1
|
Recombinant protein polymers as carriers of chemotherapeutic agents. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 190:114544. [PMID: 36176240 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy is the standard of care for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. However, its use is associated with severe toxicity and resistance arising mainly due to non-specificity, resulting in disease progression. The advancement in recombinant technology has led to the synthesis of genetically engineered protein polymers like Elastin-like polypeptide (ELP), Silk-like polypeptide (SLP), hybrid protein polymers with specific sequences to impart precisely controlled properties and to target proteins that have provided satisfactory preclinical outcomes. Such protein polymers have been exploited for the formulation and delivery of chemotherapeutics for biomedical applications. The use of such polymers has not only solved the limitation of conventional chemotherapy but has also improved the therapeutic index of typical drug delivery systems. This review, therefore, summarizes the development of such advanced recombinant protein polymers designed to deliver chemotherapeutics and also discusses the key challenges associated with their current usage and their application in the future.
Collapse
|
2
|
Elastin-like Polypeptide Hydrogels for Tunable, Sustained Local Chemotherapy in Malignant Glioma. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102072. [PMID: 36297507 PMCID: PMC9608313 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a primary brain tumor that carries a dismal prognosis, which is primarily attributed to tumor recurrence after surgery and resistance to chemotherapy. Since the tumor recurrence appears near the site of surgical resection, a concept of immediate and local application of chemotherapeutic after initial tumor removal could lead to improved treatment outcome. With the ultimate goal of developing a locally-applied, injectable drug delivery vehicle for GBM treatment, we created elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) hydrogels. The ELP hydrogels can be engineered to release anti-cancer drugs over an extended period. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical properties of ELP hydrogels, to characterize their ability to release doxorubicin over time, and to investigate, in vitro, the anti-proliferative effect of Dox-laden ELP hydrogels on GBM. Here, we present microstructural differences, swelling ratio measurements, drug release characteristics, and in vitro effects of different ELP hydrogel compositions. We found that manipulation of the ELP–collagen ratio allows for tunable drug release, that the released drug is taken up by cells, and that incubation with a small volume of ELP-Dox hydrogel drastically reduced survival and proliferation of GBM cells in vitro. These results underscore the potential of ELP hydrogels as a local delivery strategy to improve prognosis for GBM patients after tumor resection.
Collapse
|
3
|
Shi X, Chen D, Liu G, Zhang H, Wang X, Wu Z, Wu Y, Yu F, Xu Q. Application of Elastin-Like Polypeptide in Tumor Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153683. [PMID: 35954346 PMCID: PMC9367306 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Elastin-like Polypeptide (ELP) are widely applied in protein purification, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and even tumor therapy. Recent studies show that usage of ELP has made great progress in combination with peptide drugs or antibody drugs. The combination of ELP and photosensitizer in cancer therapy or imaging has made more progress and needs to be summarized. In this review, we summarize the specific application of ELP in cancer therapy, especially the latest developments in the combined use of ELP with photosensitizers. We seek to provide the most recent understanding of ELP and its new application in combination with Photosensitizer. Abstract Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are stimulus-responsive artificially designed proteins synthesized from the core amino acid sequence of human tropoelastin. ELPs have good biocompatibility and biodegradability and do not systemically induce adverse immune responses, making them a suitable module for drug delivery. Design strategies can equip ELPs with the ability to respond to changes in temperature and pH or the capacity to self-assemble into nanoparticles. These unique tunable biophysicochemical properties make ELPs among the most widely studied biopolymers employed in protein purification, drug delivery, tissue engineering and even in tumor therapy. As a module for drug delivery and as a carrier to target tumor cells, the combination of ELPs with therapeutic drugs, antibodies and photo-oxidation molecules has been shown to result in improved pharmacokinetic properties (prolonged half-life, drug targeting, cell penetration and controlled release) while restricting the cytotoxicity of the drug to a confined infected site. In this review, we summarize the latest developments in the application methods of ELP employed in tumor therapy, with a focus on its conjugation with peptide drugs, antibodies and photosensitizers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianggang Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; (X.S.); (D.C.); (Y.W.)
| | - Dongfeng Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; (X.S.); (D.C.); (Y.W.)
| | - Guodong Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Suqian First People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suqian 223800, China; (G.L.); (H.Z.); (X.W.)
| | - Hailing Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Suqian First People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suqian 223800, China; (G.L.); (H.Z.); (X.W.)
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Suqian First People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suqian 223800, China; (G.L.); (H.Z.); (X.W.)
| | - Zhi Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of High-Tech Research and Development of Veterinary Biopharmaceuticals, Jiangsu Agri-Animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou 225306, China;
| | - Yan Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; (X.S.); (D.C.); (Y.W.)
| | - Feng Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; (X.S.); (D.C.); (Y.W.)
- Correspondence: (F.Y.); (Q.X.); Tel.: +86-139-5292-3250 (F.Y.); +86-159-5281-6017 (Q.X.)
| | - Qinggang Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; (X.S.); (D.C.); (Y.W.)
- Correspondence: (F.Y.); (Q.X.); Tel.: +86-139-5292-3250 (F.Y.); +86-159-5281-6017 (Q.X.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dragojevic S, Ryu JS, Hall ME, Raucher D. Targeted Drug Delivery Biopolymers Effectively Inhibit Breast Tumor Growth and Prevent Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27113371. [PMID: 35684309 PMCID: PMC9182553 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27113371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The anticancer agent doxorubicin(dox) has been widely used in the treatment of a variety of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Despite doxorubicin’s efficiency in killing tumor cells, severe damage to healthy tissues, along with cardiotoxicity, limits its clinical use. To overcome these adverse side effects, improve patient safety, and enhance therapeutic efficacy, we have designed a thermally responsive biopolymer doxorubicin carrier that can be specifically targeted to tumor tissue by locally applying mild hyperthermia (41 °C). The developed drug vehicle is composed of the following: a cell penetrating peptide (SynB1) to promote tumor and cellular uptake; thermally responsive Elastin-like polypeptide (ELP); and the (6-maleimidocaproyl) hydrazone derivative of doxorubicin (DOXO-EMCH) containing a pH-sensitive hydrazone linker that releases doxorubicin in the acidic tumor environment. We used the in vivo imaging system, IVIS, to determine biodistribution of doxorubicin-delivered ELP in MDA-MB-231 xenografts in nude mice. Tumor bearing mice were treated with a single IV injection of 10 mg/kg doxorubicin equivalent dose with free doxorubicin, thermally responsive SynB1 ELP 1-DOXO, and a thermally nonresponsive control biopolymer, SynB1 ELP 2-DOXO. Following a 2 h treatment with hyperthermia, tumors showed a 2-fold higher uptake when treated with SynB1 ELP 1-DOXO compared to free doxorubicin. Accumulation of the thermally non-responsive control SynB1 ELP2 –DOXO was comparable to free doxorubicin, indicating that an increase in dox accumulation with ELP is due to aggregation in response to thermal targeting. Higher levels of SynB1 ELP1–DOXO and SynB1 ELP2 –DOXO with respect to free doxorubicin were observed in kidneys. Fluorescence intensity from hearts of animals treated with SynB1 ELP1–DOXO show a 5-fold decrease in accumulation of doxorubicin than the same dose of free doxorubicin. SynB1-ELP1-DOXO biopolymers demonstrated a 6-fold increase in tumor/heart ratio in comparison to free doxorubicin, indicating preferential accumulation of the drug in tumors. These results demonstrate that thermally targeted polymers are a promising therapy to enhance tumor targeting and uptake of anticancer drugs and to minimize free drug toxicity in healthy tissues, representing a great potential for clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Dragojevic
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Jung Su Ryu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA;
| | - Michael E. Hall
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA;
| | - Drazen Raucher
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA;
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Circumventing Doxorubicin Resistance Using Elastin-like Polypeptide Biopolymer-Mediated Drug Delivery. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042301. [PMID: 35216417 PMCID: PMC8878013 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Although doxorubicin (dox), an anthracycline antibiotic, is widely used and effective in treating cancer, its treatment efficiency is limited by low blood plasma solubility, poor pharmacokinetics, and adverse side effects, including irreversible cardiotoxicity. Moreover, cancer cells often develop drug resistance over time, which decreases the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs, including dox. In this study, we examine a macromolecular drug delivery system for its ability to specifically deliver doxorubicin to cancer cells with and without drug resistance. This drug delivery system consists of a multi-part macromolecule, which includes the following: elastin-like polypeptide (ELP), cell penetrating peptide (CPP), a cleavable linker (releasing at low pH), and a derivative of doxorubicin. ELP is thermally responsive and improves drug solubility, while the CPP mediates cellular uptake of macromolecules. We compared cytotoxicity of two doxorubicin derivatives, where one is cleavable (DOXO) and contains a pH-sensitive linker and releases dox in an acidic environment, and the other is non-cleavable (ncDox) doxorubicin. Cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution and mechanism of action of these constructs were tested and compared between dox-responsive MCF-7 and dox-resistant NCI/ADR cell lines. Dox delivered by the ELP construct is comparably toxic to both sensitive and drug resistant cell lines, compared to unconjugated doxorubicin, and given the pharmacokinetic and targeting benefits conveyed by conjugation to ELP, these biopolymers have potential to overcome dox resistance in vivo.
