Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized with Angiogenin for Wound Care Application

Investigating angiogenin/ribonuclease 5 as a diagnostic biomarker for bladder cancer: In-depth analysis from a systematic review and meta-analysis

Bladder cancer (BC) represents a prevalent malignancy in North America and Europe, posing significant health burdens. The identification of a reliable biomarker for early BC detection is imperative to enhance prognostic outcomes. Our aim for this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy and potential clinical utility of Angiogenin/Ribonuclease 5 (ANG/RNase 5) as a biomarker for detection of BC. A systematic literature search across multiple databases up to March 20, 2024, was conducted. CMA 3.7 and Meta-disk 1.4 were used to analyze specificity, sensitivity, AUC, DOR, LR+, LR-, Q*index, and SROC for ANG as a urinary biomarker in BC patients. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's regression asymmetry and Begg's rank correlation tests. Additional diagnosing analyses were performed using Python programming language version 3.12.1. In this meta-analysis of seven case-control studies comprising 1,051 participants (576 cases and 481 controls), pooled sensitivity was 0.701 (95 % CI: 0.662-0.738), specificity was 0.787 (95 % CI: 0.752-0.819), LR + was 3.582 (95 % CI: 2.260-5.676), LR- was 0.398 (95 % CI: 0.327-0.485), and DOR was 10.637 (95 % CI: 6.106-18.529). The AUC and Q* index values were 0.823 and 0.756, respectively. Both Begg and Mazumdar Rank Correlation Test (p = 0.229) and Egger's Test of the Intercept (p = 0.135) revealed no significant evidence of publication bias. Our meta-analysis confirms ANG/RNase 5 as a reliable biomarker for early bladder cancer detection, showing strong diagnostic accuracy and no publication bias.

Polyphenolic Compounds Nanostructurated with Gold Nanoparticles Enhance Wound Repair

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been used in a wide range of applications, conferring to bio-molecules diverse properties such as delivery, stabilization, and reduction of the adverse effects of drugs or plant extracts. Polyphenolic compounds from Bacopa procumbens (B. procumbens) (BP) can modulate proliferation, adhesion, migration, and cell differentiation, reducing the artificial scratch area in fibroblast cultures and promoting wound healing in an in vivo model. Here, chemically synthesized AuNPs conjugated with BP (AuNP-BP) were characterized using UV-Vis, ATR-FTIR, DLS, zeta-potential, and TEM analysis. The results showed an overlap of the FTIR spectra of the polyphenolic compounds from B. procumbens adhered to the surface of the AuNPs. UV-vis analysis indicated that the average size of the AuNP-BP was 28 nm, while DLS analysis showed a size of 44.58 nm and, by TEM, a size of 16.5 nm with an icosahedral morphology was observed. These measurements suggest an increase in the size of the nanoparticles after conjugation with BP, compared to the sizes of 9 nm, 44.51 nm, and 14.17 nm for the unconjugated AuNPs, respectively. Furthermore, the zeta potential of the AuNPs, which was originally -36.3 ± 12.3 mV shifted to -18.2 ± 7.02 mV after conjugation with BP, indicating improved stability of the nanoparticles. Enhancement of the wound healing effect was evaluated by morphometric, histochemical, and FTIR changes in a rat wound excision model. Results showed that the nanoconjugation process reduced the BP concentrations by 100-fold to have the same wound healing effect as BP alone. Besides, histological and FTIR spectroscopy analyses demonstrated that AuNP-BP treatment exhibited better macroscopical performance, showing a reduction in inflammatory cells and an increased synthesis and improved organization of collagen fibers.

Pd-Based Hybrid Nanoparticles As Multimodal Theranostic Nanomedicine

A nanodelivery system based on palladium nanoparticles (PdNP) and cisplatin (CisPt) was developed by physisorption of the drug onto the PdNP synthesized via a green redox process, using d-glucose and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as reducing and stabilizing/capping agents, respectively. UV-vis analysis and H₂-evolution measurements were carried out to prove the nanoparticles' capability to act as bimodal theranostic nanomedicine, i.e., having both plasmonic and photocatalytic properties. XPS, XRD, and TEM allowed light to be shed on the chemical composition and morphology of the PdNP. The analysis of the UV-visible spectra evidenced plasmonic peak changes for the hybrid nanoparticle-drug assembly (Pd@CisPt), which pointed to a significant interaction of CisPt with the NP surface. The drug loading was quantitatively estimated by ICP-OES measurements, while DLS and AFM confirmed the strong association of the drug with the nanoparticle surface. The test of SOD-like activity in a cell-free environment proved the maintenance of the antioxidant capability of PdNP also in the Pd@CisPt systems. Finally, Pd@CisPt tested in prostate cancer cells (PC-3 line) unveiled the antitumoral action of the developed nanomedicine, related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, with a condition of protein misfolding/unfolding and DNA damage, as evidenced by cytotoxicity and MitoSOX assays, as well as Raman microspectroscopy, respectively. Cell imaging by confocal microscopy evidenced cellular uptake of the nanoparticles, as well as dynamic processes of copper ion accumulation at the level of subcellular compartments. Finally, cell migration studies upon treatment with Pd@CisPt evidenced a tunable response between the inhibitory effect of CisPt and the enhanced rate of cell migration for the metal NP alone, which pointed out the promising potential of the developed theranostic nanomedicine in tissue regeneration.

