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Hua Y, Shen Y. Applications of self-assembled peptide hydrogels in anti-tumor therapy. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2024; 6:2993-3008. [PMID: 38868817 PMCID: PMC11166105 DOI: 10.1039/d4na00172a] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Peptides are a class of active substances composed of a variety of amino acids with special physiological functions. The rational design of peptide sequences at the molecular level enables their folding into diverse secondary structures. This property has garnered significant attention in the biomedical sphere owing to their favorable biocompatibility, adaptable mechanical traits, and exceptional loading capabilities. Concurrently with advancements in modern medicine, the diagnosis and treatment of tumors have increasingly embraced targeted and personalized approaches. This review explores recent applications of self-assembled peptides derived from natural amino acids in chemical therapy, immunotherapy, and other adjunctive treatments. We highlighted the utilization of peptide hydrogels as delivery systems for chemotherapeutic drugs and other bioactive molecules and then discussed the challenges and prospects for their future application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Hua
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University Nanjing Jiangsu 210009 China
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University Nanjing Jiangsu 210009 China
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Yu K, Zhou P, Wang M, Zou P, Wang H, Liu Y, Xie M. β-Galactosidase-guided self-assembled 68Ga nanofibers probe for micro-PET tumor imaging. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 104:129727. [PMID: 38582132 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
β-galactosidase (β-gal) has high activity in various malignancies, which is suitable for targeted positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Meanwhile, β-gal can successfully guide the formation of nanofibers, which enhances the intensity of imaging and extends the imaging time. Herein, we designed a β-galactosidase-guided self-assembled PET imaging probe [68Ga]Nap-NOTA-1Gal. We envisage that β-gal could recognize and cleave the target site, bringing about self-assembling to form nanofibers, thereby enhancing the PET imaging effect. The targeting specificity of [68Ga]Nap-NOTA-1Gal for detecting β-gal activity was examined using the control probe [68Ga]Nap-NOTA-1. Micro-PET imaging showed that tumor regions of [68Ga]Nap-NOTA-1Gal were visible after injection. And the tumor uptake of [68Ga]Nap-NOTA-1Gal was higher than [68Ga]Nap-NOTA-1 at all-time points. Our results demonstrated that the [68Ga]Nap-NOTA-1Gal can be used for the purpose of a new promising PET probe for helping diagnose cancer with high levels of β-gal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangxia Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Peng Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Meimei Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Pei Zou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Hongyong Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Yaling Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China.
| | - Minhao Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi 214063, China.
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Yin H, Hua Y, Feng S, Xu Y, Ding Y, Liu S, Chen D, Du F, Liang G, Zhan W, Shen Y. In Situ Nanofiber Formation Blocks AXL and GAS6 Binding to Suppress Ovarian Cancer Development. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2308504. [PMID: 38546279 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Anexelekto (AXL) is an attractive molecular target for ovarian cancer therapy because of its important role in ovarian cancer initiation and progression. To date, several AXL inhibitors have entered clinical trials for the treatment of ovarian cancer. However, the disadvantages of low AXL affinity and severe off-target toxicity of these inhibitors limit their further clinical applications. Herein, by rational design of a nonapeptide derivative Nap-Phe-Phe-Glu-Ile-Arg-Leu-Arg-Phe-Lys (Nap-IR), a strategy of in situ nanofiber formation is proposed to suppress ovarian cancer growth. After administration, Nap-IR specifically targets overexpressed AXL on ovarian cancer cell membranes and undergoes a receptor-instructed nanoparticle-to-nanofiber transition. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrate that in situ formed Nap-IR nanofibers efficiently induce apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells by blocking AXL activation and disrupting subsequent downstream signaling events. Remarkably, Nap-IR can synergistically enhance the anticancer effect of cisplatin against HO8910 ovarian tumors. It is anticipated that the Nap-IR can be applied in clinical ovarian cancer therapy in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Yue Hua
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Songwei Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Yue Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Sicong Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Dongsheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd., 699-18 Xuanwu Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210042, China
| | - Furong Du
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd., 699-18 Xuanwu Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210042, China
| | - Gaolin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210096, China
| | - Wenjun Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210096, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