Collapse
|
6
|
Bidwell GL. Novel Protein Therapeutics Created Using the Elastin-Like Polypeptide Platform. Physiology (Bethesda) 2021; 36:367-381. [PMID: 34486397 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00026.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are bioengineered proteins that have a unique physical property, a thermally triggered inverse phase transition, that can be exploited for drug delivery. ELP-fusion proteins can be used as soluble biologics, thermally targeted drug carriers, self-assembling nanoparticles, and slow-release drug depots. Because of their unique physical characteristics and versatility for delivery of nearly any type of therapeutic, ELP-based drug delivery systems represent a promising platform for biologics development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gene L Bidwell
- Departments of Neurology, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Pharmacology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cell-Penetrating Doxorubicin Released from Elastin-Like Polypeptide Kills Doxorubicin-Resistant Cancer Cells in In Vitro Study. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031126. [PMID: 33498762 PMCID: PMC7865358 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) undergo a characteristic phase transition in response to ambient temperature. Therefore, it has been be used as a thermosensitive vector for the delivery of chemotherapy agents since it can be used to target hyperthermic tumors. This novel strategy introduces unprecedented options for treating cancer with fewer concerns about side effects. In this study, the ELP system was further modified with an enzyme-cleavable linker in order to release drugs within tumors. This system consists of an ELP, a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) substrate, a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP), and a 6-maleimidocaproyl amide derivative of doxorubicin (Dox). This strategy shows up to a 4-fold increase in cell penetration and results in more death in breast cancer cells compared to ELP-Dox. Even in doxorubicin-resistant cells (NCI/ADR and MES-SA/Dx5), ELP-released cell-penetrating doxorubicin demonstrated better membrane penetration, leading to at least twice the killing of resistant cells compared to ELP-Dox and free Dox. MMP-digested CPP-Dox showed better membrane penetration and induced more cancer cell death in vitro. This CPP-complexed Dox released from the ELP killed even Dox-resistant cells more efficiently than both free doxorubicin and non-cleaved ELP-CPP-Dox.
Collapse
|
8
|
Chambre L, Martín-Moldes Z, Parker RN, Kaplan DL. Bioengineered elastin- and silk-biomaterials for drug and gene delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020; 160:186-198. [PMID: 33080258 PMCID: PMC7736173 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Advances in medical science have led to diverse new therapeutic modalities, as well as enhanced understanding of the progression of various disease states. These findings facilitate the design and development of more customized and exquisite drug delivery systems that aim to improve therapeutic indices of drugs to treat a variety of conditions. Synthetic polymer-based drug carriers have often been the focus of such research. However, these structures suffer from challenges with heterogeneity of the starting material, limited chemical features, complex functionalization methods, and in some cases a lack of biocompatibility. Consequently, protein-based polymers have garnered much attention in recent years due to their monodisperse features, ease of production and functionalization, and biocompatibility. Genetic engineering techniques enable the advancement of protein-based drug delivery systems with finely tuned physicochemical properties, and thus an expanded level of customization unavailable with synthetic polymers. Of these genetically engineered proteins, elastin-like proteins (ELP), silk-like proteins (SLP), and silk-elastin-like proteins (SELP) provide a unique set of alternatives for designing drug delivery systems due to their inherent chemical and physical properties and ease of engineering afforded by recombinant DNA technologies. In this review we examine the advantages of genetically engineered drug delivery systems with emphasis on ELP and SLP constructions. Methods for fabrication and relevant biomedical applications will also be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Chambre
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Zaira Martín-Moldes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Rachael N Parker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Le Naour A, Rossary A, Vasson MP. EO771, is it a well-characterized cell line for mouse mammary cancer model? Limit and uncertainty. Cancer Med 2020; 9:8074-8085. [PMID: 33026171 PMCID: PMC7643677 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Among mouse mammary tumor models, syngeneic cell lines present an advantage for the study of immune response. However, few of these models are well characterized. The tumor line EO771 is derived from spontaneous breast cancer of C57BL/6 mice. These cells are widely used but are referenced under different names: EO771, EO 771, and E0771. The characteristics of the EO771 cells are well described but some data are contradictory. This cell line presents the great interest of developing an immunocompetent neoplastic model using an orthotopic implantation reflecting the mammary tumors encountered in breast cancer patients. This review presents the phenotype characteristics of EO771 and its sensitivity to nutrients and different therapies such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Augustin Le Naour
- UMR 1019 Human Nutrition Unit, ECREIN team, University of Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, CRNH-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Adrien Rossary
- UMR 1019 Human Nutrition Unit, ECREIN team, University of Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, CRNH-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Marie-Paule Vasson
- UMR 1019 Human Nutrition Unit, ECREIN team, University of Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, CRNH-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Department of Nutrition, Gabriel Montpied University Hospital, Jean Perrin Cancer Centre, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Isaacson KJ, Jensen MM, Steinhauff DB, Kirklow JE, Mohammadpour R, Grunberger JW, Cappello J, Ghandehari H. Location of stimuli-responsive peptide sequences within silk-elastinlike protein-based polymers affects nanostructure assembly and drug-polymer interactions. J Drug Target 2020; 28:766-779. [PMID: 32306773 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2020.1757099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Silk-elastinlike protein polymers (SELPs) self-assemble into nanostructures when designed with appropriate silk-to-elastin ratios. Here, we investigate the effect of insertion of a matrix metalloproteinase-responsive peptide sequence, GPQGIFGQ, into various locations within the SELP backbone on supramolecular self-assembly. Insertion of the hydrophilic, enzyme-degradable sequence into the elastin repeats allows the formation of dilution-stable nanostructures, while insertion into the hydrophobic silk motifs inhibited self-assembly. The SELP assemblies retained their lower critical solution temperature (LCST) thermal response, allowing up to eightfold volumetric changes due to temperature-induced size change. A model hydrophobic drug was incorporated into SELP nanoassemblies utilising a combination of precipitation, incubation and tangential flow filtration. While the nanoconstructs degraded in response to MMP activity, drug release kinetics was independent of MMP concentration. Drug release modelling suggests that release is driven by rates of water penetration into the SELP nanostructures and drug dissolution. In vitro testing revealed that SELP nanoassemblies reduced the immunotoxic and haemolytic side effects of doxorubicin in human blood while maintaining its cytotoxic activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Isaacson
- Utah Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of Utah, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - M Martin Jensen
- Utah Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of Utah, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Douglas B Steinhauff
- Utah Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of Utah, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - James E Kirklow
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Raziye Mohammadpour
- Utah Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of Utah, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jason W Grunberger
- Utah Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of Utah, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Joseph Cappello
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Hamidreza Ghandehari
- Utah Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of Utah, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Santos M, Serrano-Dúcar S, González-Valdivieso J, Vallejo R, Girotti A, Cuadrado P, Arias FJ. Genetically Engineered Elastin-based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications. Curr Med Chem 2020; 26:7117-7146. [PMID: 29737250 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180508094637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Protein-based polymers are some of the most promising candidates for a new generation of innovative biomaterials as recent advances in genetic-engineering and biotechnological techniques mean that protein-based biomaterials can be designed and constructed with a higher degree of complexity and accuracy. Moreover, their sequences, which are derived from structural protein-based modules, can easily be modified to include bioactive motifs that improve their functions and material-host interactions, thereby satisfying fundamental biological requirements. The accuracy with which these advanced polypeptides can be produced, and their versatility, self-assembly behavior, stimuli-responsiveness and biocompatibility, means that they have attracted increasing attention for use in biomedical applications such as cell culture, tissue engineering, protein purification, surface engineering and controlled drug delivery. The biopolymers discussed in this review are elastin-derived protein-based polymers which are biologically inspired and biomimetic materials. This review will also focus on the design, synthesis and characterization of these genetically encoded polymers and their potential utility for controlled drug and gene delivery, as well as in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Santos
- BIOFORGE Research Group, CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Sofía Serrano-Dúcar
- BIOFORGE Research Group, CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | | | - Reinaldo Vallejo
- BIOFORGE Research Group, CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Alessandra Girotti
- BIOFORGE Research Group, CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Purificación Cuadrado
- BIOFORGE Research Group, CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yu T, Hu Y, Feng G, Hu K. A Graphene‐Based Flexible Device as a Specific Far‐Infrared Emitter for Noninvasive Tumor Therapy. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.201900195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yu
- Department of Medical GeneticsSchool of Basic Medical Science & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of XenotransplantationNanjing Medical University Nanjing 211166 China
| | - Yimin Hu