Effect of Citrate- and Gold-Stabilized Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Head and Neck Tumor Cell Lines during Combination Therapy with Ionizing Radiation

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. They are associated with alcohol and tobacco consumption, as well as infection with human papillomaviruses (HPV). Therapeutic options include radiochemotherapy, surgery or chemotherapy. Nanoparticles are becoming more and more important in medicine. They can be used diagnostically, but also therapeutically. In order to provide therapeutic alternatives in the treatment of HNSCC, the effect of citrate-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Citrate-SPIONs) and gold-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Au-SPIONs) in combination with ionizing irradiation (IR) on two HPV positive and two HPV negative HNSCC and healthy fibroblasts and keratinocytes cell lines were tested. Effects on apoptosis and necrosis were analyzed by using flow cytometry. Cell survival studies were performed with a colony formation assay. To better understand where the SPIONs interact, light microscopy images and immunofluorescence studies were performed. The HNSCC and healthy cell lines showed different responses to the investigated SPIONs. The cytotoxic effects of SPIONs, in combination with IR, are dependent on the type of SPIONs, the dose administered and the cell type treated. They are independent of HPV status. Reasons for the different cytotoxic effect are probably the different compositions of the SPIONs and the related different interaction of the SPIONs intracellularly and paramembranously, which lead to different strong formations of double strand breaks.

A Graphene Oxide-Angiogenin Theranostic Nanoplatform for the Therapeutic Targeting of Angiogenic Processes: The Effect of Copper-Supplemented Medium

Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets with different content in the defective carbon species bound to oxygen sp3 were functionalized with the angiogenin (ANG) protein, to create a novel nanomedicine for modulating angiogenic processes in cancer therapies. The GO@ANG nanocomposite was scrutinized utilizing UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopies. GO exhibits pro- or antiangiogenic effects, mostly attributed to the disturbance of ROS concentration, depending both on the total concentration (i.e., >100 ng/mL) as well as on the number of carbon species oxidized, that is, the C/O ratio. ANG is considered one of the most effective angiogenic factors that plays a vital role in the angiogenic process, often in a synergic role with copper ions. Based on these starting hypotheses, the GO@ANG nanotoxicity was assessed with the MTT colorimetric assay, both in the absence and in the presence of copper ions, by in vitro cellular experiments on human prostatic cancer cells (PC-3 line). Laser confocal microscopy (LSM) cell imaging evidenced an enhanced internationalization of GO@ANG than bare GO nanosheets, as well as significant changes in cell cytoskeleton organization and mitochondrial staining compared to the cell treatments with free ANG.

Oxaliplatin inhibits angiogenin proliferative and cell migration effects in prostate cancer cells

Angiogenin (Ang) is a potent angiogenic protein that is overexpressed in many types of cancer at concentration values correlated to the tumor aggressiveness. Here, by means of an integrated multi-technique approach based on crystallographic, spectrometric and spectroscopic analyses, we demonstrate that the anti-cancer drug oxaliplatin efficiently binds angiogenin. Microscopy cellular studies, carried out on the prostate cancer cell (PC-3) line , show that oxaliplatin inhibits the angiogenin prompting effect on cell proliferation and migration, which are typical features of angiogenesis process. Overall, our findings point to angiogenin as a possible target of oxaliplatin, thus suggesting a potential novel mechanism for the antineoplastic activity of this platinum drug and opening the avenue to novel approaches in the combined anti-cancer anti-angiogenic therapy.

Angiogenin and Copper Crossing in Wound Healing

Angiogenesis plays a key role in the wound healing process, involving the migration, growth, and differentiation of endothelial cells. Angiogenesis is controlled by a strict balance of different factors, and among these, the angiogenin protein plays a relevant role. Angiogenin is a secreted protein member of the ribonuclease superfamily that is taken up by cells and translocated to the nucleus when the process of blood vessel formation has to be promoted. However, the chemical signaling that activates the protein, normally present in the plasma, and the transport pathways through which the protein enters the cell are still largely unclear. Copper is also an angiogenic factor that regulates angiogenin expression and participates in the activation of common signaling pathways. The interaction between angiogenin and copper could be a relevant mechanism in regulating the formation of new blood vessel pathways and paving the way to the development of new drugs for chronic non-healing wounds.

