Peptide-Conjugated Nanoparticles as Targeted Anti-angiogenesis Therapeutic and Diagnostic in Cancer

Peptide-functionalized, -assembled and -loaded nanoparticles in cancer therapy

The combination of peptides and nanoparticles in cancer therapy has shown synergistic results. Nanoparticle functionalization with peptides can increase their targeting ability towards tumor cells. In some cases, the peptides can develop self-assembled nanoparticles, in combination with drugs, for targeted cancer therapy. The peptides can be loaded into nanoparticles and can be delivered by other drugs for synergistic cancer removal. Multifunctional types of peptide-based nanoparticles, including pH- and redox-sensitive classes, have been introduced in cancer therapy. The tumor microenvironment remolds, and the acceleration of immunotherapy and vaccines can be provided by peptide nanoparticles. Moreover, the bioimaging and labeling of cancers can be mediated by peptide nanoparticles. Therefore, peptides can functionalize nanoparticles in targeted cancer therapy.

Albumin Retains Its Transport Function after Interaction with Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles

The interaction of inorganic nanomaterials with biological fluids containing proteins can lead not only to the formation of a protein corona and thereby to a change in the biological activity of nanoparticles but also to a significant effect on the structural and functional properties of the biomolecules themselves. This work studied the interaction of nanoscale CeO2, the most versatile nanozyme, with human serum albumin (HSA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, UV-vis spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed the formation of HSA-CeO2 nanoparticle conjugates. Changes in protein conformation, which depend on the concentration of both citrate-stabilized CeO2 nanoparticles and pristine CeO2 nanoparticles, did not affect albumin drug-binding sites and, accordingly, did not impair the HSA transport function. The results obtained shed light on the biological consequences of the CeO2 nanoparticles' entrance into the body, which should be taken into account when engineering nanobiomaterials to increase their efficiency and reduce the side effects.

Design, synthesis and anticancer evaluation of novel oncolytic peptide-chlorambucil conjugates

Nitrogen mustards (NMs) are an important class of chemotherapeutic drugs and have been widely employed for the treatment of various cancers. However, due to the high reactivity of nitrogen mustard, most NMs react with proteins and phospholipids within the cell membrane. Therefore, only a very small fraction of NMs can reach the reach nucleus, alkylating and cross-linking DNA. To efficiently penetrate the cell membrane barrier, the hybridization of NMs with a membranolytic agent may be an effective strategy. Herein, the chlorambucil (CLB, a kind of NM) hybrids were first designed by conjugation with membranolytic peptide LTX-315. However, although LTX-315 could help large amounts of CLB penetrate the cytomembrane and enter the cytoplasm, CLB still did not readily reach the nucleus. Our previous work demonstrated that the hybrid peptide NTP-385 obtained by covalent conjugation of rhodamine B with LTX-315 could accumulate in the nucleus. Hence, the NTP-385-CLB conjugate, named FXY-3, was then designed and systematically evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. FXY-3 displayed prominent localization in the cancer cell nucleus and induced severe DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) to trigger cell apoptosis. Especially, compared with CLB and LTX-315, FXY-3 exhibited significantly increased in vitro cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer cell lines. Moreover, FXY-3 showed superior in vivo anticancer efficiency in the mouse cancer model. Collectively, this study established an effective strategy to increase the anticancer activity and the nuclear accumulation of NMs, which will provide a valuable reference for future nucleus-targeting modification of nitrogen mustards.

HIF-1alpha/VEGF pathway mediates 1,3,6,8-tetrabromo-9 H-carbazole-induced angiogenesis: a potential vascular toxicity of an emerging contaminant

The dioxin-like substances polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs) may trigger the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway. Although the crosstalk between AhR and the hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) pathways is generally believed to occur, the exact mechanisms of the HIF-1 pathway in PHCZ toxicity have not been determined. We aimed to elucidate the effect of PHCZs on the HIF-1 pathway and its involvement in the regulation of target genes of HIF-1. Herein, we employed human HepG2 cells transiently transfected with a hypoxia response element (HRE) luciferase reporter to identify PHCZs that could influence HIF-1 pathway. We found that exposure to one of the four selected PHCZs, specifically 1,3,6,8-tetrabromo-9 H-carbazole (1368-BCZ), induced a significant enhancement of the activity of HRE activity. In silico data supported 1368-BCZ-induced HIF-1α activity preferentially. Moreover, 1368-BCZ significantly upregulated the expression of HIF-1 target genes, including endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and erythropoietin. Importantly, the stimulated secretion of VEGF by 1368-BCZ promoted the angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Therefore, the present experimental and computational studies provide new and direct evidence of 1368-BCZ - HIF-1 interaction, which sheds light on the HIF-mediated cardiovascular toxicity and allows a knowledge-based risk assessment of emerging pollutants.

Tumor-targeted Drug Delivery by Nanocomposites

BACKGROUND

Tumor-targeted delivery by nanoparticles is a great achievement towards the use of highly effective drug at very low doses. The conventional development of tumor-targeted delivery by nanoparticles is based on enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and endocytosis based on receptor-mediated are very demanding due to the biological and natural complications of tumors as well as the restrictions on the design of the accurate nanoparticle delivery systems.

METHODS

Different tumor environment stimuli are responsible for triggered multistage drug delivery systems (MSDDS) for tumor therapy and imaging. Physicochemical properties, such as size, hydrophobicity and potential transform by MSDDS because of the physiological blood circulation different, intracellular tumor environment. This system accomplishes tumor penetration, cellular uptake improved, discharge of drugs on accurate time, and endosomal discharge.

