1
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Wang HL, Narisawa M, Wu P, Meng X, Cheng XW. The many roles of cathepsins in restenosis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24720. [PMID: 38333869 PMCID: PMC10850908 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24720] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug-eluting stents (DES) and dual antiplatelet regimens have significantly improved the clinical management of ischemic heart disease; however, the drugs loaded with DES in clinical practice are mostly paclitaxel or rapamycin derivatives, which target symptoms of post implantation proliferation and inflammation, leading to delayed re-endothelialization and neo-atherosclerosis. Along with the treatments already in place, there is a need for novel strategies to lessen the negative clinical outcomes of DES delays as well as a need for greater understanding of their pathobiological mechanisms. This review concentrates on the function of cathepsins (Cats) in the inflammatory response and granulation tissue formation that follow Cat-induced damage to the vasculature scaffold, as well as the functions of Cats in intimal hyperplasia, which is characterized by the migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and endothelial denudation, re-endothelialization, and/or neo-endothelialization. Additionally, Cats can alter essential neointima formation and immune response inside scaffolds, and if Cats are properly controlled in vivo, they may improve scaffold biocompatibility. This unique profile of functions could lead to an original concept for a cathepsin-based coronary intervention treatment as an adjunct to stent placement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Long Wang
- Department of Adult Intensive Care Unit, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
- Department of Cardiology and Hypertension, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Stress and Cardiovascular Disease, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji, Jilin, PR China
| | - Megumi Narisawa
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichiken, 4668550, Japan
| | - Pan Wu
- Department of Adult Intensive Care Unit, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Xiangkun Meng
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, PR China
| | - Xian Wu Cheng
- Department of Cardiology and Hypertension, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Stress and Cardiovascular Disease, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji, Jilin, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, PR China
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2
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Hamed R, Merquiol E, Zlotver I, Blum G, Eyal S, Ekstein D. Challenges in Batch-to-Bed Translation Involving Inflammation-Targeting Compounds in Chronic Epilepsy: The Case of Cathepsin Activity-Based Probes. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:6965-6975. [PMID: 38371846 PMCID: PMC10870404 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c08759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Our goal was to test the feasibility of a new theranostic strategy in chronic epilepsy by targeting cathepsin function using novel cathepsin activity-based probes (ABPs). We assessed the biodistribution of fluorescent cathepsin ABPs in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo, in rodents with pilocarpine-induced chronic epilepsy and naïve controls, in human epileptic tissue, and in the myeloid cell lines RAW 264.7 (monocytes) and BV2 (microglia). Distribution and localization of ABPs were studied by fluorescence scanning, immunoblotting, microscopy, and cross-section staining in anesthetized animals, in their harvested organs, in brain tissue slices, and in vitro. Blood-brain-barrier (BBB) efflux transport was evaluated in transporter-overexpressing MDCK cells and using an ATPase activation assay. Although the in vivo biodistribution of ABPs to both naïve and epileptic hippocampi was negligible, ex vivo ABPs bound cathepsins preferentially within epileptogenic brain tissue and colocalized with neuronal but not myeloid cell markers. Thus, our cathepsin ABPs are less likely to be of major clinical value in the diagnosis of chronic epilepsy, but they may prove to be of value in intraoperative settings and in CNS conditions with leakier BBB or higher cathepsin activity, such as status epilepticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roa’a Hamed
- Institute
for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, The
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel
| | - Emmanuelle Merquiol
- Institute
for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, The
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel
| | - Ivan Zlotver
- Institute
for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, The
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel
| | - Galia Blum
- Institute
for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, The
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel
| | - Sara Eyal
- Institute
