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Rodrigues FEP, Darbre T, Machuqueiro M. High Charge Density in Peptide Dendrimers is Required to Destabilize Membranes: Insights into Endosome Evasion. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:3430-3442. [PMID: 38588472 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00018] [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: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Peptide dendrimers are a type of branched, symmetric, and topologically well-defined molecule that have already been used as delivery systems for nucleic acid transfection. Several of the most promising sequences showed high efficiency in many key steps of transfection, namely, binding siRNA, entering cells, and evading the endosome. However, small changes to the peptide dendrimers, such as in the hydrophobic core, the amino acid chirality, or the total available charges, led to significantly different experimental results with unclear mechanistic insights. In this work, we built a computational model of several of those peptide dendrimers (MH18, MH13, and MH47) and some of their variants to study the molecular details of the structure and function of these molecules. We performed CpHMD simulations in the aqueous phase and in interaction with a lipid bilayer to assess how conformation and protonation are affected by pH in different environments. We found that while the different peptide dendrimer sequences lead to no substantial structural differences in the aqueous phase, the total charge and, more importantly, the total charge density are key for the capacity of the dendrimer to interact and destabilize the membrane. These dendrimers become highly charged when the pH changes from 7.5 to 4.5, and the presence of a high charge density, which is decreased for MH47 that has four fewer titratable lysines, is essential to trigger membrane destabilization. These findings are in excellent agreement with the experimental data and help us to understand the high efficiency of some dendrimers and why the dendrimer MH47 is unable to complete the transfection process. This evidence provides further understanding of the mode of action of these peptide dendrimers and will be pivotal for the future design of new sequences with improved transfection capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe E P Rodrigues
- BioISI─Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Tamis Darbre
- Department of Chemistry Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Miguel Machuqueiro
- BioISI─Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal
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2
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Maffeis V, Skowicki M, Wolf KMP, Chami M, Schoenenberger CA, Vogel V, Palivan CG. Advancing the Design of Artificial Nano-organelles for Targeted Cellular Detoxification of Reactive Oxygen Species. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:2698-2704. [PMID: 38408754 PMCID: PMC10921454 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03888] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Artificial organelles (AnOs) are in the spotlight as systems to supplement biochemical pathways in cells. While polymersome-based artificial organelles containing enzymes to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known, applications requiring control of their enzymatic activity and cell-targeting to promote intracellular ROS detoxification are underexplored. Here, we introduce advanced AnOs where the chemical composition of the membrane supports the insertion of pore-forming melittin, enabling molecular exchange between the AnO cavity and the environment, while the encapsulated lactoperoxidase (LPO) maintains its catalytic function. We show that H2O2 outside AnOs penetrates through the melittin pores and is rapidly degraded by the encapsulated enzyme. As surface attachment of cell-penetrating peptides facilitates AnOs uptake by cells, electron spin resonance revealed a remarkable enhancement in intracellular ROS detoxification by these cell-targeted AnOs compared to nontargeted AnOs, thereby opening new avenues for a significant reduction of oxidative stress in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maffeis
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 22, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- NCCR-Molecular
Systems Engineering, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michal Skowicki
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 22, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- NCCR-Molecular
Systems Engineering, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Konstantin M. P. Wolf
- NCCR-Molecular
Systems Engineering, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Laboratory
of Applied Mechanobiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department
of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mohamed Chami
- BioEM
lab, Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Viola Vogel
- NCCR-Molecular
Systems Engineering, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Laboratory
of Applied Mechanobiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department
of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia G. Palivan
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 22, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- NCCR-Molecular
Systems Engineering, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
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Hegde AR, Paul M, Kumbham S, Roy AA, Ahmad SF, Parekh H, Biswas S, Mutalik S. Ameliorative anticancer effect of dendrimeric peptide modified liposomes of letrozole: In vitro and in vivo performance evaluations. Int J Pharm 2023; 648:123582. [PMID: 37940082 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123582] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Letrozole (LTZ) loaded dendrimeric nano-liposomes were prepared for targeted delivery to breast cancer cells. Surface modification with cationic peptide dendrimers (PDs) and a cancer specific ligand, transferrin (Tf), was attempted. Arginine-terminated PD (D-1) and Arginine-terminated, lipidated PD (D-2) were synthesized using Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, purified by preparative HPLC and characterized using 1HNMR, MS and DSC analyses. Surface modification of drug loaded liposomes with Tf and/or PD was carried out. Formulations were characterized using FTIR, DSC, 1HNMR, XRD and TEM. Tf-conjugated LTZ liposomes (LTf) and Tf/D-2-conjugated LTZ liposomes (LTfD-2) showed greater cytotoxic potential (IC50 = 95.03 µg/mL and 23.75 µg/mL respectively) with enhanced cellular uptake in MCF7 cells compared to plain LTZ. Blocking studies of Tf (Tf-receptor mediated internalization) revealed decreased uptake of LTf and LTfD-2 confirming the role of Tf in uptake of Tf-conjugated liposomes. Intravenous treatment with LTfD-2 caused highest reduction in tumor volumes of female BALB/c-nude mice (145 mm3) compared to plain LTZ (605 mm3) and unconjugated LTZ liposomes (LP) (300 mm3). In vivo biodistribution studies revealed higher fluorescence in tumor tissue and liver of LTfD-2 treated mice than LTf or LP treatment. Immunohistochemical studies revealed greater apoptotic potential of LTfD-2 as indicated by TUNEL assay and ROS detection assay. The study reveals the superior therapeutic efficacy of the developed LTZ liposomal nanocarriers using PDs to enhance the transfection efficiency in addition to modifying the surface characteristics by attaching a targeting ligand for active drug targeting to breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswathi R Hegde
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka State, India; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Gnanagangothri Campus, New B.E.L. Road, M.S.R. Nagar, M.S.R.I.T Post, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Milan Paul
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana State, India
| | - Soniya Kumbham
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana State, India
| | - Amrita Arup Roy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka State, India
| | - Sheikh F Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Harendra Parekh
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Swati Biswas
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana State, India
| | - Srinivas Mutalik
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka State, India.
