1
|
Anjomshoa M, Amirheidari B. Nuclease-like metalloscissors: Biomimetic candidates for cancer and bacterial and viral infections therapy. Coord Chem Rev 2022; 458:214417. [PMID: 35153301 PMCID: PMC8816526 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214417] [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: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Despite the extensive and rapid discovery of modern drugs for treatment of cancer, microbial infections, and viral illnesses; these diseases are still among major global health concerns. To take inspiration from natural nucleases and also the therapeutic potential of metallopeptide antibiotics such as the bleomycin family, artificial metallonucleases with the ability of promoting DNA/RNA cleavage and eventually affecting cellular biological processes can be introduced as a new class of therapeutic candidates. Metal complexes can be considered as one of the main categories of artificial metalloscissors, which can prompt nucleic acid strand scission. Accordingly, biologists, inorganic chemists, and medicinal inorganic chemists worldwide have been designing, synthesizing and evaluating the biological properties of metal complexes as artificial metalloscissors. In this review, we try to highlight the recent studies conducted on the nuclease-like metalloscissors and their potential therapeutic applications. Under the light of the concurrent Covid-19 pandemic, the human need for new therapeutics was highlighted much more than ever before. The nuclease-like metalloscissors with the potential of RNA cleavage of invading viral pathogens hence deserve prime attention.
Collapse
|
2
|
Li S, Wang Z, Guo X, Chen P, Tang Y. Potent anti-tumor activity of CD45RA-targeting Hm3A4-Ranpirnase against myeloid lineage leukemias. Bioengineered 2022; 13:8631-8642. [PMID: 35322728 PMCID: PMC9161826 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2054159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
CD45RA is a specific marker for leukemia stem cell (LSC) sub-populations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Ranpirnase (Rap), an amphibian RNase, has been extensively investigated in preclinical and clinical studies for its antitumor activity. Rap could be administered repeatedly to patients without inducing an immune response. Reversible renal toxicity has been reported to be dose-limiting. In this study, we generated a novel immunotoxin targeting LSCs: Hm3A4-Rap, which was composed of Rap and Hm3A4, a human-mouse chimeric antibody against CD45RA. This immunotoxin was generated recombinantly by fusing Rap to Hm3A4 at the Fc terminus and then produced by stably transfecting CHO cells. The immunotoxin was purified using Ni-NTA and then evaluated using RT-PCR, SDS-PAGE, antibody titer assays, competitive inhibition assays, and internalization assays. In addition, the purity, molecular integrity, and affinity to the CD45RA antigen were determined. In vitro studies demonstrated that Hm3A4-Rap could efficiently kill target cells. In vivo studies demonstrated that Hm3A4-Rap had potent anti-leukemia activity, with dosed mice showing a significant increase in survival time compared to control mice (P < 0.01). In summary, our immunotoxin had excellent biological activity suggesting its potential therapeutic value for treating AML patients. Additional preclinical and clinical studies are needed to develop this immunotoxin as a treatment option for patients with leukemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Li
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
- Division/Center of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, The Pediatric Leukemia Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology Research Center of Zhejiang Province, National Clinical Medical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Zhujun Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR, China
| | - Xiaoping Guo
- Division/Center of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, The Pediatric Leukemia Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology Research Center of Zhejiang Province, National Clinical Medical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Ping Chen
- Division/Center of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, The Pediatric Leukemia Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology Research Center of Zhejiang Province, National Clinical Medical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yongmin Tang
- Division/Center of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, The Pediatric Leukemia Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology Research Center of Zhejiang Province, National Clinical Medical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hyperthermia Treatment as a Promising Anti-Cancer Strategy: Therapeutic Targets, Perspective Mechanisms and Synergistic Combinations in Experimental Approaches. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11040625. [PMID: 35453310 PMCID: PMC9030926 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11040625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent developments in diagnosis and treatment options, cancer remains one of the most critical threats to health. Several anti-cancer therapies have been identified, but further research is needed to provide more treatment options that are safe and effective for cancer. Hyperthermia (HT) is a promising treatment strategy for cancer because of its safety and cost-effectiveness. This review summarizes studies on the anti-cancer effects of HT and the detailed mechanisms. In addition, combination therapies with anti-cancer drugs or natural products that can effectively overcome the limitations of HT are reviewed because HT may trigger protective events, such as an increase of heat shock proteins (HSPs). In the 115 reports included, the mechanisms related to apoptosis, cell cycle, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA damage, transcription factors and HSPs were considered important. This review shows that HT is an effective inducer of apoptosis. Moreover, the limitations of HT may be overcome using combined therapy with anti-cancer drugs or natural products. Therefore, appropriate combinations of such agents with HT will exert maximal effects to treat cancer.