for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, The
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel
| | - Dana Ekstein
- Department
of Neurology, the Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
- Faculty
of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
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3
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Cheng J, Huang H, Chen Y, Wu R. Nanomedicine for Diagnosis and Treatment of Atherosclerosis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2304294. [PMID: 37897322 PMCID: PMC10754137 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
With the changing disease spectrum, atherosclerosis has become increasingly prevalent worldwide and the associated diseases have emerged as the leading cause of death. Due to their fascinating physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, nanomaterials are regarded as a promising tool to tackle enormous challenges in medicine. The emerging discipline of nanomedicine has filled a huge application gap in the atherosclerotic field, ushering a new generation of diagnosis and treatment strategies. Herein, based on the essential pathogenic contributors of atherogenesis, as well as the distinct composition/structural characteristics, synthesis strategies, and surface design of nanoplatforms, the three major application branches (nanodiagnosis, nanotherapy, and nanotheranostic) of nanomedicine in atherosclerosis are elaborated. Then, state-of-art studies containing a sequence of representative and significant achievements are summarized in detail with an emphasis on the intrinsic interaction/relationship between nanomedicines and atherosclerosis. Particularly, attention is paid to the biosafety of nanomedicines, which aims to pave the way for future clinical translation of this burgeoning field. Finally, this comprehensive review is concluded by proposing unresolved key scientific issues and sharing the vision and expectation for the future, fully elucidating the closed loop from atherogenesis to the application paradigm of nanomedicines for advancing the early achievement of clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyun Cheng
- Department of UltrasoundShanghai General HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200080P. R. China
| | - Hui Huang
- Materdicine LabSchool of Life SciencesShanghai UniversityShanghai200444P. R. China
| | - Yu Chen
- Materdicine LabSchool of Life SciencesShanghai UniversityShanghai200444P. R. China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health)Wenzhou Institute of Shanghai UniversityWenzhouZhejiang325088P. R. China
| | - Rong Wu
- Department of UltrasoundShanghai General HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200080P. R. China
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4
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Ma Y, Shang J, Liu L, Li M, Xu X, Cao H, Xu L, Sun W, Song G, Zhang XB. Rational Design of a Double-Locked Photoacoustic Probe for Precise In Vivo Imaging of Cathepsin B in Atherosclerotic Plaques. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:17881-17891. [PMID: 37531186 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c04981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaque rupture is a significant cause of acute cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke, triggered by the decomposition of fiber caps induced by cysteine cathepsin. However, the accurate measurement of cathepsin B (CTB) activity in plaques is challenging due to the low specificity and insufficient penetration depth of available atherosclerosis-associated cathepsin fluorescent probes, hampering reliable assessment of plaque vulnerability. To address these limitations, we added both lipophilic alkyl chain and hydrophilic CTB substrate to the hemicyanine scaffold to develop a lipid-unlocked CTB responsive probe (L-CRP) that uses lipids and CTB as two keys to unlock photoacoustic (PA) signals for measuring CTB activity in lipophilic environments. Such properties allow L-CRP for the reliable imaging of specific CTB activities in foam cells and atherosclerotic plaques while keeping in silence toward CTB in lipid-deficient environments, such as M1-type macrophages and LPS-induced inflammatory lesions. Moreover, the activatable PA signals of L-CRP exhibit a deeper tissue penetration ability (>1.0 cm) than current CTB probes based on near-infrared fluorescent imaging (∼0.3 cm), suitable for atherosclerosis imaging in living mice. In atherosclerotic mice, L-CRP dynamically reports intraplaque CTB levels, which is well-correlated with the plaque vulnerability characteristics such as fiber cap thickness, macrophage recruitment, and necrotic core size, thus enabling risk stratification of atherosclerotic mice complicated with pneumonia. Moreover, L-CRP successfully identifies atherosclerotic plaques in excised human artery tissues, promising for auxiliary diagnosis of plaque vulnerability in clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Jinhui Shang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Liuhui Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Menghuan Li
