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Martins ASG, Reis SD, Benson E, Domingues MM, Cortinhas J, Vidal Silva JA, Santos SD, Santos NC, Pêgo AP, Moreno PMD. Enhancing Neuronal Cell Uptake of Therapeutic Nucleic Acids with Tetrahedral DNA Nanostructures. Small 2024:e2309140. [PMID: 38342712 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202309140] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
The successful translation of therapeutic nucleic acids (NAs) for the treatment of neurological disorders depends on their safe and efficient delivery to neural cells, in particular neurons. DNA nanostructures can be a promising NAs delivery vehicle. Nonetheless, the potential of DNA nanostructures for neuronal cell delivery of therapeutic NAs is unexplored. Here, tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDN) as siRNA delivery scaffolds to neuronal cells, exploring the influence of functionalization with two different reported neuronal targeting ligands: C4-3 RNA aptamer and Tet1 peptide are investigated. Nanostructures are characterized in vitro, as well as in silico using molecular dynamic simulations to better understand the overall TDN structural stability. Enhancement of neuronal cell uptake of TDN functionalized with the C4-3 Aptamer (TDN-Apt), not only in neuronal cell lines but also in primary neuronal cell cultures is demonstrated. Additionally, TDN and TDN-Apt nanostructures carrying siRNA are shown to promote silencing in a process aided by chloroquine-induced endosomal disruption. This work presents a thorough workflow for the structural and functional characterization of the proposed TDN as a nano-scaffold for neuronal delivery of therapeutic NAs and for targeting ligands evaluation, contributing to the future development of new neuronal drug delivery systems based on DNA nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana S G Martins
- i3S (Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde), Universidade do Porto, INEB (Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica), Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal
| | - Sara D Reis
- i3S (Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde), Universidade do Porto, INEB (Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica), Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Erik Benson
- SciLifeLab, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Tomtebodavägen 23, Solna, 171 65, Sweden
| | - Marco M Domingues
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon, 1649-028, Portugal
| | - João Cortinhas
- i3S (Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde), Universidade do Porto, INEB (Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica), Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Joana A Vidal Silva
- i3S (Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde), Universidade do Porto, INEB (Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica), Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Sofia D Santos
- i3S (Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde), Universidade do Porto, INEB (Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica), Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon, 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Ana P Pêgo
- i3S (Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde), Universidade do Porto, INEB (Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica), Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar da Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal
| | - Pedro M D Moreno
- i3S (Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde), Universidade do Porto, INEB (Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica), Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
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2
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Pereira RL, Oliveira D, Pêgo AP, Santos SD, Moreira FTC. Electrochemical miRNA-34a-based biosensor for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 154:108553. [PMID: 37672968 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common dementia type and a leading cause of death and disability in the elderly. Diagnosis is expensive and invasive, urging the development of new, affordable, and less invasive diagnostic tools. The identification of changes in the expression of non-coding RNAs prompts the development of diagnostic tools to detect disease-specific blood biomarkers. Building on this idea, this work reports a novel electrochemical microRNA (miRNA) biosensor for the diagnosis of AD, based on carbon screen-printed electrodes (C-SPEs) modified with two gold nanostructures and a complementary anti-miR-34a oligonucleotide probe. This biosensor showed good target affinity, reflected on a 100 pM to 1 μM linearity range and a limit of detection (LOD) of 39 pM in buffer and 94 aM in serum. Moreover, the biosensor's response was not affected by serum compounds, indicating selectivity for miR-34a. The biosensor also detected miR-34a in the cell culture medium of a common AD model, stimulated with a neurotoxin to increase miR-34a secretion. Overall, the proposed biosensor makes a solid case for the introduction of a novel, inexpensive, and minimally invasive tool for the early diagnosis of AD, based on the detection of a circulating miRNA overexpressed in this pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel L Pereira