Collapse
|
4
|
Nassiri M, Gopalan V, Vakili-Azghandi M. Modifications of Ribonucleases in Order to Enhance Cytotoxicity in Anticancer Therapy. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2022; 22:373-387. [PMID: 35240973 DOI: 10.2174/1568009622666220303101005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Ribonucleases (RNases) are a superfamily of enzymes that have been extensively studied since the 1960s. For a long time, this group of secretory enzymes was studied as an important model for protein chemistry such as folding, stability and enzymatic catalysis. Since it was discovered that RNases displayed cytotoxic activity against several types of malignant cells, recent investigation has focused mainly on the biological functions and medical applications of engineered RNases. In this review, we describe structures, functions and mechanisms of antitumor activity of RNases. They operate at the crossroads of transcription and translation, preferentially degrading tRNA. As a result, this inhibits protein synthesis, induces apoptosis and causes death of cancer cells. This effect can be enhanced thousands of times when RNases are conjugated with monoclonal antibodies. Such combinations, called immunoRNases, have demonstrated selective antitumor activity against cancer cells both in vitro and in animal models. This review summarizes the current status of engineered RNases and immunoRNases as promising novel therapeutic agents for different types of cancer. Also, we describe our experimental results from published or previously unpublished research and compare with other scientific information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Nassiri
- Recombinant Proteins Research Group, The Research Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, NSW, Australia
| | - Vinod Gopalan
- Cancer Molecular Pathology, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4222, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nassiri M, Behnam-Rasouli R, Vakili-Azghandi M, Gopalan V, Dolati P, Nourmohammadi R. Refined immunoRNases for the efficient targeting and selective killing of tumour cells: A novel strategy. Life Sci 2022; 289:120222. [PMID: 34902436 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In order to overcome limitations of conventional cancer therapy methods, immunotoxins with the capability of target-specific action have been designed and evaluated pre-clinically, and some of them are in clinical studies. Targeting cancer cells via antibodies specific for tumour-associated surface proteins is a new biomedical approach that could provide the selectivity that is lacking in conventional cancer therapy methods such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A successful example of an approved immunotoxin is represented by immunoRNases. ImmunoRNases are fusion proteins in which the toxin has been replaced by a ribonuclease. Conjugation of RNase molecule to monoclonal antibody or antibody fragment was shown to enhance specific cell-killing by several orders of magnitude, both in vitro and in animal models. There are several RNases obtained from different mammalian cells that are expected to be less immunogenic and systemically toxic. In fact, RNases are pro-toxins which become toxic only upon their internalization in target cells mediated by the antibody moiety. The structure and large size of the antibody molecules assembled with the immunoRNases have always been a challenge in the application of immunoRNases as an antitoxin. To overcome this obstacle, we have offered a new strategy for the application of immunoRNases as a promising approach for upgrading immunoRNAses with maximum affinity and high stability in the cell, which can ultimately act as an effective large-scale cancer treatment. In this review, we introduce the optimized antibody-like molecules with small size, approximately 10 kD, which are presumed to significantly enhance RNase activity and be a suitable agent with the potential for anti-cancer functionality. In addition, we also discuss new molecular entities such as monobody, anticalin, nonobody and affilin as refined versions in the development of immunoRNases. These small molecules express their functionality with the suitable small size as well as with low immunogenicity in the cell, as a part of immunoRNases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Nassiri
- Recombinant Proteins Research Group, The Research Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, NSW, Australia.
