1
|
Di Stasi R, De Rosa L, D'Andrea LD. Structure-Based Design of Peptides Targeting VEGF/VEGFRs. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:851. [PMID: 37375798 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060851] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFRs) play a main role in the regulation of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, they are implicated in the onset of several diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative eye conditions, tumor growth, ulcers and ischemia. Therefore, molecules able to target the VEGF and its receptors are of great pharmaceutical interest. Several types of molecules have been reported so far. In this review, we focus on the structure-based design of peptides mimicking VEGF/VEGFR binding epitopes. The binding interface of the complex has been dissected and the different regions challenged for peptide design. All these trials furnished a better understanding of the molecular recognition process and provide us with a wealth of molecules that could be optimized to be exploited for pharmaceutical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucia De Rosa
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Calvo-López T, Grueso E, Sánchez-Martínez C, Almendral JM. Intracellular virion traffic to the endosome driven by cell type specific sialic acid receptors determines parvovirus tropism. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1063706. [PMID: 36756201 PMCID: PMC9899843 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1063706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Parvoviruses are promising anticancer and gene therapy agents, but a deep knowledge of the entry process is crucial to exploit their therapeutic potential. We addressed this issue while attempting to retarget the oncolytic parvovirus minute virus of mice (MVMp) to the tumor vasculature. Residues at three functional domains of the icosahedral capsid were substituted by rational design with peptides competing with the vascular endothelial growth factor. Most substitutions impaired virus maturation, though some yielded infectious chimeric virions, and substitutions in a dimple at the twofold axis that allocates sialic acid (SIA) receptors altered viral tropism. One dimple-modified chimeric virion was efficiently attached as MVMp to α2-linked SIA moieties, but the infection was impaired by the binding to some inhibitory α2-3,-6,-8 SIA pseudoreceptors, which hampers intracellular virus traffic to the endosome in a cell type-dependent manner. Infectious from nonproductive traffic could be mechanistically discriminated by an endosomal drastic capsid structural transition comprising the cleavage of some VP2-Nt sequences and its associated VP1-Nt exposure. Correspondingly, neuraminidase removal of inhibitory SIA moieties enhanced the infection quantitatively, correlating to the restored virus traffic to the endosome and the extent of VP2-Nt cleavage/VP1-Nt exposure. This study illustrates (i) structural constraints to retarget parvoviruses with evolutionary adopted narrow grooves allocating small SIA receptors, (ii) the possibility to enhance parvovirus oncolysis by relaxing the glycan network on the cancer cell surface, and (iii) the major role played by the attachment to cell type-specific SIAs in the intracellular virus traffic to the endosome, which may determine parvovirus tropism and host range.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tania Calvo-López
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain,Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Grueso
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain,Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Sánchez-Martínez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain,Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Almendral
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain,Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain,*Correspondence: José M. Almendral ✉
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activity of the FGF2 118-126 fragment dependent on the loop structure. Biochem J 2022; 479:1285-1302. [PMID: 35638868 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210830] [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: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast Growth Factor /FGF Receptor 1 (FGF2/FGFR1) system regulates the growth and metastasis of different cancers. Inhibition of this signaling pathway is an attractive target for cancer therapy. Here, we aimed to reproduce the 118-126 fragment of FGF2 to interfere with the FGF2-FGFR1 interaction. To determine whether the loop structure affects the function of this fragment, we compared cyclic (disulfide-bonded) and linear peptide variants. The cyclic peptide (referred to as BGF1) effectively inhibited the FGF2-induced proliferation of HUVECs, 4T1 mammary carcinoma, U87 glioblastoma, and SKOV3 ovarian carcinoma cells. It led to apoptosis induction in HUVECs, whereas the linear peptide (referred to as BGF2) was ineffective. In a murine 4T1 tumor model, BGF1 inhibited tumor growth more effectively than Avastin and increased animals' survival without causing weight loss, but the linear peptide BGF2 had no significant anti-tumor effects. According to immunohistochemical studies, the anti-tumor properties of BGF1 were associated with suppression of tumor cell proliferation (Ki-67 expression), angiogenesis (CD31 expression), and apoptosis induction (as was shown by increased p53 expression and TUNEL staining and decreased Bcl-2 expression). The potential of BGF1 to suppress tumor invasion was indicated by quantitative analysis of the metastasis-related proteins, including FGFR1, pFGFR1, NF-κB, p-NF-κB, MMP-9, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin, and supported by small animal positron emission tomography (PET) used 18Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG). These results demonstrate that the functional properties of the 118-126 region of FGF2 depend on the loop structure and the peptide derived from this fragment encourages further preclinical investigations.