- CIETI-LabRISE, School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal; CEB, Centre of Biological Engineering, Minho University, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Daniela Oliveira
- CIETI-LabRISE, School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal; CEB, Centre of Biological Engineering, Minho University, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana P Pêgo
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia D Santos
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Felismina T C Moreira
- CIETI-LabRISE, School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal; CEB, Centre of Biological Engineering, Minho University, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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Lopes M, Torrado M, Barth D, Santos SD, Sever-Bahcekapili M, Tekinay AB, Guler MO, Cleymand F, Pêgo AP, Borges J, Mano JF. Supramolecular presentation of bioinstructive peptides on soft multilayered nanobiomaterials stimulates neurite outgrowth. Biomater Sci 2023. [PMID: 37334774 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm00438d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) have emerged as effective molecular building blocks for creating self-assembling nanobiomaterials for multiple biomedical applications. Herein, we report a straightforward approach to assemble soft bioinstructive platforms to recreate the native neural extracellular matrix (ECM) aiming for neuronal regeneration based on the electrostatic-driven supramolecular presentation of laminin-derived IKVAV-containing self-assembling PA (IKVAV-PA) on biocompatible multilayered nanoassemblies. Spectroscopic and microscopic techniques show that the co-assembly of positively charged low-molecular-weight IKVAV-PA with oppositely charged high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HA) triggers the formation of ordered β-sheet structures denoting a one-dimensional nanofibrous network. The successful functionalization of poly(L-lysine)/HA layer-by-layer nanofilms with an outer positively charged layer of self-assembling IKVAV-PA is demonstrated by the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring and the nanofibrous morphological properties revealed by atomic force microscopy. The bioactive ECM-mimetic supramolecular nanofilms promote the enhancement of primary neuronal cells' adhesion, viability, and morphology when compared to the PA without the IKVAV sequence and PA-free biopolymeric multilayered nanofilms, and stimulate neurite outgrowth. The nanofilms hold great promise as bioinstructive platforms for enabling the assembly of customized and robust multicomponent supramolecular biomaterials for neural tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lopes
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Marília Torrado
- INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica & i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Daryl Barth
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
- Institut Jean Lamour, UMR 7198 CNRS - Université de Lorraine, Parc de Saurupt CS 50840, 54011 Nancy Cedex, France
| | - Sofia D Santos
- INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica & i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Melike Sever-Bahcekapili
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey
- Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry, Hacettepe University, 06230 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ayse B Tekinay
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), Bilkent University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mustafa O Guler
- The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Franck Cleymand
- Institut Jean Lamour, UMR 7198 CNRS - Université de Lorraine, Parc de Saurupt CS 50840, 54011 Nancy Cedex, France
| | - Ana P Pêgo
- INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica & i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - João Borges
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - João F Mano
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Moreira DA, Santos SD, Leiro V, Pêgo AP. Dendrimers and Derivatives as Multifunctional Nanotherapeutics for Alzheimer's Disease. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041054. [PMID: 37111540 PMCID: PMC10140951 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia. It affects more than 30 million people worldwide and costs over US$ 1.3 trillion annually. AD is characterized by the brain accumulation of amyloid β peptide in fibrillar structures and the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates in neurons, both leading to toxicity and neuronal death. At present, there are only seven drugs approved for the treatment of AD, of which only two can slow down cognitive decline. Moreover, their use is only recommended for the early stages of AD, meaning that the major portion of AD patients still have no disease-modifying treatment options. