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Gallo E, Diaferia C, Giordano S, Rosa E, Carrese B, Piccialli G, Borbone N, Morelli G, Oliviero G, Accardo A. Ultrashort Cationic Peptide Fmoc-FFK as Hydrogel Building Block for Potential Biomedical Applications. Gels 2023; 10:12. [PMID: 38247735 PMCID: PMC10815546 DOI: 10.3390/gels10010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Fmoc-diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF) is a low-molecular-weight peptide hydrogelator. This simple all-aromatic peptide can generate self-supporting hydrogel materials, which have been proposed as novel materials for diagnostic and pharmaceutical applications. Our knowledge of the molecular determinants of Fmoc-FF aggregation is used as a guide to design new peptide-based gelators, with features for the development of improved tools. Here, we enlarge the plethora of Fmoc-FF-based hydrogelated matrices by studying the properties of the Fmoc-FFK tripeptide, alone or in combination with Fmoc-FF. For multicomponent matrices, the relative weight ratios between Fmoc-FFK and Fmoc-FF (specifically, 1/1, 1/5, 1/10, and 1/20 w/w) are evaluated. All the systems and their multiscale organization are studied using different experimental techniques, including rheology, circular dichroism, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Preliminary profiles of biocompatibility for the studied systems are also described by testing them in vitro on HaCaT and 3T3-L1 cell lines. Additionally, the lysine (K) residue at the C-terminus of the Fmoc-FF moiety introduces into the supramolecular material chemical functions (amino groups) which may be useful for modification/derivatization with bioactive molecules of interest, including diagnostic probes, chelating agents, active pharmaceutical ingredients, or peptide nucleic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Gallo
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (E.G.); (S.G.); (B.C.)
| | - Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.D.); (E.R.); (G.P.); (N.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Sabrina Giordano
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (E.G.); (S.G.); (B.C.)
| | - Elisabetta Rosa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.D.); (E.R.); (G.P.); (N.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Barbara Carrese
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (E.G.); (S.G.); (B.C.)
| | - Gennaro Piccialli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.D.); (E.R.); (G.P.); (N.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Nicola Borbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.D.); (E.R.); (G.P.); (N.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Giancarlo Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.D.); (E.R.); (G.P.); (N.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Giorgia Oliviero
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.D.); (E.R.); (G.P.); (N.B.); (G.M.)
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Santoro J, Carrese B, Peluso MS, Coppola L, D’Aiuto M, Mossetti G, Salvatore M, Smaldone G. Influence of Breast Cancer Extracellular Vesicles on Immune Cell Activation: A Pilot Study. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:1531. [PMID: 38132355 PMCID: PMC10740516 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. It is well known that breast cancer shows significant alterations in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is composed of a variety of immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, that have a key role in tumor development or anti-tumor responses in breast cancer patients. Luminal B (BT474) and triple-negative breast cancer (HS578T) cell lines were cultured in 2D and 3D model systems. PMBCs from healthy donors were isolated and treated with extracellular vesicles (EVs) from monolayer and spheroids of BT474 and HS578T and analyzed using cytofluorimetric approaches. We observed that EVs can alter the activation and presence of CD335+/CD11b+ NK cells. EVs derived from BT474 and HS578T cells trigger the activation and, simultaneously, a reduction in the percentage of CD335+/CD11b+ NK cells. In addition, EVs derived from BT474 also significantly reduce CD39+ T-regulatory (T-reg) cells. Our preliminary data suggest that using EVs to treat tumors could potentially alter components of the immune system, which causes hyperactivation of specific cell types and can lead to aggressive growth. These data will guide the designing of new personalized diagnostic approaches based on in-depth study of the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Santoro
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Barbara Carrese
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Maria Sara Peluso
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Luigi Coppola
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | | | - Gennaro Mossetti
- Pathological Anatomy Service, Casa di Cura Maria Rosaria, Via Colle San Bartolomeo, 50, 80045 Pompei, Italy;
| | - Marco Salvatore
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Giovanni Smaldone
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
