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Chary PS, Shaikh S, Rajana N, Bhavana V, Mehra NK. Unlocking nature's arsenal: Nanotechnology for targeted delivery of venom toxins in cancer therapy. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 162:213903. [PMID: 38824828 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
AIM The aim of the present review is to shed light on the nanotechnological approaches adopted to overcome the shortcomings associated with the delivery of venom peptides which possess inherent anti-cancer properties. BACKGROUND Venom peptides although have been reported to demonstrate anti-cancer effects, they suffer from several disadvantages such as in vivo instability, off-target adverse effects, limited drug loading and low bioavailability. This review presents a comprehensive compilation of different classes of nanocarriers while underscoring their advantages, disadvantages and potential to carry such peptide molecules for in vivo delivery. It also discusses various nanotechnological aspects such as methods of fabrication, analytical tools to assess these nanoparticulate formulations, modulation of nanocarrier polymer properties to enhance loading capacity, stability and improve their suitability to carry toxic peptide drugs. CONCLUSION Nanotechnological approaches bear great potential in delivering venom peptide-based molecules as anticancer agents by enhancing their bioavailability, stability, efficacy as well as offering a spatiotemporal delivery approach. However, the challenges associated with toxicity and biocompatibility of nanocarriers must be duly addressed. PERSPECTIVES The everlasting quest for new breakthroughs for safer delivery of venom peptides in human subjects is fuelled by unmet clinical needs in the current landscape of chemotherapy. In addition, exhaustive efforts are required in obtaining and purifying the venom peptides followed by designing and optimizing scale up technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padakanti Sandeep Chary
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Samia Shaikh
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Naveen Rajana
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Valamla Bhavana
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Neelesh Kumar Mehra
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
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Boltman T, Meyer M, Ekpo O. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches for Glioblastoma and Neuroblastoma Cancers Using Chlorotoxin Nanoparticles. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3388. [PMID: 37444498 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GB) and high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) are known to have poor therapeutic outcomes. As for most cancers, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the current mainstay treatments for GB and NB. However, the known limitations of systemic toxicity, drug resistance, poor targeted delivery, and inability to access the blood-brain barrier (BBB), make these treatments less satisfactory. Other treatment options have been investigated in many studies in the literature, especially nutraceutical and naturopathic products, most of which have also been reported to be poorly effective against these cancer types. This necessitates the development of treatment strategies with the potential to cross the BBB and specifically target cancer cells. Compounds that target the endopeptidase, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), have been reported to offer therapeutic insights for GB and NB since MMP-2 is known to be over-expressed in these cancers and plays significant roles in such physiological processes as angiogenesis, metastasis, and cellular invasion. Chlorotoxin (CTX) is a promising 36-amino acid peptide isolated from the venom of the deathstalker scorpion, Leiurus quinquestriatus, demonstrating high selectivity and binding affinity to a broad-spectrum of cancers, especially GB and NB through specific molecular targets, including MMP-2. The favorable characteristics of nanoparticles (NPs) such as their small sizes, large surface area for active targeting, BBB permeability, etc. make CTX-functionalized NPs (CTX-NPs) promising diagnostic and therapeutic applications for addressing the many challenges associated with these cancers. CTX-NPs may function by improving diffusion through the BBB, enabling increased localization of chemotherapeutic and genotherapeutic drugs to diseased cells specifically, enhancing imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), optical imaging techniques, image-guided surgery, as well as improving the sensitization of radio-resistant cells to radiotherapy treatment. This review discusses the characteristics of GB and NB cancers, related treatment challenges as well as the potential of CTX and its functionalized NP formulations as targeting systems for diagnostic, therapeutic, and theranostic purposes. It also provides insights into the potential mechanisms through which CTX crosses the BBB to bind cancer cells and provides suggestions for the development and application of novel CTX-based formulations for the diagnosis and treatment of GB and NB in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taahirah Boltman
- Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
| | - Mervin Meyer
- Department of Science and Innovation/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Biolabels Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
| | - Okobi Ekpo
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
