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Gong J, Nhan J, St-Pierre JP, Gillies ER. Designing polymers for cartilage uptake: effects of architecture and molar mass. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:8804-8816. [PMID: 37668597 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01417g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive disease, involving the progressive breakdown of cartilage, as well as changes to the synovium and bone. There are currently no disease-modifying treatments available clinically. An increasing understanding of the disease pathophysiology is leading to new potential therapeutics, but improved approaches are needed to deliver these drugs, particularly to cartilage tissue, which is avascular and contains a dense matrix of collagens and negatively charged aggrecan proteoglycans. Cationic delivery vehicles have been shown to effectively penetrate cartilage, but these studies have thus far largely focused on proteins or nanoparticles, and the effects of macromolecular architectures have not yet been explored. Described here is the synthesis of a small library of polycations composed of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) and N-(3-aminopropyl)methacrylamide (APMA) with linear, 4-arm, or 8-arm structures and varying degrees of polymerization (DP) by reversible addition fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Uptake and retention of the polycations in bovine articular cartilage was assessed. While all polycations penetrated cartilage, uptake and retention generally increased with DP before decreasing for the highest DP. In addition, uptake and retention were higher for the linear polycations compared to the 4-arm and 8-arm polycations. In general, the polycations were well tolerated by bovine chondrocytes, but the highest DP polycations imparted greater cytotoxicity. Overall, this study reveals that linear polymer architectures may be more favorable for binding to the cartilage matrix and that the DP can be tuned to maximize uptake while minimizing cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jue Gong
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St., London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada.
| | - Jordan Nhan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Ottawa, 161 Louis-Pasteur Pvt., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Jean-Philippe St-Pierre
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Ottawa, 161 Louis-Pasteur Pvt., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Elizabeth R Gillies
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St., London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada.
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St., London, Ontario, N6A 5B9, Canada
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Small-Sized Co-Polymers for Targeted Delivery of Multiple Imaging and Therapeutic Agents. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11112996. [PMID: 34835760 PMCID: PMC8625475 DOI: 10.3390/nano11112996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Research has increasingly focused on the delivery of high, often excessive amounts of drugs, neglecting negative aspects of the carrier's physical preconditions and biocompatibility. Among them, little attention has been paid to "small but beautiful" design of vehicle and multiple cargo to achieve effortless targeted delivery into deep tissue. The design of small biopolymers for deep tissue targeted delivery of multiple imaging agents and therapeutics (mini-nano carriers) emphasizes linear flexible polymer platforms with a hydrodynamic diameter of 4 nm to 10 nm, geometrically favoring dynamic juxtaposition of ligands to host receptors, and economic drug content. Platforms of biodegradable, non-toxic poly(β-l-malic acid) of this size carrying multiple chemically bound, optionally nature-derived or synthetic affinity peptides and drugs for a variety of purposes are described in this review with specific examples. The size, shape, and multiple attachments to membrane sites accelerate vascular escape and fast blood clearance, as well as the increase in medical treatment and contrasts for tissue imaging. High affinity antibodies routinely considered for targeting, such as the brain through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), are replaced by moderate affinity binding peptides (vectors), which penetrate at high influxes not achievable by antibodies.
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Tavares MR, Hrabánková K, Konefał R, Kaňa M, Říhová B, Etrych T, Šírová M, Chytil P. HPMA-Based Copolymers Carrying STAT3 Inhibitor Cucurbitacin-D as Stimulus-Sensitive Nanomedicines for Oncotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13020179. [PMID: 33525658 PMCID: PMC7911143 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The study describes the synthesis, physicochemical properties, and biological evaluation of polymer therapeutics based on N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers intended for a tumor-targeted immuno-oncotherapy. Water-soluble linear and cholesterol-containing HPMA precursors were synthesized using controlled reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization to reach molecular weight Mn about 2 × 104 g·mol−1 and low dispersity. These linear or self-assembled micellar conjugates, containing immunomodulatory agent cucurbitacin-D (CuD) or the anticancer drug doxorubicin (Dox) covalently bound by the hydrolytically degradable hydrazone bond, showed a hydrodynamic size of 10–30 nm in aqueous solutions. The CuD-containing conjugates were stable in conditions mimicking blood. Importantly, a massive release of active CuD in buffer mimicking the acidic tumor environment was observed. In vitro, both the linear (LP-CuD) and the micellar (MP-CuD) conjugates carrying CuD showed cytostatic/cytotoxic activity against several cancer cell lines. In a murine metastatic and difficult-to-treat 4T1 mammary carcinoma, only LP-CuD showed an anticancer effect. Indeed, the co-treatment with Dox-containing micellar polymer conjugate and LP-CuD showed potentiation of the anticancer effect. The results indicate that the binding of CuD, characterized by prominent hydrophobic nature and low bioavailability, to the polymer carrier allows a safe and effective delivery. Therefore, the conjugate could serve as a potential component of immuno-oncotherapy schemes within the next preclinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina R. Tavares
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského náměstí 2, CZ-162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic; (M.R.T.); (R.K.); (T.E.)