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Carrese B, Cavallini C, Armanetti P, Silvestri B, Calì G, Luciani G, Sanità G, Menichetti L, Lamberti A. Hybrid Nanoparticle-Assisted Chemo-Photothermal Therapy and Photoacoustic Imaging in a Three-Dimensional Breast Cancer Cell Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17374. [PMID: 38139203 PMCID: PMC10743567 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioinspired nanoparticles have recently been gaining attention as promising multifunctional nanoplatforms for therapeutic applications in cancer, including breast cancer. Here, the efficiency of the chemo-photothermal and photoacoustic properties of hybrid albumin-modified nanoparticles (HSA-NPs) loaded with doxorubicin was evaluated in a three-dimensional breast cancer cell model. The HSA-NPs showed a higher uptake and deeper penetration into breast cancer spheroids than healthy breast cell 3D cultures. Confocal microscopy revealed that, in tumour spheroids incubated with doxorubicin-loaded NPs for 16 h, doxorubicin was mainly localised in the cytoplasm, while a strong signal was detectable at the nuclear level after 24 h, suggesting a time-dependent uptake. To evaluate the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin-loaded NPs, tumour spheroids were treated for up to 96 h with increasing concentrations of NPs, showing marked toxicity only at the highest concentration of doxorubicin. When doxorubicin administration was combined with laser photothermal irradiation, enhanced cytotoxicity was observed at lower concentrations and incubation times. Finally, the photoacoustic properties of doxorubicin-loaded NPs were evaluated in tumour spheroids, showing a detectable signal increasing with NP concentration. Overall, our data show that the combined effect of chemo-photothermal therapy results in a shorter exposure time to doxorubicin and a lower drug dose. Furthermore, owing to the photoacoustic properties of the NPs, this nanoplatform may represent a good candidate for theranostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Carrese
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Cavallini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetano Calì
- Institute of Endocrinology and Molecular Oncology, National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Gennaro Sanità
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems—Unit of Naples, National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Lamberti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Giordano S, Gallo E, Diaferia C, Rosa E, Carrese B, Borbone N, Scognamiglio PL, Franzese M, Oliviero G, Accardo A. Multicomponent Peptide-Based Hydrogels Containing Chemical Functional Groups as Innovative Platforms for Biotechnological Applications. Gels 2023; 9:903. [PMID: 37998993 PMCID: PMC10671135 DOI: 10.3390/gels9110903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Multicomponent hydrogels (HGs) based on ultrashort aromatic peptides have been exploited as biocompatible matrices for tissue engineering applications, the delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents, and the development of biosensors. Due to its capability to gel under physiological conditions of pH and ionic strength, the low molecular-weight Fmoc-FF (Nα-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-diphenylalanine) homodimer is one of the most studied hydrogelators. The introduction into the Fmoc-FF hydrogel of additional molecules like protein, organic compounds, or other peptide sequences often allows the generation of novel hydrogels with improved mechanical and functional properties. In this perspective, here we studied a library of novel multicomponent Fmoc-FF based hydrogels doped with different amounts of the tripeptide Fmoc-FFX (in which X= Cys, Ser, or Thr). The insertion of these tripeptides allows to obtain hydrogels functionalized with thiol or alcohol groups that can be used for their chemical post-derivatization with bioactive molecules of interest like diagnostic or biosensing agents. These novel multicomponent hydrogels share a similar peptide organization in their supramolecular matrix. The hydrogels' biocompatibility, and their propensity to support adhesion, proliferation, and even cell differentiation, assessed in vitro on fibroblast cell lines, allows us to conclude that the hybrid hydrogels are not toxic and can potentially act as a scaffold and support for cell culture growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Giordano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.G.); (C.D.); (N.B.)
| | - Enrico Gallo
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (E.G.); (B.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Carlo Diaferia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.G.); (C.D.); (N.B.)
| | - Elisabetta Rosa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.G.); (C.D.); (N.B.)
| | - Barbara Carrese
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (E.G.); (B.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Nicola Borbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.G.); (C.D.); (N.B.)
| | | | - Monica Franzese
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (E.G.); (B.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Giorgia Oliviero
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonella Accardo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.G.); (C.D.); (N.B.)
