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Lewicky JD, Martel AL, Fraleigh NL, Picard E, Mousavifar L, Nakamura A, Diaz-Mitoma F, Roy R, Le HT. Exploiting the DNA Damaging Activity of Liposomal Low Dose Cytarabine for Cancer Immunotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122710. [PMID: 36559204 PMCID: PMC9782803 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Perhaps the greatest limitation for the continually advancing developments in cancer immunotherapy remains the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) axis is an emerging immunotherapy target, with the resulting type I interferons and transcription factors acting at several levels in both tumor and immune cells for the generation of adaptive T cell responses. The cGAS-STING axis activation by therapeutic agents that induce DNA damage, such as certain chemotherapies, continues to be reported, highlighting the importance of the interplay of this signaling pathway and the DNA damage response in cancer immunity/immunotherapy. We have developed a multi-targeted mannosylated cationic liposomal immunomodulatory system (DS) which contains low doses of the chemotherapeutic cytarabine (Ara-C). In this work, we show that entrapment of non-cytotoxic doses of Ara-C within the DS improves its ability to induce DNA double strand breaks in human ovarian and colorectal cancer cell lines, as well as in various immune cells. Importantly, for the first time we demonstrate that the DNA damage induced by Ara-C/DS translates into cGAS-STING axis activation. We further demonstrate that Ara-C/DS-mediated DNA damage leads to upregulation of surface expression of immune ligands on cancer cells, coinciding with priming of cytotoxic lymphocytes as assessed using an ex vivo model of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from colorectal cancer patients, as well as an in vitro NK cell model. Overall, the results highlight a broad immunotherapeutic potential for Ara-C/DS by enhancing tumor-directed inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan D. Lewicky
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Alexandrine L. Martel
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Nya L. Fraleigh
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Emilie Picard
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 28 rue Laennec, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Leila Mousavifar
- Glycosciences and Nanomaterial Laboratory, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Arnaldo Nakamura
- Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 531 Boulevard des Prairies, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Francisco Diaz-Mitoma
- Medicinal Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - René Roy
- Glycosciences and Nanomaterial Laboratory, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
- Correspondence: (R.R.); (H.-T.L.)
| | - Hoang-Thanh Le
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
- Medicinal Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Correspondence: (R.R.); (H.-T.L.)
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Mousavifar L, Lewicky JD, Taponard A, Bagul R, Rivat M, Abdullayev S, Martel AL, Fraleigh NL, Nakamura A, Veyrier FJ, Le HT, Roy R. Synthesis & Evaluation of Novel Mannosylated Neoglycolipids for Liposomal Delivery System Applications. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:2300. [PMID: 36365120 PMCID: PMC9692915 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycosylated NPs, including liposomes, are known to target various receptors involved in cellular carbohydrate transport, of which the mannoside binding receptors are attracting particular attention for their expression on various immune cells, cancers, and cells involved in maintaining central nervous system (CNS) integrity. As part of our interest in NP drug delivery, mannosylated glycoliposomal delivery systems formed from the self-assembly of amphiphilic neoglycolipids were developed, with a C12-alkyl mannopyranoside (ML-C12) being identified as a lead compoundcapable of entrapping, protecting, and improving the delivery of structurally diverse payloads. However, ML-C12 was not without limitations in both the synthesis of the glycolipids, and the physicochemical properties of the resulting glycoliposomes. Herein, the chemical syntheses of a novel series of mannosylated neoglycolipids are reported with the goal of further improving on the previous ML-C12 glyconanoparticles. The current work aimed to use a self-contingent strategy which overcomes previous synthetic limitations to produce neoglycolipids that have one exposed mannose residue, an aromatic scaffold, and two lipid tails with varied alkyl chains. The azido-ending carbohydrates and the carboxylic acid-ending lipid tails were ligated using a new one-pot modified Staudinger chemistry that differed advantageously to previous syntheses. The formation of stable neoglycoliposomes of controllable and ideal sizes (≈100-400 nm) was confirmed via dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Beyond chemical advantages, the present study further aimed to establish potential improvements in the biological activity of the neoglycoliposomes. Concanavalin A (Con A) agglutination studies demonstrated efficient and stable cross-linking abilities dependent on the length of the linkers and lipid tails. The efficacy of the glycoliposomes in improving cytosolic uptake was investigated using Nile Red as probe in immune and cancer cell lines. Preliminary ex vivo safety assessments showed that the mannosylated glycoliposomes are hemocompatible, and non-immunogenic. Finally, using a model peptide therapeutic, the relative entrapment capacity and plasma stability of the optimal glycoliposome delivery system was evaluated and compared to the previous neoglycoliposomes. Overall, the new lead glycoliposome showed improved biological activity over ML-C12, in addition to having several chemical benefits including the lack of stereocenters, a longer linker allowing better sugar availability, and ease of synthesis using novel one-pot modified Staudinger chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Mousavifar