| | - Klára Hrabánková
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic; (K.H.); (M.K.); (B.Ř.); (M.Š.)
| | - Rafał Konefał
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského náměstí 2, CZ-162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic; (M.R.T.); (R.K.); (T.E.)
| | - Martin Kaňa
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic; (K.H.); (M.K.); (B.Ř.); (M.Š.)
| | - Blanka Říhová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic; (K.H.); (M.K.); (B.Ř.); (M.Š.)
| | - Tomáš Etrych
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského náměstí 2, CZ-162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic; (M.R.T.); (R.K.); (T.E.)
| | - Milada Šírová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic; (K.H.); (M.K.); (B.Ř.); (M.Š.)
| | - Petr Chytil
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského náměstí 2, CZ-162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic; (M.R.T.); (R.K.); (T.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-296-809-230
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Nakamura H, Koziolová E, Chytil P, Etrych T, Haratake M, Maeda H. Superior Penetration and Cytotoxicity of HPMA Copolymer Conjugates of Pirarubicin in Tumor Cell Spheroid. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:3452-3459. [PMID: 31294568 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide copolymer conjugates of pirarubicin (THP), P-THP, accumulates selectively in solid tumor tissue by the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Despite of high accumulation in solid tumors, some macromolecular antitumor agents show poor therapeutic outcome because of poor tissue diffusion into the tumor as well as obstructed tumor blood flow. Here, we confirmed that cellular uptake of P-THP was 25 times less than that of free THP at 1-4 h incubation time in vitro. The passage of P-THP through the confluent tight-monolayer cells junction was 12 times higher than free THP, and P-THP penetrated deeper into the tumor cell spheroid (1.3-1.7-fold) than free THP in 4 h. In addition, P-THP showed cytotoxicity comparable to that of free THP to tumor-cells in spheroid form, despite of 7 times lower cytotoxicity of P-THP to the monolayer cells to that of free THP in vitro. These results indicate that P-THP administration can exhibit deeper diffusion into the tumor cell spheroid than free THP. As a consequence, P-THP exhibits more efficient antitumor activity than free THP in vivo, which is also supported by better pharmacokinetics and tumor accumulation of P-THP than free THP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Nakamura
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sojo University , Ikeda 4-22-1, Nishi-ku , Kumamoto 860-0082 , Japan
| | - Eva Koziolová
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry , Czech Academy of Sciences , Heyrovsky Sq. 2 , 162 06 Prague 6 , Czech Republic
| | - Petr Chytil
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry , Czech Academy of Sciences , Heyrovsky Sq. 2 , 162 06 Prague 6 , Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Etrych
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry , Czech Academy of Sciences , Heyrovsky Sq. 2 , 162 06 Prague 6 , Czech Republic
| | - Mamoru Haratake
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sojo University , Ikeda 4-22-1, Nishi-ku , Kumamoto 860-0082 , Japan
| | - Hiroshi Maeda
- Department of Microbiology , Kumamoto University School of Medical Sciences , Kumamoto , Japan.,BioDynamics Research Foundation , Kuwamizu 1-24-6, Chuo-ku , Kumamoto 862-0954 , Japan
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Koziolová E, Venclíková K, Etrych T. Polymer-drug conjugates in inflammation treatment. Physiol Res 2019; 67:S281-S292. [PMID: 30379550 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a vital defense mechanism of living organisms. However, persistent and chronic inflammation may lead to severe pathological processes and evolve into various chronic inflammatory diseases (CID), e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus or inflammatory bowel diseases, or certain types of cancer. Their current treatment usually does not lead to complete remission. The application of nanotherapeutics may significantly improve CID treatment, since their accumulation in inflamed tissues has been described and is referred to as extravasation through leaky vasculature and subsequent inflammatory cell-mediated sequestration (ELVIS). Among nanotherapeutics, water-soluble polymer-drug conjugates may be highly advantageous in CID treatment due to the possibility of their passive and active targeting to the inflammation site and controlled release of active agents once there. The polymer-drug conjugate consists of a hydrophilic biocompatible polymer backbone along which the drug molecules are covalently attached via a biodegradable linker that enables controlled drug release. Their active targeting or bio-imaging can be achieved by introducing the cell-specific targeting moiety or imaging agents into the polymer conjugate. Here, we review the relationship between polymer conjugates and inflammation, including the benefits of the application of polymer conjugates in inflammation treatment, the anti-inflammatory activity of polymer drug conjugates and potential polymer-promoted inflammation and immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Koziolová
