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Behzadipour Y, Hemmati S. Covalent conjugation and non-covalent complexation strategies for intracellular delivery of proteins using cell-penetrating peptides. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116910. [PMID: 38852512 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116910] [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: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic proteins provided new opportunities for patients and high sales volumes. However, they are formulated for extracellular targets. The lipophilic barrier of the plasma membrane renders the vast array of intracellular targets out of reach. Peptide-based delivery systems, namely cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), have few safety concerns, and low immunogenicity, with control over administered doses. This study investigates CPP-based protein delivery systems by classifying them into CPP-protein "covalent conjugation" and CPP: protein "non-covalent complexation" categories. Covalent conjugates ensure the proximity of the CPP to the cargo, which can improve cellular uptake and endosomal escape. We will discuss various aspects of covalent conjugates through non-cleavable (stable) or cleavable bonds. Non-cleavable CPP-protein conjugates are produced by recombinant DNA technology to express the complete fusion protein in a host cell or by chemical ligation of CPP and protein, which ensures stability during the delivery process. CPP-protein cleavable bonds are classified into pH-sensitive and redox-sensitive bonds, enzyme-cleavable bonds, and physical stimuli cleavable linkers (light radiation, ultrasonic waves, and thermo-responsive). We have highlighted the key characteristics of non-covalent complexes through electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions to preserve the conformational integrity of the CPP and cargo. CPP-mediated protein delivery by non-covalent complexation, such as zippers, CPP adaptor methods, and avidin-biotin technology, are featured. Conclusively, non-covalent complexation methods are appropriate when a high number of CPP or protein samples are to be screened. In contrast, when the high biological activity of the protein is critical in the intracellular compartment, conjugation protocols are preferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Behzadipour
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Shiva Hemmati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran; Biotechnology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Hofmann S, Dombrowsky C, Happel D, Dessin C, Cermjani E, Cica M, Avrutina O, Sewald N, Neumann H, Kolmar H. Conditional Cell Penetration of Masked CPPs by an ADEPT-like Approach. ACS Chem Biol 2024. [PMID: 38733564 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The intracellular delivery of cargos via cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) holds significant promise as a drug delivery vehicle, but a major issue is their lack of cell type specificity, which can lead to detrimental off-target effects. We use an ADEPT-like concept to introduce conditional and selective activation of cellular uptake by using the lysine-rich, cationic, and amphiphilic L17E peptide as a model CPP. By masking the lysine residues of the L17E peptide with enzyme-cleavable acetyl protecting groups, the delivery of the covalently conjugated fluorophore TAMRA to HeLa cells was diminished. Recovery of cellular uptake could be achieved by deacetylation of the masked acetylated L17E peptide using the NAD-dependent sirtuin 2 (SirT2) deacetylase in vitro. Finally, trastuzumab-SirT2 and anti-B7H3-SirT2 antibody-enzyme conjugates were generated for the conditional and selective delivery of a cryptophycin cytotoxin by the L17E peptide. While the masked peptide still demonstrated some cytotoxicity, selective cell killing mediated by the antibody-enzyme conjugates was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hofmann
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, TU Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Carolin Dombrowsky
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, TU Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Dominic Happel
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, TU Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Cedric Dessin
- Department of Chemistry/Organic Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Centrum für Biotechnologie - CeBiTec, Universitätsstraße 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Egzon Cermjani
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, TU Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Matijas Cica
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, TU Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Olga Avrutina
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, TU Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Norbert Sewald
- Department of Chemistry/Organic Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Centrum für Biotechnologie - CeBiTec, Universitätsstraße 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Heinz Neumann
- Department of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, Stephanstraße 7, 64295 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Harald Kolmar
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, TU Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany
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López-Estévez AM, Lapuhs P, Pineiro-Alonso L, Alonso MJ. Personalized Cancer Nanomedicine: Overcoming Biological Barriers for Intracellular Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2309355. [PMID: 38104275 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202309355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The success of personalized medicine in oncology relies on using highly effective and precise therapeutic modalities such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Unfortunately, the clinical exploitation of these biological drugs has encountered obstacles in overcoming intricate biological barriers. Drug delivery technologies represent a plausible strategy to overcome such barriers, ultimately facilitating the access to intracellular domains. Here, an overview of the current landscape on how nanotechnology has dealt with protein corona phenomena as a first and determinant biological barrier is presented. This continues with the analysis of strategies facilitating access to the tumor, along with conceivable methods for enhanced tumor penetration. As a final step, the cellular barriers that nanocarriers must confront in order for their biological cargo to reach their target are deeply analyzed. This review concludes with a critical analysis and future perspectives of the translational advances in personalized oncological nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana María López-Estévez
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Department of Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
| | - Philipp Lapuhs
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Department of Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
| | - Laura Pineiro-Alonso
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Department of Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
| | - María José Alonso
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Department of Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
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Tang B, Lau KM, Zhu Y, Shao C, Wong WT, Chow LMC, Wong CTT. Chemical Modification of Cytochrome C for Acid-Responsive Intracellular Apoptotic Protein Delivery for Cancer Eradication. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:71. [PMID: 38258082 PMCID: PMC10819283 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Delivering bioactive proteins into cells without carriers presents significant challenges in biomedical applications due to limited cell membrane permeability and the need for targeted delivery. Here, we introduce a novel carrier-free method that addresses these challenges by chemically modifying proteins with an acid-responsive cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) for selective intracellular delivery within tumours. Cytochrome C, a protein known for inducing apoptosis, served as a model for intracellular delivery of therapeutic proteins for cancer treatment. The CPP was protected with 2,3-dimethyl maleic anhydride (DMA) and chemically conjugated onto the protein surface, creating an acid-responsive protein delivery system. In the acidic tumour microenvironment, DMA deprotects and exposes the positively charged CPP, enabling membrane penetration. Both in vitro and in vivo assays validated the pH-dependent shielding mechanism, demonstrating the modified cytochrome C could induce apoptosis in cancer cells in a pH-selective manner. These findings provide a promising new approach for carrier-free and tumour-targeted intracellular delivery of therapeutic proteins for a wide range of potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Larry M. C. Chow
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; (B.T.); (K.M.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.S.); (W.-T.W.)
| | - Clarence T. T. Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; (B.T.); (K.M.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.S.); (W.-T.W.)
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