Collapse
|
4
|
Shoari A, Khodabakhsh F, Ahangari Cohan R, Salimian M, Karami E. Anti-angiogenic peptides application in cancer therapy; a review. Res Pharm Sci 2021; 16:559-574. [PMID: 34760005 PMCID: PMC8562409 DOI: 10.4103/1735-5362.327503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disease advanced via surplus angiogenesis. The development of new anti-angiogenic therapeutic agents with more efficacy and fewer side effects is still quite necessary. Conventional therapies saving the life of many cancer patients but due to drug resistance and lack of specificity utilizing these methods is faced with limits. Recently, new therapeutic agents have been developed and used to treat cancers such as scaffold proteins, monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and peptides. In antiangiogenic drug development, anti-angiogenic peptides design is a significant aim. Peptides have developed as substantial therapeutics that are being carefully investigated in angiogenesis-dependent diseases because of their high penetrating rate into the cancer cells, high specificity, and low toxicity. In this review, we focus on anti-angiogenic peptides in the field of cancer therapy that are designed, screened, or derived from nanobodies, mimotopes, phage displays, and natural resources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Shoari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Farnaz Khodabakhsh
- Department of Genetics and Advanced Medical Technology, Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Reza Ahangari Cohan
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, New Technologies Research Group, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Morteza Salimian
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
| | - Elmira Karami
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Recent Applications of Retro-Inverso Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168677. [PMID: 34445382 PMCID: PMC8395423 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural and de novo designed peptides are gaining an ever-growing interest as drugs against several diseases. Their use is however limited by the intrinsic low bioavailability and poor stability. To overcome these issues retro-inverso analogues have been investigated for decades as more stable surrogates of peptides composed of natural amino acids. Retro-inverso peptides possess reversed sequences and chirality compared to the parent molecules maintaining at the same time an identical array of side chains and in some cases similar structure. The inverted chirality renders them less prone to degradation by endogenous proteases conferring enhanced half-lives and an increased potential as new drugs. However, given their general incapability to adopt the 3D structure of the parent peptides their application should be careful evaluated and investigated case by case. Here, we review the application of retro-inverso peptides in anticancer therapies, in immunology, in neurodegenerative diseases, and as antimicrobials, analyzing pros and cons of this interesting subclass of molecules.
Collapse
|
6
|
A Multifunctional Nanoplatform Made of Gold Nanoparticles and Peptides Mimicking the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11146333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In this work, nanobiohybrids of plasmonic gold nanoparticles (AuNP, anti-angiogenic) and a peptide mimicking the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, pro-angiogenic) were assembled and scrutinized in terms of physicochemical characterization, including optical properties, surface charge, surface chemical structure and morphology of the bioengineered metal nanoparticles, for their potential application as multifunctional theranostic (i.e., therapy + sensing) nanoplatform (AuNP/VEGF). Specifically, a peptide sequence encompassing the VEGF cellular receptor domain 73–101 (VEGF73–101) and its single point cysteine mutated were immobilized onto AuNP by physi- and chemi-sorption, respectively. The new hybrid systems were characterized by means of a multitechnique approach, including dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses, zeta potential (ZP), spectroscopic (UV-Vis, FT-IR, XPS), spectrometric (TOF-SIMS) and microscopic (AFM, SEM) techniques. Proof-of-work cellular experiments in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) upon the treatment with AuNP/VEGF samples, demonstrated no toxicity up to 24 h (MTT assay) as well an effective internalization (laser confocal microscopy, LSM).
