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Ivánczi M, Balogh B, Kis L, Mándity I. Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Drug-Conjugated Cell-Penetrating Peptides. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1251. [PMID: 37765059 PMCID: PMC10535489 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are small peptides capable of translocating through biological membranes carrying various attached cargo into cells and even into the nucleus. They may also participate in transcellular transport. Our in silico study intends to model several peptides and their conjugates. We have selected three CPPs with a linear backbone, including penetratin, a naturally occurring oligopeptide; two of its modified sequence analogues (6,14-Phe-penetratin and dodeca-penetratin); and three natural CPPs with a cyclic backbone: Kalata B1, the Sunflower trypsin inhibitor 1 (SFT1), and Momordica cochinchinensis trypsin inhibitor II (MCoTI-II). We have also built conjugates with the small-molecule drug compounds doxorubicin, zidovudine, and rasagiline for each peptide. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out with explicit membrane models. The analysis of the trajectories showed that the interaction of penetratin with the membrane led to spectacular rearrangements in the secondary structure of the peptide, while cyclic peptides remained unchanged due to their high conformational stability. Membrane-peptide and membrane-conjugate interactions have been identified and compared. Taking into account well-known examples from the literature, our simulations demonstrated the utility of computational methods for CPP complexes, and they may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism of penetration, which could serve as the basis for delivering conjugated drug molecules to their intracellular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márton Ivánczi
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 7., H-1092 Budapest, Hungary (L.K.)
| | - Balázs Balogh
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 7., H-1092 Budapest, Hungary (L.K.)
| | - Loretta Kis
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 7., H-1092 Budapest, Hungary (L.K.)
| | - István Mándity
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 7., H-1092 Budapest, Hungary (L.K.)
- Artificial Transporters Research Group, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Körútja 2., H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
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Antiviral Peptide-Based Conjugates: State of the Art and Future Perspectives. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020357. [PMID: 36839679 PMCID: PMC9958607 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases caused by microbial pathogens (bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites) claim millions of deaths per year worldwide and have become a serious challenge to global human health in our century. Viral infections are particularly notable in this regard, not only because humankind is facing some of the deadliest viral pandemics in recent history, but also because the arsenal of drugs to combat the high levels of mutation, and hence the antigenic variability of (mostly RNA) viruses, is disturbingly scarce. Therefore, the search for new antivirals able to successfully fight infection with minimal or no adverse effects on the host is a pressing task. Traditionally, antiviral therapies have relied on relatively small-sized drugs acting as proteases, polymerases, integrase inhibitors, etc. In recent decades, novel approaches involving targeted delivery such as that achieved by peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) have gained attention as alternative (pro)drugs for tackling viral diseases. Antiviral PDC therapeutics typically involve one or more small drug molecules conjugated to a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) carrier either directly or through a linker. Such integration of two bioactive elements into a single molecular entity is primarily aimed at achieving improved bioavailability in conditions where conventional drugs are challenged, but may also turn up novel unexpected functionalities and applications. Advances in peptide medicinal chemistry have eased the way to antiviral PDCs, but challenges remain on the way to therapeutic success. In this paper, we review current antiviral CPP-drug conjugates (antiviral PDCs), with emphasis on the types of CPP and antiviral cargo. We integrate the conjugate and the chemical approaches most often applied to combine both entities. Additionally, we comment on various obstacles faced in the design of antiviral PDCs and on the future outlooks for this class of antiviral therapeutics.
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Targeted delivery of lopinavir to HIV reservoirs in the mesenteric lymphatic system by lipophilic ester prodrug approach. J Control Release 2021; 329:1077-1089. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Cavalcanti SMT, Nunes C, Costa Lima SA, Soares-Sobrinho JL, Reis S. Optimization of nanostructured lipid carriers for Zidovudine delivery using a microwave-assisted production method. Eur J Pharm Sci 2018; 122:22-30. [PMID: 29933076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2018.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
An adapted methodology for obtaining lipid nanoparticles that only uses the microwave reactor in the synthesis process was developed. The method has the following features: one-pot, one-step, fast, practical, economical, safe, readiness of scaling-up, lack of organic solvents and production of nanoparticles with low polydispersity index (PDI) (below 0.3). This new method was applied for the development of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) loaded with a hydrophilic drug, the antiretroviral agent zidovudine (AZT). The aim of the present work was to develop, evaluate and compare optimized NLC formulations produced by two different methods - hot ultrasonication and microwave-assisted method. The development and optimization of the NLC formulations were supported by a Quality by Design (QbD) approach. All formulations were physicochemically characterized by the same parameters. The optimized formulations presented a suitable profile for oral administration (particle size between 100 and 300 nm, PDI < 0.3 and negative zeta potential >-20 mV). Furthermore, the morphologies assessed by TEM showed spherical shape and confirmed the results obtained by DLS. Both AZT loaded formulations were physically stable for at least 45 days and non-toxic on Jurkat T cells. Drug release studies showed a controlled release of AZT under gastric and plasma-simulated conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M T Cavalcanti
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Core of Medicine and Correlated Quality Control - NCQMC, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Rua Arthur de Sá, s/n, Cidade Universitária, 50, 740-521 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - C Nunes
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - S A Costa Lima
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - J L Soares-Sobrinho
- Core of Medicine and Correlated Quality Control - NCQMC, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Rua Arthur de Sá, s/n, Cidade Universitária, 50, 740-521 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - S Reis
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Dobkowski M, Szychowska A, Pieszko M, Miszka A, Wojciechowska M, Alenowicz M, Ruczyński J, Rekowski P, Celewicz L, Barciszewski J, Mucha P. ‘Click’ chemistry synthesis and capillary electrophoresis study of 1,4-linked 1,2,3-triazole AZT-systemin conjugate. J Pept Sci 2014; 20:696-703. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.2653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Revised: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michał Dobkowski
- Faculty of Chemistry; University of Gdańsk; Wita Stwosza 63 Gdańsk 80-308 Poland
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology; University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk; Gdańsk Poland
| | | | - Małgorzata Pieszko
- Faculty of Chemistry; University of Gdańsk; Wita Stwosza 63 Gdańsk 80-308 Poland
| | - Anna Miszka
- Faculty of Chemistry; University of Gdańsk; Wita Stwosza 63 Gdańsk 80-308 Poland
| | - Monika Wojciechowska
- Faculty of Chemistry; University of Gdańsk; Wita Stwosza 63 Gdańsk 80-308 Poland
| | - Magdalena Alenowicz
- Faculty of Chemistry; University of Gdańsk; Wita Stwosza 63 Gdańsk 80-308 Poland
| | - Jarosław Ruczyński
- Faculty of Chemistry; University of Gdańsk; Wita Stwosza 63 Gdańsk 80-308 Poland
| | - Piotr Rekowski
- Faculty of Chemistry; University of Gdańsk; Wita Stwosza 63 Gdańsk 80-308 Poland
| | - Lech Celewicz
- Faculty of Chemistry; Adam Mickiewicz University; Poznań Poland
| | - Jan Barciszewski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry; Polish Academy of Sciences; Poznań Poland
| | - Piotr Mucha
- Faculty of Chemistry; University of Gdańsk; Wita Stwosza 63 Gdańsk 80-308 Poland
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