- Grahope New Materials Technologies Inc. Shenzhen 518063 China
| | - Guanping Feng
- Grahope New Materials Technologies Inc. Shenzhen 518063 China
| | - Ke Hu
- Key Laboratory of Clinical and Medical EngineeringDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and InformaticsNanjing Medical University Nanjing 211166 China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ziaei E, Saghaeidehkordi A, Dill C, Maslennikov I, Chen S, Kaur K. Targeting Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells with Novel Cytotoxic Peptide-Doxorubicin Conjugates. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:3098-3106. [PMID: 31715102 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we have designed and synthesized two novel peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) where the drug, doxorubicin (Dox), is linked to the peptide via a succinimidyl thioether bond or a hydrazone linker. A highly specific and proteolytically stable breast cancer cell targeting peptide (WxEAAYQrFL) is conjugated to Dox to synthesize peptide-Dox thioether (1) or hydrazone (2) conjugate. The evaluation of the stability in water, media, and human serum showed that the conjugate 1 with the succinimidyl thioether linkage is more stable compared to the acid-sensitive hydrazone containing conjugate 2. The cytotoxicity studies showed that the two PDCs were as toxic as free Dox toward the triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and were 7-30 times less toxic (IC50 1.2-4.7 μM for TNBC cells versus 15-39 μM for noncancerous cells) toward the noncancerous breast cells compared to the free doxorubicin (IC50 0.35-1.5 μM for TNBC cells versus 0.24 μM for noncancerous cells). The results from the comparative study of the two PDCs suggest that both may have translational potential for TNBC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elmira Ziaei
- Chapman University School of Pharmacy (CUSP), Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus , Chapman University , Irvine , California 92618-1908 , United States
| | - Azam Saghaeidehkordi
- Chapman University School of Pharmacy (CUSP), Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus , Chapman University , Irvine , California 92618-1908 , United States
| | - Cassandra Dill
- Chapman University School of Pharmacy (CUSP), Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus , Chapman University , Irvine , California 92618-1908 , United States
| | - Innokentiy Maslennikov
- Chapman University School of Pharmacy (CUSP), Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus , Chapman University , Irvine , California 92618-1908 , United States
| | - Shiuan Chen
- Department of Cancer Biology , Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope , Duarte , California 91010 , United States
| | - Kamaljit Kaur
- Chapman University School of Pharmacy (CUSP), Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus , Chapman University , Irvine , California 92618-1908 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Evaluation of Elastin-Like Polypeptides for Tumor Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin to Glioblastoma. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24183242. [PMID: 31489879 PMCID: PMC6767252 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24183242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
To increase treatment efficiency for glioblastoma, we have developed a system to selectively deliver chemotherapeutic doxorubicin (Dox) to Glioblastoma (GBM) tumors. This carrier is based on elastin-like polypeptide (ELP), which is soluble at physiological temperatures but undergoes a phase transition and accumulates at tumor sites with externally applied, mild (40–41 °C) hyperthermia. The CPP-ELP-Dox conjugate consists of a cell penetrating peptide (CPP), which facilitates transcytosis through the blood brain barrier and cell entry, and a 6-maleimidocaproyl hydrazone derivative of doxorubicin at the C-terminus of ELP. The acid-sensitive hydrazone linker ensures release of Dox in the lysosomes/endosomes after cellular uptake of the drug conjugate. We have shown that CPP-ELP-Dox effectively inhibits cell proliferation in three GBM cell lines. Both the free drug and CPP-ELP-Dox conjugate exhibited similar in vitro cytotoxicity, although their subcellular localization was considerably different. The Dox conjugate was mainly dispersed in the cytoplasm, while free drug had partial nuclear accumulation in addition to cytoplasmic distribution. The intracellular Dox concentration was increased in the CPP-ELP-Dox cells compared to that in the cells treated with free Dox, which positively correlates with cytotoxic activity. In summary, our findings demonstrate that CPP-ELP-Dox effectively kills GBM cells. Development of such a drug carrier has the potential to greatly improve current therapeutic approaches for GBM by increasing the specificity and efficacy of treatment and reducing cytotoxicity in normal tissues.
Collapse
|
15
|
Wang J, Chen M, Li S, Ye RD. Targeted Delivery of a Ligand-Drug Conjugate via Formyl Peptide Receptor 1 through Cholesterol-Dependent Endocytosis. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:2636-2647. [PMID: 31067065 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) undergo ligand-induced internalization that carries the cognate ligands into intracellular compartments. The present study explores this property for the use of formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1), a class A GPCR that binds formylated peptides, as a potential target for drug delivery. A pH-sensitive peptide-drug conjugate consisting of doxorubicin (DOX), N-ε-maleimidocaproic acid hydrazide (EMCH), and the formyl peptide fMet-Leu-Phe-Cys (abbreviated as DEF) was prepared. DEF retained pharmacological activities of formyl peptides in binding to FPR1 and mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. However, the conjugated DOX was no longer cell membrane-permeable and relied on FPR1 for cellular entry. DOX was released from DEF into acidic compartments labeled with fluorescent trackers for endosomes. Treatment of cells with pharmacological inhibitors that block clathrin- or caveolae-mediated endocytosis did not abrogate FPR1-dependent DEF internalization, nor did inhibition of macropinocytosis and phagocytosis. In contrast, cholesterol depletion abrogated DEF internalization through FPR1, suggesting characteristics of cholesterol-dependent uptake mediated by a cell surface receptor. These results demonstrate the possibility of using FPR1 for targeted drug delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junlin Wang
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine , University of Macau , Macau Special Administrative Region 999078 , China
| | - Meiwan Chen
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine , University of Macau , Macau Special Administrative Region 999078 , China
| | - Shaoping Li
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine , University of Macau , Macau Special Administrative Region 999078 , China
| | - Richard D Ye
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine , University of Macau , Macau Special Administrative Region 999078 , China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gonzalez-Valdivieso J, Girotti A, Muñoz R, Rodriguez-Cabello JC, Arias FJ. Self-Assembling ELR-Based Nanoparticles as Smart Drug-Delivery Systems Modulating Cellular Growth via Akt. Biomacromolecules 2019; 20:1996-2007. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b00206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Gonzalez-Valdivieso
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Alessandra Girotti
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Raquel Muñoz
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - J. Carlos Rodriguez-Cabello
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - F. Javier Arias
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ryu JS, Robinson L, Raucher D. Elastin-Like Polypeptide Delivers a Notch Inhibitory Peptide to Inhibit Tumor Growth in Combination with Paclitaxel. J Chemother 2019; 31:23-29. [DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2018.1537554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jung Su Ryu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Leslie Robinson
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Belhaven University, Jackson, MississippiUSA
| | - Drazen Raucher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kuna M, Waller JP, Logue OC, Bidwell GL. Polymer size affects biodistribution and placental accumulation of the drug delivery biopolymer elastin-like polypeptide in a rodent pregnancy model. Placenta 2018; 72-73:20-27. [PMID: 30501877 PMCID: PMC6287274 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fusion of therapeutic agents to Elastin-like Polypeptide (ELP) is a novel drug delivery strategy for prevention of placental drug transfer. Previous studies have used a 60 kDa ELP tag for this purpose. However, placental transfer of ELP may be size dependent. The goal of this study was to measure the effects of ELP polymer size on pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and placental transfer of ELP. METHODS Three ELPs ranging from 25 to 86 kDa (4.1-6.8 nm hydrodynamic radius) were fluorescently labeled and administered by i.v. bolus to pregnant Sprague Dawley rats on gestational day 14. Plasma levels were monitored for 4 h, organ levels and placental transfer determined by ex vivo fluorescence imaging, and placental localization determined by confocal microscopy. RESULTS Increasing ELP size resulted in slower plasma clearance and increased deposition in all major maternal organs, except in the kidneys where an opposite effect was observed. Placental levels increased with an increase in size, while in the pups, little to no ELP was detected. DISCUSSION Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of ELPs during pregnancy are size dependent, but all ELPs tested were too large to traverse the placental barrier. These studies verify that ELP fusion is a powerful method of modulating half-life and preventing placental transfer of cargo molecules. The tunable nature of the ELP sequence makes it ideal for drug delivery applications during pregnancy, where it can be used to target drugs to the mother while preventing fetal drug exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marija Kuna
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Jamarius P Waller
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Omar C Logue
- Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Gene L Bidwell