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Kurakula H, Vaishnavi S, Sharif MY, Ellipilli S. Emergence of Small Interfering RNA-Based Gene Drugs for Various Diseases. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:20234-20250. [PMID: 37323391 PMCID: PMC10268023 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Small molecule, peptide, and protein-based drugs have been developed over decades to treat various diseases. The importance of gene therapy as an alternative to traditional drugs has increased after the discovery of gene-based drugs such as Gendicine for cancer and Neovasculgen for peripheral artery disease. Since then, the pharma sector is focusing on developing gene-based drugs for various diseases. After the discovery of the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism, the development of siRNA-based gene therapy has been accelerated immensely. siRNA-based treatment for hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (hATTR) using Onpattro and acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) by Givlaari and three more FDA-approved siRNA drugs has set up a milestone and further improved the confidence for the development of gene therapeutics for a spectrum of diseases. siRNA-based gene drugs have more advantages over other gene therapies and are under study to treat different types of diseases such as viral infections, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and many more. However, there are a few bottlenecks to realizing the full potential of siRNA-based gene therapy. They include chemical instability, nontargeted biodistribution, undesirable innate immune responses, and off-target effects. This review provides a comprehensive view of siRNA-based gene drugs: challenges associated with siRNA delivery, their potential, and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshini Kurakula
- Department
of Chemistry, School of Engineering and Sciences, SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh 522240, India
| | - Swetha Vaishnavi
- Department
of Chemistry, School of Engineering and Sciences, SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh 522240, India
| | - Mohammed Yaseen Sharif
- Department
of Chemistry, School of Engineering and Sciences, SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh 522240, India
| | - Satheesh Ellipilli
- Department
of Chemistry, School of Engineering and Sciences, SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh 522240, India
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RGD-decorated PLGA nanoparticles improved effectiveness and safety of cisplatin for lung cancer therapy. Int J Pharm 2023; 633:122587. [PMID: 36623741 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Upon extensive pharmaceutical and biomedical research to treat lung cancer indicates that lung cancer remains one of the deadliest diseases and the leading cause of death in men and women worldwide. Lung cancer remains untreated and has a high mortality rate due to the limited potential for effective treatment with existing therapies. This highlights the urgent need to develop an effective, precise and sustainable solutions to treat lung cancer. In this study, we developed RGD receptor-targeted PLGA nanoparticles for the controlled and targeted co-delivery of cisplatin (CDDP) and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) in lung cancer therapy. Pluronic F127-RGD conjugate was synthesized by carbodiimide chemistry method and the conjugation was confirmed by FTIR and 1HNMR spectroscopy techniques. PLGA nanoparticles were developed by the double emulsification method, then the surface of the prepared nanoparticles was decorated with Pluronic F127-RGD conjugate. The prepared formulations were characterized for their particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, surface morphology, drug encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release and haemolysis studies. Pharmacokinetic studies and safety parameters in BAL fluid were assessed in rats. Histopathology of rat lung tissue was performed. The obtained results of particle sizes of the nanoparticle formulations were found 100-200 nm, indicating the homogeneity of dispersed colloidal nanoparticles formulations. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed the spherical shape of the prepared nanoparticles. The drug encapsulation efficiency of PLGA nanoparticles was found to range from 60% to 80% with different nanoparticles counterparts. RGD receptor-targeted PLGA nanoparticles showed controlled drug release for up to 72 h. Further, RGD receptor-targeted PLGA nanoparticles achieved higher cytotoxicity in compared to CFT, CFT, and Ciszest-50 (marketed CDDP injection). The pharmacokinetic study revealed that RGD receptor-targeted PLGA nanoparticles were 4.6-fold more effective than Ciszest-50. Furthermore, RGD receptor-targeted PLGA nanoparticles exhibited negligible damage to lung tissue, low systemic toxicity, and high biocompatible and safety in lung tissue. The results of RGD receptor-targeted PLGA nanoparticles indicated that it is a promising anticancer system that could further exploited as a potent therapeutic approach for lung cancer.
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Polyethyleneimine-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Theranostics. J Funct Biomater 2022; 14:jfb14010012. [PMID: 36662059 PMCID: PMC9862060 DOI: 10.3390/jfb14010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
With the development of nanotechnology, various types of polymer-based drug delivery systems have been designed for biomedical applications. Polymer-based drug delivery systems with desirable biocompatibility can be efficiently delivered to tumor sites with passive or targeted effects and combined with other therapeutic and imaging agents for cancer theranostics. As an effective vehicle for drug and gene delivery, polyethyleneimine (PEI) has been extensively studied due to its rich surface amines and excellent water solubility. In this work, we summarize the surface modifications of PEI to enhance biocompatibility and functionalization. Additionally, the synthesis of PEI-based nanoparticles is discussed. We further review the applications of PEI-based drug delivery systems in cancer treatment, cancer imaging, and cancer theranostics. Finally, we thoroughly consider the outlook and challenges relating to PEI-based drug delivery systems.