| | - Reihane Behnam-Rasouli
- Recombinant Proteins Research Group, The Research Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Vinod Gopalan
- Cancer Molecular Pathology, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4222, Australia
| | - Peyman Dolati
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Rouhollah Nourmohammadi
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Lorestan 68137-17133, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
A Nuclear-Directed Ribonuclease Variant Targets Cancer Stem Cells and Inhibits Migration and Invasion of Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174350. [PMID: 34503160 PMCID: PMC8430808 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174350] [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: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary During the past decades the achievements made in treating cancers have significantly improved the survival of patients. However, cancer is still one of the leading causes of mortality. It is suggested that treatment failure is mediated by a subpopulation of tumor cells named cancer stem cells that can survive after treatment and promote cancer relapse. Targeting these cells is important to improve cancer therapy. The aim of our study is to determine the effect of a human ribonuclease variant on breast cancer cells grown in 3D and on cancer stem cells. Moreover, we study its effect on the ability of breast cancer cells to migrate and produce metastasis, responsible for about 90% of cancer deaths. We show that this ribonuclease arrests tumor cells grown in 3D without affecting normal breast cells, and this significantly inhibits cancer stem cell development. Additionally, it reduces the migratory and invasive capacities of tumor cells. Abstract Despite the significant advances in cancer research made in recent years, this disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In part, this is due to the fact that after therapy, a subpopulation of self-renewing tumor cells can survive and promote cancer relapse, resistance to therapies and metastasis. Targeting these cancer stem cells (CSCs) is therefore essential to improve the clinical outcome of cancer patients. In this sense, multi-targeted drugs may be promising agents targeting CSC-associated multifocal effects. We have previously constructed different human pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase) variants that are cytotoxic for tumor cells due to a non-classical nuclear localization signal introduced in their sequence. These cytotoxic RNases affect the expression of multiple genes involved in deregulated metabolic and signaling pathways in cancer cells and are highly cytotoxic for multidrug-resistant tumor cell lines. Here, we show that these cytotoxic nuclear-directed RNases are highly selective for tumor cell lines grown in 3D, inhibit CSCs’ development and diminish the self-renewal capacity of the CSCs population. Moreover, these human RNase variants reduce the migration and invasiveness of highly invasive breast cancer cells and downregulate N-cadherin expression.
Collapse
|
7
|
Lee C, Choi M, MacKay JA. Live long and active: Polypeptide-mediated assembly of antibody variable fragments. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020; 167:1-18. [PMID: 33129938 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies possess multiple biologically relevant features that have been engineered into new therapeutic formats. Two examples include the adaptable specificity of their variable (Fv) region and the extension of plasma circulation times through their crystallizable (Fc) region. Since the invention of the single chain variable fragment (scFv) in 1988, antibody variable regions have been re-engineered into a wide variety of multifunctional nanostructures. Among these strategies, peptide-mediated self-assembly of variable regions through heterologous expression has become a powerful method to produce homogenous, functional biomaterials. This manuscript reviews recent reports of antibody fragments assembled through fusion with peptides and proteins, including elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs), collagen-like polypeptides (CLPs), albumin, transmembrane proteins, leucine zippers, silk protein, and viruses. This review further discusses the current clinical status of engineered antibody fragments and challenges to overcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changrim Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Minchang Choi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - J Andrew MacKay
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jordaan S, Akinrinmade OA, Nachreiner T, Cremer C, Naran K, Chetty S, Barth S. Updates in the Development of ImmunoRNases for the Selective Killing of Tumor Cells. Biomedicines 2018; 6:biomedicines6010028. [PMID: 29510557 PMCID: PMC5874685 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines6010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted cancer therapy includes, amongst others, antibody-based delivery of toxic payloads to selectively eliminate tumor cells. This payload can be either a synthetic small molecule drug composing an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) or a cytotoxic protein composing an immunotoxin (IT). Non-human cytotoxic proteins, while potent, have limited clinical efficacy due to their immunogenicity and potential off-target toxicity. Humanization of the cytotoxic payload is essential and requires harnessing of potent apoptosis-inducing human proteins with conditional activity, which rely on targeted delivery to contact their substrate. Ribonucleases are attractive candidates, due to their ability to induce apoptosis by abrogating protein biosynthesis via tRNA degradation. In fact, several RNases of the pancreatic RNase A superfamily have shown potential as anti-cancer agents. Coupling of a human RNase to a humanized antibody or antibody derivative putatively eliminates the immunogenicity of an IT (now known as a human cytolytic fusion protein, hCFP). However, RNases are tightly regulated in vivo by endogenous inhibitors, controlling the ribonucleolytic balance subject to the cell’s metabolic requirements. Endogenous inhibition limits the efficacy with which RNase-based hCFPs induce apoptosis. However, abrogating the natural interaction with the natural inhibitors by mutation has been shown to significantly enhance RNase activity, paving the way toward achieving cytolytic potency comparable to that of bacterial immunotoxins. Here, we review the immunoRNases that have undergone preclinical studies as anti-cancer therapeutic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Jordaan