- Glycosciences and Nanomaterial Laboratory, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Jordan D. Lewicky
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Alexis Taponard
- Glycosciences and Nanomaterial Laboratory, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Rahul Bagul
- Glycosciences and Nanomaterial Laboratory, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Madleen Rivat
- Glycosciences and Nanomaterial Laboratory, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Shuay Abdullayev
- Glycosciences and Nanomaterial Laboratory, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Alexandrine L. Martel
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Nya L. Fraleigh
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Arnaldo Nakamura
- Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 531 Boulevard des Prairies, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Frédéric J. Veyrier
- Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 531 Boulevard des Prairies, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Hoang-Thanh Le
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
- Medicinal Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - René Roy
- Glycosciences and Nanomaterial Laboratory, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
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Improving the Utility of a Dynorphin Peptide Analogue Using Mannosylated Glycoliposomes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157996. [PMID: 34360762 PMCID: PMC8348236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide therapeutics offer numerous advantages in the treatment of diseases and disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). However, they are not without limitations, especially in terms of their pharmacokinetics where their metabolic lability and low blood–brain barrier penetration hinder their application. Targeted nanoparticle delivery systems are being tapped for their ability to improve the delivery of therapeutics into the brain non-invasively. We have developed a family of mannosylated glycoliposome delivery systems for targeted drug delivery applications. Herein, we demonstrate via in vivo distribution studies the potential of these glycoliposomes to improve the utility of CNS active therapeutics using dynantin, a potent and selective dynorphin peptide analogue antagonist of the kappa opioid receptor (KOR). Glycoliposomal entrapment protected dynantin against known rapid metabolic degradation and ultimately improved brain levels of the peptide by approximately 3–3.5-fold. Moreover, we linked this improved brain delivery with improved KOR antagonist activity by way of an approximately 30–40% positive modulation of striatal dopamine levels 20 min after intranasal administration. Overall, the results clearly highlight the potential of our glycoliposomes as a targeted delivery system for therapeutic agents of the CNS.
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Mousavifar L, Abdullayev S, Roy R. Recent Development in the Design of Neoglycoliposomes Bearing Arborescent Architectures. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26144281. [PMID: 34299556 PMCID: PMC8303545 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This brief review highlights systematic progress in the design of synthetic glycolipid (neoglycolipids) analogs evolving from the conventional architectures of natural glycosphingolipids and gangliosides. Given that naturally occurring glycolipids are composed of only one hydrophilic sugar head-group and two hydrophobic lipid tails embedded in the lipid bilayers of the cell membranes, they usually require extraneous lipids (phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol) to confer their stability. In order to obviate the necessity for these additional stabilizing ingredients, recent investigations have merged dendrimer chemistry with that of neoglycolipid syntheses. This singular approach has provided novel glycoarchitectures allowing reconsidering the necessity for the traditional one to two hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio. An emphasis has been provided in the recent design of modular arborescent neoglycolipid syntheses coined glycodendrimersomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - René Roy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-514-987-3000 (ext. 2546)
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Novel immunomodulatory properties of low dose cytarabine entrapped in a mannosylated cationic liposome. Int J Pharm 2021; 606:120849. [PMID: 34216770 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer treatment remains unsatisfactory with high rates of recurrence and metastasis. Immunomodulatory agents capable of promoting cellular antitumor immunity while inhibiting the local immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment could greatly improve cancer treatment. We have developed a multi-targeted mannosylated cationic liposome delivery system containing muramyl dipeptide (DS) and low doses of the chemotherapeutic agent cytarabine (Ara-C). Immunomodulation of primary immune cells and immortalized cancer cell lines by Ara-C/DS was assessed by measuring cytokine levels and surface marker expression. As a proof of concept, the generation of targeted cellular immunity was investigated in the context of responses to viral antigens. This report is the first demonstrating that Ara-C combined with DS can modulate immune responses and revert immunosuppression as evidenced by increased IFN-γ and IL-12p40 without changes in IL-10 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and increased CD80 and decreased CD163 on immunosuppressive macrophages. Furthermore, Ara-C/DS increased MHC class I expression on cancer cells while increasing the production of antigen-specific IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cells in viral peptide-challenged lymphocytes from both humans and vaccinated mice. Taken together, these results are the first to document immunomodulatory properties of Ara-C linked with recognition of antigens and potentially the generation of antitumor immune memory.