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xinyu Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Hui Cao
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Li Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Guosheng Song
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
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Wu G, Yu G, Zheng M, Peng W, Li L. Recent Advances for Dynamic-Based Therapy of Atherosclerosis. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:3851-3878. [PMID: 37469455 PMCID: PMC10352141 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s402678] [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: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease, which may lead to high morbidity and mortality. Currently, the clinical treatment strategy for AS is administering drugs and performing surgery. However, advanced therapy strategies are urgently required because of the deficient therapeutic effects of current managements. Increased number of energy conversion-based organic or inorganic materials has been used in cancer and other major disease treatments, bringing hope to patients with the development of nanomedicine and materials. These treatment strategies employ specific nanomaterials with specific own physiochemical properties (external stimuli: light or ultrasound) to promote foam cell apoptosis and cholesterol efflux. Based on the pathological characteristics of vulnerable plaques, energy conversion-based nano-therapy has attracted increasing attention in the field of anti-atherosclerosis. Therefore, this review focuses on recent advances in energy conversion-based treatments. In addition to summarizing the therapeutic effects of various techniques, the regulated pathological processes are highlighted. Finally, the challenges and prospects for further development of dynamic treatment for AS are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghao Wu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guanye Yu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meiling Zheng
- Dongzhimen Hospital Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 101121, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenhui Peng
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, People’s Republic of China
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6
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Cheng XW, Narisawa M, Wang H, Piao L. Overview of multifunctional cysteinyl cathepsins in atherosclerosis-based cardiovascular disease: from insights into molecular functions to clinical implications. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:91. [PMID: 37202785 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01040-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cysteinyl cathepsins (CTSs) are widely known to have a proteolysis function that mediates recycling of unwanted proteins in endosomes and lysosomes, and investigation of CTSs has greatly improved with advances in live-imaging techniques both in vivo and in vitro, leading to three key findings. (1) CTSs are relocated from the lysosomes to other cellular spaces (i.e., cytosol, nucleus, nuclear membrane, plasma membrane, and extracellular milieu). (2) In addition to acidic cellular compartments, CTSs also exert biological activity in neutral environments. (3) CTSs also exert multiple nontraditional functions in, for example, extracellular matrix metabolism, cell signaling transduction, protein processing/trafficking, and cellular events. Various stimuli regulate the expression and activities of CTSs in vivo and vitro-e.g., inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, neurohormones, and growth factors. Accumulating evidence has confirmed the participation of CTSs in vascular diseases characterized by atherosclerosis, plaque rupture, thrombosis, calcification, aneurysm, restenosis/in-stent-restenosis, and neovasel formation. Circulating and tissue CTSs are promising as biomarkers and as a diagnostic imaging tool in patients with atherosclerosis-based cardiovascular disease (ACVD), and pharmacological interventions with their specific and non-specific inhibitors, and cardiovascular drugs might have potential for the therapeutic targeting of CTSs in animals. This review focuses on the update findings on CTS biology and the involvement of CTSs in the initiation and progression of ACVD and discusses the potential use of CTSs as biomarkers and small-molecule targets to prevent deleterious nontraditional functions in ACVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Wu Cheng
- Department of Cardiology and Hypertension, Yanbian University Hospital, 1327 Juzijie, Yanjin, Jilin, 133000, People's Republic of China.
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Stress and Cardiovascular Disease, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanjin, 133000, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Cardiology and Hypertension, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Stress and Cardiovascular Disease, Yanbian University Hospital, 1327 Juzijie, Yanji, Jilin PR. 133000, China.