- Medical Biotechnology and Immunotherapy Group, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
| | - Olusiji A Akinrinmade
- South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
| | - Thomas Nachreiner
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Christian Cremer
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Krupa Naran
- Medical Biotechnology and Immunotherapy Group, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
- South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
| | - Shivan Chetty
- Medical Biotechnology and Immunotherapy Group, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
- South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
| | - Stefan Barth
- Medical Biotechnology and Immunotherapy Group, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
- South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gallez B, Neveu MA, Danhier P, Jordan BF. Manipulation of tumor oxygenation and radiosensitivity through modification of cell respiration. A critical review of approaches and imaging biomarkers for therapeutic guidance. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2017; 1858:700-711. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
10
|
Dan X, Liu W, Wong JH, Ng TB. A Ribonuclease Isolated from Wild Ganoderma Lucidum Suppressed Autophagy and Triggered Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:217. [PMID: 27504094 PMCID: PMC4958627 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) has been consumed in China as a medicine for promoting health and longevity for thousands of years. Due to its paramount and multiple pharmaceutical effects, G. lucidum has received considerable attention from researchers and its chemical constituents as well as their respective functions were gradually unveiled by using modern research methods. Herein, we reported the isolation of a protein (Ganoderma lucidum ribonuclease, GLR) with anti-colorectal cancer activities from G. lucidum. This protein is a 17.4-kDa RNA degrading enzyme (ribonuclease) and was purified by using liquid chromatography procedures. GLR manifested potent anti-proliferative and anti-colony formation activities on HT29 and HCT116 colorectal cancer cells by inducing cell cycle arrest in G1 phase through the regulation of cyclin D1 and P53 expression. GLR was demonstrated to induce cell apoptosis in HCT116 cells by activating unfolded protein response and caspase-9 regulated pathways. Besides, the ability to undergo autophagy which is a stress adaption mechanism to cope with metabolic crisis was significantly suppressed by GLR treatment in HCT116 cells. The activation of apoptosis in GLR-treated HT29 cells was, however, independent of caspase-9 and the suppression of autophagy was also relatively minor. Thus the apoptosis of HT29 cells triggered by GLR was much milder than that in HCT116 cells. Our findings show that the RNase from G. lucidum may be one of the bioactive components that contribute to the anti-colorectal cancer activity of G. lucidum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuli Dan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenlong Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biomedical Materials, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen, China
| | - Jack H Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, China
| | - Tzi B Ng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yiang GT, Tsai HF, Chen JR, Chou PL, Wu TK, Liu HC, Chang WJ, Liu LC, Tseng HH, Yu YL. RC-6 ribonuclease induces caspase activation, cellular senescence and neuron-like morphology in NT2 embryonal carcinoma cells. Oncol Rep 2014; 31:1738-44. [PMID: 24535104 DOI: 10.3892/or.2014.3023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Frog ribonucleases have been demonstrated to have anticancer activities. However, whether RC-6 ribonuclease exerts anticancer activity on human embryonal carcinoma cells remains unclear. In the present study, RC-6 induced cytotoxicity in NT2 cells (a human embryonal carcinoma cell line) and our studies showed that RC-6 can exert anticancer effects and induce caspase-9 and -3 activities. Moreover, to date, there is no evidence that frog ribonuclease-induced cytotoxicity effects are related to cellular senescence. Therefore, our studies showed that RC-6 can increase p16 and p21 protein levels and induce cellular senescence in NT2 cells. Notably, similar to retinoic acid-differentiated NT2 cells, neuron-like morphology was found on some remaining live cells after RC-6 treatment. In conclusion, our study is the first to demonstrate that RC-6 can induce cytotoxic effects, caspase-9/-3 activities, cellular senescence and neuron-like morphology in NT2 cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giou-Teng Yiang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei 231, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hsiu-Feng Tsai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei 231, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Jer-Rong Chen
- Department of Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Pei-Lun Chou
- Division of Allergy-Immunology-Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital Luodong, Yilan 265, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Tsai-Kun Wu