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zai-Rose V, West SJ, Kramer WH, Bishop GR, Lewis EA, Correia JJ. Effects of Doxorubicin on the Liquid-Liquid Phase Change Properties of Elastin-Like Polypeptides. Biophys J 2018; 115:1431-1444. [PMID: 30292393 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the thermo-responsive engineered elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) biopolymer is being exploited for the thermal targeted delivery of doxorubicin (Dox) to solid tumors. We examine the impact of Dox labeling on the thermodynamic and hydrodynamic behavior of an ELP drug carrier and how Dox influences the liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Turbidity, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and differential scanning calorimetry measurements show that ELP undergoes a cooperative liquid-liquid phase separation from a soluble to insoluble coacervated state that is enhanced by Dox labeling. Circular dichroism measurements show that below the LCST ELP consists of both random coils and temperature-dependent β-turn structures. Labeling with Dox further enhances β-turn formation. DLS measurements reveal a significant increase in the hydrodynamic radius of ELP below the LCST consistent with weak self-association. Dox-labeled SynB1-ELP1 (Dox-ELP) has a significant increase in the hydrodynamic radius by DLS measurements that is consistent with stable oligomers and, at high Dox-ELP concentrations, micelle structures. Enhanced association by Dox-ELP is confirmed by sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation measurements. Both ELP self-association and the ELP inverse phase transition are entropically driven with positive changes in enthalpy and entropy. We show by turbidity and DLS that the ELP phase transition is monophasic, whereas mixtures of ELP and Dox-ELP are biphasic, with Dox-labeled ELP phase changing first and unlabeled ELP partitioning into the coacervate as the temperature is raised. DLS reveals a complex growth in droplet sizes consistent with coalescence and fusion of liquid droplets. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements show a -11 kcal/mol change in enthalpy for Dox-ELP coacervation relative to the unlabeled ELP, consistent with droplet formation being stabilized by favorable enthalpic interactions. We propose that the ELP phase change is initiated by ELP self-association, enhanced by increased Dox-ELP oligomer and micelle formation and stabilized by favorable enthalpic interactions in the liquid droplets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Zai-Rose
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Savannah J West
- Department of Chemistry, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi
| | - Wolfgang H Kramer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - G Reid Bishop
- Department of Chemistry, Belhaven University, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Edwin A Lewis
- Department of Chemistry, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi
| | - John J Correia
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chen Z, Ding Z, Zhang G, Tian L, Zhang X. Construction of Thermo-Responsive Elastin-Like Polypeptides (ELPs)-Aggregation-Induced-Emission (AIE) Conjugates for Temperature Sensing. Molecules 2018; 23:E1725. [PMID: 30011929 PMCID: PMC6100176 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23071725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecule (tetraphenylethene derivative, TPE-COOH) was conjugated to elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs40) via an amide bond to form ELPs40-TPE. The successful synthesis of ELPs40-TPE was confirmed by Circular Dichroism spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis, UV-vis absorption, and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. ELPs40-TPE possessed both amphiphilicity and the features of an AIE, and the fluorescence intensity was dependent on the local temperature. The Hela cells imaging indicated that ELPs40-TPE has great potential for bio-imaging applications because of its advantages of high fluorescence intensity, good water-solubility, and remarkable biocompatibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Chen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau, China.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Zhaoyang Ding
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau, China.
| | - Guangya Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Leilei Tian
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Xuanjun Zhang
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Spicer CD, Jumeaux C, Gupta B, Stevens MM. Peptide and protein nanoparticle conjugates: versatile platforms for biomedical applications. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:3574-3620. [PMID: 29479622 PMCID: PMC6386136 DOI: 10.1039/c7cs00877e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Peptide- and protein-nanoparticle conjugates have emerged as powerful tools for biomedical applications, enabling the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of disease. In this review, we focus on the key roles played by peptides and proteins in improving, controlling, and defining the performance of nanotechnologies. Within this framework, we provide a comprehensive overview of the key sequences and structures utilised to provide biological and physical stability to nano-constructs, direct particles to their target and influence their cellular and tissue distribution, induce and control biological responses, and form polypeptide self-assembled nanoparticles. In doing so, we highlight the great advances made by the field, as well as the challenges still faced in achieving the clinical translation of peptide- and protein-functionalised nano-drug delivery vehicles, imaging species, and active therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Spicer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Scheeles Väg 2, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sreekumar PG, Li Z, Wang W, Spee C, Hinton DR, Kannan R, MacKay JA. Intra-vitreal αB crystallin fused to elastin-like polypeptide provides neuroprotection in a mouse model of age-related macular degeneration. J Control Release 2018; 283:94-104. [PMID: 29778783 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe and irreversible central vision loss, and the primary site of AMD pathology is the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of AMD characterized by extensive RPE cell loss, subsequent degeneration of photoreceptors, and thinning of retina. This report describes the protective potential of a peptide derived from the αB crystallin protein using a sodium iodate (NaIO3) induced mouse model of GA. Systemic NaIO3 challenge causes degeneration of the RPE and neighboring photoreceptors, which have similarities to retinas of GA patients. αB crystallin is an abundant ocular protein that maintains ocular clarity and retinal homeostasis, and a small peptide from this protein (mini cry) displays neuroprotective properties. To retain this peptide for longer in the vitreous, mini cry was fused to an elastin-like polypeptide (ELP). A single intra-vitreal treatment by this crySI fusion significantly inhibits retinal degeneration in comparison to free mini cry. While mini cry is cleared from the eye with a mean residence time of 0.4 days, crySI is retained with a mean residence time of 3.0 days; furthermore, fundus photography reveals evidence of retention at two weeks. Unlike the free mini cry, crySI protects the RPE against NaIO3 challenge for at least two weeks after administration. CrySI also inhibits RPE apoptosis and caspase-3 activation and protects the retina from cell death up to 1-month post NaIO3 challenge. These results show that intra-ocular ELP-linked peptides such as crySI hold promise as protective agents to prevent RPE atrophy and progressive retinal degeneration in AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parameswaran G Sreekumar
- Arnold and Mabel Beckman Macular Research Center, Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Wan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Christine Spee
- Department Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - David R Hinton
- Department Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Ram Kannan
- Arnold and Mabel Beckman Macular Research Center, Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - J Andrew MacKay
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Department Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Isaacson KJ, Jensen MM, Watanabe AH, Green BE, Correa MA, Cappello J, Ghandehari H. Self-Assembly of Thermoresponsive Recombinant Silk-Elastinlike Nanogels. Macromol Biosci 2018; 18:10.1002/mabi.201700192. [PMID: 28869362 PMCID: PMC5806626 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201700192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant silk-elastinlike protein polymers (SELPs) combine the biocompatibility and thermoresponsiveness of human tropoelastin with the strength of silk. Direct control over structure of these monodisperse polymers allows for precise correlation of structure with function. This work describes the fabrication of the first SELP nanogels and evaluation of their physicochemical properties and thermoresponsiveness. Self-assembly of dilute concentrations of SELPs results in nanogels with enhanced stability over micelles due to physically crosslinked beta-sheet silk segments. The nanogels respond to thermal stimuli via size changes and aggregation. Modifying the ratio and sequence of silk to elastin in the polymer backbone results in alterations in critical gel formation concentration, stability, aggregation, size contraction temperature, and thermal reversibility. The nanogels sequester hydrophobic compounds and show promise in delivery of bioactive agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Isaacson
- Utah Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of Utah, University of Utah, 36 S. Wasatch Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, 36 S. Wasatch Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Mark Martin Jensen
- Utah Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of Utah, University of Utah, 36 S. Wasatch Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, 36 S. Wasatch Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Alexandre H Watanabe
- College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, 30 2000 E., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Bryant E Green
- Utah Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of Utah, University of Utah, 36 S. Wasatch Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, 36 S. Wasatch Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Marcelo A Correa
- Utah Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of Utah, University of Utah, 36 S. Wasatch Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, 36 S. Wasatch Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Joseph Cappello
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, 30 S. 2000 E., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Hamidreza Ghandehari
- Utah Center for Nanomedicine, Nano Institute of Utah, University of Utah, 36 S. Wasatch Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, 36 S. Wasatch Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, 30 S. 2000 E., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Dissanayake S, Denny WA, Gamage S, Sarojini V. Recent developments in anticancer drug delivery using cell penetrating and tumor targeting peptides. J Control Release 2017; 250:62-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
25
|
Opačak-Bernardi T, Ryu JS, Raucher D. Effects of cell penetrating Notch inhibitory peptide conjugated to elastin-like polypeptide on glioblastoma cells. J Drug Target 2017; 25:523-531. [PMID: 28140690 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2017.1289537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Notch pathway was found to be activated in most glioblastomas (GBMs), underlining the importance of Notch in formation and recurrence of GBM. In this study, a Notch inhibitory peptide, dominant negative MAML (dnMAML), was conjugated to elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) for tumor targeted delivery. ELP is a thermally responsive polypeptide that can be actively and passively targeted to the tumor site by localized application of hyperthermia. This complex was further modified with the addition of a cell penetrating peptide, SynB1, for improved cellular uptake and blood-brain barrier penetration. The SynB1-ELP1-dnMAML was examined for its cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell cycle inhibition and the inhibition of target genes' expression. SynB1-ELP1-dnMAML inhibited the growth of D54 and U251 cells by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, especially in the presence of hyperthermia. Hyperthermia increased overall uptake of the polypeptide by the cells and enhanced the resulting pharmacological effects of dnMAML, showing the inhibition of targets of Notch pathway such as Hes-1 and Hey-L. These results confirm that dnMAML is an effective Notch inhibitor and combination with ELP may allow thermal targeting of the SynB1-ELP1-dnMAML complex in cancer cells while avoiding the dangers of systemic Notch inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teuta Opačak-Bernardi