| | - Megumi Narisawa
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichiken, 4668550, Japan
| | - Hailong Wang
- Department of Cardiology and Hypertension, Yanbian University Hospital, 1327 Juzijie, Yanjin, Jilin, 133000, People's Republic of China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Stress and Cardiovascular Disease, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanjin, 133000, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Limei Piao
- Department of Cardiology and Hypertension, Yanbian University Hospital, 1327 Juzijie, Yanjin, Jilin, 133000, People's Republic of China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Stress and Cardiovascular Disease, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanjin, 133000, Jilin, People's Republic of China
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7
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Mons E, Kim RQ, Mulder MPC. Technologies for Direct Detection of Covalent Protein—Drug Adducts. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040547. [PMID: 37111304 PMCID: PMC10146396 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past two decades, drug candidates with a covalent binding mode have gained the interest of medicinal chemists, as several covalent anticancer drugs have successfully reached the clinic. As a covalent binding mode changes the relevant parameters to rank inhibitor potency and investigate structure-activity relationship (SAR), it is important to gather experimental evidence on the existence of a covalent protein–drug adduct. In this work, we review established methods and technologies for the direct detection of a covalent protein–drug adduct, illustrated with examples from (recent) drug development endeavors. These technologies include subjecting covalent drug candidates to mass spectrometric (MS) analysis, protein crystallography, or monitoring intrinsic spectroscopic properties of the ligand upon covalent adduct formation. Alternatively, chemical modification of the covalent ligand is required to detect covalent adducts by NMR analysis or activity-based protein profiling (ABPP). Some techniques are more informative than others and can also elucidate the modified amino acid residue or bond layout. We will discuss the compatibility of these techniques with reversible covalent binding modes and the possibilities to evaluate reversibility or obtain kinetic parameters. Finally, we expand upon current challenges and future applications. Overall, these analytical techniques present an integral part of covalent drug development in this exciting new era of drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elma Mons
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert Q. Kim
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Monique P. C. Mulder
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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8
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Cathepsins in the extracellular space: Focusing on non-lysosomal proteolytic functions with clinical implications. Cell Signal 2023; 103:110531. [PMID: 36417977 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cathepsins can be found in the extracellular space, cytoplasm, and nucleus. It was initially suspected that the primary physiological function of the cathepsins was to break down intracellular protein, and that they also had a role in pathological processes including inflammation and apoptosis. However, the many actions of cathepsins outside the cell and their complicated biological impacts have garnered much interest. Cathepsins play significant roles in a number of illnesses by regulating parenchymal cell proliferation, cell migration, viral invasion, inflammation, and immunological responses through extracellular matrix remodeling, signaling disruption, leukocyte recruitment, and cell adhesion. In this review, we outline the physiological roles of cathepsins in the extracellular space, the crucial pathological functions performed by cathepsins in illnesses, and the recent breakthroughs in the detection and therapy of specific inhibitors and fluorescent probes in associated dysfunction.
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Sotiropoulou G, Zingkou E, Pampalakis G. Novel specific activity-based probes validate KLK proteases as druggable targets. Cancer Biol Ther 2022; 23:401-403. [PMID: 35652924 PMCID: PMC9176256 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2022.2074775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Sotiropoulou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, Greece
| | - Eleni Zingkou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, Greece
| | - Georgios Pampalakis
- Department of Pharmacology-Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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10
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Ćwilichowska N, Świderska KW, Dobrzyń A, Drąg M, Poręba M. Diagnostic and therapeutic potential of protease inhibition. Mol Aspects Med 2022; 88:101144. [PMID: 36174281 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Proteases are enzymes that hydrolyze peptide bonds in proteins and peptides; thus, they control virtually all biological processes. Our understanding of protease function has advanced considerably from nonselective digestive enzymes to highly specialized molecular scissors that orchestrate complex signaling networks through a limited proteolysis. The catalytic activity of proteases is tightly regulated at several levels, ranging from gene expression through trafficking and maturation to posttranslational modifications. However, when this delicate balance is disturbed, many diseases develop, including cancer, inflammatory disorders, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. This new understanding of the role of proteases in pathologic physiology indicates that these enzymes represent excellent molecular targets for the development of therapeutic inhibitors, as well as for the design of chemical probes to visualize their redundant activity. Recently, numerous platform technologies have been developed to identify and optimize protease substrates and inhibitors, which were further used as lead structures for the development of chemical probes and therapeutic drugs. Due to this considerable success, the clinical potential of proteases in therapeutics and diagnostics is rapidly growing and is still not completely explored. Therefore, small molecules that can selectively target aberrant protease activity are emerging in diseases cells. In this review, we describe modern trends in the design of protease drugs as well as small molecule activity-based probes to visualize selected proteases in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Ćwilichowska
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Karolina W Świderska
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Dobrzyń
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Ludwika Pasteura 3, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Drąg
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Marcin Poręba
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland.