Analysis of Nanotoxicity with Integrated Omics and Mechanobiology

Nanoparticles (NPs) in biomedical applications have benefits owing to their small size. However, their intricate and sensitive nature makes an evaluation of the adverse effects of NPs on health necessary and challenging. Since there are limitations to conventional toxicological methods and omics analyses provide a more comprehensive molecular profiling of multifactorial biological systems, omics approaches are necessary to evaluate nanotoxicity. Compared to a single omics layer, integrated omics across multiple omics layers provides more sensitive and comprehensive details on NP-induced toxicity based on network integration analysis. As multi-omics data are heterogeneous and massive, computational methods such as machine learning (ML) have been applied for investigating correlation among each omics. This integration of omics and ML approaches will be helpful for analyzing nanotoxicity. To that end, mechanobiology has been applied for evaluating the biophysical changes in NPs by measuring the traction force and rigidity sensing in NP-treated cells using a sub-elastomeric pillar. Therefore, integrated omics approaches are suitable for elucidating mechanobiological effects exerted by NPs. These technologies will be valuable for expanding the safety evaluations of NPs. Here, we review the integration of omics, ML, and mechanobiology for evaluating nanotoxicity.

Peptides Derived from Angiogenin Regulate Cellular Copper Uptake

The angiogenin protein (ANG) is one of the most potent endogenous angiogenic factors. In this work we characterized by means of potentiometric, spectroscopic and voltammetric techniques, the copper complex species formed with peptide fragments derived from the N-terminal domain of the protein, encompassing the sequence 1-17 and having free amino, Ang1-17, or acetylated N-terminus group, AcAng1-17, so to explore the role of amino group in metal binding and cellular copper uptake. The obtained data show that amino group is the main copper anchoring site for Ang1-17. The affinity constant values, metal coordination geometry and complexes redox-potentials strongly depend, for both peptides, on the number of copper equivalents added. Confocal laser scanning microscope analysis on neuroblastoma cells showed that in the presence of one equivalent of copper ion, the free amino Ang1-17 increases cellular copper uptake while the acetylated AcAng1-17 strongly decreases the intracellular metal level. The activity of peptides was also compared to that of the protein normally present in the plasma (wtANG) as well as to the recombinant form (rANG) most commonly used in literature experiments. The two protein isoforms bind copper ions but with a different coordination environment. Confocal laser scanning microscope data showed that the wtANG induces a strong increase in intracellular copper compared to control while the rANG decreases the copper signal inside cells. These data demonstrate the relevance of copper complexes' geometry to modulate peptides' activity and show that wtANG, normally present in the plasma, can affect cellular copper uptake.

A Multifunctional Nanoplatform Made of Gold Nanoparticles and Peptides Mimicking the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

In this work, nanobiohybrids of plasmonic gold nanoparticles (AuNP, anti-angiogenic) and a peptide mimicking the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, pro-angiogenic) were assembled and scrutinized in terms of physicochemical characterization, including optical properties, surface charge, surface chemical structure and morphology of the bioengineered metal nanoparticles, for their potential application as multifunctional theranostic (i.e., therapy + sensing) nanoplatform (AuNP/VEGF). Specifically, a peptide sequence encompassing the VEGF cellular receptor domain 73–101 (VEGF73–101) and its single point cysteine mutated were immobilized onto AuNP by physi- and chemi-sorption, respectively. The new hybrid systems were characterized by means of a multitechnique approach, including dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses, zeta potential (ZP), spectroscopic (UV-Vis, FT-IR, XPS), spectrometric (TOF-SIMS) and microscopic (AFM, SEM) techniques. Proof-of-work cellular experiments in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) upon the treatment with AuNP/VEGF samples, demonstrated no toxicity up to 24 h (MTT assay) as well an effective internalization (laser confocal microscopy, LSM).

Citrate-Coated Magnetic Polyethyleneimine Composites for Plasmid DNA Delivery into Glioblastoma

Several ternary composites that are based on branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI 25 kDa, polydispersity 2.5, 0.1 or 0.2 ng), citrate-coated ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (citrate-NPs, 8-10 nm, 0.1, 1.0, or 2.5 µg), and reporter circular plasmid DNA pEGFP-C1 or pRL-CMV (pDNA 0.5 µg) were studied for optimization of the best composite for transfection into glioblastoma U87MG or U138MG cells. The efficiency in terms of citrate-NP and plasmid DNA gene delivery with the ternary composites could be altered by tuning the bPEI/citrate-NP ratios in the polymer composites, which were characterized by Prussian blue staining, in vitro magnetic resonance imaging as well as green fluorescence protein and luciferase expression. Among the composites prepared, 0.2 ng bPEI/0.5 μg pDNA/1.0 µg citrate-NP ternary composite possessed the best cellular uptake efficiency. Composite comprising 0.1 ng bPEI/0.5 μg pDNA/0.1 μg citrate-NP gave the optimal efficiency for the cellular uptake of the two plasmid DNAs to the nucleus. The best working bPEI concentration range should not exceed 0.2 ng/well to achieve a relatively low cytotoxicity.