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Graft hyper-branched dendrimer onto WS 2 nanosheets modified Poly (N-Vinylcaprolactam) as a thermosensitive nanocarrier for Pioglitazone delivery using near-infrared radiation. Int J Pharm 2021; 607:120985. [PMID: 34389418 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, graft-copolymerization of N-vinylcaprolactam and allylamine onto tungsten disulfide (WS2) in the presence of AIBN as initiator has been carried out to prepare the WS2@ (NVCL-co-AAm). Subsequent fifth-generation dendrimer was attached to their surface, and used as a nanocarrier for the pioglitazone (PG) drug delivery. The resulting polymer was characterized by FTIR, XRD, TEM, EDX, and TGA. We loaded PG onto polymer and evaluated the drug loading and release patterns in simulated human blood fluid (pH 7.4) for the treatment of diabetes in vitro. The thermosensitive nanocarrier indicated a maximum of 98 % PG release in the simulated human blood fluid at 50 °C within 6 h, and about 18 % of total PG was released from the nanocarrier within 6 h at 37 °C. Herein, we studied near-infrared (NIR) radiation as an irritant for inducing PG release from nanocarrier. Also, PG releasing was 100 % under NIR laser irradiation within 15 min, which was roughly four times of that without laser irradiation. NIR laser light heated the nanocarrier, causing shrinkage of the polymer, which increased the penetrability of the membrane and resulted in PG release. Following four adsorption isotherm models, the Langmuir model excellently explained the adsorption isotherm.
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Zu H, Gao D. Non-viral Vectors in Gene Therapy: Recent Development, Challenges, and Prospects. AAPS JOURNAL 2021; 23:78. [PMID: 34076797 PMCID: PMC8171234 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-021-00608-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy has been experiencing a breakthrough in recent years, targeting various specific cell groups in numerous therapeutic areas. However, most recent clinical studies maintain the use of traditional viral vector systems, which are challenging to manufacture cost-effectively at a commercial scale. Non-viral vectors have been a fast-paced research topic in gene delivery, such as polymers, lipids, inorganic particles, and combinations of different types. Although non-viral vectors are low in their cytotoxicity, immunogenicity, and mutagenesis, attracting more and more researchers to explore the promising delivery system, they do not carry ideal characteristics and have faced critical challenges, including gene transfer efficiency, specificity, gene expression duration, and safety. This review covers the recent advancement in non-viral vectors research and formulation aspects, the challenges, and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zu
- Abbvie Inc., 1 N. Waukegan Rd, North Chicago, Illinois, 60064, USA
| | - Danchen Gao
- Abbvie Inc., 1 N. Waukegan Rd, North Chicago, Illinois, 60064, USA.
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Pretto C, Tang M, Chen M, Xu H, Subrizi A, Urtti A, van Hest JCM. Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus-Like Particles as Potential Platform for Antisense Oligonucleotide Delivery in Posterior Segment Ocular Diseases. Macromol Biosci 2021; 21:e2100095. [PMID: 34031995 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202100095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Due to its small size, easy accessibility and immune privileged environment, the eye represents an ideal target for therapeutic nucleic acids in the treatment of posterior segment ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Among nanocarriers that can be used to achieve nucleic acid delivery, virus-like particles (VLPs) obtained from the Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) are an appealing platform, because of their loading capacity, ease of manufacture and amenability for functionalization. Herein, antisense oligonucleotide-loaded CCMV nanoparticles, intended for intravitreal injection, are evaluated for selective silencing of miR-23, an important target in AMD. CCMV nanoparticles loaded with anti-miR-23 locked nucleic acid and stabilized using the 3,3'-dithiobis(sulfosuccinimidyl propionate) (DTSSP) cross-linker, are assembled in vitro with a loading efficiency up to 80%. VLPs are found to be stable at 37 °C in the vitreous humor up to 24 hours. Nanoparticle cytotoxicity, cellular uptake and transfection efficacy are evaluated in endothelial cells. Selective miRNA down-regulation is achieved by the loaded CCMV VLPs both in absence and presence of Lipofectamine, with efficacies of ≈40% and more than 80%, respectively. The authors' findings pave the way for the future development of CCMV nanoparticles as oligonucleotide delivery platform to treat posterior segment ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pretto
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Miao Tang
- The Welcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Mei Chen
- The Welcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Heping Xu
- The Welcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Astrid Subrizi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70210, Finland
| | - Arto Urtti
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70210, Finland
| | - Jan C M van Hest
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
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