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Samaddar S, Bose D, Loren BP, Skulsky JL, Ilnytska O, Struzik ZJ, Storch J, Thompson DH. Structure-function relationships of cholesterol mobilization from the endo-lysosome compartment of NPC1-deficient human cells by β-CD polyrotaxanes. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268613. [PMID: 36584173 PMCID: PMC9803220 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Niemann-Pick Type C is a rare metabolic disorder characterized by the cellular accumulation of cholesterol within endosomal and lysosomal compartments. 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) containing polyrotaxanes represent an attractive approach for treating this disease due to their ability to circulate in the blood stream for longer periods of time as a prodrug form of HP-β-CD. Once inside the cell, the macromolecular structure is thought to break down into the Pluronic precursor and the active cyclodextrin agent that promotes cholesterol mobilization from the aberrant accumulations within NPC-deficient cells. We now report that both cholesterol and decaarginine (R10) endcapped polyrotaxanes are able to remove cholesterol from NPC1 patient fibroblasts. R10 endcapped materials enter these cells and are localized within endosomes after 16 h. The cholesterol mobilization from endo-lysosomal compartments of NPC1 cells by the polyrotaxanes was directly related to their extent of endcapping and their threading efficiency. Incorporation of 4-sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD) significantly improved cholesterol mobilization due to the improved solubility of the compounds. Additionally, in our efforts to scale-up the synthesis for preclinical studies, we prepared a library of polyrotaxanes using a solid phase synthesis method. These compounds also led to significant cholesterol mobilization from the cells, however, cytotoxicity studies showed that they were substantially more toxic than those prepared by the solvent-assisted method, thus limiting the therapeutic utility of agents prepared by this expedited method. Our findings demonstrate that complete endcapping of the polyrotaxanes and improved solubility are important design features for delivering high copy numbers of therapeutic β-CD to promote enhanced sterol clearance in human NPC1-deficient cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayak Samaddar
- Department of Chemistry and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Debosreeta Bose
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Rutgers Center for Lipid Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Bradley P. Loren
- Department of Chemistry and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Joseph L. Skulsky
- Department of Chemistry and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Olga Ilnytska
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Rutgers Center for Lipid Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Zachary J. Struzik
- Department of Chemistry and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Judith Storch
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Rutgers Center for Lipid Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DHT); (JS)
| | - David H. Thompson
- Department of Chemistry and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DHT); (JS)
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Peptide-Mediated Targeted Delivery of Aloe-Emodin as Anticancer Drug. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27144615. [PMID: 35889487 PMCID: PMC9320513 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most diffuse cancers in the world and despite the availability of the different drugs employed against it, the need for new and particularly more specific molecules is ever growing. In this framework, natural products are increasingly assuming an important role as new anticancer drugs. Aloe-emodin (AE) is one of the best characterized molecules in this field. The functionalization of bioactive natural products with selected peptide sequences to enhance their bioavailability and specificity of action is a powerful and promising strategy. In this study, we analyzed the cell specificity, cell viability effects, intracellular distribution, and immune cell response of a new peptide conjugate of Aloe-emodin in SKBR3 and A549 cell lines by means of viability tests, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. The conjugate proved to be more effective at reducing cell viability than AE in both cell lines. Furthermore, the results showed that it was mainly internalized within the SKBR3 cells, showing a nuclear localization, while A459 cells displayed mainly a cytoplasmic distribution. A preserving effect of the conjugate on NKs’ cell function was also observed. The designed conjugate showed a promising specific activity towards HER2-expressing cells coupled with an enhanced water solubility and a higher cytotoxicity; thus, the resulting proof-of-concept molecule can be further improved as an anticancer compound.