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop efficient therapies for AD. In this context, nanobiomaterials, and dendrimers in particular, offer the possibility of developing multifunctional and multitargeted therapies. Due to their intrinsic characteristics, dendrimers are first-in-class macromolecules for drug delivery. They have a globular, well-defined, and hyperbranched structure, controllable nanosize and multivalency, which allows them to act as efficient and versatile nanocarriers of different therapeutic molecules. In addition, different types of dendrimers display antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-prion, and most importantly for the AD field, anti-amyloidogenic properties. Therefore, dendrimers can not only be excellent nanocarriers, but also be used as drugs per se. Here, the outstanding properties of dendrimers and derivatives that make them excellent AD nanotherapeutics are reviewed and critically discussed. The biological properties of several dendritic structures (dendrimers, derivatives, and dendrimer-like polymers) that enable them to be used as drugs for AD treatment will be pointed out and the chemical and structural characteristics behind those properties will be analysed. The reported use of these nanomaterials as nanocarriers in AD preclinical research is also presented. Finally, future perspectives and challenges that need to be overcome to make their use in the clinic a reality are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora A Moreira
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- FEUP-Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia D Santos
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Victoria Leiro
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana P Pêgo
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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5
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Spencer AP, Torrado M, Custódio B, Silva-Reis SC, Santos SD, Leiro V, Pêgo AP. Breaking Barriers: Bioinspired Strategies for Targeted Neuronal Delivery to the Central Nervous System. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E192. [PMID: 32102252 PMCID: PMC7076453 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12020192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) disorders encompass a vast spectrum of pathological conditions and represent a growing concern worldwide. Despite the high social and clinical interest in trying to solve these pathologies, there are many challenges to bridge in order to achieve an effective therapy. One of the main obstacles to advancements in this field that has hampered many of the therapeutic strategies proposed to date is the presence of the CNS barriers that restrict the access to the brain. However, adequate brain biodistribution and neuronal cells specific accumulation in the targeted site also represent major hurdles to the attainment of a successful CNS treatment. Over the last few years, nanotechnology has taken a step forward towards the development of therapeutics in neurologic diseases and different approaches have been developed to surpass these obstacles. The versatility of the designed nanocarriers in terms of physical and chemical properties, and the possibility to functionalize them with specific moieties, have resulted in improved neurotargeted delivery profiles. With the concomitant progress in biology research, many of these strategies have been inspired by nature and have taken advantage of physiological processes to achieve brain delivery. Here, the different nanosystems and targeting moieties used to achieve a neuronal delivery reported in the open literature are comprehensively reviewed and critically discussed, with emphasis on the most recent bioinspired advances in the field. Finally, we express our view on the paramount challenges in targeted neuronal delivery that need to be overcome for these promising therapeutics to move from the bench to the bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P. Spencer
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (A.P.S.); (M.T.); (B.C.); (S.C.S.-R.); (S.D.S.); (V.L.)
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- FEUP—Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marília Torrado
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (A.P.S.); (M.T.); (B.C.); (S.C.S.-R.); (S.D.S.); (V.L.)
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Custódio
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (A.P.S.); (M.T.); (B.C.); (S.C.S.-R.); (S.D.S.); (V.L.)
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara C. Silva-Reis
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (A.P.S.); (M.T.); (B.C.); (S.C.S.-R.); (S.D.S.); (V.L.)
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia D. Santos
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (A.P.S.); (M.T.); (B.C.); (S.C.S.-R.); (S.D.S.); (V.L.)
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Victoria Leiro
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (A.P.S.); (M.T.); (B.C.); (S.C.S.-R.); (S.D.S.); (V.L.)
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana P. Pêgo
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (A.P.S.); (M.T.); (B.C.); (S.C.S.-R.); (S.D.S.); (V.L.)