RESULTS

Maximum drug delivery by MSDDS mechanism to target therapeutic cells and also tumor tissues and sub cellular organism. Poorly soluble compounds and bioavailability issues have been faced by pharmaceutical industries, which are resolved by nanoparticle formulation.

CONCLUSION

In our review, we illustrate different types of triggered moods and stimuli of the tumor environment, which help in smart multistage drug delivery systems by nanoparticles, basically a multi-stimuli sensitive delivery system, and elaborate their function, effects, and diagnosis.

Integrin α2β1 Targeting DGEA-Modified Liposomal Doxorubicin Enhances Antitumor Efficacy against Breast Cancer

Breast cancer was the leading cause of newly diagnosed cases of tumors in 2020, ranking as the second highest cause of female death. Chemotherapy remains the conventional treatment of choice for breast tumors in most clinical cases. However, it is often accompanied by a poor prognosis and severe side effects, resulting from an insufficient accumulation of the drug at tumor sites and an unsystematic distribution of the drug across the body. Inspired by the fact that breast tumor cells overexpress integrin α2β1 on the surface, we designed and constructed an integrin α2β1 targeting DGEA-modified liposomal doxorubicin (DGEA-Lipo-DOX) platform for application in breast cancer therapy. The DGEA-Lipo-DOX was stable with a uniform particle size of 121.1 ± 3.8 nm and satisfactory drug encapsulation. Demonstrated in vitro and in vivo, the constructed platform exhibited improved antitumor ability. The DGEA-Lipo-DOX showed 4-fold enhanced blood circulation and 6-fold increased accumulation of DOX at the tumor sites compared to those of free DOX, resulting in a significantly enhanced antitumor efficacy in tumor-bearing mice. A preliminary safety evaluation suggested that the systemic toxicity of DOX was relieved by DGEA-Lipo delivery. Collectively, binding integrin α2β1 by DGEA may represent an alternative therapeutic strategy for potentially safer breast cancer treatment.

Cytotoxic Potential, Metabolic Profiling, and Liposomes of Coscinoderma sp. Crude Extract Supported by in silico Analysis

Introduction

Sponge-Coscinoderma sp. (Family: Spongiidae) is a coastal sponge that possesses a broad variety of natural-products. However, the exact chemical constituents and cytotoxic activity of the extract are still undefinable.

Methodology

In the present study, the metabolomic profiling of Coscinoderma sp. dereplicated 20 compounds, utilizing liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRESIMS). Coscinoderma-derived crude extract, before and after encapsulation within nanosized liposomes, was in vitro screened against hepatic, breast, and colorectal carcinoma human cell lines (HepG2, MCF-7, and Caco-2, respectively).

Results

The identified metabolites were fit to diverse chemical classes, covering diterpenes, an indole alkaloid, sesterterpenoid, sterol, and methylherbipoline salt. Comprehensive in silico experiments predicted several compounds in the sponge-derived extract (eg, compounds 1-15) to have an anticancer potential via targeting multiple targets. The crude extract showed moderate antiproliferative activities towards studied cell lines with IC₅₀ values range from 10.7 to 12.4 µg/mL. The formulated extract-containing liposomes (size 141±12.3nm, PDI 0.222, zeta potential 20.8 ± 2.3), significantly enhanced the in vitro anticancer activity of the entrapped extract (IC₅₀ values ranged from 1.7 to 4.1 µg/mL).

Discussion

Encapsulation of both the hydrophilic and the lipophilic components of the extract within the lipid-based nanovesicles enhanced the cellular uptake and accessibility of the entrapped cargo. This study introduces liposomal nano-vesicles as a promising approach to improve the therapeutic potential of sponge-derived extracts.

Characterization of tryptophan-containing dipeptides for anti-angiogenic effects

AIMS

In the pathogenesis of several diseases, neo-angiogenesis is increased (e.g. tumour growth). The peptide L-glutamyl-L-tryptophan (EW/IM862) has been claimed to exhibit inhibitory effects on tumour growth in vivo. However, the potential role of natural peptides with respect to anti-angiogenic properties is unsettled. The current study explores anti-angiogenic effects of the dipeptides WL, EW, IW and WE.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using a bottom-up strategy, we first evaluated the effects of the peptides on VEGFR-2 signalling and quantified their effects in different angiogenesis assays. WL consistently had the strongest effects on phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 and downstream signalling. Therefore, this peptide was chosen in comparison with EW to further assess anti-angiogenic properties. However, sprout formation in three-dimensional (3D) fibrin gel bead assay was significantly inhibited by EW only. Furthermore, vessel sprouting in the mouse aortic ring assay was decreased by the presence of WL and EW compared to control. Results from a chorioallantoic membrane assay showed that under vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation WL and EW decreased the number of blood vessels versus control. These results were in line with those obtained in a matrigel plug assay. The VEGF-induced increase in the haemoglobin content was nearly abolished when treatment was combined with either WL or EW application. In the murine model of oxygen-induced retinopathy, WL exhibited a small albeit significant anti-angiogenic effect.

CONCLUSION

Comprehensive screening of WL suggests an anti-angiogenic effect, demonstrated in in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models. Thus, WL is a dipeptide with potential anti-angiogenic effects and is worthy for further exploration.