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El Hauadi K, Resina L, Zanuy D, Esteves T, Ferreira FC, Pérez-Madrigal MM, Alemán C. Dendritic Self-assembled Structures from Therapeutic Charged Pentapeptides. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:12905-12914. [PMID: 36229043 PMCID: PMC9988208 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
CRENKA [Cys-Arg-(NMe)Glu-Lys-Ala, where (NMe)Glu refers to N-methyl-Glu], an anti-cancer pentapeptide that induces prostate tumor necrosis and significant reduction in tumor growth, was engineered to increase the resistance to endogenous proteases of its parent peptide, CREKA (Cys-Arg-Glu-Lys-Ala). Considering their high tendency to aggregate, the self-assembly of CRENKA and CREKA into well-defined and ordered structures has been examined as a function of peptide concentration and pH. Spectroscopic studies and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations reveal significant differences between the secondary structures of CREKA and CRENKA. Thus, the restrictions imposed by the (NMe)Glu residue reduce the conformational variability of CRENKA with respect to CREKA, which significantly affects the formation of well-defined and ordered self-assembly morphologies. Aggregates with poorly defined morphology are obtained from solutions with low and moderate CREKA concentrations at pH 4, whereas well-defined dendritic microstructures with fractal geometry are obtained from CRENKA solutions with similar peptide concentrations at pH 4 and 7. The formation of dendritic structures is proposed to follow a two-step mechanism: (1) pseudo-spherical particles are pre-nucleated through a diffusion-limited aggregation process, pre-defining the dendritic geometry, and (2) such pre-nucleated structures coalesce by incorporating conformationally restrained CRENKA molecules from the solution to their surfaces, forming a continuous dendritic structure. Instead, no regular assembly is obtained from solutions with high peptide concentrations, as their dynamics is dominated by strong repulsive peptide-peptide electrostatic interactions, and from solutions at pH 10, in which the total peptide charge is zero. Overall, results demonstrate that dendritic structures are only obtained when the molecular charge of CRENKA, which is controlled through the pH, favors kinetics over thermodynamics during the self-assembly process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima El Hauadi
- Departament
d’Enginyeria Química and Barcelona Research Center for
Multiscale Science and Engineering, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/ Eduard Maristany 10-14, Barcelona 08019, Spain
| | - Leonor Resina
- Departament
d’Enginyeria Química and Barcelona Research Center for
Multiscale Science and Engineering, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/ Eduard Maristany 10-14, Barcelona 08019, Spain
- Department
of Bioengineering, iBB − Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences,
Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade
de Lisboa, Avenida Rovisco Pais 1, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
- Associate
Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto
Superior Técnico, Universidade de
Lisboa, Avenida Rovisco Pais 1, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
| | - David Zanuy
- Departament
d’Enginyeria Química and Barcelona Research Center for
Multiscale Science and Engineering, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/ Eduard Maristany 10-14, Barcelona 08019, Spain
| | - Teresa Esteves
- Department
of Bioengineering, iBB − Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences,
Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade
de Lisboa, Avenida Rovisco Pais 1, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
- Associate
Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto
Superior Técnico, Universidade de
Lisboa, Avenida Rovisco Pais 1, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
| | - Frederico Castelo Ferreira
- Department
of Bioengineering, iBB − Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences,
Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade
de Lisboa, Avenida Rovisco Pais 1, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
- Associate
Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Instituto
Superior Técnico, Universidade de
Lisboa, Avenida Rovisco Pais 1, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
| | - Maria M. Pérez-Madrigal
- Departament
d’Enginyeria Química and Barcelona Research Center for
Multiscale Science and Engineering, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/ Eduard Maristany 10-14, Barcelona 08019, Spain
| | - Carlos Alemán
- Departament
d’Enginyeria Química and Barcelona Research Center for
Multiscale Science and Engineering, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/ Eduard Maristany 10-14, Barcelona 08019, Spain
- Institute
for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
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Enhanced Detection of Desmoplasia by Targeted Delivery of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles to the Tumour-Specific Extracellular Matrix. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13101663. [PMID: 34683956 PMCID: PMC8539756 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Diagnostic imaging of aggressive cancer with a high stroma content may benefit from the use of imaging contrast agents targeted with peptides that have high binding affinity to the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, we report the use of superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (IO-NP) conjugated to a nonapeptide, CSGRRSSKC (CSG), which specifically binds to the laminin-nidogen-1 complex in tumours. We show that CSG-IO-NP accumulate in tumours, predominantly in the tumour ECM, following intravenous injection into a murine model of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (PNET). In contrast, a control untargeted IO-NP consistently show poor tumour uptake, and IO-NP conjugated to a pentapeptide, CREKA that bind fibrin clots in blood vessels show restricted uptake in the angiogenic vessels of the tumours. CSG-IO-NP show three-fold higher intratumoral accumulation compared to CREKA-IO-NP. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2-weighted scans and T2 relaxation times indicate significant uptake of CSG-IO-NP irrespective of tumour size, whereas the uptake of CREKA-IO-NP is only consistent in small tumours of less than 3 mm in diameter. Larger tumours with significantly reduced tumour blood vessels show a lack of CREKA-IO-NP uptake. Our data suggest CSG-IO-NP are particularly useful for detecting stroma in early and advanced solid tumours.