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11
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Sotiropoulou G, Zingkou E, Bisyris E, Pampalakis G. Activity-Based Probes for Proteases Pave the Way to Theranostic Applications. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14050977. [PMID: 35631563 PMCID: PMC9145445 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteases are important enzymes in health and disease. Their activities are regulated at multiple levels. In fact, proteases are synthesized as inactive proenzymes (zymogens) that are activated by proteolytic removal of their pro-peptide sequence and can remain active or their activity can be attenuated by complex formation with specific endogenous inhibitors or by limited proteolysis or degradation. Consequently, quite often, only a fraction of the protease molecules is in the active/functional form, thus, the abundance of a protease is not always linearly proportional to the (patho)physiological function(s). Therefore, assays to determine the active forms of proteases are needed, not only in research but also in molecular diagnosis and therapy. Activity-based probes (ABPs) are chemical entities that bind covalently to the active enzyme/protease. ABPs carry a detection tag to enable localization and quantification of specific enzymatic/proteolytic activities with applications in molecular imaging and diagnosis. Moreover, ABPs act as suicide inhibitors of proteases, which can be exploited for delineation of the functional role(s) of a given protease in (patho) biological context and as potential therapeutics. In this sense, ABPs represent new theranostic agents. We outline recent developments pertaining to ABPs for proteases with potential therapeutic applications, with the aim to highlight their importance in theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Sotiropoulou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26500 Rion-Patras, Greece; (E.Z.); (E.B.)
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Eleni Zingkou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26500 Rion-Patras, Greece; (E.Z.); (E.B.)
| | - Evangelos Bisyris
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26500 Rion-Patras, Greece; (E.Z.); (E.B.)
| | - Georgios Pampalakis
- Department of Pharmacognosy-Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (G.P.)
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Luo D, Wang X, Walker E, Springer S, Ramamurthy G, Burda C, Basilion JP. Targeted Chemoradiotherapy of Prostate Cancer Using Gold Nanoclusters with Protease Activatable Monomethyl Auristatin E. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:14916-14927. [PMID: 35316026 PMCID: PMC9153066 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c23780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Combined radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy are prescribed to patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) to increase their survival; however, radiation-related side effects and systematic toxicity caused by chemotherapeutic drugs are unavoidable. To improve the precision and efficacy of concurrent RT and chemotherapy, we have developed a PCa-targeted gold nanocluster radiosensitizer conjugated with a highly potent cytotoxin, monomethyl auristatin E, PSMA-AuNC-MMAE, for RT and chemotherapy of PCa. This approach resulted in enhanced uptake of NCs by PSMA-positive cancer cells, targeted chemotherapy, and increased efficacy of RT both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the combination of gold and MMAE further increased the efficacy of either of the agents delivered alone or simultaneously but not covalently linked. The PSMA-AuNC-MMAE conjugates improve the specificity and efficacy of radiation and chemotherapy, potentially reducing the toxicity of each therapy and making this an attractive avenue for clinical treatment of advanced PCa.