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Zhang L, Liu Y, Huang H, Xie H, Zhang B, Xia W, Guo B. Multifunctional nanotheranostics for near infrared optical imaging-guided treatment of brain tumors. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 190:114536. [PMID: 36108792 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Malignant brain tumors, a heterogeneous group of primary and metastatic neoplasms in the central nervous system (CNS), are notorious for their highly invasive and devastating characteristics, dismal prognosis and low survival rate. Recently, near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging modalities including fluorescence imaging (FLI) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) have displayed bright prospect in innovation of brain tumor diagnoses, due to their merits, like noninvasiveness, high spatiotemporal resolution, good sensitivity and large penetration depth. Importantly, these imaging techniques have been widely used to vividly guide diverse brain tumor therapies in a real-time manner with high accuracy and efficiency. Herein, we provide a systematic summary of the state-of-the-art NIR contrast agents (CAs) for brain tumors single-modal imaging (e.g., FLI and PAI), dual-modal imaging (e.g., FLI/PAI, FLI/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and PAI/MRI) and triple-modal imaging (e.g., MRI/FLI/PAI and MRI/PAI/computed tomography (CT) imaging). In addition, we update the most recent progress on the NIR optical imaging-guided therapies, like single-modal (e.g., photothermal therapy (PTT), chemotherapy, surgery, photodynamic therapy (PDT), gene therapy and gas therapy), dual-modal (e.g., PTT/chemotherapy, PTT/surgery, PTT/PDT, PDT/chemotherapy, PTT/chemodynamic therapy (CDT) and PTT/gene therapy) and triple-modal (e.g., PTT/PDT/chemotherapy, PTT/PDT/surgery, PTT/PDT/gene therapy and PTT/gene/chemotherapy). Finally, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of the CAs and nanotheranostics for future clinic translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- School of Science, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yue Liu
- School of Science, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Haiyan Huang
- School of Science, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hui Xie
- Chengdu Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Baozhu Zhang
- Department of Oncology, People's Hospital of Shenzhen Baoan District, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518101, China
| | - Wujiong Xia
- School of Science, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bing Guo
- School of Science, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China.
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Smart chlorotoxin-functionalized liposomes for sunitinib targeted delivery into glioblastoma cells. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Gong J, Zhao L, Yang J, Zhu M, Zhao J. [99mTc]Tc-Labeled Plectin-Targeting Peptide as a Novel SPECT Probe for Tumor Imaging. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14050996. [PMID: 35631582 PMCID: PMC9146797 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Certain receptors are often overexpressed during tumor occurrence and development and closely correlate with carcinogenesis. Owing to its overexpression on the cell membrane and cytoplasm of various tumors, plectin, which is involved in tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion, has been viewed as a promising target for cancer imaging. Hence, plectin-targeting agents have great potential as imaging probes for tumor diagnosis. In this study, we developed a [99mTc]Tc-labeled plectin-targeted peptide (PTP) as a novel single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) probe for tumor imaging and investigated its pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and targeting ability in several types of tumor-bearing mouse models. The PTP had good biocompatibility and targeting ability to tumor cells in vitro and could be readily labeled with [99mTc]Tc after modification with the bifunctional chelator 6-hydrazino nicotinamide (HYNIC). Furthermore, the prepared [99mTc]Tc-labeled PTP ([99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-PTP) showed high radiochemical purity and excellent stability in vitro. In addition, favorable biodistribution, fast blood clearance, and clear accumulation of [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-PTP in several types of tumors were observed, with a good correlation between tumor uptake and plectin expression levels. These results indicate the potential of [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-PTP as a novel SPECT probe for tumor imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Gong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; (J.G.); (L.Z.)
| | - Lingzhou Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; (J.G.); (L.Z.)
| | - Jiqin Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
- Correspondence: (J.Y.); (M.Z.); (J.Z.); Tel.: +86-21-3779-8352 (J.Z.)
| | - Meilin Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
- Correspondence: (J.Y.); (M.Z.); (J.Z.); Tel.: +86-21-3779-8352 (J.Z.)
| | - Jinhua Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; (J.G.); (L.Z.)
- Correspondence: (J.Y.); (M.Z.); (J.Z.); Tel.: +86-21-3779-8352 (J.Z.)
