1
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Li X, Chen L, Kong S, Zhong H, Jiang F, Zhao W. Direct investigations of interactions between nucleolins and aptamers on pancreatic cancer and normal cells by atomic force microscopy. Ultramicroscopy 2024; 263:113986. [PMID: 38762964 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2024.113986] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Nucleolin is overexpressed on the surface of pancreatic cancer cells and are regarded as the remarkable therapeutic target. Aptamers are capable of binding the external domain of nucleolin on the cell surface with high affinity and specificity. But nucleolin has not been localized on pancreatic cancer cells at very high spatial resolution, and the interactions between nucleolin and aptamers have not been investigated at very high force resolution level. In this work, nucleolin was localized on pancreatic cancer and normal cells by aptamers (9FU-AS1411-NH2, AS1411-NH2 and CRONH2) in Single Molecule Recognition Imaging mode of Atomic Force Microscopy. There are plenty of nucleolin on the surfaces of pancreatic cancer cells (area percentage about 5 %), while there are little nucleolin on the surfaces of normal cells. The interactions between three types of aptamers and nucleolins on the surfaces of pancreatic cancer cells were investigated by Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy. The unbinding forces of nucleolins-(9FU-AS1411-NH2) are larger than nucleolins-(AS1411-NH2). The dissociation activation energy on nucleolin-(9FU-AS1411-NH2) is higher than nucleolin-(AS1411-NH2), which indicates that the former complex is more stable and harder to dissociate than the later complex. There are no unbinding forces between nucleolin and CRONH2. All these demonstrate that nucleolin was localized on pancreatic cancer and normal cells at single molecule level quantitatively, and the interactions (unbinding forces and kinetics) between nucleolin and aptamers were studied at picoNewton level. The approaches and results of this work will pave new ways in the investigations of nucleolin and aptamers, and will also be useful in the studies on other proteins and their corresponding aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Li
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Biofabrication in Tissue Engineering of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China; School of Medical Information Engineering, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China
| | - Longyun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Biofabrication in Tissue Engineering of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China; School of Rehabilitation, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China
| | - Sudong Kong
- Suzhou Biosyntech Co., Ltd., Suzhou 215300, People's Republic of China
| | - Haijian Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Biofabrication in Tissue Engineering of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China; School of Medical Information Engineering, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Biofabrication in Tissue Engineering of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Weidong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Biofabrication in Tissue Engineering of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China; School of Medical Information Engineering, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Uinarni H, Oghenemaro EF, Menon SV, Hjazi A, Ibrahim FM, Kaur M, Zafarjonovna AZ, Deorari M, Jabir MS, Zwamel AH. Breaking Barriers: Nucleic Acid Aptamers in Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Therapy. Cell Biochem Biophys 2024:10.1007/s12013-024-01367-w. [PMID: 38916791 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-024-01367-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Conventional cancer therapies can have significant adverse effects as they are not targeted to cancer cells and may damage healthy cells. Single-stranded oligonucleotides assembled in a particular architecture, known as aptamers, enable them to attach selectively to target areas. Usually, they are created by Systematic Evolution of Ligand by Exponential enrichment (SELEX), and they go through a rigorous pharmacological revision process to change their therapeutic half-life, affinity, and specificity. They could thus offer a viable substitute for antibodies in the targeted cancer treatment market. Although aptamers can be a better choice in some situations, antibodies are still appropriate for many other uses. The technique of delivering aptamers is simple and reasonable, and the time needed to manufacture them is relatively brief. Aptamers do not require animals or an immune response to be produced, in contrast to antibodies. When used as a medication, aptamers can directly suppress tumor cells. As an alternative, they can be included in systems for targeted drug delivery that administer medications specifically to tumor cells while reducing toxicity to healthy cells. The most recent and cutting-edge methods for treating gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancer with aptamers will be covered in this review, with a focus on targeted therapy as a means of conquering resistance to traditional medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herlina Uinarni
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine and Health Sciences Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Radiology department of Pantai Indah Kapuk Hospital Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia.