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-first consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2018 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (2), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (3) and humans (4), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (5), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (6), stress and social status (7), learning and memory (8), eating and drinking (9), drug abuse and alcohol (10), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (11), mental illness and mood (12), seizures and neurologic disorders (13), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (14), general activity and locomotion (15), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (16), cardiovascular responses (17), respiration and thermoregulation (18), and immunological responses (19).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
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Lewicky JD, Fraleigh NL, Boraman A, Martel AL, Nguyen TMD, Schiller PW, Shiao TC, Roy R, Montaut S, Le HT. Mannosylated glycoliposomes for the delivery of a peptide kappa opioid receptor antagonist to the brain. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2020; 154:290-296. [PMID: 32717389 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2020.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Dynantin is a potent and selective synthetic polypeptide kappa opioid receptor antagonist which has potential antidepressant and anxiolytic-like therapeutic applications, however its clinical development has been hampered by plasma stability issues and poor penetration of the blood brain barrier. Targeted liposome delivery systems represent a promising and non-invasive approach to improving the delivery of therapeutic agents across the blood brain barrier. As part of our work focused on targeted drug delivery, we have developed a novel mannosylated liposome system. Herein, we investigate these glycoliposomes for the targeted delivery of dynantin to the central nervous system. Cholesterol was tested and optimized as a formulation excipient, where it improved particle stability as measured via particle size, entrapment and ex vivo plasma stability of dynantin. The in vitro PRESTO-TANGO assay system was used to confirm that glycoliposomal entrapment did not impact the affinity or activity of the peptide at its receptor. Finally, in vivo distribution studies in mice showed that the mannosylated glycoliposomes significantly improved delivery of dynantin to the brain. Overall, the results clearly demonstrate the potential of our glycoliposomes as a targeted delivery system for therapeutic agents of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan D Lewicky
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Nya L Fraleigh
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Amanda Boraman
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2H2, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Alexandrine L Martel
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Thi M-D Nguyen
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Peptide Research, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, 110 Pine Avenue W, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Peter W Schiller
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Peptide Research, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, 110 Pine Avenue W, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Montreal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Tze Chieh Shiao
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - René Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Sabine Montaut
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, Canada; Biomolecular Sciences Programme, Laurentian University, Subdury, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hoang-Thanh Le
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2H2, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, Canada; Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Medicinal Sciences Division, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, Canada; Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, Canada.
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Enhancing the Immune Response of a Nicotine Vaccine with Synthetic Small "Non-Natural" Peptides. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25061290. [PMID: 32178357 PMCID: PMC7143940 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25061290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The addictive nature of nicotine is likely the most significant reason for the continued prevalence of tobacco smoking despite the widespread reports of its negative health effects. Nicotine vaccines are an alternative to the currently available smoking cessation treatments, which have limited efficacy. However, the nicotine hapten is non-immunogenic, and successful vaccine formulations to treat nicotine addiction require both effective adjuvants and delivery systems. The immunomodulatory properties of short, non-natural peptide sequences not found in human systems and their ability to improve vaccine efficacy continue to be reported. The aim of this study was to determine if small “non-natural peptides,” as part of a conjugate nicotine vaccine, could improve immune responses. Four peptides were synthesized via solid phase methodology, purified, and characterized. Ex vivo plasma stability studies using RP-HPLC confirmed that the peptides were not subject to proteolytic degradation. The peptides were formulated into conjugate nicotine vaccine candidates along with a bacterial derived adjuvant vaccine delivery system and chitosan as a stabilizing compound. Formulations were tested in vitro in a dendritic cell line to determine the combination that would elicit the greatest 1L-1β response using ELISAs. Three of the peptides were able to enhance the cytokine response above that induced by the adjuvant delivery system alone. In vivo vaccination studies in BALB/c mice demonstrated that the best immune response, as measured by nicotine-specific antibody levels, was elicited from the conjugate vaccine structure, which included the peptide, as well as the other components. Isotype analyses highlighted that the peptide was able to shift immune response toward being more humorally dominant. Overall, the results have implications for the use of non-natural peptides as adjuvants not only for the development of a nicotine vaccine but also for use with other addictive substances and conventional vaccination targets as well.
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