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Ghaemi B, Tanwar S, Singh A, Arifin DR, McMahon MT, Barman I, Bulte JWM. Cell-Penetrating and Enzyme-Responsive Peptides for Targeted Cancer Therapy: Role of Arginine Residue Length on Cell Penetration and In Vivo Systemic Toxicity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:11159-11171. [PMID: 38385360 PMCID: PMC11362383 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c14908] [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] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
For the improved delivery of cancer therapeutics and imaging agents, the conjugation of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) increases the cellular uptake and water solubility of agents. Among the various CPPs, arginine-rich peptides have been the most widely used. Combining CPPs with enzyme-responsive peptides presents an innovative strategy to target specific intracellular enzymes in cancer cells and when combined with the appropriate click chemistry can enhance theranostic drug delivery through the formation of intracellular self-assembled nanostructures. However, one drawback of CPPs is their high positive charge which can cause nonspecific binding, leading to off-target accumulation and potential toxicity. Hence, balancing cell-specific penetration, toxicity, and biocompatibility is essential for future clinical efficacy. We synthesized six cancer-specific, legumain-responsive RnAANCK peptides containing one to six arginine residues, with legumain being an asparaginyl endopeptidase that is overexpressed in aggressive prostate tumors. When conjugated to Alexa Fluor 488, R1-R6AANCK peptides exhibited a concentration- and time-dependent cell penetration in prostate cancer cells, which was higher for peptides with higher R values, reaching a plateau after approximately 120 min. Highly aggressive DU145 prostate tumor cells, but not less aggressive LNCaP cells, self-assembled nanoparticles in the cytosol after the cleavage of the legumain-specific peptide. The in vivo biocompatibility was assessed in mice after the intravenous injection of R1-R6AANCK peptides, with concentrations ranging from 0.0125 to 0.4 mmol/kg. The higher arginine content in R4-6 peptides showed blood and urine indicators for the impairment of bone marrow, liver, and kidney function in a dose-dependent manner, with instant hemolysis and morbidity in extreme cases. These findings underscore the importance of designing peptides with the optimal arginine residue length for a proper balance of cell-specific penetration, toxicity, and in vivo biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnaz Ghaemi
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Swati Tanwar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Aruna Singh
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Inc., Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Dian R Arifin
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Michael T McMahon
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Inc., Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Ishan Barman
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Jeff W M Bulte
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Inc., Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
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Matamala Montoya M, van Slobbe GJJ, Chang JC, Zaal EA, Berkers CR. Metabolic changes underlying drug resistance in the multiple myeloma tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1155621. [PMID: 37091139 PMCID: PMC10117897 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1155621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by the clonal expansion of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM). MM remains an incurable disease, with the majority of patients experiencing multiple relapses from different drugs. The MM tumor microenvironment (TME) and in particular bone-marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) play a crucial role in the development of drug resistance. Metabolic reprogramming is emerging as a hallmark of cancer that can potentially be exploited for cancer treatment. Recent studies show that metabolism is further adjusted in MM cells during the development of drug resistance. However, little is known about the role of BMSCs in inducing metabolic changes that are associated with drug resistance. In this Perspective, we summarize current knowledge concerning the metabolic reprogramming of MM, with a focus on those changes associated with drug resistance to the proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib (BTZ). In addition, we present proof-of-concept fluxomics (glucose isotope-tracing) and Seahorse data to show that co-culture of MM cells with BMSCs skews the metabolic phenotype of MM cells towards a drug-resistant phenotype, with increased oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), serine synthesis pathway (SSP), TCA cycle and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Given the crucial role of BMSCs in conveying drug resistance, insights into the metabolic interaction between MM and BMSCs may ultimately aid in the identification of novel metabolic targets that can be exploited for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Matamala Montoya
- Division Cell Biology, Metabolism & Cancer, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Gijs J. J. van Slobbe
- Division Cell Biology, Metabolism & Cancer, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jung-Chin Chang
- Division Cell Biology, Metabolism & Cancer, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Esther A. Zaal
- Division Cell Biology, Metabolism & Cancer, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Celia R. Berkers, ; Esther A. Zaal,
| | - Celia R. Berkers
- Division Cell Biology, Metabolism & Cancer, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Celia R. Berkers, ; Esther A. Zaal,
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Solberg R, Lunde NN, Forbord KM, Okla M, Kassem M, Jafari A. The Mammalian Cysteine Protease Legumain in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415983. [PMID: 36555634 PMCID: PMC9788469 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The cysteine protease legumain (also known as asparaginyl endopeptidase or δ-secretase) is the only known mammalian asparaginyl endopeptidase and is primarily localized to the endolysosomal system, although it is also found extracellularly as a secreted protein. Legumain is involved in the regulation of diverse biological processes and tissue homeostasis, and in the pathogenesis of various malignant and nonmalignant diseases. In addition to its proteolytic activity that leads to the degradation or activation of different substrates, legumain has also been shown to have a nonproteolytic ligase function. This review summarizes the current knowledge about legumain functions in health and disease, including kidney homeostasis, hematopoietic homeostasis, bone remodeling, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, fibrosis, aging and senescence, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In addition, this review addresses the effects of some marketed drugs on legumain. Expanding our knowledge on legumain will delineate the importance of this enzyme in regulating physiological processes and disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rigmor Solberg
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (A.J.); Tel.: +47-22-857-514 (R.S.); +45-35-337-423 (A.J.)