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Kim Y, Kim H, Kim EH, Jang H, Jang Y, Chi SG, Yang Y, Kim SH. The Potential of Cell-Penetrating Peptides for mRNA Delivery to Cancer Cells. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14061271. [PMID: 35745843 PMCID: PMC9227323 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro transcribed mRNA for the synthesis of any given protein has shown great potential in cancer gene therapy, especially in cancer vaccines for immunotherapy. To overcome physiological barriers, such as rapid degradation by enzymatic attack and poor cellular uptake due to their large size and hydrophilic properties, many delivery carriers for mRNAs are being investigated for improving the bioavailability of mRNA. Recently, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have received attention as promising tools for gene delivery. In terms of their biocompatibility and the ability to target specific cells with the versatility of peptide sequences, they may provide clues to address the challenges of conventional delivery systems for cancer mRNA delivery. In this study, optimal conditions for the CPP/mRNA complexes were identified in terms of complexation capacity and N/P ratio, and protection against RNase was confirmed. When cancer cells were treated at a concentration of 6.8 nM, which could deliver the highest amount of mRNA without toxicity, the amphipathic CPP/mRNA complexes with a size less than 200 nm showed high cellular uptake and protein expression. With advances in our understanding of CPPs, CPPs designed to target tumor tissues will be promising for use in developing a new class of mRNA delivery vehicles in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yelee Kim
- Medical Materials Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.K.); (H.K.); (E.H.K.); (H.J.); (Y.J.)
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea;
| | - Hyosuk Kim
- Medical Materials Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.K.); (H.K.); (E.H.K.); (H.J.); (Y.J.)
| | - Eun Hye Kim
- Medical Materials Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.K.); (H.K.); (E.H.K.); (H.J.); (Y.J.)
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea;
| | - Hochung Jang
- Medical Materials Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.K.); (H.K.); (E.H.K.); (H.J.); (Y.J.)
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Yeongji Jang
- Medical Materials Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.K.); (H.K.); (E.H.K.); (H.J.); (Y.J.)
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea;
| | - Sung-Gil Chi
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea;
| | - Yoosoo Yang
- Medical Materials Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.K.); (H.K.); (E.H.K.); (H.J.); (Y.J.)
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.Y.); (S.H.K.); Tel.: +82-2-958-6655 (Y.Y.); +82-2-958-6639 (S.H.K.)
| | - Sun Hwa Kim
- Medical Materials Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea; (Y.K.); (H.K.); (E.H.K.); (H.J.); (Y.J.)
- Correspondence: (Y.Y.); (S.H.K.); Tel.: +82-2-958-6655 (Y.Y.); +82-2-958-6639 (S.H.K.)
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Biabani Ardakani J, Akhlaghi M, Nikkholgh B, Hosseinimehr SJ. Targeting and imaging of HER2 overexpression tumor with a new peptide-based 68Ga-PET radiotracer. Bioorg Chem 2020; 106:104474. [PMID: 33246602 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression, as a predictive biomarker, is associated with more tumor aggressiveness and worse clinical outcomes in cancer, whereas it's accurate identification has led to the choice of effective treatments in many patients. In this study, a peptide-based PET probe (68Ga-DOTA-(Ser)3-LTVSPWY) was developed for imaging HER2 expression in tumors. The DOTA-(Ser)3-LTVSPWY was labeled with 68Ga and then was evaluated in vitro with HER2-positive SKOV-3 cell line; moreover, the in vivo biodistribution and PET/CT imaging were performed in xenografted tumor-bearing nude mice. The 68Ga-DOTA-(Ser)3-LTVSPWY displayed the high radiochemical purity greater than 95% and good stability in normal saline and human serum. The cellular binding experiments showed that the cell uptake in HER2-positive ovarian cancer cells could be effectively blocked by non-labeled peptide. The Kd and Bmax values for radiolabeled peptide were obtained at 2.5 ± 0.6 nM and (3.4 ± 0.2) × 105 sites per cell, respectively. Biodistribution study demonstrated that tumor-to-blood and tumor-to-muscle ratios were about 1.73 ± 0.36 and 3.78 ± 0.17 at 120 min after the injection of the radiolabeled peptide, respectively. Tumor imaging by PET/CT exhibited high contrast tumor image at 60 min after injection in animal models. Consequently, the results were indicative of the specific accumulation of 68Ga-DOTA-(Ser)3-LTVSPWY peptide in HER2-positive tumors and the suitability of its application as a PET probe for the diagnosis of HER2-overexpression tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Biabani Ardakani
- Department of Radiopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mehdi Akhlaghi
- Research Center for Nuclear Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Nikkholgh
- Khatam PET/CT Center, Specialty and Subspecialty Hospital of Khatam ol-Anbia, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Jalal Hosseinimehr