- Division of Renal Medicine, Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung 435, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hsiao-Chun Liu
- Department of Nursing, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei 231, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wei-Jung Chang
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Liang-Chih Liu
- Department of Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hsu-Hung Tseng
- Division of General Surgery, Taichung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung 403, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yung-Luen Yu
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan, R.O.C
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Schirrmann T, Frenzel A, Linden L, Stelte-Ludwig B, Willuda J, Harrenga A, Dübel S, Müller-Tiemann B, Trautwein M. Evaluation of human pancreatic RNase as effector molecule in a therapeutic antibody platform. MAbs 2014; 6:367-80. [PMID: 24492302 DOI: 10.4161/mabs.27830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human antibody-ribonuclease (RNase) fusion proteins, referred to as immunoRNases, have been proposed as an alternative to heterologous immunotoxins, without their immunogenicity and unspecific toxicity issues. In this study, we investigated if human pancreatic RNase will be suitable as effector component in a therapeutic antibody development platform. We generated several fusion proteins consisting of tumor-specific human immunoglobulins (IgGs) and human pancreatic RNase. Transient mammalian cell production was efficient and IgG-RNases were purified to homogeneity. Antigen binding was comparable to the parental antibodies and RNase catalytic activity was retained even in the presence of 50-fold molar excess of human cytosolic RNase inhibitor (RI). Serum stability, cell binding and internalization of IgG-RNases were comparable to the parental IgGs. Despite these promising properties, none of the IgG-RNases revealed significant inhibition of tumor cell growth in vitro even when targeting different antigens putatively employing different endocytotic pathways. The introduction of different linkers containing endosomal protease cleavage sites into the IgG-RNase did not enhance cytotoxicity. Similarly, RI evasive human pancreatic RNase variants mediated only small inhibiting effects on tumor cell growth at high concentrations, potentially reflecting inefficient cytosolic translocation. Taken together, human pancreatic RNase and variants did not prove to be generally suitable as effector component for a therapeutic antibody drug development platform.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schirrmann
- University of Braunschweig; Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics; Braunschweig, Germany
| | - André Frenzel
- University of Braunschweig; Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics; Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lars Linden
- Bayer Healthcare AG; Global Biologics; Wuppertal, Germany
| | | | - Jörg Willuda
- Bayer HealthCare AG; Therapeutic Research Group Oncology & Gynecological Therapies; Berlin, Germany
| | - Axel Harrenga
- Bayer Healthcare AG; Global Biologics; Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Stefan Dübel
- University of Braunschweig; Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics; Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Mark Trautwein
- Bayer Healthcare AG; Global Biologics; Wuppertal, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Westekemper H, Freistuehler M, Bornfeld N, Steuhl KP, Scheulen M, Hilger RA. Chemosensitivity of conjunctival melanoma cell lines to target-specific chemotherapeutic agents. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2012; 251:279-84. [DOI: 10.1007/s00417-012-2083-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Revised: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/30/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
|
14
|
Favoni RE, Daga A, Malatesta P, Florio T. Preclinical studies identify novel targeted pharmacological strategies for treatment of human malignant pleural mesothelioma. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 166:532-53. [PMID: 22289125 PMCID: PMC3417486 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.01873.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2011] [Revised: 12/01/2011] [Accepted: 12/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of human malignant pleural mesothelioma (hMPM) is still increasing worldwide. hMPM prognosis is poor even if the median survival time has been slightly improved after the introduction of the up-to-date chemotherapy. Nevertheless, large phase II/III trials support the combination of platinum derivatives and pemetrexed or raltitrexed, as preferred first-line schedule. Better understanding of the molecular machinery of hMPM will lead to the design and synthesis of novel compounds targeted against pathways identified as crucial for hMPM cell proliferation and spreading. Among them, several receptors tyrosine kinase show altered activity in subsets of hMPM. This observation suggests that these kinases might represent novel therapeutic targets in this chemotherapy-resistant disease. Over these foundations, several promising studies are ongoing at preclinical level and novel molecules are currently under evaluation as well. Yet, established tumour cell lines, used for decades to investigate the efficacy of anticancer agents, although still the main source of drug efficacy studies, after long-term cultures tend to biologically diverge from the original tumour, limiting the predictive potential of in vivo efficacy. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a subpopulation of malignant cells capable of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation, are believed to play an essential role in cancer initiation, growth, metastasization and relapse, being responsible of chemo- and radiotherapy refractoriness. According to the current carcinogenesis theory, CSCs represent the tumour-initiating cell (TIC) fraction, the only clonogenic subpopulation able to originate a tumour mass. Consequently, the recently described isolation of TICs from hMPM, the proposed main pharmacological target for novel antitumoural drugs, may contribute to better dissect the biology and multidrug resistance pathways controlling hMPM growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto E Favoni