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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Kotrchová L, Etrych T. Synthesis of water-soluble star polymers based on cyclodextrins. Physiol Res 2019; 67:S357-S365. [PMID: 30379556 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel star polymers based on the water-soluble N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer and cyclodextrin were synthesized and the physico-chemical behavior of these precursors was studied. Semitelechelic HPMA copolymers were grafted onto the cyclodextrin core, thus forming star-like structure. Both prepared systems were designed as possible polymer carriers for the controlled release of cytostatic drugs, which after the drug release and degradation will be eliminated from the organism. Two synthesis approaches were used to obtain similar polymer carriers with different degradation rates. All the polymers were prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization, which guarantees low dispersity of the prepared systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Kotrchová
- Department of Biomedicinal Polymers, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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Abstract
In this review we summarize several synthetic approaches to the advanced synthesis of star-like polymer-based drug carriers. Moreover, their application as nanomedicines for therapy or the diagnosis of neoplastic diseases and their biodistribution are reviewed in detail. From a broad spectrum of star-like systems, we focus only on fully water-soluble systems, mainly based on poly(ethylene glycol) or N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide polymer and copolymer arms and polyamidoamine dendrimers serving as the core of the star-like systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Kotrchová
- Department of Biomedicinal Polymers, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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RIEDELOVÁ Z, MÁJEK P, PEČÁNKOVÁ K, KUČEROVÁ J, SURMAN F, DE LOS SANTOS PEREIRA A, RIEDEL T. SPR Biosensor for Quantification of Fetuin-A as a Promising Multibiomarker. Physiol Res 2018; 67:S367-S375. [DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Early diagnosis of ongoing malignant disease is crucial to improve survival rate and life quality of the patients and requires sensitive detection of specific biomarkers e.g. prostate-specific antigen (PSA), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), etc. In spite of current technological advances, malignant diseases are still identified in rather late stages, which have detrimental effect on the prognosis and treatment of the disease. Here, we present a biosensor able to detect fetuin-A, a potential multibiomarker. The biosensing platform is based on polymer brush combining antifouling monomer units of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) and carboxybetaine methacrylamide (CBMAA), statistically copolymerized by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The copolymer poly(HPMA-co-CBMAA) exhibits excellent non-fouling properties in the most relevant biological media (i.e. blood plasma) as well as antithrombogenic surface properties by preventing the adhesion of blood components (i.e. leukocytes; platelets; and erythrocytes). Moreover, the polymer brush can be easily functionalized with biorecognition elements maintaining high resistance to blood fouling and the binding capacity can be regulated by tuning the ratio between CBMAA and HPMA units. The superior antifouling properties of the copolymer even after biofunctionalization were exploited to fabricate a new plasmonic biosensor for the analysis of fetuin-A in real clinical blood plasma samples. The assay used in this work can be explored as label-free affinity biosensor for diagnostics of different biomarkers in real clinical plasma samples and to shift the early biomarker detection toward novel biosensor technologies allowing point of care analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - T. RIEDEL
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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