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- FEUP—Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Santos SD, Xavier M, Leite DM, Moreira DA, Custódio B, Torrado M, Castro R, Leiro V, Rodrigues J, Tomás H, Pêgo AP. PAMAM dendrimers: blood-brain barrier transport and neuronal uptake after focal brain ischemia. J Control Release 2018; 291:65-79. [PMID: 30308255 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Drug delivery to the central nervous system is restricted by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, with the onset of stroke, the BBB becomes leaky, providing a window of opportunity to passively target the brain. Here, cationic poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers of different generations were functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to reduce cytotoxicity and prolong blood circulation half-life, aiming for a safe in vivo drug delivery system in a stroke scenario. Rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RITC) was covalently tethered to the dendrimer backbone and used as a small surrogate drug as well as for tracking purposes. The biocompatibility of PAMAM was markedly increased by PEGylation as a function of dendrimer generation and degree of functionalization. The PEGylated RITC-modified dendrimers did not affect the integrity of an in vitro BBB model. Additionally, the functionalized dendrimers remained safe when in contact with the bEnd.3 cells and rat primary astrocytes composing the in vitro BBB model after hypoxia induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation. Modification with PEG also decreased the interaction and uptake by endothelial cells of PAMAM, indicating that the transport across a leaky BBB due to focal brain ischemia would be facilitated. Next, the functionalized dendrimers were tested in contact with red blood cells showing no haemolysis for the PEGylated PAMAM, in contrast to the unmodified dendrimer. Interestingly, the PEG-modified dendrimers reduced blood clotting, which may be an added beneficial function in the context of stroke. The optimized PAMAM formulation was intravenously administered in mice after inducing permanent focal brain ischemia. Twenty-four hours after administration, dendrimers could be detected in the brain, including in neurons of the ischemic cortex. Our results suggest that the proposed formulation has the potential for becoming a successful delivery vector for therapeutic application to the injured brain after stroke reaching the ischemic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia D Santos
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel Xavier
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Diana M Leite
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Débora A Moreira
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Custódio
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marília Torrado
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita Castro
- CQM - Centro de Química da Madeira, MMRG, Universidade da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Victoria Leiro
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - João Rodrigues
- CQM - Centro de Química da Madeira, MMRG, Universidade da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Helena Tomás
- CQM - Centro de Química da Madeira, MMRG, Universidade da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Ana P Pêgo
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; FEUP - Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, R. de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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7
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Santos SD, Xavier M, Leite DM, Moreira DA, Custódio B, Torrado M, Castro R, Leiro V, Rodrigues J, Tomás H, Pêgo AP. PAMAM dendrimers: blood-brain barrier transport and neuronal uptake after focal brain ischemia. J Control Release 2018. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Rosa AI, Grade S, Santos SD, Bernardino L, Chen TC, Relvas J, Hofman FM, Agasse F. Heterocellular Contacts with Mouse Brain Endothelial Cells Via Laminin and α6β1 Integrin Sustain Subventricular Zone (SVZ) Stem/Progenitor Cells Properties. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:284. [PMID: 28018177 PMCID: PMC5156690 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) is regulated by diffusible factors and cell–cell contacts. In vivo, SVZ stem cells are associated with the abluminal surface of blood vessels and such interactions are thought to regulate their neurogenic capacity. SVZ neural stem cells (NSCs) have been described to contact endothelial-derived laminin via α6β1 integrin. To elucidate whether heterocellular contacts with brain endothelial cells (BEC) regulate SVZ cells neurogenic capacities, cocultures of SVZ neurospheres and primary BEC, both obtained from C57BL/6 mice, were performed. The involvement of laminin-integrin interactions in SVZ homeostasis was tested in three ways. Firstly, SVZ cells were analyzed following incubation of BEC with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) prior to coculture, a treatment expected to decrease membrane proteins. Secondly, SVZ cells were cocultured with BEC in the presence of an anti-α6 integrin neutralizing antibody. Thirdly, BEC were cultured with β1−/− SVZ cells. We showed that contact with BEC supports, at least in part, proliferation and stemness of SVZ cells, as evaluated by the number of BrdU positive (+) and Sox2+ cells in contact with BEC. These effects are dependent on BEC-derived laminin binding to α6β1 integrin and are decreased in cocultures incubated with anti-α6 integrin neutralizing antibody and in cocultures with SVZ β1−/− cells. Moreover, BEC-derived laminin sustains stemness in SVZ cell cultures via activation of the Notch and mTOR signaling pathways. Our results show that BEC/SVZ interactions involving α6β1 integrin binding to laminin, contribute to SVZ cell proliferation and stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra I Rosa
- Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of CoimbraCoimbra, Portugal; Department of Pathology, University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sofia Grade
- Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sofia D Santos
- Glial Cell Biology Group, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology - IBMCPorto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do PortoPorto, Portugal
| | - Liliana Bernardino
- Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of CoimbraCoimbra, Portugal; Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira InteriorCovilhã, Portugal
| | - Thomas C Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - João Relvas
- Glial Cell Biology Group, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology - IBMCPorto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do PortoPorto, Portugal
| | - Florence M Hofman
- Department of Pathology, University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Fabienne Agasse
- Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of CoimbraCoimbra, Portugal; Department of Pathology, University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA, USA
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Barateiro A, Miron VE, Santos SD, Relvas JB, Fernandes A, ffrench-Constant C, Brites D. Unconjugated Bilirubin Restricts Oligodendrocyte Differentiation and Axonal Myelination. Mol Neurobiol 2012; 47:632-44. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-012-8364-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Santos SD, Cardoso I, Magalhães J, Saraiva MJ. Impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system associated with extracellular transthyretin aggregates in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. J Pathol 2007; 213:200-9. [PMID: 17724793 DOI: 10.1002/path.2224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) has been associated with neurodegenerative disorders of intracellular protein aggregation. We have studied the UPS in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP), a neurodegenerative disorder caused by extracellular deposition of mutant transthyretin (TTR). The studies were conducted in TTR-synthesizing and non-synthesizing tissues from affected individuals, in transgenic mouse models for FAP, and in neuronal or Schwannoma cell lines cultured with TTR aggregates. In human FAP tissues presenting extracellular TTR aggregates, ubiquitin-protein conjugates were up-regulated, the proteasome levels were decreased and parkin and alpha-synuclein expression were both decreased. A similar response was detected in mouse models for TTR V30M or L55P. On the other hand, the liver, which normally synthesizes variant TTR V30M, did not show this response. Furthermore, transgenic mice immunized to decrease TTR deposition showed a significant reduction in ubiquitin levels and an increase in parkin and alpha-synuclein levels in comparison to control mice. Studies performed in cell lines with aggregates in the medium resulted in increased ubiquitin and decreased parkin levels. The overall results are indicative of TTR deposition as an external stimulus to an intracellular UPS response in FAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Santos
- Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Portugal
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Abstract
The hallmark of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is the presence of extracellular deposits of transthyretin (TTR) aggregates and amyloid fibers in several tissues, particularly in the peripheral nervous system. The molecular pathways to neurodegeneration in FAP still remain elusive; activation of nuclear factor kappaB, pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and pro-apoptotic caspase-3 has been demonstrated "in vivo" in clinical samples and in cell culture systems. In this study, we investigated the involvement of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in FAP by showing activation of the classical unfolded protein response pathways in tissues not specialized in TTR synthesis but presenting extracellular TTR aggregate and fibril deposition. We also proved cytotoxicity by Ca2+ efflux from the ER in cell cultures incubated with TTR oligomers. Taken together, these studies evidence ER stress associated with a extracellular signal in a misfolding disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Filipe Teixeira
- Molecular Neurobiology, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), 4150 Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipe Cerca
- Molecular Neurobiology, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), 4150 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia D Santos
- Molecular Neurobiology, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), 4150 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Saraiva
- Molecular Neurobiology, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), 4150 Porto, Portugal; Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4099 Porto, Portugal.
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Abstract
Heat shock transcription factors mediate the regulation of the organism physiological maintenance and adaptation. We investigated the morphology and cellular expression of selected genes in brains of transgenic mice lacking the heat shock transcription factor 1, HSF1, the main transactivator under stress conditions. All HSF1 null mice displayed major brain morphological alterations: the lateral ventricles were markedly enlarged and the white matter reduced, as in ventriculomegaly. Heterozygous mice for the HSF1 gene also had these abnormalities albeit to a lower extent in comparison to the wild type, indicating a gene dosage effect. Cell loss, vacuolisation, amorphous eosinophilic cytoplasm and pyknotic nucleus were evident in the white matter, especially in periventricular regions. These areas also exhibited astrogliosis and neurodegeneration. The expression of heat shock protein hsp 27 was up-regulated whereas alpha B-crystallin was down-regulated in different areas of HSF1 null mouse brain in comparison to control mice. These data implicate HSF1 in maintaining the postnatal mammalian brain under non-stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Santos
- Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Rua do Campo Alegre 8823, Porto, Portugal
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