| | - Enwa Felix Oghenemaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
| | - Soumya V Menon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Ahmed Hjazi
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatma Magdi Ibrahim
- Assisstant professor, Community Health Nursing, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
- Lecturer, geriatric nursing, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mandeep Kaur
- Department of Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303012, India
| | | | - Mahamedha Deorari
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Majid S Jabir
- Department of applied sciences, University of technology, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ahmed Hussein Zwamel
- Medical laboratory technique college, the Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
- Medical laboratory technique college, the Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq
- Medical laboratory technique college, the Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
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3
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Ribeiro R, Moreira JN, Goncalves J. Development of a new affinity maturation protocol for the construction of an internalizing anti-nucleolin antibody library. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10608. [PMID: 38719911 PMCID: PMC11079059 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61230-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades, monoclonal antibodies have substantially improved the treatment of several conditions. The continuous search for novel therapeutic targets and improvements in antibody's structure, demands for a constant optimization of their development. In this regard, modulation of an antibody's affinity to its target has been largely explored and culminated in the discovery and optimization of a variety of molecules. It involves the creation of antibody libraries and selection against the target of interest. In this work, we aimed at developing a novel protocol to be used for the affinity maturation of an antibody previously developed by our group. An antibody library was constructed using an in vivo random mutagenesis approach that, to our knowledge, has not been used before for antibody development. Then, a cell-based phage display selection protocol was designed to allow the fast and simple screening of antibody clones capable of being internalized by target cells. Next generation sequencing coupled with computer analysis provided an extensive characterization of the created library and post-selection pool, that can be used as a guide for future antibody development. With a single selection step, an enrichment in the mutated antibody library, given by a decrease in almost 50% in sequence diversity, was achieved, and structural information useful in the study of the antibody-target interaction in the future was obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Ribeiro
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, iMed.ULisboa - Research Institute for Medicines, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Univ Coimbra-University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João N Moreira
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Univ Coimbra-University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - João Goncalves
- Faculty of Pharmacy, iMed.ULisboa - Research Institute for Medicines, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
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4
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Xin MK, Sun X, Tang HW, Li CY. Near-Infrared Light-Powered and DNA Nanocage-Confined Catalytic Hairpin Assembly Nanobiosensor with a Nucleic Acid Restriction Behavior and Reinforced Enzymatic Resistance for Robust Imaging Assay in Live Biosystems. Anal Chem 2024; 96:7101-7110. [PMID: 38663376 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
While DNA amplifier-built nanobiosensors featuring a DNA polymerase-free catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) reaction have shown promise in fluorescence imaging assays within live biosystems, challenges persist due to unsatisfactory precision stemming from premature activation, insufficient sensitivity arising from low reaction kinetics, and poor biostability caused by endonuclease degradation. In this research, we aim to tackle these issues. One aspect involves inserting an analyte-binding unit with a photoinduced cleavage bond to enable a light-powered notion. By utilizing 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) light-excited upconversion luminescence as the ultraviolet source, we achieve entirely a controllable sensing event during the biodelivery phase. Another aspect refers to confining the CHA reaction within the finite space of a DNA self-assembled nanocage. Besides the accelerated kinetics (up to 10-fold enhancement) resulting from the nucleic acid restriction behavior, the DNA nanocage further provides a 3D rigid skeleton to reinforce enzymatic resistance. After selecting a short noncoding microRNA (miRNA-21) as the modeled low-abundance sensing analyte, we have verified that the innovative NIR light-powered and DNA nanocage-confined CHA nanobiosensor possesses remarkably high sensitivity and specificity. More importantly, our sensing system demonstrates a robust imaging capability for this cancer-related universal biomarker in live cells and tumor-bearing mouse bodies, showcasing its potential applications in disease analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Kun Xin
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoming Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Biomedical Research Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P. R. China
| | - Hong-Wu Tang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Cheng-Yu Li
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, P. R. China
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5
