviral against cytomegalovirus infection. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10253. [PMID: 38704431 PMCID: PMC11069587 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60691-6] [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] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The tegument protein pp150 of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is known to be essential for the final stages of virus maturation and mediates its functions by interacting with capsid proteins. Our laboratory has previously identified the critical regions in pp150 important for pp150-capsid interactions and designed peptides similar in sequence to these regions, with a goal to competitively inhibit capsid maturation. Treatment with a specific peptide (PepCR2 or P10) targeted to pp150 conserved region 2 led to a significant reduction in murine CMV (MCMV) growth in cell culture, paving the way for in vivo testing in a mouse model of CMV infection. However, the general pharmacokinetic parameters of peptides, including rapid degradation and limited tissue and cell membrane permeability, pose a challenge to their successful use in vivo. Therefore, we designed a biopolymer-stabilized elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) fusion construct (ELP-P10) to enhance the bioavailability of P10. Antiviral efficacy and cytotoxic effects of ELP-P10 were studied in cell culture, and pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and antiviral efficacy were studied in a mouse model of CMV infection. ELP-P10 maintained significant antiviral activity in cell culture, and this conjugation significantly enhanced P10 bioavailability in mouse tissues. The fluorescently labeled ELP-P10 accumulated to higher levels in mouse liver and kidneys as compared to the unconjugated P10. Moreover, viral titers from vital organs of MCMV-infected mice indicated a significant reduction of virus load upon ELP-P10 treatment. Therefore, ELP-P10 has the potential to be developed into an effective antiviral against CMV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komal Beeton
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Dipanwita Mitra
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Adesanya A Akinleye
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - John A Howell
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Christian S Yu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Gene L Bidwell
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Ritesh Tandon
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA.
- Office of Research Infrastructure Programs, National Institute of Health, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Bhardwaj R, Mishra P. Multiresponsive Nanoscale Self-Assembly of Azurin-Elastin-like Polypeptide Fusion Protein for Enhanced Prostate Cancer Therapy. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:508-521. [PMID: 38047916 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
A fusion protein composed of a bacterial protein, azurin, having antineoplastic properties and a thermally responsive structural cationic elastin-like protein (ELP), is designed, cloned, expressed, and purified. A simple method of inverse transition cycle (ITC) is employed to purify the fusion protein azurin-ELP diblock copolymer (d-bc). The molecular weight of the azurin-ELP fusion protein is ∼32 kDa. Further, its self-assembly properties are investigated. Interestingly, the engineered azurin-ELP d-bc in response to increasing temperature shows a dual-step phase separation into biofunctional nanostructures. Around the physiological temperature, azurin-ELP d-bc forms stable coacervates, which is dependent on the concentration and time of incubation. These coacervates are formed below the lower critical solubility temperature (LCST) of the ELP block at physiological temperature. Above LCST, i.e., 50-55°C, micelles of size ranging from 25 to 30 nm are formed. The cytotoxicity of azurin-ELP d-bc depends on the size of the coacervates formed and their cellular uptake at physiological temperature. Further, MTT assay of azurin-ELP d-bc in the cross-linked micelles prepared ex situ shows > six times higher killing of LNCaP cells than the unimeric form of azurin-ELP at 5 μM concentration. The flow cytometric results of these micelles at 20 μM concentration show ∼97% LNCaP cells in the apoptotic phase. Thus, azurin-ELP cross-linked micelles have enhanced potential for anticancer therapy due to their higher avidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Bhardwaj
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Prashant Mishra
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
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Guo Y, Liu S, Jing D, Liu N, Luo X. The construction of elastin-like polypeptides and their applications in drug delivery system and tissue repair. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:418. [PMID: 37951928 PMCID: PMC10638729 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02184-8] [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] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are thermally responsive biopolymers derived from natural elastin. These peptides have a low critical solution temperature phase behavior and can be used to prepare stimuli-responsive biomaterials. Through genetic engineering, biomaterials prepared from ELPs can have unique and customizable properties. By adjusting the amino acid sequence and length of ELPs, nanostructures, such as micelles and nanofibers, can be formed. Correspondingly, ELPs have been used for improving the stability and prolonging drug-release time. Furthermore, ELPs have widespread use in tissue repair due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. Here, this review summarizes the basic property composition of ELPs and the methods for modulating their phase transition properties, discusses the application of drug delivery system and tissue repair and clarifies the current challenges and future directions of ELPs in applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingshu Guo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, China.
| | - Shiwei Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, China
| | - Dan Jing
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, China
| | - Nianzu Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250353, China
| | - Xiliang Luo
- Key Laboratory of Optic-Electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China.