- a Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine , J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek , Osijek , Croatia
| | - Jung Su Ryu
- b Department of Biochemistry , University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson , MS , USA
| | - Drazen Raucher
- b Department of Biochemistry , University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson , MS , USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Recent advances in self-assembled peptides: Implications for targeted drug delivery and vaccine engineering. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 110-111:169-187. [PMID: 27356149 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2016.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Revised: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembled peptides have shown outstanding characteristics for vaccine delivery and drug targeting. Peptide molecules can be rationally designed to self-assemble into specific nanoarchitectures in response to changes in their assembly environment including: pH, temperature, ionic strength, and interactions between host (drug) and guest molecules. The resulting supramolecular nanostructures include nanovesicles, nanofibers, nanotubes, nanoribbons, and hydrogels and have a diverse range of mechanical and physicochemical properties. These molecules can be designed for cell-specific targeting by including adhesion ligands, receptor recognition ligands, or peptide-based antigens in their design, often in a multivalent display. Depending on their design, self-assembled peptide nanostructures have advantages in biocompatibility, stability against enzymatic degradation, encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs, sustained drug release, shear-thinning viscoelastic properties, and/or adjuvanting properties. These molecules can also act as intracellular transporters and respond to changes in the physiological environment. Furthermore, this class of materials has shown sequence- and structure-dependent impacts on the immune system that can be tailored to non-immunogenic for drug targeting, and immunogenic for vaccine delivery. This review explores self-assembled peptide nanostructures (beta sheets, alpha helices, peptide amphiphiles, amino acid pairing, elastin like polypeptides, cyclic peptides, short peptides, Fmoc peptides, and peptide hydrogels) and their application in vaccine delivery and drug targeting.
Collapse
|
27
|
Yuan A, Huan W, Liu X, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Wu J, Hu Y. NIR Light-Activated Drug Release for Synergetic Chemo–Photothermal Therapy. Mol Pharm 2016; 14:242-251. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.6b00820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Institute of Drug R&D, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Jiangsu R&D Platform for Controlled & Targeted Drug Delivery, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Wei Huan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Zhicheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jinhui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Institute of Drug R&D, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Jiangsu R&D Platform for Controlled & Targeted Drug Delivery, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yiqiao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Institute of Drug R&D, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Jiangsu R&D Platform for Controlled & Targeted Drug Delivery, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sheng Y, You Y, Chen Y. Dual-targeting hybrid peptide-conjugated doxorubicin for drug resistance reversal in breast cancer. Int J Pharm 2016; 512:1-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2016.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
29
|
McGowan JW, Shao Q, Vig PJ, Bidwell GL. Intranasal administration of elastin-like polypeptide for therapeutic delivery to the central nervous system. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2016; 10:2803-2813. [PMID: 27660412 PMCID: PMC5019317 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s106216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Bypassing the blood–brain barrier is one of the primary considerations when designing compounds intended to function in the central nervous system (CNS). Intranasal (IN) administration of otherwise blood–brain barrier impermeable molecules can result in high CNS concentrations and low systemic accumulation, indicating that IN administration may be a useful method of delivering therapeutics to the CNS. Elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) is a large, non-immunogenic, highly manipulable biopolymer with extensive evidence supporting its use as a carrier with the ability to improve drug pharmacokinetics and drug targeting. The ability of ELP to reach the CNS via IN administration has been shown previously. Previous studies have also identified the ability of cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) to increase the uptake of molecules in some instances, including via the IN route. Here, we compared and contrasted the biodistribution of ELPs with or without addition of the CPPs Tat or SynB1 via both the IN and intravenous routes. Administration of ELP via the IN route led to significant accumulation in the brain, especially in the olfactory bulbs. When injected intravenously, <3% of the ELP signal was present outside the vascular compartment. This contrasted with IN administration, which resulted in 79% of the fluorescence signal localized outside the vascular space. The fusion of Tat or SynB1 significantly altered the biodistribution of ELP, decreasing the total CNS accumulation following IN administration. The addition of CPPs to ELP increased their retention in the nasal epithelium. These results suggest ELP may represent an effective CNS delivery vector without further modification and that the addition of a CPP significantly influences biodistribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Parminder Js Vig
- Department of Neurology; Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Gene L Bidwell
- Department of Neurology; Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Cheng Q, Du L, Meng L, Han S, Wei T, Wang X, Wu Y, Song X, Zhou J, Zheng S, Huang Y, Liang XJ, Cao H, Dong A, Liang Z. The Promising Nanocarrier for Doxorubicin and siRNA Co-delivery by PDMAEMA-based Amphiphilic Nanomicelles. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:4347-4356. [PMID: 26835788 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b11789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Synergistic effects of anticancer drug and siRNA have displayed superior advantages for cancer therapy. Herein, we deeply analyzed the feasibility that whether doxorubicin (DOX) and siRNA could be co-delivered by mPEG-PCL-graft-PDMAEMA (PECD) micelles, which mediated excellent DNA/siRNA delivery in vitro and in vivo reported in our previous work. DOX-loaded NPs (PECD-D) were developed by nanoprecipitation technology and exhibited high drug loading content (DLC, 9.5%). In vitro cytotoxicity study in MDA-MB-231 cells, PECD-D treated groups had lower IC50 compared to free DOX groups (F-DOX) at different transfection time (24, 48, and 72h), which maybe attribute to its high cellular uptake and endosomal escape properties. The speculation was confirmed with the results of drug release profile in acidic media, flow cytometry analysis and confocal images. Futhermore, Cy5 labeled siRNA was introduced in PECD-D micelles (PECD-D/siRNA) to track the behavior of dual-loaded nanodrug in vitro and in vivo. Flow cytometry analysis presented that DOX and siRNA were successfully co-delivered into cells, the positive cells ratio were 94.6 and 99.5%, respectively. Confocal images showed that not only DOX and siRNA existed in cytoplasm, but DOX traversed endosome/lysosome and entered into cell nucleus. For in vivo tumor-targeting evaluation in BALB/c nude mice, both DOX and Cy5-siRNA could be detected in tumor sites after intravenous injection with PECD-D/siRNA formulation. Therefore, we believed that PECD micelles have a potential ability as DOX and siRNA co-delivery carrier for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Cheng
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Lili Du
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Lingwei Meng
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shangcong Han
- Department of Polymer Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University , Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Tuo Wei
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China , Beijing 100190, China
| | - Xiaoxia Wang
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yidi Wu
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xinyun Song
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Junhui Zhou
- Department of Polymer Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University , Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shuquan Zheng
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yuanyu Huang
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xing-jie Liang
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China , Beijing 100190, China
| | - Huiqing Cao
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
| | - Anjie Dong
- Department of Polymer Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University , Tianjin 300072, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin) , Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Zicai Liang
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University , Beijing 100871, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin) , Tianjin 300072, China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Rodríguez-Cabello JC, Arias FJ, Rodrigo MA, Girotti A. Elastin-like polypeptides in drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2016; 97:85-100. [PMID: 26705126 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The use of recombinant elastin-like materials, or elastin-like recombinamers (ELRs), in drug-delivery applications is reviewed in this work. Although ELRs were initially used in similar ways to other, more conventional kinds of polymeric carriers, their unique properties soon gave rise to systems of unparalleled functionality and efficiency, with the stimuli responsiveness of ELRs and their ability to self-assemble readily allowing the creation of advanced systems. However, their recombinant nature is likely the most important factor that has driven the current breakthrough properties of ELR-based delivery systems. Recombinant technology allows an unprecedented degree of complexity in macromolecular design and synthesis. In addition, recombinant materials easily incorporate any functional domain present in natural proteins. Therefore, ELR-based delivery systems can exhibit complex interactions with both their drug load and the tissues and cells towards which this load is directed. Selected examples, ranging from highly functional nanocarriers to macrodepots, will be presented.