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Hassibian S, Taghdisi SM, Jamshidi Z, Samie A, Alinezhad Nameghi M, Shayan M, Farrokhi N, Alibolandi M, Ramezani M, Dehnavi SM, Abnous K. Surface modification of hollow gold nanoparticles conducted by incorporating cancer cell membrane and AS1411 aptamer, aiming to achieve a dual-targeted therapy for colorectal cancer. Int J Pharm 2024; 655:124036. [PMID: 38522491 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124036] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Due to its inherent membrane structure, a nanostructure enveloped by an active cell membrane possesses distinctive characteristics such as prolonged presence in the bloodstream, precise identification capabilities, and evasion of immune responses. This research involved the production of biomimetic nanoparticles, specifically hollow gold nanoparticles (HGNPs) loaded with methotrexate (MTX), which were further coated with cancer cell membrane. These nanoparticles were then adorned with AS1411 aptamer to serve as a targeting agent (Apt-CCM-HG@MTX). The nanoplatform demonstrated precise targeting towards cancer cells due to its dual-targeting characteristic (AS1411 aptamer and C26 cancer cell membrane), exhibiting uniformity in distribution. It also displayed a desirable response to photothermal stimulation, controlled release of drugs, and exceptional properties for fluorescence imaging. The system was composed of spherical HGNPs measuring 51.33 ± 5.70 nm in diameter, which were effectively loaded with MTX using a physical absorption method. The encapsulation efficiency achieved was recorded at 79.54 %, while the loading efficiency reached 38.21 %. The targeted formulation demonstrated a noteworthy mortality of approximately 45 % in the nucleolin positive cell line, C26, as determined by in vitro cytotoxicity assays. As a result of the functionalization process applied to the homologous binding adhesion molecules found in cancer cell membranes and targeting ability of AS1411 aptamer, Apt-CCM-HG@MTX demonstrated a substantial enhancement in targeting tumors and facilitating cellular uptake during in vivo experiments. Furthermore, under NIR radiation the photothermal effect exhibited by Apt-CCM-HG@MTX in the tumor area was notably robust due to the distinctive attributes of HGNPs. The conclusions obtained from this study have the potential to assist in adopting a bioinspired strategy that will significantly improve the effective management of MTX and therapy for individuals with colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Hassibian
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, P.O. Box 19839-69411, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Taghdisi
- Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Zahra Jamshidi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Samie
- Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Mersedeh Shayan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Naser Farrokhi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, P.O. Box 19839-69411, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mona Alibolandi
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ramezani
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohsen Dehnavi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, P.O. Box 19839-69411, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Khalil Abnous
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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6
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Bahreyni A, Mohamud Y, Ashraf Nouhegar S, Zhang J, Luo H. Synergistic Viro-chemoimmunotherapy in Breast Cancer Enabled by Bioengineered Immunostimulatory Exosomes and Dual-Targeted Coxsackievirus B3. ACS NANO 2024; 18:4241-4255. [PMID: 38278522 PMCID: PMC10851665 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c09491] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer's immunosuppressive environment hinders effective immunotherapy, but oncolytic viruses hold promise for addressing this challenge by targeting tumor cells and altering the microenvironment. Yet, neutralizing antibodies and immune clearance impede their clinical utility. This study explored microRNA-modified coxsackievirus B3 (miR-CVB3), an innovative oncolytic virus, and its potential in breast cancer treatment. It investigated miR-CVB3's impact on immune-related proteins and utilized exosomes as both protective shields and delivery carriers. Results demonstrated miR-CVB3's capacity to reshape immune-related protein profiles toward a more immunostimulatory state and enhance exosome-mediated immune cell activation. Notably, cancer cell-released exosomes encapsulating miR-CVB3 (ExomiR-CVB3) maintained its antitumor cytotoxicity and bolstered its immunostimulatory effects. Moreover, ExomiR-CVB3 shielded miR-CVB3 from neutralizing antibodies and rapid immune clearance when it was systemically administered. Building on these findings, ExomiR-CVB3 was engineered with the AS1411 aptamer and doxorubicin (ExomiR-CVB3/DoxApt), enhancing therapeutic efficacy. This notable approach, combining genomic modification, aptamer surface decoration, and doxorubicin addition, demonstrated safe delivery of CVB3 to cancer cells. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo analyses revealed selective breast cancer cell targeting, cell death induction, and significant immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment while sparing healthy organs. In summary, this study highlights ExomiR-CVB3/DoxApt as a pioneering breast cancer treatment strategy adaptable for diverse cancer types, offering a potent and versatile approach to reshaping cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Bahreyni
- Centre
for Heart Lung Innovation, St Paul’s
Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Department
of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Yasir Mohamud
- Centre
for Heart Lung Innovation, St Paul’s
Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Department
of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Sanaz Ashraf Nouhegar
- Centre
for Heart Lung Innovation, St Paul’s
Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Department
of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Jingchun Zhang
- Centre
for Heart Lung Innovation, St Paul’s
Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Department
of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Honglin Luo
- Centre
for Heart Lung Innovation, St Paul’s
Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Department
of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
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7
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Lin B, Xiao F, Jiang J, Zhao Z, Zhou X. Engineered aptamers for molecular imaging. Chem Sci 2023; 14:14039-14061. [PMID: 38098720 PMCID: PMC10718180 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc03989g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging, including quantification and molecular interaction studies, plays a crucial role in visualizing and analysing molecular events occurring within cells or organisms, thus facilitating the understanding of biological processes. Moreover, molecular imaging offers promising applications for early disease diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation. Aptamers are oligonucleotides that can recognize targets with a high affinity and specificity by folding themselves into various three-dimensional structures, thus serving as ideal molecular recognition elements in molecular imaging. This review summarizes the commonly employed aptamers in molecular imaging and outlines the prevalent design approaches for their applications. Furthermore, it highlights the successful application of aptamers to a wide range of targets and imaging modalities. Finally, the review concludes with a forward-looking perspective on future advancements in aptamer-based molecular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqian Lin
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Department of Hematology of Zhongnan Hospital, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China
| | - Feng Xiao
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Department of Hematology of Zhongnan Hospital, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China
| | - Jinting Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Department of Hematology of Zhongnan Hospital, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China
| | - Zhengjia Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Department of Hematology of Zhongnan Hospital, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Department of Hematology of Zhongnan Hospital, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China
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8
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Fu J, Yao F, An Y, Li X, Wang W, Yang XD. Novel bispecific aptamer targeting PD-1 and nucleolin for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Nanotechnol 2023. [DOI: 10.1186/s12645-023-00177-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is a promising strategy for cancer treatment and has achieved remarkable clinical results. Further improvement of ICB efficacy may advance cancer immunotherapy and has evident medical importance. Here in this study, a PD-1 aptamer was functionalized with a tumor-homing nucleolin aptamer (AS1411) to build a novel bispecific agent (BiApt) for boosting the efficacy of ICB therapy.
Results
The two aptamers were coupled together via sticky ends to form BiApt, which had an average size of 11.70 nm. Flow cytometry revealed that BiApt could bind with both the activated T cells and the nucleolin-expressing tumor cells. In addition, BiApt could recruit more T cells to the vicinity of nucleolin-positive tumor cells. Functionally, BiApt enhanced the PBMC-mediated anticancer cytotoxicity in vitro compared with free PD-1 aptamer. Moreover, in an animal model of CT26 colon cancer, BiApt significantly boosted the antitumor efficacy vs. free PD-1 aptamer.
Conclusion
The results suggest that bispecific agent combining ICB and tumor-homing functions has potential to improve the efficacy of ICB immunotherapy.
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Roxo C, Zielińska K, Pasternak A. Bispecific G-quadruplexes as inhibitors of cancer cells growth. Biochimie 2023; 214:91-100. [PMID: 37562706 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.08.008] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
A therapeutic system with the ability to target more than one protein is an important aim of cancer therapy since tumor growth is accompanied by dysregulation of many biological pathways. G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical structures formed by guanine-rich DNA or RNA oligonucleotides, with the ability to bind to different targets. In this study, we constructed ten novel bispecific G-quadruplex conjugates based on AT11, TBA, T40214 and T40231 aptamer structures, with the ability to bind two different targets at once in cancer cells. We analyzed the physicochemical aspects and the anticancer properties of novel molecules relating them with the single G-quadruplex unit and attempted to comprehend the correlation between the structures of bispecific G-quadruplexes with their biological activity. Our studies uncovered conjugates with considerable antiproliferative potential in HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, however with relatively low thermal stability or low nuclease resistance. Three conjugates among all studied oligonucleotides possess improved antiproliferative activity in MCF-7 cell line in comparison to their single G-quadruplex units leading to up to 90% inhibition of cancer cells growth, but their inhibitory potential is rather comparable to the effect observed for mix of two separate G-quadruplex units. Importantly, the conjugation enhances oligonucleotides enzymatic stability leading to the improvement of their therapeutic profile. The comprehensive studies presented herein indicate new approach for possibly effective cancer therapy and for the design of G4-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Roxo
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznan, Poland
| | - Karolina Zielińska
- Department of Biomolecular NMR, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Pasternak
- Department of Nucleic Acids Bioengineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznan, Poland.
