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Guo S, Wang J, Wang Q, Wang J, Qin S, Li W. Advances in peptide-based drug delivery systems. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26009. [PMID: 38404797 PMCID: PMC10884816 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug delivery systems (DDSs) are designed to deliver drugs to their specific targets to minimize their toxic effects and improve their susceptibility to clearance during targeted transport. Peptides have high affinity, low immunogenicity, simple amino acid composition, and adjustable molecular size; therefore, most peptides can be coupled to drugs via linkers to form peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) and act as active pro-drugs. PDCs are widely thought to be promising DDSs, given their ability to improve drug bio-compatibility and physiological stability. Peptide-based DDSs are often used to deliver therapeutic substances such as anti-cancer drugs and nucleic acid-based drugs, which not only slow the degradation rate of drugs in vivo but also ensure the drug concentration at the targeted site and prolong the half-life of drugs in vivo. This article provides an profile of the advancements and future development in functional peptide-based DDSs both domestically and internationally in recent years, in the expectation of achieving targeted drug delivery incorporating functional peptides and taking full advantage of synergistic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijie Guo
- Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao, Shandong, 266112, China
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao, Shandong, 266112, China
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Jinxin Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Song Qin
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Wenjun Li
- Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao, Shandong, 266112, China
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
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Rathee P, Moorkkannur SN, Prabhakar R. Structural studies of catalytic peptides using molecular dynamics simulations. Methods Enzymol 2024; 697:151-180. [PMID: 38816122 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2024.01.019] [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: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Many self-assembling peptides can form amyloid like structures with different sizes and morphologies. Driven by non-covalent interactions, their aggregation can occur through distinct pathways. Additionally, they can bind metal ions to create enzyme like active sites that allow them to catalyze diverse reactions. Due to the non-crystalline nature of amyloids, it is quite challenging to elucidate their structures using experimental spectroscopic techniques. In this aspect, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide a useful tool to derive structures of these macromolecules in solution. They can be further validated by comparing with experimentally measured structural parameters. However, these simulations require a multi-step process starting from the selection of the initial structure to the analysis of MD trajectories. There are multiple force fields, parametrization protocols, equilibration processes, software and analysis tools available for this process. Therefore, it is complicated for non-experts to select the most relevant tools and perform these simulations effectively. In this chapter, a systematic methodology that covers all major aspects of modeling of catalytic peptides is provided in a user-friendly manner. It will be helpful for researchers in this critical area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parth Rathee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | | | - Rajeev Prabhakar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States.
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Shin HJ, Lee BK, Kang HA. Transdermal Properties of Cell-Penetrating Peptides: Applications and Skin Penetration Mechanisms. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:1-16. [PMID: 38079575 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00659] [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: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) consist of 5-30 amino acids with intracellular transduction abilities and diverse physicochemical properties, origins, and sequences. Although recent developments in bioinformatics have facilitated the prediction of CPP candidates with the potential for transduction into cells, the mechanisms by which CPPs penetrate cells and various tissues have not yet been elucidated at the molecular interaction level. Recently, the skin-penetrating ability of CPPs has gained wide attention and emerged as a simple and effective strategy for the delivery of macromolecules into the skin. Studies on the skin structure have suggested that the penetration potential of CPPs is based on the molecular interactions and characteristics of the lipid lamellar structure between corneocytes in the stratum corneum. This review provides a brief overview of the general properties, transduction mechanisms, applications, and safety issues of CPPs, focusing on CPPs with transdermal properties, that are currently being used to develop therapeutics and cosmetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Je Shin
- ProCell R&D Center, ProCell Therapeutics, Inc., #1009 Ace-Twin Tower II, 273, Digital-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul 08381, Republic of Korea
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Chung-Ang University, 84, Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Kyu Lee
- ProCell R&D Center, ProCell Therapeutics, Inc., #1009 Ace-Twin Tower II, 273, Digital-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul 08381, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ah Kang
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Chung-Ang University, 84, Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
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Cao Z, Zhao L, Yan T, Liu L. Effects of C-Terminal Lys-Arg Residue of AapA1 Protein on Toxicity and Structural Mechanism. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:542. [PMID: 37755968 PMCID: PMC10537873 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090542] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous experimental investigations have established the indispensability of the C-terminal Lys-Arg residues in the toxic activity of the AapA1 toxin protein. AapA1 is classified as a type I toxin-antitoxin (TA) bacterial toxin, and the precise impact of the C-terminal Lys-Arg residues on its structure and mechanism of action remains elusive. To address this knowledge gap, the present study employed molecular dynamics (MD) and enhanced sampling Well-tempered Two-dimensional Metadynamics (2D-MetaD) simulations to examine the behavior of the C-terminal Lys-Arg residues of truncated AapA1 toxin (AapA1-28) within the inner membrane of Escherichia coli. Specifically, the study focused on the elucidation of possible conformation states of AapA1-28 protein in POPE/POPG (3:1) bilayers and their interactions between the protein and POPE/POPG (3:1) bilayers. The findings of our investigation indicate that the AapA1-28 protein does not adopt a vertical orientation upon membrane insertion; rather, it assumes an angled conformation, with the side chain of Lys-23 directed toward the upper layer of the membrane. This non-transmembrane conformation of AapA1-28 protein impedes its ability to form pores within the membrane, resulting in reduced toxicity towards Escherichia coli. These results suggest that C-Terminal positively charged residues are essential for electrostatic binding to the negatively charged head group of bottom bilayer membrane, which stabilize the transmembrane conformation. These outcomes contribute to our comprehension of the impact of C-terminal charged residues on the structure and functionality of membrane-associated proteins, and provide an improved understanding of how protein sequence influences the antimicrobial effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zanxia Cao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China; (L.Z.); (T.Y.)
| | - Liling Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China; (L.Z.); (T.Y.)