Collapse
|
32
|
Kurrikoff K, Gestin M, Langel Ü. Recentin vivoadvances in cell-penetrating peptide-assisted drug delivery. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2015; 13:373-87. [DOI: 10.1517/17425247.2016.1125879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
|
33
|
Polymer-Based Prodrugs: Improving Tumor Targeting and the Solubility of Small Molecule Drugs in Cancer Therapy. Molecules 2015; 20:21750-69. [PMID: 26690101 PMCID: PMC6331894 DOI: 10.3390/molecules201219804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of anticancer drugs have poor aqueous solubility, produce adverse effects in healthy tissue, and thus impose major limitations on both clinical efficacy and therapeutic safety of cancer chemotherapy. To help circumvent problems associated with solubility, most cancer drugs are now formulated with co-solubilizers. However, these agents often also introduce severe side effects, thereby restricting effective treatment and patient quality of life. A promising approach to addressing problems in anticancer drug solubility and selectivity is their conjugation with polymeric carriers to form polymer-based prodrugs. These polymer-based prodrugs are macromolecular carriers, designed to increase the aqueous solubility of antitumor drugs, can enhance bioavailability. Additionally, polymer-based prodrugs approach exploits unique features of tumor physiology to passively facilitate intratumoral accumulation, and so improve chemodrug pharmacokinetics and pharmacological properties. This review introduces basic concepts of polymer-based prodrugs, provides an overview of currently emerging synthetic, natural, and genetically engineered polymers that now deliver anticancer drugs in preclinical or clinical trials, and highlights their major anticipated applications in anticancer therapies.
Collapse
|
34
|
Kim YJ, Bae J, Shin TH, Kang SH, Jeong M, Han Y, Park JH, Kim SK, Kim YS. Immunoglobulin Fc-fused, neuropilin-1-specific peptide shows efficient tumor tissue penetration and inhibits tumor growth via anti-angiogenesis. J Control Release 2015; 216:56-68. [PMID: 26260451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2015] [Revised: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) receptor, involved in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated vascular permeability and tumor angiogenesis, is targeted by peptides that bind to its VEGF-binding site. However, these peptides also cross-react with the structurally related receptor, NRP2. Here, we describe an immunoglobulin Fc-fused peptide, Fc-TPP11, which specifically binds to the VEGF-binding site of NRP1 with approximately 2nM affinity, but negligibly to that of NRP2. Fc-TPP11 triggered NRP1-dependent signaling, enhanced vascular permeability via vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin downregulation, and increased paracellular permeability via E-cadherin downregulation in tumor tissues. Fc-TPP11 also significantly enhanced the tumor penetration of co-injected anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin, leading to the improved in vivo anti-tumor efficacy. Fc-TPP11 was easily adapted to the full-length anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) cetuximab (Erbitux), cetuximab-TPP11, exhibiting more than 2-fold improved tumor penetration than the parent cetuximab. Fc-TPP11 exhibited a similar whole-body half-life to that of intact Fc in tumor bearing mice. In addition to the tumor-penetrating activity, Fc-TPP11 suppressed VEGF-dependent angiogenesis by blocking VEGF binding to NRP1, thereby inhibiting tumor growth without promoting metastasis in the mouse model. Our results show that NRP1-specific, high-affinity binding of Fc-TPP11, is useful to validate NRP1 signaling, independent of NRP2. Thus, Fc-TPP11 can be used as a tumor penetration-promoting agent with anti-angiogenic activity or directly adapted to mAb-TPP11 format for more potent anti-cancer antibody therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Jin Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeomil Bae
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Hwan Shin
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Hun Kang
- Molecular Imaging & Therapy Branch, National Cancer Center, Goyang 410-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Moonkyoung Jeong
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering & Center of Optics for Health Science, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunho Han
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering & Center of Optics for Health Science, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Ho Park
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering & Center of Optics for Health Science, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Ki Kim
- Molecular Imaging & Therapy Branch, National Cancer Center, Goyang 410-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Sung Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Rodríguez-Cabello JC, Piña MJ, Ibáñez-Fonseca A, Fernández-Colino A, Arias FJ. Nanotechnological Approaches to Therapeutic Delivery Using Elastin-Like Recombinamers. Bioconjug Chem 2015; 26:1252-65. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.5b00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- José Carlos Rodríguez-Cabello
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced
Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - María Jesús Piña
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced
Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Arturo Ibáñez-Fonseca
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced
Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Alicia Fernández-Colino
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced
Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Arias
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced
Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Sheng Y, Xu J, You Y, Xu F, Chen Y. Acid-Sensitive Peptide-Conjugated Doxorubicin Mediates the Lysosomal Pathway of Apoptosis and Reverses Drug Resistance in Breast Cancer. Mol Pharm 2015; 12:2217-28. [PMID: 26035464 DOI: 10.1021/mp500386y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Sheng
- Nanjing Medical
University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jinhui Xu
- Department
of Pharmacy, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou 215001, China
| | - Yiwen You
- Nanjing Medical
University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Feifei Xu
- Nanjing Medical
University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Nanjing Medical
University, Nanjing 211166, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Ryu JS, Raucher D. Elastin-like polypeptide for improved drug delivery for anticancer therapy: preclinical studies and future applications. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2014; 12:653-67. [PMID: 25350837 DOI: 10.1517/17425247.2015.974546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite their poor specificity, small molecule drugs are considered more powerful and effective than other current chemotherapies. A promising method for targeting these anticancer drugs to tumors, elastin-like polypeptides (ELP), has recently emerged. When an anticancer drug that has been conjugated to an ELP is administered, and focal hyperthermia applied, the thermoresponsive properties and enhanced permeability and retention effects of the ELP facilitate drug aggregation within tumor tissues. By incorporating a cell penetrating peptide onto this ELP-chemotherapeutic construct, even greater drug uptake into tumor cells can be achieved. AREAS COVERED The review explores the preclinical study progress of ELP-based drug delivery technology and discusses its potential in cancer therapy. Recent experimental work has shown that a delivery construct consisting of an ELP-therapeutic peptide (e.g., the c-Myc-inhibitory peptide, or the p21(WAF1/CIP1)-derived peptide), as well as ELP-small molecule drugs (e.g., doxorubicin, paclitaxel), can be thermally targeted to accumulate in tumors and diminish their growth. EXPERT OPINION ELP drug delivery technology is complementary and synergistic to current drug delivery modalities and based on existing hyperthermia technology. By using this technology to achieve chemotherapeutic targeting, efficacy can be improved and side effects reduced in comparison with current regimens, providing treatment alternatives and/or augmenting current therapies for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung Su Ryu
- University of Mississippi Medical Center, Department of Biochemistry , 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216 , USA +1 601 984 1510 ; +1 601 984 1501 ;
| | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Walker LR, Ryu JS, Perkins E, McNally LR, Raucher D. Fusion of cell-penetrating peptides to thermally responsive biopolymer improves tumor accumulation of p21 peptide in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2014; 8:1649-58. [PMID: 25336913 PMCID: PMC4199967 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s60451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Current therapies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer are limited. The limitations of this type of treatment are abundant. The majority of chemotherapeutic agents used in clinics are highly toxic to both tumor cells and normal tissues due to the lack of specificity. Resistance can develop due to overexposure of these agents. To address these issues, these agents must be made more exclusive toward the tumor site. We have developed a macromolecular carrier based on the sequence of the biopolymer elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) that is able to aggregate upon reaching the externally heated tumor environment. This carrier is specific to the tumor as it only aggregates at the heated tumor site. ELP is soluble below its transition temperature but will aggregate when the temperature is raised above its transition temperature. ELP was modified by p21, a cell cycle inhibitory peptide, and the addition of Bac, a cell-penetrating peptide with nuclear localization capabilities. In this study, p21-ELP-Bac and its control, ELP-p21, were used in cell proliferation studies using the pancreatic cancer cell lines Panc-1, MiaPaca-2, and S2013. ELP-p21 had little effect on proliferation, while the half maximal inhibitory concentration of p21-ELP-Bac was ∼30 μM. As translocation across the plasma membrane is a limiting step for delivery of macromolecules, these polypeptides were utilized in a pancreatic xenograft model to study the plasma clearance, biodistribution, tumor accumulation, and tumor reduction capabilities of the polypeptide with and without a cell-penetrating peptide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie R Walker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Jung Su Ryu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Eddie Perkins
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Lacey R McNally