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13
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Wang Y, Luo M, Mao X, Shi X, Liu X. Targeted Delivery of Salusin-α Into Rabbit Carotid Arterial Endothelium Using SonoVue. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2022; 41:365-376. [PMID: 33818784 PMCID: PMC9291317 DOI: 10.1002/jum.15714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A new method based on the adhesion of SonoVue to plasmids was assessed to achieve targeted gene delivery into the vascular endothelium. METHODS pEGFP-Salusin-α and pcDNA3.1-Salusin-α plasmids were transfected into the arterial endothelium of different rabbit groups. Western blotting was performed to analyze the expression of EGFP and salusin-α in the common carotid arteries of rabbits from different groups, and ELISA was performed to detect plasma salusin-α levels in rabbits from each group; simultaneously, blood parameters of different groups of rabbits were measured. RESULTS Green fluorescence was observed in the right common carotid artery of rabbits transfected with pEGFP-Salusin-α, but not in the endothelial cells of not-transfected control rabbits. The expression of salusin-α in the transfected animals was higher than that in the control not-transfected animals (P < .05). In rabbits transfected with pcDNA3.1-Salusin-α plasmid, salusin-α expression was higher than in the not-transfected control animals (P < .05). However, there was no significant difference in plasma salusin-α levels between transfected animals and controls (P > .05). Blood parameters were also measured in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Our data confirm the establishment of a new method using SonoVue for targeted gene delivery into the arterial endothelium. Our study outcomes propose a new method of intervention in atherosclerosis and a new tool for targeted gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxue Wang
- Department of Laboratory MedicineHubei University of Chinese MedicineWuhanChina
| | - Min Luo
- Department of Laboratory MedicineHubei University of Chinese MedicineWuhanChina
| | - Xiaolu Mao
- Central Laboratory, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Xiaoyan Shi
- Central Laboratory, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Diagnosis of Hubei Province, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Xiang Liu
- Department of Laboratory MedicineHubei University of Chinese MedicineWuhanChina
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14
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Targeted theranostic photoactivation on atherosclerosis. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:338. [PMID: 34689768 PMCID: PMC8543964 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-01084-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Photoactivation targeting macrophages has emerged as a therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis, but limited targetable ability of photosensitizers to the lesions hinders its applications. Moreover, the molecular mechanistic insight to its phototherapeutic effects on atheroma is still lacking. Herein, we developed a macrophage targetable near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) emitting phototheranostic agent by conjugating dextran sulfate (DS) to chlorin e6 (Ce6) and estimated its phototherapeutic feasibility in murine atheroma. Also, the phototherapeutic mechanisms of DS-Ce6 on atherosclerosis were investigated. Results The phototheranostic agent DS-Ce6 efficiently internalized into the activated macrophages and foam cells via scavenger receptor-A (SR-A) mediated endocytosis. Customized serial optical imaging-guided photoactivation of DS-Ce6 by light illumination reduced both atheroma burden and inflammation in murine models. Immuno-fluorescence and -histochemical analyses revealed that the photoactivation of DS-Ce6 produced a prominent increase in macrophage-associated apoptotic bodies 1 week after laser irradiation and induced autophagy with Mer tyrosine-protein kinase expression as early as day 1, indicative of an enhanced efferocytosis in atheroma. Conclusion Imaging-guided DS-Ce6 photoactivation was able to in vivo detect inflammatory activity in atheroma as well as to simultaneously reduce both plaque burden and inflammation by harmonic contribution of apoptosis, autophagy, and lesional efferocytosis. These results suggest that macrophage targetable phototheranostic nanoagents will be a promising theranostic strategy for high-risk atheroma. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-021-01084-z.
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15
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Scott J, Deng Q, Vendrell M. Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probes for the Detection of Cancer-Associated Proteases. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1304-1317. [PMID: 34315210 PMCID: PMC8383269 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Proteases are enzymes capable of catalyzing protein breakdown, which is critical across many biological processes. There are several families of proteases, each of which perform key functions through the degradation of specific proteins. As our understanding of cancer improves, it has been demonstrated that several proteases can be overactivated during the progression of cancer and contribute to malignancy. Optical imaging systems that employ near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes to detect protease activity offer clinical promise, both for early detection of cancer as well as for the assessment of personalized therapy. In this Review, we review the design of NIR probes and their successful application for the detection of different cancer-associated proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie
I. Scott
- Centre
for Inflammation Research, The University
of Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Qinyi Deng
- Centre
for Inflammation Research, The University
of Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Vendrell
- Centre
for Inflammation Research, The University
of Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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16
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Abstract
Cysteine cathepsins are proteases critical in physiopathological processes and show potential as targets or biomarkers for diseases and medical conditions. The 11 members of the cathepsin family are redundant in some cases but remarkably independent of others, demanding the development of both pan-cathepsin targeting tools as well as probes that are selective for specific cathepsins with little off-target activity. This review addresses the diverse design strategies that have been employed to accomplish this tailored selectivity among cysteine cathepsin targets and the imaging modalities incorporated. The power of these diverse tools is contextualized by briefly highlighting the nature of a few prominent cysteine cathepsins, their involvement in select diseases, and the application of cathepsin imaging probes in research spanning basic biochemical studies to clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelton A Schleyer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, 1345 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Lina Cui
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, 1345 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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17
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Bisyris E, Zingkou E, Kordopati GG, Matsoukas M, Magriotis PA, Pampalakis G, Sotiropoulou G. A novel theranostic activity-based probe targeting kallikrein 7 for the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:6507-6510. [PMID: 34105530 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc01673c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We applied a new in silico approach for using protease-substrate motifs to design a kallikrein 7 (KLK7)-specific phosphonate activity-based probe (ABP) to quantify the active KLK7 in situ. Epidermal application of the ABP-inhibitor on Spink5-/-Klk5-/- mice, a Netherton syndrome model, reversed disease hallmarks, providing preclinical proof-of-concept for using ABPs as theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos Bisyris
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, 26504, Greece.