Collapse
|
7
|
Karami E, Sabatier JM, Behdani M, Irani S, Kazemi-Lomedasht F. A nanobody-derived mimotope against VEGF inhibits cancer angiogenesis. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 35:1233-1239. [PMID: 32441172 PMCID: PMC7717616 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2020.1758690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) promotes angiogenesis in tumours of various cancers. Monoclonal antibodies and nanobodies are one of the potent agents in the treatment of cancer. Due to their high costs, researchers are considering to design and produce peptides as a substitute approach in recent years. The aim of the current study was designing a mimotope against VEGF and evaluate its effects on cell proliferation and tube formation in the HUVEC cell line. For this, a peptide was designed against VEGF and chemically produced. The effects of synthetic peptide and nanobody on the inhibition of proliferation of HUVEC cells were examined using MTT and tube formation assays. The data indicate that the peptide was able to significantly inhibit both HUVEC cell proliferation and tube formation through inhibition of VEGF, highlighting the potential of peptides as a ‘novel’ class of candidate drugs to inhibit angiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elmira Karami
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jean-Marc Sabatier
- Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Neurophysiopathologie (INP) UMR 7051, 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, Faculté de Médecine, 13385 - Marseille Cédex 5, France
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shiva Irani
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Kazemi-Lomedasht
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kaumaya PTP, Guo L, Overholser J, Penichet ML, Bekaii-Saab T. Immunogenicity and antitumor efficacy of a novel human PD-1 B-cell vaccine (PD1-Vaxx) and combination immunotherapy with dual trastuzumab/pertuzumab-like HER-2 B-cell epitope vaccines (B-Vaxx) in a syngeneic mouse model. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1818437. [PMID: 33117602 PMCID: PMC7553530 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1818437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has shown clinical success and activity across a broad set of cancer subtypes. However, monotherapy with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are only effective in a subset of patients and ongoing studies show efficacy of treatment depends on a combinatorial approach. Contrary to mAbs chimeric B-cell cancer vaccines incorporating a “promiscuous” T-cell epitope have the advantage of producing a polyclonal B-cell antibody that can potentially induce memory B- and T-cell responses, while reducing immune evasion and suppression. Here, we describe a novel PD-1 B-cell peptide epitope vaccine (amino acid 92–110; PD1-Vaxx) linked to a measles virus fusion peptide (MVF) amino acid 288–302 via a four amino acid residue (GPSL) emulsified in Montanide ISA 720VG that aims to induce the production of polyclonal antibodies that block PD-1 signaling and thus trigger anticancer effects similar to nivolumab. In preclinical studies, the PD1-Vaxx outperformed the standard anti-mouse PD-1 antibody (mAb 29F.1A12) in a mouse model of human HER-2 expressing colon carcinoma. Furthermore, the combination of PD1-Vaxx with combo HER-2 peptide vaccine (B-Vaxx) showed enhanced inhibition of tumor growth in colon carcinoma BALB/c model challenged with CT26/HER-2 cells. The PD-1 or combined vaccines were safe with no evidence of toxicity or autoimmunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pravin T P Kaumaya
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology.,The Wexner Medical Center and the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Manuel L Penichet
- Division of Surgical Oncology Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kaumaya PTP. B-cell epitope peptide cancer vaccines: a new paradigm for combination immunotherapies with novel checkpoint peptide vaccine. Future Oncol 2020; 16:1767-1791. [PMID: 32564612 PMCID: PMC7426751 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-0224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In light of the numerous US FDA-approved humanized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for cancer immunotherapy, it is surprising that the advancement of B-cell epitope vaccines designed to elicit a natural humoral polyclonal antibody response has not gained traction in the immune-oncology landscape. Passive immunotherapy with humanized mAbs (Trastuzumab [Herceptin®]; Pertuzumab [Perjeta®]) has provided clinical benefit to breast cancer patients, albeit with significant shortcomings including toxicity problems and resistance, high costs, sophisticated therapeutic regimen and long half-life. The role of B-cell humoral immunity in cancer is under appreciated and underdeveloped. We have advanced the idea of active immunotherapy with chimeric B-cell epitope peptides incorporating a 'promiscuous' T-cell epitope that elicits a polyclonal antibody response, which provides safe, cost-effective therapeutic advantage over mAbs. We have created a portfolio of validated B-cell peptide epitopes against multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (HER-1, HER-3, IGF-1R and VEGF). We have successfully translated two HER-2 combination B-cell peptide vaccines in Phase I and II clinical trials. We have recently developed an effective novel PD-1 vaccine. In this article, I will review our approaches and strategies that focus on B-cell epitope cancer vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pravin TP Kaumaya