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Drazen Raucher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Bidwell GL, George EM. Maternally sequestered therapeutic polypeptides - a new approach for the management of preeclampsia. Front Pharmacol 2014; 5:201. [PMID: 25249978 PMCID: PMC4155872 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2014.00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The last several decades have seen intensive research into the molecular mechanisms underlying the symptoms of preeclampsia. While the underlying cause of preeclampsia is believed to be defective placental development and resulting placental ischemia, it is only recently that the links between the ischemic placenta and maternal symptomatic manifestation have been elucidated. Several different pathways have been implicated in the development of the disorder; most notably production of the anti-angiogenic protein sFlt-1, induction of auto-immunity and inflammation, and production of reactive oxygen species. While the molecular mechanisms are becoming clearer, translating that knowledge into effective therapeutics has proven elusive. Here we describe a number of peptide based therapies we have developed to target theses pathways, and which are currently being tested in preclinical models. These therapeutics are based on a synthetic polymeric carrier elastin-like polypeptide (ELP), which can be synthesized in various sequences and sizes to stabilize the therapeutic peptide and avoid crossing the placental interface. This prevents fetal exposure and potential developmental effects. The therapeutics designed will target known pathogenic pathways, and the ELP carrier could prove to be a versatile delivery system for administration of a variety of therapeutics during pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gene L Bidwell
- Department of Neurology, The University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, MS, USA ; Department of Biochemistry, The University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Eric M George
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, MS, USA ; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, MS, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
A survey on "Trojan Horse" peptides: opportunities, issues and controlled entry to "Troy". J Control Release 2014; 194:53-70. [PMID: 25151981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), often vividly termed as the "Trojan Horse" peptides, have attracted considerable interest for the intracellular delivery of a wide range of cargoes, such as small molecules, peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, contrast agents, nanocarriers and so on. Some preclinical and clinical developments of CPP conjugates demonstrate their promise as therapeutic agents for drug discovery. There is increasing evidence to suggest that CPPs have the potential to cross several bio-barriers (e.g., blood-brain barriers, intestinal mucosa, nasal mucosa and skin barriers). Despite revolutionary process in many aspects, there are a lot of basic issues unclear for these entities, such as internalization mechanisms, translocation efficiency, translocation kinetics, metabolic degradation, toxicity, side effect, distribution and non-specificity. Among them, non-specificity remains a major drawback for the in vivo application of CPPs in the targeted delivery of cargoes. So far, diverse organelle-specific CPPs or controlled delivery strategies have emerged and improved their specificity. In this review, we will look at the opportunities of CPPs in clinical development, bio-barriers penetration and nanocarriers delivery. Then, a series of basic problems of CPPs will be discussed. Finally, this paper will highlight the use of various controlled strategies in the organelle-specific delivery and targeted delivery of CPPs. The purpose of this review will be to emphasize most influential advance in this field and present a fundamental understanding for challenges and utilizations of CPPs. This will accelerate their translation as efficient vectors from the in vitro setting into the clinic arena, and retrieve the entry art to "Troy".
Collapse
|
41
|
George EM, Liu H, Robinson GG, Bidwell GL. A polypeptide drug carrier for maternal delivery and prevention of fetal exposure. J Drug Target 2014; 22:935-47. [PMID: 25148609 DOI: 10.3109/1061186x.2014.950666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant females are largely overlooked in drug development due to concerns for fetal health. Additionally, pregnancy is often an exclusion criterion in clinical trials, so the safety of many drugs during pregnancy is unknown. PURPOSE The goal of this study was to evaluate Elastin-like Polypeptide (ELP), a synthetic protein derived from human elastin, for maternally sequestered drug delivery. ELP is a versatile drug carrier with a long plasma half-life, low immunogenicity, and the ability to be fused to nearly any small molecule or protein-based therapeutic. METHODS We determined the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and fetal exposure to the ELP drug carrier using quantitative fluorescence techniques in a rat pregnancy model. RESULTS After either bolus IV administration or continuous infusion over five days, ELPs accumulated strongly in the kidneys, liver, and placenta, but importantly, little to no ELPs were detectable in the fetus. Within the placenta, ELPs were localized to the chorionic plate and broadly distributed within the labyrinth, but were excluded from the fetal portion of the chorionic villi. CONCLUSION These data indicate that ELP does not cross the placenta, and they suggest that this adaptable drug delivery system is a promising platform for prevention of fetal drug exposure.
Collapse
|
42
|
MacEwan SR, Chilkoti A. Applications of elastin-like polypeptides in drug delivery. J Control Release 2014; 190:314-30. [PMID: 24979207 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are biopolymers inspired by human elastin. Their lower critical solution temperature phase transition behavior and biocompatibility make them useful materials for stimulus-responsive applications in biological environments. Due to their genetically encoded design and recombinant synthesis, the sequence and size of ELPs can be exactly defined. These design parameters control the structure and function of the ELP with a precision that is unmatched by synthetic polymers. Due to these attributes, ELPs have been used extensively for drug delivery in a variety of different embodiments-as soluble macromolecular carriers, self-assembled nanoparticles, cross-linked microparticles, or thermally coacervated depots. These ELP systems have been used to deliver biologic therapeutics, radionuclides, and small molecule drugs to a variety of anatomical sites for the treatment of diseases including cancer, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and neuroinflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R MacEwan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Research Triangle MRSEC, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Ashutosh Chilkoti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Research Triangle MRSEC, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Ryu JS, Raucher D. Elastin-like polypeptides: the influence of its molecular weight on local hyperthermia-induced tumor accumulation. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2014; 88:382-9. [PMID: 24866938 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2014.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Elastin-like polypeptides (ELP) are thermally responsive polypeptides that are soluble in solutions at 37°C, but which aggregate above 42°C. ELP can be used as effective carrier systems of anticancer molecules, because they can be targeted to tumor sites through the application of local hyperthermia. Since molecular size largely influences how successfully therapeutic agents can cross the vasculatures of tumors, it was crucial to determine an optimal molecular size. In this study, we designed and evaluated three ELP macromolecules with varying molecular weights (43, 63, and 122 kDa), with the goal of determining which would optimize the ELP drug delivery system. The N-terminus of the ELP macromolecule was modified with the cell penetrating peptide Bac to enhance intratumoral and intracellular uptake, and it was also confirmed that each polypeptide had the target transition temperature of 37-42°C and the results of the studies, using tumor-bearing mice, showed that the tumor accumulations increased in the case of all three peptides when local hyperthermia was applied, but that the elimination patterns from these tumors varied according to peptide size. Local hyperthermia was found to produce prolonged retention of all ELP conjugates in tumors except Bac-ELP43. In addition, the pharmacokinetic analysis showed that two larger polypeptides with 63 and 122 kDa have increased AUC in comparison with the 43 kDa polypeptide. These results suggest that, when combined with local hyperthermia, the larger ELP conjugates (63 and 122 kDa) have advantages over the smaller Bac-ELP43 polypeptide in terms of enhanced permeability and higher retention effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung Su Ryu
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, United States
| | - Drazen Raucher
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Cai L, Dinh CB, Heilshorn SC. One-pot Synthesis of Elastin-like Polypeptide Hydrogels with Grafted VEGF-Mimetic Peptides. Biomater Sci 2014; 2:757-765. [PMID: 24729868 PMCID: PMC3979545 DOI: 10.1039/c3bm60293a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Immobilization of growth factors to polymeric matrices has been a common strategy in the design of tissue engineering scaffolds to promote tissue regeneration, which requires complex cell signaling events with the surrounding matrix. However, the use of large protein growth factors in polymeric scaffolds is often plagued by immunogenicity, short in vivo half-lives, and reduced bioactivity. To address these concerns, we develop a single-step, cell-compatible strategy to tether small, growth-factor-mimetic peptides into a protein-engineered hydrogel with tunable biomaterial properties. Specifically, we covalently immobilize the QK peptide, an angiogenic peptide mimicking the receptor-binding region of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), within tunable elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) hydrogels that include a cell-adhesive RGD sequence. Using a cell-compatible, amine-reactive crosslinker, we conducted a one-pot synthesis to simultaneously encapsulate cells while precisely controlling the QK grafting density (10 nM - 100 μM) in the ELP hydrogels without altering other material properties. Fluorescence analysis of fluor-labeled QK peptides demonstrated that the conjugation efficiency to ELP hydrogels was >75% and that covalent immobilization effectively eliminates all QK diffusion. Compared with pristine ELP hydrogels, human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation was significantly enhanced on ELP hydrogels immobilized with 10 nM or 1 μM QK. Moreover, upon encapsulation within tethered QK-ELP hydrogels, HUVEC spheroids maintained near 100% viability and demonstrated significantly more three-dimensional outgrowth compared to those supplemented with soluble QK peptide at the same concentration. These results encourage the further development of protein-engineered scaffolds decorated with growth-factor-mimetic peptides to provide long-term biological signals using this versatile, single-step synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cai