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Cui J, Xu Y, Tu H, Zhao H, Wang H, Di L, Wang R. Gather wisdom to overcome barriers: Well-designed nano-drug delivery systems for treating gliomas. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:1100-1125. [PMID: 35530155 PMCID: PMC9069319 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the special physiological and pathological characteristics of gliomas, most therapeutic drugs are prevented from entering the brain. To improve the poor prognosis of existing therapies, researchers have been continuously developing non-invasive methods to overcome barriers to gliomas therapy. Although these strategies can be used clinically to overcome the blood‒brain barrier (BBB), the accurate delivery of drugs to the glioma lesions cannot be ensured. Nano-drug delivery systems (NDDS) have been widely used for precise drug delivery. In recent years, researchers have gathered their wisdom to overcome barriers, so many well-designed NDDS have performed prominently in preclinical studies. These meticulous designs mainly include cascade passing through BBB and targeting to glioma lesions, drug release in response to the glioma microenvironment, biomimetic delivery systems based on endogenous cells/extracellular vesicles/protein, and carriers created according to the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines. We reviewed these well-designed NDDS in detail. Furthermore, we discussed the current ongoing and completed clinical trials of NDDS for gliomas therapy, and analyzed the challenges and trends faced by clinical translation of these well-designed NDDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwei Cui
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology, Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuanxin Xu
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology, Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haiyan Tu
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology, Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Huacong Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology, Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Honglan Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology, Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Liuqing Di
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology, Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ruoning Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Provincial TCM Engineering Technology, Research Center of High Efficient Drug Delivery System, Nanjing 210023, China
- Corresponding author. Tel./fax: +86 15852937869.
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Zhang J, Zhu J, Zhao L, Mao K, Gu Q, Li D, Zhao J, Wu X. RGD-modified multifunctional nanoparticles encapsulating salvianolic acid A for targeted treatment of choroidal neovascularization. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:196. [PMID: 34215269 PMCID: PMC8254347 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-00939-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The development of alternative anti-angiogenesis therapy for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) remains a great challenge. Nanoparticle systems have emerged as a new form of drug delivery in ocular diseases. Here, we report the construction and characterization of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-conjugated polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a vehicle to load antioxidant salvianolic acid A (SAA) for targeted anti-angiogenesis therapy of CNV. In this study, PEI was consecutively modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated RGD segments, 3-(4′-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid-Osu (HPAO), and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FI), followed by acetylation of the remaining PEI surface amines to generate the multifunctional PEI vehicle PEI.NHAc-FI-HPAO-(PEG-RGD) (for short, RGD-PEI). The formed RGD-PEI was utilized as an effective vehicle platform to load SAA. Results We showed that RGD-PEI/SAA complexes displayed desirable water dispersibility, low cytotoxicity, and sustainable release of SAA under different pH conditions. It could be specifically taken up by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells which highly expressed ɑvβ5 integrin receptors in vitro and selectively accumulated in CNV lesions in vivo. Moreover, the complexes displayed specific therapeutic efficacy in a mouse model of laser induced CNV, and the slow elimination of the complexes in the vitreous cavity was verified by SPECT imaging after 131I radiolabeling. The histological examinations further confirmed the biocompatibility of RGD-PEI/SAA. Conclusions The results suggest that the designed RGD-PEI/SAA complexes may be a potential alternative anti-angiogenesis therapy for posterior ocular neovascular diseases. Graphic abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-021-00939-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxiu Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, 200080, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyi Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingzhou Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Mao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, 200080, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongli Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, 200080, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhua Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xingwei Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, 200080, People's Republic of China.
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Giribaldi J, Smith JJ, Schroeder CI. Recent developments in animal venom peptide nanotherapeutics with improved selectivity for cancer cells. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 50:107769. [PMID: 33989705 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Animal venoms are a rich source of bioactive peptides that efficiently modulate key receptors and ion channels involved in cellular excitability to rapidly neutralize their prey or predators. As such, they have been a wellspring of highly useful pharmacological tools for decades. Besides targeting ion channels, some venom peptides exhibit strong cytotoxic activity and preferentially affect cancer over healthy cells. This is unlikely to be driven by an evolutionary impetus, and differences in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment are probably behind the serendipitous selectivity shown by some venom peptides. However, strategies such as bioconjugation and nanotechnologies are showing potential to improve their selectivity and potency, thereby paving the way to efficiently harness new anticancer mechanisms offered by venom peptides. This review aims to highlight advances in nano- and chemotherapeutic tools and prospective anti-cancer drug leads derived from animal venom peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Giribaldi
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Jennifer J Smith
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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