- IRCCS A.O.U. San Martino-IST, Laboratory of Gene Transfer, Genoa, Italy.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Nasu M, Carbone M, Gaudino G, Ly BH, Bertino P, Shimizu D, Morris P, Pass HI, Yang H. Ranpirnase Interferes with NF-κB Pathway and MMP9 Activity, Inhibiting Malignant Mesothelioma Cell Invasiveness and Xenograft Growth. Genes Cancer 2011; 2:576-84. [PMID: 21901170 DOI: 10.1177/1947601911412375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2011] [Revised: 04/25/2011] [Accepted: 05/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ribonuclease ranpirnase (Onconase) has been used empirically to treat malignant mesothelioma (MM) patients, and some of them had prolonged survivals. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of the therapeutic function of ranpirnase in MM cells. The effects of ranpirnase were studied in vivo and in vitro on 2 MM cell lines (epithelioid REN and sarcomatoid PPM-Mill). We found that ranpirnase was able to inhibit NF-κB nuclear translocation, evaluated by cell fractionation and immunoblotting as well as by immunofluorescence. Also, MMP9 secretion by MM cells was decreased by ranpirnase treatment, as assessed by the reduction of metalloproteinase activity, evaluated by zymography on culture-conditioned media. Ranpirnase induced apoptosis of MM cells in vitro and in vivo, causing a powerful inhibition of MM tumor growth in SCID xenografts, determined by In Vivo Imaging System (IVIS) of tumor cells engineered by lentiviral transduction of the luciferase gene. Finally, mice treated with ranpirnase showed a significantly prolonged survival. Our data provide a mechanistic rationale to explain the beneficial antitumor activity observed in some patients treated with ranpirnase and demonstrate that ranpirnase interferes with the NF-κB pathway, thus influencing MM tumor cell invasiveness and survival. It is hoped that this information will also facilitate the identification of those patients who are more likely to benefit from this drug and will also open a new frontier for the use of this drug in tumor types other than MM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Nasu
- University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
|
17
|
Andrady C, Sharma SK, Chester KA. Antibody-enzyme fusion proteins for cancer therapy. Immunotherapy 2011; 3:193-211. [PMID: 21322759 DOI: 10.2217/imt.10.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in biomolecular technology have allowed the development of genetically fused antibody-enzymes. Antibody-enzyme fusion proteins have been used to target tumors for cancer therapy in two ways. In one system, an antibody-enzyme is pretargeted to the tumor followed by administration of an inactive prodrug that is converted to its active form by the pretargeted enzyme. This system has been described as antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy. The other system uses antibody-enzyme fusion proteins as direct therapeutics, where the enzyme is toxic in its own right. The key feature in this approach is that the antibody is used to internalize the toxic enzyme into the tumor cell, which activates cell-death processes. This antibody-enzyme system has been largely applied to deliver ribonucleases. This article addresses these two antibody-enzyme targeting strategies for cancer therapy from concept to (pre)clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carima Andrady
- Cancer Research UK Targeting & Imaging Group, Department of Oncology, UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E6BT, UK.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
Purpose Treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) with Ranpirnase (Onconase) results in disruption of protein translation and cell apoptosis. We hypothesize that Onconase acts via down regulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFKβ) by specific microRNAs (miRNA) and that interference of this pathway could have implications for MPM resistance to chemotherapy. Experimental Design Three immortalized MPM cell lines (H2959, H2373, and H2591) were exposed to Onconase at 0–20 µg/mL. Cell counts were measured at 48 and 72 hours. Gene expression in miRNA-enriched RNA was validated by RT-PCR. The functional implications of miRNA expression were evaluated by transfecting miRNA mimics or inhibitors into MPM cell lines, and performing Matrigel™ invasion, cell proliferation, soft agar colony formation, and scratch closure assays. Effects on NFKβ expression and downstream targets including ABC transporters, BCL-xl, and IAP were assessed by RT-PCR and Western Blotting. Results Treatment with 20µg/mL of Onconase significantly decreased cell count and invasion. Hsa-miR-17* was significantly upregulated and hsa-miR-30c significantly down-regulated by Onconase treatment in all cell lines. Forced expression of hsa-miR-17* mimic and hsa-miR-30c inhibitor each significantly decreased functional activity of Onconase in all assays. NFKB1(p50) expression and downstream targets were also decreased with Onconase treatment as well as with forced expression miRNA mimic and inhibitors. Conclusions Onconase treatment caused a significant decrease in cell proliferation, invasion, and in expression of certain miRNAs. Recapitulation of the resultant miRNA expression pattern with hsa-miR-17* mimic and hsa-miR-30c inhibitor resulted in downregulation of NFKB1 and reduced malignant behavior in functional assays. Thus, Onconase likely exerts its anti-tumor effect through these miRNAs.