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Sakowicz A, Bralewska M, Rybak-Krzyszkowska M, Grzesiak M, Pietrucha T. New Ideas for the Prevention and Treatment of Preeclampsia and Their Molecular Inspirations. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12100. [PMID: 37569476 PMCID: PMC10418829 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific disorder affecting 4-10% of all expectant women. It greatly increases the risk of maternal and foetal death. Although the main symptoms generally appear after week 20 of gestation, scientific studies indicate that the mechanism underpinning PE is initiated at the beginning of gestation. It is known that the pathomechanism of preeclampsia is strongly related to inflammation and oxidative stress, which influence placentation and provoke endothelial dysfunction in the mother. However, as of yet, no "key players" regulating all these processes have been discovered. This might be why current therapeutic strategies intended for prevention or treatment are not fully effective, and the only effective method to stop the disease is the premature induction of delivery, mostly by caesarean section. Therefore, there is a need for further research into new pharmacological strategies for the treatment and prevention of preeclampsia. This review presents new preventive methods and therapies for PE not yet recommended by obstetrical and gynaecological societies. As many of these therapies are in preclinical studies or under evaluation in clinical trials, this paper reports the molecular targets of the tested agents or methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Sakowicz
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland; (M.B.); (T.P.)
| | - Michalina Bralewska
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland; (M.B.); (T.P.)
| | - Magda Rybak-Krzyszkowska
- Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, University Hospital in Krakow, 31-501 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Mariusz Grzesiak
- Department of Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital-Research Institute in Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Pietrucha
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland; (M.B.); (T.P.)
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Howell JA, Gaouette N, Lopez M, Burke SP, Perkins E, Bidwell GL. Elastin-like polypeptide delivery of anti-inflammatory peptides to the brain following ischemic stroke. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.15.532834. [PMID: 36993686 PMCID: PMC10055169 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.15.532834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory processes are activated following ischemic strokes and lead to increased tissue damage for weeks following the ischemic insult, but there are no approved therapies that target this inflammation-induced secondary injury. Here, we report that SynB1-ELP-p50i, a novel protein inhibitor of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) inflammatory cascade bound to drug carrier elastin-like polypeptide (ELP), is able to enter both neurons and microglia, cross the blood-brain barrier, localize exclusively in the ischemic core and penumbra in Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), and reduce infarct volume in male SHRs. Additionally, in male SHRs, SynB1-ELP-p50i treatment improves survival for 14 days following stroke with no effects of toxicity or peripheral organ dysfunction. These results show high potential for ELP-delivered biologics for therapy of ischemic stroke and other central nervous system disorders and further support targeting inflammation in ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Aaron Howell
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
| | - Nicholas Gaouette
- School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
| | - Mariper Lopez
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
| | - Stephen P. Burke
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
| | - Eddie Perkins
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
| | - Gene L. Bidwell
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
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Jiang A, Guan X, He L, Guan X. Engineered elastin-like polypeptides: An efficient platform for enhanced cancer treatment. Front Pharmacol 2023; 13:1113079. [PMID: 36699056 PMCID: PMC9868590 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1113079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug delivery systems (DDSs) have recently gained widespread attention for improving drug loading and delivery efficiency in treating many cancers. Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are synthetic peptides derived from a precursor of elastin (tropoelastin), reserving similar structural and physicochemical properties. ELPs have gained a variety of applications in tissue engineering and cancer therapy due to their excellent biocompatibility, complete degradability, temperature-responsive property, controllable sequence and length, and precisely tuned structure and function. ELPs-based drug delivery systems can improve the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of therapeutic reagents, leading to enhanced antitumor efficacy. In this review, we summarize the recent application of ELPs in cancer treatment, focusing on the delivery of functional peptides, therapeutic proteins, small molecule drugs, and photosensitizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiguo Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Taizhou University Affiliated Wenling Hospital, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Xinqiang Guan
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lianping He
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Xingang Guan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Taizhou University Affiliated Wenling Hospital, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
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An engineered three-in-one hybrid nanosystem from elastin-like polypeptides for enhanced cancer suppression. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Chade AR, Bidwell GL. Novel Drug Delivery Technologies and Targets for Renal Disease. Hypertension 2022; 79:1937-1948. [PMID: 35652363 PMCID: PMC9378601 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.122.17944] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The burden of acute and chronic kidney diseases to the health care system is exacerbated by the high mortality that this disease carries paired with the still limited availability of comprehensive therapies. A reason partially resides in the complexity of the kidney, with multiple potential target cell types and a complex structural environment that complicate strategies to protect and recover renal function after injury. Management of both acute and chronic renal disease, irrespective of the cause, are mainly focused on supportive treatments and renal replacement strategies when needed. Emerging preclinical evidence supports the feasibility of drug delivery technology for the kidney, and recent studies have contributed to building a robust catalog of peptides, proteins, nanoparticles, liposomes, extracellular vesicles, and other carriers that may be fused to therapeutic peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, or small molecule drugs. These fusions can display a precise renal uptake, an enhanced circulating time, and a directed intraorgan biodistribution while protecting their cargo to improve therapeutic efficacy. However, several hurdles that slow the transition towards clinical applications are still in the way, such as solubility, toxicity, and sub-optimal renal targeting. This review will discuss the feasibility and current limitations of drug delivery technologies for the treatment of renal disease, offering an update on their potential and the future directions of these promising strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro R. Chade
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
- Department of Radiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
| | - Gene L. Bidwell
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
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England CG. Physiology in Perspective. Physiology (Bethesda) 2021; 36:334. [PMID: 34569257 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00040.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G England
- Ethics and Editorial Development, American Physiological Society, Rockville, Maryland
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