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Song Y, Lei L, Cai X, Wei H, Yu CY. Immunomodulatory Peptides for Tumor Treatment. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2400512. [PMID: 38657003 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Peptides exhibit various biological activities, including biorecognition, cell targeting, and tumor penetration, and can stimulate immune cells to elicit immune responses for tumor immunotherapy. Peptide self-assemblies and peptide-functionalized nanocarriers can reduce the effect of various biological barriers and the degradation by peptidases, enhancing the efficiency of peptide delivery and improving antitumor immune responses. To date, the design and development of peptides with various functionalities have been extensively reviewed for enhanced chemotherapy; however, peptide-mediated tumor immunotherapy using peptides acting on different immune cells, to the knowledge, has not yet been summarized. Thus, this work provides a review of this emerging subject of research, focusing on immunomodulatory anticancer peptides. This review introduces the role of peptides in the immunomodulation of innate and adaptive immune cells, followed by a link between peptides in the innate and adaptive immune systems. The peptides are discussed in detail, following a classification according to their effects on different innate and adaptive immune cells, as well as immune checkpoints. Subsequently, two delivery strategies for peptides as drugs are presented: peptide self-assemblies and peptide-functionalized nanocarriers. The concluding remarks regarding the challenges and potential solutions of peptides for tumor immunotherapy are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Song
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Longtianyang Lei
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Xingyu Cai
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Hua Wei
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Cui-Yun Yu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
- Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410013, China
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Yu Y, Chen S, Wang Y, Zhou D, Wu D. Fighting against Drug-Resistant Tumor by the Induction of Excessive Mitophagy with Transferrin Nanomedicine. Macromol Biosci 2024; 24:e2300116. [PMID: 37677756 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The effectiveness of chemotherapy is primarily hindered by drug resistance, and autophagy plays a crucial role in overcoming this resistance. In this project, a human transferrin nanomedicine contains quercetin (a drug to induce excessive autophagy) and doxorubicin is developed (HTf@DOX/Qu NPs). The purpose of this nanomedicine is to enhance mitophagy and combating drug-resistant cancer. Through in vitro studies, it is demonstrated that HTf@DOX/Qu NPs can effectively downregulate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), leading to an excessive promotion of mitophagy and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction via the PENT-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin axis. Additionally, HTf@DOX/Qu NPs can upregulate proapoptotic proteins to induce cellular apoptosis, thereby effectively reversing drug resistance. Furthermore, in vivo results have shown that HTf@DOX/Qu NPs exhibit prolonged circulation in the bloodstream, enhanced drug accumulation in tumors, and superior therapeutic efficacy compared to individual chemotherapy in a drug-resistant tumor model. This study presents a promising strategy for combating multidrug-resistant cancers by exacerbating mitophagy through the use of transferrin nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanxiang Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, P. R. China
| | - Sijin Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China
| | - Yupeng Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China
| | - Dongfang Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China
| | - Dehua Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China
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Cheng X, Xia T, Sun X, Liang G, Liu X, Liang G. Atg4B and Cathepsin B-Triggered in Situ Luciferin Formation for Precise Cancer Autophagy Bioluminescence Imaging. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:2251-2256. [PMID: 38161373 PMCID: PMC10755845 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c00696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Autophagy plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis and progression, but current approaches to visualize it in vivo show limited precision due to their single-analyte-responsive mode. Hence, by simultaneously employing dual autophagy enzymes Atg4B and cathepsin B to trigger the in situ formation of luciferin, we herein propose a strategy for precise autophagy bioluminescence imaging. An Atg4B-responsive peptide Ac-Thr-Phe-Gly-d-Cys (TFGC) and a cathepsin B-activatable compound Ac-Lys-Gly-Arg-Arg-CBT (KGRR-CBT) were rationally designed. During tumor autophagy, these two compounds were uptaken by cancer cells and cleaved by their corresponding enzymes to yield d-cysteine and 2-cyano-6-aminobenzothiazole, respectively, which underwent a CBT-Cys click reaction to yield d-aminoluciferin, turning the bioluminescence "on". The responsiveness of these two compounds toward the two enzymes was tested in vitro, and the ability to turn bioluminescence "on" was validated in living cancer cells and in vivo. We anticipate that our precise autophagy imaging strategy could be further applied for the diagnosis of autophagy-related diseases in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xianbao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical
Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Guowei Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical
Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Xiaoyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical
Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Gaolin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical
Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
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