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute, The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dmytriyeva O, de Diego Ajenjo A, Lundø K, Hertz H, Rasmussen KK, Christiansen AT, Klingelhofer J, Nielsen AL, Hoeber J, Kozlova E, Woldbye DPD, Pankratova S. Neurotrophic Effects of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B and Novel Mimetic Peptides on Neurons from the Central Nervous System. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:1270-1282. [PMID: 32283014 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGFB) is a pleiotropic trophic factor, which in contrast to the closely related VEGFA is known to have a limited effect on angiogenesis. VEGFB improves survival in various tissues including the nervous system, where the effect was observed mainly for peripheral neurons. The neurotrophic effect of VEGFB on central nervous system neurons has been less investigated. Here we demonstrated that VEGFB promotes neurite outgrowth from primary cerebellar granule, hippocampal, and retinal neurons in vitro. VEGFB protected hippocampal and retinal neurons from both oxidative stress and glutamate-induced neuronal death. The VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1) is required for VEGFB-induced neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects. Using a structure-based approach, we designed short peptides, termed Vefin1-7, mimicking the binding interface of VEGFB to VEGFR1. Vefins were analyzed for their secondary structure and binding to VEGF receptors and compared with previously described peptides derived from VEGFA, another ligand of VEGFR1. We show that Vefins have neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects on primary hippocampal, cerebellar granule, and retinal neurons in vitro with potencies comparable to VEGFB. Similar to VEGFB, Vefins were not mitogenic for MCF-7 cancer cells. Furthermore, one of the peptides, Vefin7, even dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in vitro. Unraveling the neurotrophic and neuroprotective potentials of VEGFB, the only nonangiogenic factor of the VEGF family, is promising for the development of neuroprotective peptide-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oksana Dmytriyeva
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Science and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Amaia de Diego Ajenjo
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Kathrine Lundø
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Henrik Hertz
- Laboratory of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Kim K. Rasmussen
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Anders T. Christiansen
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Jorg Klingelhofer
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Alexander L. Nielsen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Jan Hoeber
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75124, Sweden
| | - Elena Kozlova
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75124, Sweden
| | - David P. D. Woldbye
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Stanislava Pankratova
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
- Research Laboratory for Stereology and Neuroscience, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zimbone S, Santoro AM, La Mendola D, Giacomelli C, Trincavelli ML, Tomasello MF, Milardi D, García-Viñuales S, Sciacca MFM, Martini C, Grasso G. The Ionophoric Activity of a Pro-Apoptotic VEGF165 Fragment on HUVEC Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2866. [PMID: 32325956 PMCID: PMC7216235 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Copper plays an important role as a regulator in many pathologies involving the angiogenesis process. In cancerogenesis, tumor progression, and angiogenic diseases, copper homeostasis is altered. Although many details in the pathways involved are still unknown, some copper-specific ligands have been successfully used as therapeutic agents. Copper-binding peptides able to modulate angiogenesis represent a possible way to value new drugs. We previously reported that a fragment (VEGF73-101) of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165), a potent angiogenic, induced an apoptotic effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the putative copper ionophoric activity of VEGF73-101, as well as establish a relationship between the structure of the peptide fragment and the cytotoxic activity in the presence of copper(II) ions. Here, we studied the stoichiometry and the conformation of the VEGF73-101/Cu(II) complexes and some of its mutated peptides by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of all peptides in the absence and presence of copper ions by cell viability and cytofuorimetric assays. The obtained results suggest that VEGF73-101 could be considered an interesting candidate in the development of new molecules with ionophoric properties as agents in antiangiogenic therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Zimbone
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
| | - Anna M. Santoro
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.M.); (C.G.); (M.L.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Chiara Giacomelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.M.); (C.G.); (M.L.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Maria L. Trincavelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.M.); (C.G.); (M.L.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Marianna F. Tomasello
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
| | - Danilo Milardi
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
| | - Sara García-Viñuales
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
| | - Michele F. M. Sciacca
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