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Bolcaen J, Kleynhans J, Nair S, Verhoeven J, Goethals I, Sathekge M, Vandevoorde C, Ebenhan T. A perspective on the radiopharmaceutical requirements for imaging and therapy of glioblastoma. Theranostics 2021; 11:7911-7947. [PMID: 34335972 PMCID: PMC8315062 DOI: 10.7150/thno.56639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite numerous clinical trials and pre-clinical developments, the treatment of glioblastoma (GB) remains a challenge. The current survival rate of GB averages one year, even with an optimal standard of care. However, the future promises efficient patient-tailored treatments, including targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT). Advances in radiopharmaceutical development have unlocked the possibility to assess disease at the molecular level allowing individual diagnosis. This leads to the possibility of choosing a tailored, targeted approach for therapeutic modalities. Therapeutic modalities based on radiopharmaceuticals are an exciting development with great potential to promote a personalised approach to medicine. However, an effective targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) for the treatment of GB entails caveats and requisites. This review provides an overview of existing nuclear imaging and TRT strategies for GB. A critical discussion of the optimal characteristics for new GB targeting therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals and clinical indications are provided. Considerations for target selection are discussed, i.e. specific presence of the target, expression level and pharmacological access to the target, with particular attention to blood-brain barrier crossing. An overview of the most promising radionuclides is given along with a validation of the relevant radiopharmaceuticals and theranostic agents (based on small molecules, peptides and monoclonal antibodies). Moreover, toxicity issues and safety pharmacology aspects will be presented, both in general and for the brain in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Bolcaen
- Radiobiology, Radiation Biophysics Division, Nuclear Medicine Department, iThemba LABS, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Janke Kleynhans
- Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure NPC, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Shankari Nair
- Radiobiology, Radiation Biophysics Division, Nuclear Medicine Department, iThemba LABS, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Ingeborg Goethals
- Ghent University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mike Sathekge
- Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure NPC, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Charlot Vandevoorde
- Radiobiology, Radiation Biophysics Division, Nuclear Medicine Department, iThemba LABS, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Thomas Ebenhan
- Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure NPC, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Zhang Y, Chen X, Liu L, Tian J, Hao L, Ran HT. Photoacoustic Imaging of Myocardial Infarction Region Using Non-Invasive Fibrin-Targeted Nanoparticles in a Rat Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Model. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:1331-1344. [PMID: 33628023 PMCID: PMC7898240 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s293736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Myocardial infarction (MI) is a serious threat to public health. The early identification of MI is important to promote appropriate treatment strategies for patients. Recently, strategies targeting extracellular matrix (ECM) components have gained attention. Fibrin is an ECM protein involved after MI. In this work, we constructed fibrin-targeted nanoparticles (NPs) by co-assembling a fibrin-targeted peptide (CREKA) and indocyanine green (ICG) and used them to enhance photoacoustic (PA) imaging for noninvasive detection of the infarct region to help diagnose MI. METHODS ICG NPs modified with CREKA were prepared (CREKA-ICG-LIP NPs). Then, the fundamental characteristics, stability, safety, and targeting ability of the NPs were detected. Finally, in an ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury model, the performance of the NPs in detecting the infarct region in the model on PA imaging was evaluated. RESULTS CREKA-ICG-LIP NPs were successfully constructed and showed excellent basic characteristics, a high safety level, and an excellent targeting ability. After intravenous injection, the CREKA-ICG-LIP NPs accumulated in the injured region in the IR model. Then, the PA signal in the infarct region could be detected by the ultrasound transducer of the Vevo LAZR Photoacoustic Imaging System. CONCLUSION This work provides new insights for non-invasive, real-time imaging techniques to detect the region of myocardial injury and help diagnose MI based on a PA imaging system with high sensitivity in optical imaging and deep penetration in ultrasound imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders (Chongqing), China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiajing Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders (Chongqing), China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lingjuan Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders (Chongqing), China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Tian
- Department of Cardiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders (Chongqing), China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lan Hao
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging & Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai-tao Ran
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging & Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, People’s Republic of China
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Valtorta S, Salvatore D, Rainone P, Belloli S, Bertoli G, Moresco RM. Molecular and Cellular Complexity of Glioma. Focus on Tumour Microenvironment and the Use of Molecular and Imaging Biomarkers to Overcome Treatment Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5631. [PMID: 32781585 PMCID: PMC7460665 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This review highlights the importance and the complexity of tumour biology and microenvironment in the progression and therapy resistance of glioma. Specific gene mutations, the possible functions of several non-coding microRNAs and the intra-tumour and inter-tumour heterogeneity of cell types contribute to limit the efficacy of the actual therapeutic options. In this scenario, identification of molecular biomarkers of response and the use of multimodal in vivo imaging and in particular the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) based molecular approach, can help identifying glioma features and the modifications occurring during therapy at a regional level. Indeed, a better understanding of tumor heterogeneity and the development of diagnostic procedures can favor the identification of a cluster of patients for personalized medicine in order to improve the survival and their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Valtorta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Tecnomed Foundation, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.V.); (D.S.); (P.R.)
