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Asghari Lalami Z, Tafvizi F, Naseh V, Salehipour M. Fabrication, optimization, and characterization of pH-responsive PEGylated nanoniosomes containing gingerol for enhanced treatment of breast cancer. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 396:3867-3886. [PMID: 37368028 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02579-2] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Multiple potential drug delivery strategies have emerged as a result of recent advances in nanotechnology and nanomedicine. The aim of this research was to prepare an optimized system of PEGylated gingerol-loaded niosomes (Nio-Gin@PEG) as an excellent candidate for the treatment of human breast cancer cells. The preparation procedure was modified by adjusting the drug concentration, lipid content, and Span60/Tween60 ratio, resulting in high encapsulation efficacy (EE%), rapid release rate, and reduced size. The Nio-Gin@PEG exhibited significantly improved storage stability compared to the gingerol-loaded niosomes formulation (Nio-Gin), with minimal changes in EE%, release profile, and size during storage. Furthermore, Nio-Gin@PEG demonstrated pH-dependent release behavior, with delayed drug diffusion at physiological pH and significant drug diffusion under acidic conditions (pH = 5.4), making it a promising option for cancer treatment. Cytotoxicity tests indicated that Nio-Gin@PEG possessed excellent biocompatibility with human fibroblast cells while exerting a remarkable inhibitory effect on MCF-7 and SKBR3 breast cancer cells, attributed to the presence of gingerol and the PEGylated structure in the preparation. Nio-Gin@PEG also exhibited the ability to modulate the expression of target genes. We observed statistically significant down-regulation of the expression of BCL2, MMP2, MMP9, HER2, CCND1, CCNE1, BCL2, CDK4, and VEGF genes, along with up-regulation of the expression of BAX, CASP9, CASP3, and P21 genes. Flow cytometry results revealed that Nio-Gin@PEG could induce a higher rate of apoptosis in both cancerous cells compared to gingerol and Nio-Gin, owing to the optimal encapsulation and efficient drug release from the formulation, as confirmed by cell cycle tests. ROS generation demonstrated the superior antioxidant effect of Nio-Gin@PEG compared to other prepared formulations. The results of this study emphasize the potential of formulating highly biocompatible niosomes in the future of nanomedicine, enabling more precise and effective treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farzaneh Tafvizi
- Department of Biology, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Parand, Iran.
| | - Vahid Naseh
- Department of Biology, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Parand, Iran
| | - Masoud Salehipour
- Department of Biology, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Parand, Iran
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Boyang H, Yangyanqiu W, Wenting R, Chenxin Y, Jian C, Zhanbo Q, Yanjun Y, Qiang Y, Shuwen H. Application and progress of highcontent imaging in molecular biology. Biotechnol J 2023; 18:e2300170. [PMID: 37639283 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Humans have adopted many different methods to explore matter imaging, among which high content imaging (HCI) could conduct automated imaging analysis of cells while maintaining its structural and functional integrity. Meanwhile, as one of the most important research tools for diagnosing human diseases, HCI is widely used in the frontier of medical research, and its future application has attracted researchers' great interests. Here, the meaning of HCI was briefly explained, the history of optical imaging and the birth of HCI were described, and the experimental methods of HCI were described. Furthermore, the directions of the application of HCI were highlighted in five aspects: protein localization changes, gene identification, chemical and genetic analysis, microbiology, and drug discovery. Most importantly, some challenges and future directions of HCI were discussed, and the application and optimization of HCI were expected to be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Boyang
- Huzhou Hospital of Zhejiang University, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Wang Yangyanqiu
- Huzhou Hospital of Zhejiang University, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Rui Wenting
- Huzhou Hospital of Zhejiang University, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Yan Chenxin
- Shulan International Medical School, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chu Jian
- Fifth Affiliated Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou, China
| | - Qu Zhanbo
- Fifth Affiliated Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou, China
| | - Yao Yanjun
- Huzhou Hospital of Zhejiang University, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Yan Qiang
- Huzhou Hospital of Zhejiang University, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Han Shuwen
- Huzhou Hospital of Zhejiang University, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer of Huzhou, Huzhou, China
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pH-Responsive PEGylated Niosomal Nanoparticles as an Active-Targeting Cyclophosphamide Delivery System for Gastric Cancer Therapy. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27175418. [PMID: 36080186 PMCID: PMC9457647 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A PEGylated niosomal formulation of cyclophosphamide (Nio-Cyclo-PEG) was prepared using a central composite design and characterized in terms of drug loading, size distribution, and average size. The stability of formulations was also studied at different conditions. In vitro cytotoxicity of drug delivery formulations was assessed on gastric cancer cells using MTT assay. The mechanism of cytotoxicity was studied at the transcriptional level by real-time PCR on Caspase3, Caspase9, CyclinD, CyclinE, MMP-2, and MMP-9 genes, while apoptosis was investigated with flow cytometry. The anti-metastatic property was evaluated using the scratch method. Propidium iodide staining was used to study the cell cycle. The results indicated that the as-designed nanocarrier exhibited a controlled drug release pattern with improved nanoparticle stability. It was found that the living cancer cells treated with Nio-Cyclo-PEG showed a significant decrease in number when compared with the niosomal carrier without PEG (Nio-Cyclo) and free drug (Cyclo). Moreover, the drug-loaded nanocarrier induced planned death (apoptosis) in the cancer cells through the regulation of Caspase3, Caspase9, CyclinD, CyclinE, MMP-9, and MMP-2 gene expression, indicating that the Nio-Cyclo-PEG formulation could significantly inhibit the cell cycle at the sub G1 phase as well as prevent the migration of cancer cells. In conclusion, Nio-Cyclo-PEG as developed in this study could serve as an active-targeting drug delivery nanocarriers for gastric cancer therapy with high efficacy and minimal side effects on healthy tissues/cells.
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Rens C, Shapira T, Peña-Diaz S, Chao JD, Pfeifer T, Av-Gay Y. Apoptosis assessment in high-content and high-throughput screening assays. Biotechniques 2021; 70:309-318. [PMID: 34114488 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2020-0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Here the authors describe the development of AUTOptosis, an economical and rapid apoptosis monitoring method suitable for high-content and high-throughput screening assays. AUTOptosis is based on the quantification of nuclei intensity via staining with Hoechst 33342. First, the authors calibrated the method using standard apoptosis inducers in multiple cell lines. Next, the authors validated the applicability of this approach to high-content screening using a small library of compounds and compared it with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling gold standard. Finally, the authors demonstrated the specificity of the method by using AUTOposis to detect apoptosis triggered by Mycobacterium tuberculosis intracellular infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Rens
- Department of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Tirosh Shapira
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sandra Peña-Diaz
- Department of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Joseph D Chao
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Tom Pfeifer
- Biofactorial High-Throughput Biology Facility, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Yossef Av-Gay
- Department of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Pan RL, Hu WQ, Pan J, Huang L, Luan CC, Shen HM. Achyranthes bidentata polypeptides prevent apoptosis by inhibiting the glutamate current in cultured hippocampal neurons. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:1086-1093. [PMID: 31823889 PMCID: PMC7034289 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.270317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity plays a critical role in the neurological impairment caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Achyranthes bidentata polypeptides have been shown to protect against neurological functional damage caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion, but the underlying neuroprotective mechanisms and the relationship to glutamate-induced excitotoxicity remain unclear. Therefore, in the current study, we investigated the protective effects of Achyranthes bidentata polypeptides against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in cultured hippocampal neurons. Hippocampal neurons were treated with Mg2+-free extracellular solution containing glutamate (300 µM) for 3 hours as a model of glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity (glutamate group). In the normal group, hippocampal neurons were incubated in Mg2+-free extracellular solution. In the Achyranthes bidentata polypeptide group, hippocampal neurons were incubated in Mg2+-free extracellular solution containing glutamate (300 µM) and Achyranthes bidentata polypeptide at different concentrations. At 24 hours after exposure to the agents, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and Hoechst 33258 staining were used to assess neuronal viability and nuclear morphology, respectively. Caspase-3 expression and activity were evaluated using western blot assay and colorimetric enzymatic assay, respectively. At various time points after glutamate treatment, reactive oxygen species in cells were detected by H2DCF-DA, and mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by rhodamine 123 staining. To examine the effect of Achyranthes bidentata polypeptides on glutamate receptors, electrophysiological recording was used to measure the glutamate-induced inward current in cultured hippocampal neurons. Achyranthes bidentata polypeptide decreased the percentage of apoptotic cells and reduced the changes in caspase-3 expression and activity induced by glutamate. In addition, Achyranthes bidentata polypeptide attenuated the amplitude of the glutamate-induced current. Furthermore, the glutamate-induced increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species and reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential were attenuated by Achyranthes bidentata polypeptide treatment. These findings collectively suggest that Achyranthes bidentata polypeptides exert a neuroprotective effect in cultured hippocampal neurons by suppressing the overactivation of glutamate receptors and inhibiting the caspase-3-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. All animal studies were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee, Nantong University, China (approval No. 20120216-001) on February 16, 2012.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Lu Pan
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Institute of Nautical Medicine, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wen-Qing Hu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Institute of Nautical Medicine, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, College of Biological Science, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jie Pan