| | - Claudia Martini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.M.); (C.G.); (M.L.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Giulia Grasso
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ghadam M, Sardari S, Shokrgozar MA, Mahdavi MS. Design of Anti-Angiogenic Peptidomimetics and Evaluation their Biological Activity by In Vitro Assays. Avicenna J Med Biotechnol 2020; 12:91-98. [PMID: 32431793 PMCID: PMC7229457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the important therapeutic approaches in cancer field is development of compounds which can block the initial tumor growth and the progression of tumor metastasis with no side effects. Thus, the recent study was carried out to design anti-VEGFR2-peptidomimetics as the most significant factor of angiogenesis process- and evaluate their biological activity by in vitro assays. METHODS We designed anti-VEGFR2 peptidomimetics with anti-angiogenic activity, including compound P (lactam derivative) and compound T (indole derivative) by using in silico methods. Then, the inhibitory activity on angiogenesis was evaluated by using angiogenesis specific assays such as Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) proliferation, tube formation in Matrigel, MTT and Real-Time PCR. IC50 values of the compounds were also determined by cytotoxicity plot in MTT assay. RESULTS Compounds P and T inhibited HUVEC cell proliferation and viability in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 for compound T and compound P in HUVEC cell line were 113 and 115 μg/ml, respectively. Tube formation assay revealed that both compounds can inhibit angiogenesis effectively. The results of Real-Time PCR also showed these compounds are able to inhibit the expression of CD31 gene in HUVEC cell line. CONCLUSION Our study suggested that compounds P and T may act as therapeutic molecules, or lead compounds for development of angiogenesis inhibitors in VEGF-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mona Ghadam
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soroush Sardari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran,Corresponding authors: Soroush Sardari, Ph.D., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Shokrgozar
- National Cell Bank of Iran, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran,Mohammad Ali Shokrgozar, Ph.D., National Cell Bank of Iran, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran, Tel: +98 9122632484, E-mail: ;
| | - Mahdiyeh Sadat Mahdavi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Antiangiogenic Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Blocking Peptides Displayed on the Capsid of an Infectious Oncolytic Parvovirus: Assembly and Immune Interactions. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00798-19. [PMID: 31315994 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00798-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As many tumor cells synthetize vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) that promote neo-vascularization and metastasis, frontline cancer therapies often administer anti-VEGF (α-VEGF) antibodies. To target the oncolytic parvovirus minute virus of mice (MVM) to the tumor vasculature, we studied the functional tolerance, evasion of neutralization, and induction of α-VEGF antibodies of chimeric viruses in which the footprint of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody within the 3-fold capsid spike was replaced by VEGF-blocking peptides: P6L (PQPRPL) and A7R (ATWLPPR). Both peptides allowed viral genome replication and nuclear translocation of chimeric capsid subunits. MVM-P6L efficiently propagated in culture, exposing the heterologous peptide on the capsid surface, and evaded neutralization by the anti-spike monoclonal antibody. In contrast, MVM-A7R yielded low infectious titers and was poorly recognized by an α-A7R monoclonal antibody. MVM-A7R showed a deficient assembly pattern, suggesting that A7R impaired a transitional configuration that the subunits must undergo in the 3-fold axis to close up the capsid shell. The MVM-A7R chimeric virus consistently evolved in culture into a mutant carrying the P6Q amino acid substitution within the A7R sequence, which restored normal capsid assembly and infectivity. Consistent with this finding, anti-native VEGF antibodies were induced in mice by a single injection of MVM-A7R empty capsids, but not by MVM-A7R virions. This fundamental study provides insights to endow an infectious parvovirus with immune antineovascularization and evasion capacities by replacing an antibody footprint in the capsid 3-fold axis with VEGF-blocking peptides, and it also illustrates the evolutionary capacity of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses to overcome engineered capsid structural restrictions.IMPORTANCE Targeting the VEGF signaling required for neovascularization by vaccination with chimeric capsids of oncolytic viruses may boost therapy for solid tumors. VEGF-blocking peptides (VEbp) engineered in the capsid 3-fold axis endowed the infectious parvovirus MVM with the ability to induce α-VEGF antibodies without adjuvant and to evade neutralization by MVM-specific antibodies. However, these properties may be compromised by structural restraints that the capsid imposes on the peptide configuration and by misassembly caused by the heterologous peptides. Significantly, chimeric MVM-VEbp resolved the structural restrictions by selecting mutations within the engineered peptides that restored efficient capsid assembly. These data show the promise of antineovascularization vaccines using chimeric VEbp-icosahedral capsids of oncolytic viruses but also raise safety concerns regarding the genetic stability of manipulated infectious parvoviruses in cancer and gene therapies.