- Nuclear Medicine Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS), 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Daniela Salvatore
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Tecnomed Foundation, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.V.); (D.S.); (P.R.)
- Nuclear Medicine Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS), 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Paolo Rainone
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Tecnomed Foundation, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.V.); (D.S.); (P.R.)
- Nuclear Medicine Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS), 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Sara Belloli
- Nuclear Medicine Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS), 20132 Milan, Italy;
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), CNR, 20090 Segrate, Italy
| | - Gloria Bertoli
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), CNR, 20090 Segrate, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Moresco
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Tecnomed Foundation, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.V.); (D.S.); (P.R.)
- Nuclear Medicine Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS), 20132 Milan, Italy;
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), CNR, 20090 Segrate, Italy
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Puiggalı́-Jou A, del Valle LJ, Alemán C. Encapsulation and Storage of Therapeutic Fibrin-Homing Peptides using Conducting Polymer Nanoparticles for Programmed Release by Electrical Stimulation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:2135-2145. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Puiggalı́-Jou
- Departament d’Enginyeria Quı́mica and Barcelona Research Center for Multiscale Science and Engineering, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/Eduard Maristany 10-14, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis J. del Valle
- Departament d’Enginyeria Quı́mica and Barcelona Research Center for Multiscale Science and Engineering, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/Eduard Maristany 10-14, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Alemán
- Departament d’Enginyeria Quı́mica and Barcelona Research Center for Multiscale Science and Engineering, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/Eduard Maristany 10-14, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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Synthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of the Fibrin-Binding Cyclic Peptide 18F-iCREKA: Comparison with Its Contrasted Linear Peptide. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2019; 2019:6315954. [PMID: 31346326 PMCID: PMC6620859 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6315954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Cys-Arg-Glu-Lys-Ala (CREKA) is a pentapeptide which can target fibrin-fibronectin complexes. Our previous study has built a probe called iCREKA which was based on CREKA and has proved the feasibility and specificity of iCREKA by the fluorescence experiment. The purpose of this study is to achieve the 18F-labeled iCREKA and make preclinical evaluation of the 18F-iCREKA with comparison of its contrasted linear peptide (LP). Methods CREKA, LP, and iCREKA were labeled by the Al18F labeling method, respectively. These 18F-labeled peptides were evaluated by the radiochemistry, binding affinity, in vitro stability, in vivo stability, micro-PET imaging, and biodistribution tests. Results 18F-NOTA-iCREKA was stable both in vitro and in vivo. However, 18F-NOTA-CREKA and 18F-NOTA-LP were both unstable. The FITC or 18F-labeled iCREKA could be abundantly discovered only in matrix metalloproteinases- (MMPs-) 2/9 highly expressed U87MG cells, while the FITC or 18F-labeled LP could also be abundantly discovered in MMP-2/9 lowly expressed Caov3 cells. Biodistribution and micropositron emission tomography (PET) imaging revealed that the U87MG xenografts showed a higher uptake of 18F-NOTA-iCREKA than 18F-NOTA-LP while the Caov3 xenografts showed very low uptake of both 18F-NOTA-iCREKA and 18F-NOTA-LP. The tumor-to-muscle (T/M) ratio of 18F-NOTA-iCREKA (9.93 ± 0.42) was obviously higher than 18F-NOTA-LP (2.69 ± 0.35) in U87MG xenografts. Conclusions The novel CREKA-based probe 18F-NOTA-iCREKA could get a high uptake in U87MG cells and high T/M ratio in U87MG mice. It was more stable and specific than the 18F-NOTA-LP.
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