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Cong B. Dinh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Sarah C. Heilshorn
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Gagner JE, Kim W, Chaikof EL. Designing protein-based biomaterials for medical applications. Acta Biomater 2014; 10:1542-57. [PMID: 24121196 PMCID: PMC3960372 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Revised: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Biomaterials produced by nature have been honed through billions of years, evolving exquisitely precise structure-function relationships that scientists strive to emulate. Advances in genetic engineering have facilitated extensive investigations to determine how changes in even a single peptide within a protein sequence can produce biomaterials with unique thermal, mechanical and biological properties. Elastin, a naturally occurring protein polymer, serves as a model protein to determine the relationship between specific structural elements and desirable material characteristics. The modular, repetitive nature of the protein facilitates the formation of well-defined secondary structures with the ability to self-assemble into complex three-dimensional architectures on a variety of length scales. Furthermore, many opportunities exist to incorporate other protein-based motifs and inorganic materials into recombinant protein-based materials, extending the range and usefulness of these materials in potential biomedical applications. Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) can be assembled into 3-D architectures with precise control over payload encapsulation, mechanical and thermal properties, as well as unique functionalization opportunities through both genetic and enzymatic means. An overview of current protein-based materials, their properties and uses in biomedicine will be provided, with a focus on the advantages of ELPs. Applications of these biomaterials as imaging and therapeutic delivery agents will be discussed. Finally, broader implications and future directions of these materials as diagnostic and therapeutic systems will be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Gagner
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, and the Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering of Harvard University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Wookhyun Kim
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, and the Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering of Harvard University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Elliot L Chaikof
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, and the Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering of Harvard University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Ryu JS, Raucher D. Anti-tumor efficacy of a therapeutic peptide based on thermo-responsive elastin-like polypeptide in combination with gemcitabine. Cancer Lett 2014; 348:177-84. [PMID: 24680816 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Revised: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This work describes the effects of elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) with the p21(Waf1/Cip1)-derived cell cycle inhibitory peptide (p21) on pancreatic tumor cells with gemcitabine. The thermo-responsive property of ELP permits use of a mild, local hyperthermia to target tumors for the transport of chemotherapeutics. In this study, a p21-ELP construct with Bac cell penetrating peptide was designed, and its anticancer activities in pancreatic cancer cell lines was examined. In combination with gemcitabine, the peptide demonstrated enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity as well as tumor growth inhibition in an animal model. Our data suggest that this ELP construct, with gemcitabine, may improve pancreatic cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung Su Ryu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, United States
| | - Drazen Raucher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Thermally targeted p21 peptide enhances bortezomib cytotoxicity in androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs 2014; 25:189-99. [PMID: 24113592 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer remains one of the most common malignancies in men. Besides surgical resection, treatments for prostate cancer include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Advancement of prostate cancer to an androgen-independent state limits the potential of conventional therapeutic approaches. Bortezomib, an FDA-approved proteosomal inhibitor for the treatment of myeloid leukemia, has been shown to have a positive effect on the inhibition of prostate cancer growth. Unfortunately, bortezomib has a very narrow therapeutic window, which can lead to severe side effects. Elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) is a genetically engineered, thermally responsive macromolecular carrier that enables a targeted delivery of the bound molecule because of its soluble property under normal physiologic conditions. In addition, ELP aggregates in response to mild hyperthermia. Using ELP as a carrier, it is possible to improve the pharmacological properties of the therapeutic drug as well as reduce toxicity in normal tissues. In this work, we have investigated the combination treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells with bortezomib and the C-terminal part of the p21(WAF1/CIP1) protein bound to the ELP carrier. We have found that combination treatment with bortezomib and ELP-bound p21(WAF1/CIP1) protein leads to increased cell cycle arrest as well as apoptosis with respect to single treatments. We believe that this approach represents a promising direction for the treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer.
Collapse
|
48
|
Dicheva BM, Koning GA. Targeted thermosensitive liposomes: an attractive novel approach for increased drug delivery to solid tumors. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2013; 11:83-100. [PMID: 24320104 DOI: 10.1517/17425247.2014.866650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Currently available chemotherapy is hampered by a lack in tumor specificity and resulting toxicity. Small and long-circulating liposomes can preferentially deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to tumors upon extravasation from tumor vasculature. Although clinically used liposomal formulations demonstrated significant reduction in toxicity, enhancement of therapeutic activity has not fully met expectations. AREAS COVERED Low drug bioavailability from liposomal formulations and limited tumor accumulation remain major challenges to further improve therapeutic activity of liposomal chemotherapy. The aim of this review is to highlight strategies addressing these challenges. A first strategy uses hyperthermia and thermosensitive liposomes to improve tumor accumulation and trigger liposomal drug bioavailability. Image-guidance can aid online monitoring of heat and drug delivery and further personalize the treatment. A second strategy involves tumor-specific targeting to enhance drug delivery specificity and drug internalization. In addition, we review the potential of combinations of the two in one targeted thermosensitive-triggered drug delivery system. EXPERT OPINION Heat-triggered drug delivery using thermosensitive liposomes as well as the use of tumor vasculature or tumor cell-targeted liposomes are both promising strategies to improve liposomal chemotherapy. Preclinical evidence has been encouraging and both strategies are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. A combination of both strategies rendering targeted thermosensitive liposomes (TTSL) may appear as a new and attractive approach promoting tumor drug delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bilyana M Dicheva
- Innovative Targeting Group, Laboratory Experimental Surgical Oncology, Section Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center , Room Ee151b, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam , The Netherlands +31 10 7043963
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Saxena R, Nanjan MJ. Elastin-like polypeptides and their applications in anticancer drug delivery systems: a review. Drug Deliv 2013; 22:156-67. [PMID: 24215207 DOI: 10.3109/10717544.2013.853210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are large molecular weight biopolymers. They have been widely studied as macromolecular carriers for targeted delivery of drugs. The aim of the present article is to review the available information on ELPs (including our recent investigations), their properties, drug delivery applications to tumor sites and future perspectives. This review also provides information on the use of short synthetic ELPs for making ELP-drug conjugates, for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs. In the present review we also focus on the point that short ELPs can also be used for targeting anticancer drugs to tumor sites as they behave similar to long ELPs regarding their capacity to undergo inverse temperature transition (ITT) behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rubha Saxena
- TIFAC CORE HD, J.S.S. College of Pharmacy (Off Campus, JSS University, Mysore) , Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu , India
| | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Minde DP, Halff EF, Tans S. Designing disorder: Tales of the unexpected tails. INTRINSICALLY DISORDERED PROTEINS 2013; 1:e26790. [PMID: 28516025 PMCID: PMC5424805 DOI: 10.4161/idp.26790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Protein tags of various sizes and shapes catalyze progress in biosciences. Well-folded tags can serve to solubilize proteins. Small, unfolded, peptide-like tags have become invaluable tools for protein purification as well as protein-protein interaction studies. Intrinsically Disordered Proteins (IDPs), which lack unique 3D structures, received exponentially increasing attention during the last decade. Recently, large ID tags have been developed to solubilize proteins and to engineer the pharmacological properties of protein and peptide pharmaceuticals. Here, we contrast the complementary benefits and applications of both folded and ID tags based on predictions of ID. Less structure often means more function in a shorter tag.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Els F Halff
- Crystal and Structural Chemistry; Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research; Utrecht University; Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Tans
- FOM Institute AMOLF; Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|