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Carrese B, Cavallini C, Sanità G, Armanetti P, Silvestri B, Calì G, Pota G, Luciani G, Menichetti L, Lamberti A. Controlled Release of Doxorubicin for Targeted Chemo-Photothermal Therapy in Breast Cancer HS578T Cells Using Albumin Modified Hybrid Nanocarriers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011228. [PMID: 34681890 PMCID: PMC8538307 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybrid nanomaterials have attracted research interest owing to their intriguing properties, which may offer new diagnostic options with triggering features, able to realize a new kind of tunable nanotherapeutics. Hybrid silica/melanin nanoparticles (NPs) containing silver seeds (Me-laSil_Ag-HSA NPs) disclosed relevant photoacoustic contrast for molecular imaging. In this study we explored therapeutic function in the same nanoplatform. For this purpose, MelaSil_Ag-HSA were loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) (MelaSil_Ag-HSA@DOX) and tested to assess the efficiency of drug delivery combined with concurrent photothermal treatment. The excellent photothermal properties allowed enhanced cytotoxic activity at significantly lower doses than neat chemotherapeutic treatment. The results revealed that MelaSil_Ag-HSA@DOX is a promising platform for an integrated photothermal (PT) chemotherapy approach, reducing the efficacy concentration of the DOX and, thus, potentially limiting the several adverse side effects of the drug in in vivo treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Carrese
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Chiara Cavallini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.C.); (P.A.)
| | - Gennaro Sanità
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, National Research Council, 80078 Naples, Italy;
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.C.); (P.A.)
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy; (B.S.); (G.P.); (G.L.)
| | - Gaetano Calì
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology, National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giulio Pota
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy; (B.S.); (G.P.); (G.L.)
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy; (B.S.); (G.P.); (G.L.)
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.C.); (P.A.)
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Annalisa Lamberti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (A.L.)
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Sanità G, Carrese B, Lamberti A. Nanoparticle Surface Functionalization: How to Improve Biocompatibility and Cellular Internalization. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:587012. [PMID: 33324678 PMCID: PMC7726445 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.587012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of nanoparticles (NP) in diagnosis and treatment of many human diseases, including cancer, is of increasing interest. However, cytotoxic effects of NPs on cells and the uptake efficiency significantly limit their use in clinical practice. The physico-chemical properties of NPs including surface composition, superficial charge, size and shape are considered the key factors that affect the biocompatibility and uptake efficiency of these nanoplatforms. Thanks to the possibility of modifying physico-chemical properties of NPs, it is possible to improve their biocompatibility and uptake efficiency through the functionalization of the NP surface. In this review, we summarize some of the most recent studies in which NP surface modification enhances biocompatibility and uptake. Furthermore, the most used techniques used to assess biocompatibility and uptake are also reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Sanità
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Lamberti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Sanità G, Armanetti P, Silvestri B, Carrese B, Calì G, Pota G, Pezzella A, d’Ischia M, Luciani G, Menichetti L, Lamberti A. Albumin-Modified Melanin-Silica Hybrid Nanoparticles Target Breast Cancer Cells via a SPARC-Dependent Mechanism. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:765. [PMID: 32733871 PMCID: PMC7360861 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioconjugation of a recently developed photoacoustic nanoprobe, based on silica-templated eumelanin-silver hybrid nanoparticles (MelaSil_Ag-NPs), with human serum albumin (HSA) is disclosed herein as an efficient and practical strategy to improve photostability and to perform SPARC mediated internalization in breast cancer cells. Modification of NPs with HSA induced a slight viability decrease in breast cancer cells (HS578T) and normal breast cells (MCF10a) when incubated with HSA-NPs up to 100 μg/mL concentration for 72 h and a complete suppression of hemotoxicity for long incubation times. Uptake experiments with MelaSil_Ag-HSA NPs indicated very high and selective internalization via SPARC in HS578T (SPARC positive cells) but not in MCF10a (SPARC negative cells), as evaluated by using endocytosis inhibitors. The binding of SPARC to HSA was confirmed by Co-IP and Dot-blot assays. Additional studies were performed to analyze the interaction of MelaSil_Ag-HSA NPs with protein corona. Data showed a dramatic diminution of interacting proteins in HSA conjugated NPs compared to bare NPs. HSA-coated MelaSil_Ag-NPs are thus disclosed as a novel functional nanohybrid for potential photoacoustic imaging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Sanità
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara Carrese
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetano Calì
- Institute of Endocrinology and Molecular Oncology, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulio Pota
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco d’Ischia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Lamberti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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