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Institute of Nautical Medicine, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li Huang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Institute of Nautical Medicine, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Cheng-Cheng Luan
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Institute of Nautical Medicine, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hong-Mei Shen
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Institute of Nautical Medicine, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University; Affiliated Mental Health Center of Nantong University, Nantong Brain Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
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Green MV, Pengo T, Raybuck JD, Naqvi T, McMullan HM, Hawkinson JE, Marron Fernandez de Velasco E, Muntean BS, Martemyanov KA, Satterfield R, Young SM, Thayer SA. Automated Live-Cell Imaging of Synapses in Rat and Human Neuronal Cultures. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:467. [PMID: 31680875 PMCID: PMC6811609 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Synapse loss and dendritic damage correlate with cognitive decline in many neurodegenerative diseases, underlie neurodevelopmental disorders, and are associated with environmental and drug-induced CNS toxicities. However, screening assays designed to measure loss of synaptic connections between live cells are lacking. Here, we describe the design and validation of automated synaptic imaging assay (ASIA), an efficient approach to label, image, and analyze synapses between live neurons. Using viral transduction to express fluorescent proteins that label synapses and an automated computer-controlled microscope, we developed a method to identify agents that regulate synapse number. ASIA is compatible with both confocal and wide-field microscopy; wide-field image acquisition is faster but requires a deconvolution step in the analysis. Both types of images feed into batch processing analysis software that can be run on ImageJ, CellProfiler, and MetaMorph platforms. Primary analysis endpoints are the number of structural synapses and cell viability. Thus, overt cell death is differentiated from subtle changes in synapse density, an important distinction when studying neurodegenerative processes. In rat hippocampal cultures treated for 24 h with 100 μM 2-bromopalmitic acid (2-BP), a compound that prevents clustering of postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95), ASIA reliably detected loss of postsynaptic density 95-enhanced green fluorescent protein (PSD95-eGFP)-labeled synapses in the absence of cell death. In contrast, treatment with 100 μM glutamate produced synapse loss and significant cell death, determined from morphological changes in a binary image created from co-expressed mCherry. Treatment with 3 mM lithium for 24 h significantly increased the number of fluorescent puncta, showing that ASIA also detects synaptogenesis. Proof of concept studies show that cell-specific promoters enable the selective study of inhibitory or principal neurons and that alternative reporter constructs enable quantification of GABAergic or glutamatergic synapses. ASIA can also be used to study synapse loss between human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cortical neurons. Significant synapse loss in the absence of cell death was detected in the iPSC-derived neuronal cultures treated with either 100 μM 2-BP or 100 μM glutamate for 24 h, while 300 μM glutamate produced synapse loss and cell death. ASIA shows promise for identifying agents that evoke synaptic toxicities and screening for compounds that prevent or reverse synapse loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew V. Green
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Thomas Pengo
- Informatics Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jonathan D. Raybuck
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Tahmina Naqvi
- Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Hannah M. McMullan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jon E. Hawkinson
- Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | | | - Brian S. Muntean
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, United States
| | | | - Rachel Satterfield
- Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL, United States
| | - Samuel M. Young
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Stanley A. Thayer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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7
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Wendland K, Meisel A, Mergenthaler P. Investigating Gene Function for Neuronal Survival After Metabolic Stress Using Semi-Automated Fluorescence Microscopy and Automated Image Analysis. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:393. [PMID: 30450034 PMCID: PMC6224347 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexpression approaches and fluorescence microscopy techniques allow investigating important spatiotemporal aspects of gene regulation as well as quantifying gene function. Consequently, fluorescence microscopy techniques help answer important questions on gene regulation such as addressing the role of a specific gene product for neuronal survival under different treatments. Here, we describe a versatile tool to measure effects of a transfected gene of interest on neuronal survival upon metabolic stress. We focus on nutrient starvation of cultured rodent primary neurons as a model of metabolic stress but our approach can easily be generalized and adapted to other cell types or to investigate single gene function in regulating neuronal survival under various conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Wendland
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Meisel
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Mergenthaler
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
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