- Department of Radiopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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Yao L, Weng W, Cheng K, Wang L, Dong L, Lin J, Sheng K. Novel Platform for Surface-Mediated Gene Delivery Assisted with Visible-Light Illumination. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:17290-17301. [PMID: 32208666 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c00511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Surface-mediated gene delivery has attracted more and more attentions in biomedical research and applications because of its characteristics of low toxicity and localized delivery. Herein, a novel visible-light-regulated, surface-mediated gene-delivery platform is exhibited, arising from the photoinduced surface-charge accumulation on silicon. Silicon with a pn junction is used and tested subsequently for the behavior of surface-mediated gene delivery under visible-light illumination. It is found that positive-charge accumulation under light illumination changes the surface potential and then facilitates the delivery of gene-loaded carriers. As a result, the gene-expression efficiency shows a significant improvement from 6% to 28% under a 10 min visible-light illumination. Such improvement is ascribed to the increase in surface potential caused by light illumination, which promotes both the release of gene-loaded carriers and the cellular uptake. This work suggests that silicon with photovoltaic effect could offer a new strategy for surface-mediated, gene-delivery-related biomedical research and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Yao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Cyrus Tang Center for Sensor Materials and Applications, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Wenjian Weng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Cyrus Tang Center for Sensor Materials and Applications, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Kui Cheng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Cyrus Tang Center for Sensor Materials and Applications, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Liming Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Cyrus Tang Center for Sensor Materials and Applications, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Lingqing Dong
- The Affiliated Stomatologic Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, P. R. China
| | - Jun Lin
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, P. R. China
| | - Kuang Sheng
- College of Electrical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
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Taylor RE, Zahid M. Cell Penetrating Peptides, Novel Vectors for Gene Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E225. [PMID: 32138146 PMCID: PMC7150854 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12030225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs), also known as protein transduction domains (PTDs), first identified ~25 years ago, are small, 6-30 amino acid long, synthetic, or naturally occurring peptides, able to carry variety of cargoes across the cellular membranes in an intact, functional form. Since their initial description and characterization, the field of cell penetrating peptides as vectors has exploded. The cargoes they can deliver range from other small peptides, full-length proteins, nucleic acids including RNA and DNA, liposomes, nanoparticles, and viral particles as well as radioisotopes and other fluorescent probes for imaging purposes. In this review, we will focus briefly on their history, classification system, and mechanism of transduction followed by a summary of the existing literature on use of CPPs as gene delivery vectors either in the form of modified viruses, plasmid DNA, small interfering RNA, oligonucleotides, full-length genes, DNA origami or peptide nucleic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. Taylor
- Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
| | - Maliha Zahid
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA
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Alqaraghuli HGJ, Kashanian S, Rafipour R. A Review on Targeting Nanoparticles for Breast Cancer. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2020; 20:1087-1107. [PMID: 31364513 DOI: 10.2174/1389201020666190731130001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chemotherapeutic agents have been used extensively in breast cancer remedy. However, most anticancer drugs cannot differentiate between cancer cells and normal cells, leading to toxic side effects. Also, the resulted drug resistance during chemotherapy reduces treatment efficacy. The development of targeted drug delivery offers great promise in breast cancer treatment both in clinical applications and in pharmaceutical research. Conjugation of nanocarriers with targeting ligands is an effective therapeutic strategy to treat cancer diseases. In this review, we focus on active targeting methods for breast cancer cells through the use of chemical ligands such as antibodies, peptides, aptamers, vitamins, hormones, and carbohydrates. Also, this review covers all information related to these targeting ligands, such as their subtypes, advantages, disadvantages, chemical modification methods with nanoparticles and recent published studies (from 2015 to present). We have discussed 28 different targeting methods utilized for targeted drug delivery to breast cancer cells with different nanocarriers delivering anticancer drugs to the tumors. These different targeting methods give researchers in the field of drug delivery all the information and techniques they need to develop modern drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasanain Gomhor J Alqaraghuli
- Faculty of Chemistry, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.,Department of Sciences, College of Basic Education, Al- Muthanna University, Al-Muthanna, Iraq