| | - Ngoc Nguyen Lunde
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Karl Martin Forbord
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Meshail Okla
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moustapha Kassem
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Abbas Jafari
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (A.J.); Tel.: +47-22-857-514 (R.S.); +45-35-337-423 (A.J.)
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Bauer R, Meyer SP, Kloss KA, Guerrero Ruiz VM, Reuscher S, Zhou Y, Fuhrmann DC, Zarnack K, Schmid T, Brüne B. Functional RNA Dynamics Are Progressively Governed by RNA Destabilization during the Adaptation to Chronic Hypoxia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105824. [PMID: 35628634 PMCID: PMC9144826 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies towards reduced oxygen availability have mostly focused on changes in total mRNA expression, neglecting underlying transcriptional and post-transcriptional events. Therefore, we generated a comprehensive overview of hypoxia-induced changes in total mRNA expression, global de novo transcription, and mRNA stability in monocytic THP-1 cells. Since hypoxic episodes often persist for prolonged periods, we further compared the adaptation to acute and chronic hypoxia. While total mRNA changes correlated well with enhanced transcription during short-term hypoxia, mRNA destabilization gained importance under chronic conditions. Reduced mRNA stability not only added to a compensatory attenuation of immune responses, but also, most notably, to the reduction in nuclear-encoded mRNAs associated with various mitochondrial functions. These changes may prevent the futile production of new mitochondria under conditions where mitochondria cannot exert their full metabolic function and are indeed actively removed by mitophagy. The post-transcriptional mode of regulation might further allow for the rapid recovery of mitochondrial capacities upon reoxygenation. Our results provide a comprehensive resource of functional mRNA expression dynamics and underlying transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory principles during the adaptation to hypoxia. Furthermore, we uncover that RNA stability regulation controls mitochondrial functions in the context of hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Bauer
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (R.B.); (S.P.M.); (V.M.G.R.); (D.C.F.); (B.B.)
| | - Sofie Patrizia Meyer
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (R.B.); (S.P.M.); (V.M.G.R.); (D.C.F.); (B.B.)
| | - Karolina Anna Kloss
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; (K.A.K.); (S.R.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Vanesa Maria Guerrero Ruiz
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (R.B.); (S.P.M.); (V.M.G.R.); (D.C.F.); (B.B.)
| | - Samira Reuscher
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; (K.A.K.); (S.R.); (Y.Z.)
| | - You Zhou
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; (K.A.K.); (S.R.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Dominik Christian Fuhrmann
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (R.B.); (S.P.M.); (V.M.G.R.); (D.C.F.); (B.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kathi Zarnack
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; (K.A.K.); (S.R.); (Y.Z.)
- Correspondence: (K.Z.); (T.S.)
| | - Tobias Schmid
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (R.B.); (S.P.M.); (V.M.G.R.); (D.C.F.); (B.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- Correspondence: (K.Z.); (T.S.)
| | - Bernhard Brüne
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (R.B.); (S.P.M.); (V.M.G.R.); (D.C.F.); (B.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
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