- College of Physics and Electronic Information, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China
| | - Tingting Yan
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China; (L.Z.); (T.Y.)
| | - Lei Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China; (L.Z.); (T.Y.)
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Gori A, Lodigiani G, Colombarolli SG, Bergamaschi G, Vitali A. Cell Penetrating Peptides: Classification, Mechanisms, Methods of Study, and Applications. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300236. [PMID: 37389978 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) encompass a class of peptides that possess the remarkable ability to cross cell membranes and deliver various types of cargoes, including drugs, nucleic acids, and proteins, into cells. For this reason, CPPs are largely investigated in drug delivery applications in the context of many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and genetic disorders. While sharing this functionality and some common structural features, such as a high content of positively charged amino acids, CPPs represent an extremely diverse group of elements, which can differentiate under many aspects. In this review, we summarize the most common characteristics of CPPs, introduce their main distinctive features, mechanistic aspects that drive their function, and outline the most widely used techniques for their structural and functional studies. We highlight current gaps and future perspectives in this field, which have the potential to significantly impact the future field of drug delivery and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Gori
- SCITEC - Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulia Lodigiani
- SCITEC - Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Stella G Colombarolli
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168, Roma, Italy
| | - Greta Bergamaschi
- SCITEC - Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto Vitali
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168, Roma, Italy
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Nhàn NTT, Yamada T, Yamada KH. Peptide-Based Agents for Cancer Treatment: Current Applications and Future Directions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12931. [PMID: 37629112 PMCID: PMC10454368 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based strategies have received an enormous amount of attention because of their specificity and applicability. Their specificity and tumor-targeting ability are applied to diagnosis and treatment for cancer patients. In this review, we will summarize recent advancements and future perspectives on peptide-based strategies for cancer treatment. The literature search was conducted to identify relevant articles for peptide-based strategies for cancer treatment. It was performed using PubMed for articles in English until June 2023. Information on clinical trials was also obtained from ClinicalTrial.gov. Given that peptide-based strategies have several advantages such as targeted delivery to the diseased area, personalized designs, relatively small sizes, and simple production process, bioactive peptides having anti-cancer activities (anti-cancer peptides or ACPs) have been tested in pre-clinical settings and clinical trials. The capability of peptides for tumor targeting is essentially useful for peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs), diagnosis, and image-guided surgery. Immunomodulation with peptide vaccines has been extensively tested in clinical trials. Despite such advantages, FDA-approved peptide agents for solid cancer are still limited. This review will provide a detailed overview of current approaches, design strategies, routes of administration, and new technological advancements. We will highlight the success and limitations of peptide-based therapies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhàn
- Department of Pharmacology & Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Tohru Yamada
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
- Richard & Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois College of Engineering, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Kaori H. Yamada
- Department of Pharmacology & Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Zakany F, Mándity IM, Varga Z, Panyi G, Nagy P, Kovacs T. Effect of the Lipid Landscape on the Efficacy of Cell-Penetrating Peptides. Cells 2023; 12:1700. [PMID: 37443733 PMCID: PMC10340183 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Every cell biological textbook teaches us that the main role of the plasma membrane is to separate cells from their neighborhood to allow for a controlled composition of the intracellular space. The mostly hydrophobic nature of the cell membrane presents an impenetrable barrier for most hydrophilic molecules larger than 1 kDa. On the other hand, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are capable of traversing this barrier without compromising membrane integrity, and they can do so on their own or coupled to cargos. Coupling biologically and medically relevant cargos to CPPs holds great promise of delivering membrane-impermeable drugs into cells. If the cargo is able to interact with certain cell types, uptake of the CPP-drug complex can be tailored to be cell-type-specific. Besides outlining the major membrane penetration pathways of CPPs, this review is aimed at deciphering how properties of the membrane influence the uptake mechanisms of CPPs. By summarizing an extensive body of experimental evidence, we argue that a more ordered, less flexible membrane structure, often present in the very diseases planned to be treated with CPPs, decreases their cellular uptake. These correlations are not only relevant for understanding the cellular biology of CPPs, but also for rationally improving their value in translational or clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florina Zakany
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - István M. Mándity
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary;
- TTK Lendület Artificial Transporter Research Group, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Varga
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Peter Nagy
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Tamas Kovacs
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
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Wickline SA, Hou KK, Pan H. Peptide-Based Nanoparticles for Systemic Extrahepatic Delivery of Therapeutic Nucleotides. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119455. [PMID: 37298407 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119455] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based nanoparticles (PBN) for nucleotide complexation and targeting of extrahepatic diseases are gaining recognition as potent pharmaceutical vehicles for fine-tuned control of protein production (up- and/or down-regulation) and for gene delivery. Herein, we review the principles and mechanisms underpinning self-assembled formation of PBN, cellular uptake, endosomal release, and delivery to extrahepatic disease sites after systemic administration. Selected examples of PBN that have demonstrated recent proof of concept in disease models in vivo are summarized to offer the reader a comparative view of the field and the possibilities for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A Wickline
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
| | - Kirk K Hou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Hua Pan
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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