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10
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Van den Avont A, Sharma-Walia N. Anti-nucleolin aptamer AS1411: an advancing therapeutic. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1217769. [PMID: 37808518 PMCID: PMC10551449 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1217769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapy is highly desirable, as it allows for selective cytotoxicity on diseased cells without off-target side effects. Nucleolin is a remarkable target for cancer therapy given its high abundance, selective presence on the plasma membrane, and multifaceted influence on the initiation and progression of cancer. Nucleolin is a protein overexpressed on the cell membrane in many tumors and serves as a binding protein for several ligands implicated in angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. Nucleolin is present in the cytoplasm, nucleoplasm, and nucleolus and is used by selected pathogens for cell entry. AS1411 is a guanosine-rich oligonucleotide aptamer that binds nucleolin and is internalized in the tumor cells. AS1411 is well tolerated at therapeutic doses and localizes to tumor cells overexpressing nucleolin. AS1411 has a good safety profile with efficacy in relapsed acute myeloid leukemia and renal cell carcinoma producing mild or moderate side effects. The promising potential of AS1411 is its ability to be conjugated to drugs and nanoparticles. When a drug is bound to AS1411, the drug will localize to tumor cells leading to targeted therapy with fewer systemic side effects than traditional practices. AS1411 can also be bound to nanoparticles capable of detecting nucleolin at concentrations far lower than lab techniques used today for cancer diagnosis. AS1411 has a promising potential to change cancer diagnoses and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neelam Sharma-Walia
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
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11
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Chen YL, Sun X, He JW, Xin MK, Liu D, Li CY. Light-Driven and Metal-Organic Framework Synergetic Loaded DNA Tetrahedral Amplifier for Exonuclease III-Powered All-in-One Biosensing and Chemotherapy in Live Biosystems. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37410886 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c06626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
As a result of inaccurate biosensing and difficult synergetic loading, it is challenging to further impel DNA amplifiers to perform therapeutic application. Herein, we introduce some innovative solutions. First, a smart light-driven biosensing concept based on embedding nucleic acid modules with a simple photocleavage-linker is proposed. In this system, the target identification component is exposed on irradiation with ultraviolet light, thus avoiding an always-on biosensing response during biological delivery. Further, in addition to providing controlled spatiotemporal behavior and precise biosensing information, a metal-organic framework is used for the synergetic loading of doxorubicin in the internal pores, whereafter a rigid DNA tetrahedron-sustained exonuclease III-powered biosensing system is attached to prevent drug leakage and enhance resistance to enzymatic degradation. By selecting a next-generation breast cancer correlative noncoding microRNA biomarker (miRNA-21) as a model low-abundance analyte, a highly sensitive in vitro detection ability even allowing to distinguish single-base mismatching is demonstrated. Moreover, the all-in-one DNA amplifier shows excellent bioimaging competence and good chemotherapy efficacy in live biosystems. These findings will drive research into the use of DNA amplifiers in diagnosis and therapy integrated fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ling Chen
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoming Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Biomedical Research Institute, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P. R. China
| | - Jing-Wei He
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, P. R. China
| | - Meng-Kun Xin
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, P. R. China
| | - Da Liu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Cheng-Yu Li
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, P. R. China
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12
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Li F, Cao Y, Kan X, Li D, Li Y, Huang C, Liu P. AS1411-conjugated doxorubicin-loaded silver nanotriangles for targeted chemo-photothermal therapy of breast cancer. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2023; 18:1077-1094. [PMID: 37650546 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2023-0158] [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] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Combination therapy has attracted tremendous interest for its great potential in treating cancers. Materials & methods: Based on chitosan-coated silver nanotriangles, polyethylene glycol, AS1411 aptamer and doxorubicin, a multifunctional nanocomposite (AS1411-DOX-AgNTs) was constructed and characterized. Then the photothermal properties, ability to target breast cancer cells and anti-breast cancer effect of AS1411-DOX-AgNTs were evaluated. Results: AS1411-DOX-AgNTs were successfully fabricated and showed excellent photothermal conversion efficiency, breast cancer cell and tumor targeting ability. Compared with single treatments, the combination of AS1411-DOX-AgNTs with near-infrared irradiation possessed the strongest anti-breast cancer effect in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: AS1411-DOX-AgNTs hold great potential in targeted DOX delivery and combined chemo-photothermal therapy for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Li