| | - Soheila Kashanian
- Faculty of Chemistry, Sensor and Biosensor Research Center (SBRC) & Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research Center (NNRC), Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.,Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Ronak Rafipour
- Department of Chemistry, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran
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Śmiłowicz D, Slootweg JC, Metzler-Nolte N. Bioconjugation of Cyclometalated Gold(III) Lipoic Acid Fragments to Linear and Cyclic Breast Cancer Targeting Peptides. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:4572-4581. [PMID: 31596097 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cell-targeting peptides (CTPs) are increasingly used in the field of cancer research due to their high affinity and specificity to cell or tissue targets. In the search for novel metal-based drug candidates, our research group is particularly focused on bioconjugates by utilizing peptides to increase the selectivity of cytotoxic organometallic compounds. Motivated by the relatively high cytotoxic activity of gold complexes, such as Auranofin (approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis), for the treatment of various diseases, we anticipated that gold peptide bioconjugates would present interesting candidates for novel breast cancer therapies. For this, we investigate the use of the natural compound lipoic acid (Lpa) as a bioconjugation handle to link Au complexes in the oxidation state +III to peptides using the dithiol moiety. Using this strategy, we have synthesized Au(III) complex bioconjugates linked to the linear LTVSPWY peptide and two cyclic DfKRG and KTTHWGFTLG tumor-targeting peptides. Solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) was used to prepare the peptides, with lipoic acid introduced N-terminally as a conjugation handle. After peptide cleavage, the metal complex was introduced in solution by first reducing the internal disulfide bond, followed by reaction with Au(ppy)Cl2 (1, ppy: 2-phenyl-pyridine), to yield the Au(III)-Lpa-peptide bioconjugates. The new bioconjugates were successfully synthesized, purified by semi-preparative HPLC, and characterized by ESI-MS. Au(III)-peptide bioconjugates were tested as cytotoxic agents against two different human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and normal human fibroblasts cells (GM5657T) and compared to cisplatin, the parent Au(III) dichloride complex, and metal-free peptides. These in vitro data show that the Au(III)-peptide bioconjugate 5, possessing the cyclic integrin-targeting RGD-derived peptide sequence in the structure, exhibits improved activity compared to the parent gold(III) compound Au(ppy)Cl2 (1) as well as to cisplatin or the metal-free peptide. Moreover, the excellent targeting properties of 5 are supported by the fact that a Au(III)-peptide conjugate with the exact same peptide sequence, but a linear rather than the cyclic form of 5 exhibits 10 times lower cytotoxic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Śmiłowicz
- Inorganic Chemistry I-Bioinorganic Chemistry , Ruhr-University Bochum , Universitätsstraße 150 , Bochum 44801 , Germany
| | - Jack C Slootweg
- Inorganic Chemistry I-Bioinorganic Chemistry , Ruhr-University Bochum , Universitätsstraße 150 , Bochum 44801 , Germany
| | - Nils Metzler-Nolte
- Inorganic Chemistry I-Bioinorganic Chemistry , Ruhr-University Bochum , Universitätsstraße 150 , Bochum 44801 , Germany
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Sabahnoo H, Noaparast Z, Abedi SM, Hosseinimehr SJ. New small 99mTc-labeled peptides for HER2 receptor imaging. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 127:1012-1024. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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10
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Generation of new peptide-Fc fusion proteins that mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against different types of cancer cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2015; 2:15043. [PMID: 26605373 PMCID: PMC4632835 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2015.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), a key effector function for the clinical effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies, is triggered by the engagement of the antibody Fc domain with the Fcγ receptors expressed by innate immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages. Here, we fused cancer cell-binding peptides to the Fc domain of human IgG1 to engineer novel peptide-Fc fusion proteins with ADCC activity. The designed fusion proteins were expressed in human embryonic kidney 293T cells, followed by purification and characterization by western blots. One of the engineered variants (WN-Fc), bound with high affinity to a wide range of solid tumor cell lines (e.g., colon, lung, prostate, skin, ovarian, and mammary tumors). Treatment of cancer cells with the engineered peptide-Fc fusions in the presence of effector NK cells potentially enhanced cytotoxicity, degranulation, and interferon-γ production by NK cells when compared to cells treated with the Fc control. The presence of competing peptides inhibited NK cell activation. Furthermore, a bispecific peptide-Fc fusion protein activated NK cells against HER-1- and/or HER-2-expressing cancer cells. Collectively, the engineered peptide-Fc fusions constitute a new promising strategy to recruit and activate NK cells against tumor cells, a primary goal of cancer immunotherapy.
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