Collapse
|
19
|
Fang EF, Ng TB. Ribonucleases of different origins with a wide spectrum of medicinal applications. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2010; 1815:65-74. [PMID: 20843477 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2010.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2010] [Revised: 09/03/2010] [Accepted: 09/03/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ribonucleases (RNases) are a type of nucleases that catalyze the degradation of RNA into smaller components. They exist in a wide range of life forms from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. RNase-controlled RNA degradation is a determining factor in the control of gene expression, maturation and turnover, which are further associated with the progression of cancers and infectious diseases. Over the years, RNases purified from multiple origins have drawn increasing attention from medical scientists due to their remarkable antitumor properties. In this review, we present a brief summary of the representative RNases of fungal, bacterial, plant, and animal origins and outline their potential medicinal value in the treatment of tumor and AIDS. Among them, the most clinically promising RNases are mushroom RNases, Binase and Barnase from bacteria, ginseng RNases, and Onconase from frog (Rana pipiens). Fast developing protein engineering of RNases, which display more potent cytotoxic activity on and greater selectivity for malignant cells, has also aroused the interest of researchers. The multiple anti-cancer mechanisms of RNases are also included. To sum up, these inspiring studies unveil a new perspective for RNases as potential therapeutic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evandro Fei Fang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chang CH, Gupta P, Michel R, Loo M, Wang Y, Cardillo TM, Goldenberg DM. Ranpirnase (frog RNase) targeted with a humanized, internalizing, anti-Trop-2 antibody has potent cytotoxicity against diverse epithelial cancer cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2010; 9:2276-86. [PMID: 20663928 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-10-0338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ranpirnase (Rap), an amphibian RNase, has been extensively studied both preclinically and clinically as an antitumor agent. Rap can be administered repeatedly to patients without any untoward immune response, with reversible renal toxicity reported to be dose limiting. To enhance its potency and targeted tumor therapy, we describe the generation of a novel IgG-based immunotoxin, designated 2L-Rap(Q)-hRS7, comprising Rap(Q), a mutant Rap with the putative N-glycosylation site removed, and hRS7, an internalizing, humanized antibody against Trop-2, a cell surface glycoprotein overexpressed in variety of epithelial cancers. The immunotoxin was generated recombinantly by fusing Rap(Q) to each of the two hRS7 light (L) chains at the NH(2) terminus, produced in stably transfected myeloma cells, purified by Protein A, and evaluated by a panel of in vitro studies. The results, including size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography, SDS-PAGE, flow cytometry, RNase activity, internalization, cell viability, and colony formation, showed its purity, molecular integrity, comparable affinity to hRS7 for binding to several Trop-2-expressing cell lines of different cancer types, and potency to inhibit growth of these cell lines at nanomolar concentrations. In addition, 2L-Rap(Q)-hRS7 suppressed tumor growth in a prophylactic model of nude mice bearing Calu-3 human non-small cell lung cancer xenografts, with an increase in the median survival time from 55 to 96 days (P < 0.01). These results warrant further development of 2L-Rap(Q)-hRS7 as a potential therapeutic for various Trop-2-expressing cancers, such as cervical, breast, colon, pancreatic, ovarian, and prostate cancers.
Collapse
|
21
|
Schirrmann T, Krauss J, Arndt MAE, Rybak SM, Dübel S. Targeted therapeutic RNases (ImmunoRNases). Expert Opin Biol Ther 2008; 9:79-95. [DOI: 10.1517/14712590802631862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
|