| | - Eleni Zingkou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, 26504, Greece.
| | - Golfo G Kordopati
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, 26504, Greece.
| | - Minos Matsoukas
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, 26504, Greece.
| | - Plato A Magriotis
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, 26504, Greece.
| | - Georgios Pampalakis
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, 26504, Greece.
| | - Georgia Sotiropoulou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, 26504, Greece.
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18
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Osborn EA, Albaghdadi M, Libby P, Jaffer FA. Molecular Imaging of Atherosclerosis. Mol Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816386-3.00086-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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19
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Luo D, Wang X, Walker E, Wang J, Springer S, Lou J, Ramamurthy G, Burda C, Basilion JP. Nanoparticles Yield Increased Drug Uptake and Therapeutic Efficacy upon Sequential Near-Infrared Irradiation. ACS NANO 2020; 14:15193-15203. [PMID: 33090762 PMCID: PMC9109620 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c05425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles offer great opportunities for precision medicine. However, the use of nanoparticles as smart photosensitizers that target tumor biomarkers and are responsive to the tumor microenvironment has yet to be explored. Herein, prostate cancer (PCa)-selective theranostic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for precise cancer imaging and therapy are developed. Silicon phthalocyanine, Pc158, was synthesized and deactivated by conjugating it to AuNPs via a biocleavable linker. In vitro and in vivo, the targeted AuNPs show excellent selectivity for PSMA-positive tumor cells. Triggered release of the therapeutic, Pc158, followed by sequential photodynamic therapy (PDT) results in significant inhibition of tumor growth. Further, we demonstrate that multiple sequential PDT greatly enhances nanoparticle uptake and therapeutic efficacy. PSMA is highly expressed in the neovasculature of most other solid tumors in humans, as well as PCa, making this approach of great practical interest for precision PDT in a wide range of cancers.
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20
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Vizovišek M, Vidak E, Javoršek U, Mikhaylov G, Bratovš A, Turk B. Cysteine cathepsins as therapeutic targets in inflammatory diseases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:573-588. [PMID: 32228244 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1746765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Cysteine cathepsins are involved in the development and progression of numerous inflammation-associated diseases such as cancer, arthritis, bone and immune disorders. Consequently, there is a drive to progress research efforts focused on cathepsin use in diagnostics and as therapeutic targets in disease.Areas covered: This review discusses the potential of cysteine cathepsins as therapeutic targets in inflammation-associated diseases and recent advances in preclinical and clinical research. We describe direct targeting of cathepsins for treatment purposes and their indirect use in diagnostics.Expert opinion: The targeting of cysteine cathepsins has not translated into the clinic; this failure is attributed to off- and on-target side effects and/or the lack of companion biomarkers. This field now embraces developments in diagnostic imaging, the activation of prodrugs and antibody-drug conjugates for targeted drug delivery. The future lies in improved molecular tools and therapeutic concepts that will find a wide spectrum of uses in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Vizovišek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eva Vidak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urban Javoršek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Georgy Mikhaylov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andreja Bratovš
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boris Turk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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