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuyu Cao
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuechun Kan
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongdong Li
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Li
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Huang
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Peidang Liu
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials & Devices, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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13
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Tsujimura H, Naganuma M, Ohoka N, Inoue T, Naito M, Tsuji G, Demizu Y. Development of DNA Aptamer-Based PROTACs That Degrade the Estrogen Receptor. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:827-832. [PMID: 37312841 PMCID: PMC10258903 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD), using chimeric molecules such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), has attracted attention as a strategy for selective degradation of intracellular proteins by hijacking the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). However, it is often difficult to develop such degraders due to the absence of appropriate ligands for target proteins. In targeting proteins for degradation, the application of nucleic acid aptamers is considered to be effective because these can be explored using systematic evolution of ligand by exponential enrichment (SELEX) methods. In this study, we constructed chimeric molecules in which nucleic acid aptamers capable of binding to the estrogen receptor α (ERα) and E3 ubiquitin ligase ligands were linked via a linker. ERα aptamer-based PROTACs were found to degrade ERα via the UPS. These findings represent the development of novel aptamer-based PROTACs that target intracellular proteins and are potentially applicable to other proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruna Tsujimura
- Division
of Organic Chemistry, National Institute
of Health Sciences, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
- Graduate
School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama
City University, Kanagawa 236-0027, Japan
| | - Miyako Naganuma
- Division
of Organic Chemistry, National Institute
of Health Sciences, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
- Graduate
School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama
City University, Kanagawa 236-0027, Japan
| | - Nobumichi Ohoka
- Division
of Molecular Target and Gene Therapy Products, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
| | - Takao Inoue
- Division
of Molecular Target and Gene Therapy Products, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
| | - Mikihiko Naito
- Laboratory
of Targeted Protein Degradation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Genichiro Tsuji
- Division
of Organic Chemistry, National Institute
of Health Sciences, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
| | - Yosuke Demizu
- Division
of Organic Chemistry, National Institute
of Health Sciences, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
- Graduate
School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama
City University, Kanagawa 236-0027, Japan
- Graduate
School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division
of Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
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14
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Mardi N, Salahpour-Anarjan F, Nemati M, Shahsavari Baher N, Rahbarghazi R, Zarebkohan A. Exosomes; multifaceted nanoplatform for targeting brain cancers. Cancer Lett 2023; 557:216077. [PMID: 36731592 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
At the moment, anaplastic changes within the brain are challenging due to the complexity of neural tissue, leading to the inefficiency of therapeutic protocols. The existence of a cellular interface, namely the blood-brain barrier (BBB), restricts the entry of several macromolecules and therapeutic agents into the brain. To date, several nano-based platforms have been used in laboratory settings and in vivo conditions to overcome the barrier properties of BBB. Exosomes (Exos) are one-of-a-kind of extracellular vesicles with specific cargo to modulate cell bioactivities in a paracrine manner. Regarding unique physicochemical properties and easy access to various biofluids, Exos provide a favorable platform for drug delivery and therapeutic purposes. Emerging data have indicated that Exos enable brain penetration of selective cargos such as bioactive factors and chemotherapeutic compounds. Along with these statements, the application of smart delivery approaches can increase delivery efficiency and thus therapeutic outcomes. Here, we highlighted the recent advances in the application of Exos in the context of brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Mardi
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Salahpour-Anarjan
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Nemati
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nasim Shahsavari Baher
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Reza Rahbarghazi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Amir Zarebkohan
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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