Collapse
|
14
|
Rahat MA. Targeting Angiogenesis With Peptide Vaccines. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1924. [PMID: 31440262 PMCID: PMC6694838 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Most cancer peptide vaccinations tested so far are capable of eliciting a strong immune response, but demonstrate poor clinical benefits. Since peptide vaccination is safe and well-tolerated, and several indications suggest that it has clear potential advantages over other modalities of treatment, it is important to investigate the reasons for these clinical failures. In this review, the current state of the art in targeting angiogenic proteins via peptide vaccines is presented, and the underlying reasons for both the successes and the failures are analyzed. The review highlights a number of areas critical for future success, including choice of target antigens, types of peptides used, delivery methods and use of proper adjuvants, and suggests ways to achieve better clinical results in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michal A Rahat
- Immunotherapy Laboratory, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.,The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Structural studies of the binding of an antagonistic cyclic peptide to the VEGFR1 domain 2. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 169:65-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.02.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
16
|
Sadremomtaz A, Kobarfard F, Mansouri K, Mirzanejad L, Asghari SM. Suppression of migratory and metastatic pathways via blocking VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. J Recept Signal Transduct Res 2019; 38:432-441. [PMID: 30929546 DOI: 10.1080/10799893.2019.1567785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A and B are endothelial cell mitogens whose ligation to VEGFR1/VEGFR2 drives tumor angiogenesis and metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Blockade of these signaling axes could be obtained by disturbing the interactions between VEGFA and/or VEGFB with VEGFR1 and/or VEGFR2. METHODS A 14-mer peptide (VGB) that recognizes both VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were investigated for its inhibitory effects on the VEGF-induced proliferation and migration using MTT and scratch assay, respectively. Downstream signaling pathways were also assessed by quantitative estimation of gene and protein expression using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS We investigated the inhibitory effects of VGB on downstream mediators of metastasis, including epithelial-cadherin (E-cadherin), matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9), cancer myelocytomatosis (c-Myc), and nuclear factor-κβ (NF-κβ), and migration, comprising focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and its substrate Paxilin. VGB inhibited the VEGF-induced proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), 4T1 and U87 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner and migration of HUVECs. Based on IHC analyses, treatment of 4T1 mammary carcinoma tumor with VGB led to the suppression of p-AKT, p-ERK1/2, MMP-9, NF-κβ, and activation of E-cadherin compared with PBS-treated controls. Moreover, quantitative real-time PCR analyses of VGB-treated tumors revealed the reduced expression level of FAK, Paxilin, NF-κβ, MMP-9, c-Myc, and increased expression level of E-cadherin compared to PBS-treated controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated that simultaneous blockade of VEGFR1/VEGFR2 is an effective strategy to fight solid tumors by targeting a wider range of mediators involved in tumor angiogenesis, growth, and metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afsaneh Sadremomtaz
- a Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences , University of Guilan , Rasht , Iran
| | - Farzad Kobarfard
- b Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy , Phytochemistry Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Kamran Mansouri
- c Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences , Kermanshah , Iran
| | - Laleh Mirzanejad
- a Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences , University of Guilan , Rasht , Iran
| | - S Mohsen Asghari
- a Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences , University of Guilan , Rasht , Iran
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yamaguchi K, Sudo H, Imai K. Vascular endothelial growth factor signaling in VE-cadherin expression and tube-like formation by rheumatoid arthritic synovial fibroblast-like cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 508:405-409. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.11.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
18
|
Sadremomtaz A, Mansouri K, Alemzadeh G, Safa M, Rastaghi AE, Asghari SM. Dual blockade of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 by a novel peptide abrogates VEGF-driven angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis through PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:2688-2700. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
19
|
Zhang L, He D, Huang J, Deng Y, Weng R, Pan L, Deng N. The Immunogenicity and Immunoprotection of VBP3 Multi-epitope Vaccine Targeting Angiogenesis and Tumor Inhibition in Lung Cancer-Bearing Mice. Int J Pept Res Ther 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-017-9667-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
20
|
Taktak-BenAmar A, Morjen M, Ben Mabrouk H, Abdelmaksoud-Dammak R, Guerfali M, Fourati-Masmoudi N, Marrakchi N, Gargouri A. Expression, purification and functionality of bioactive recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF 165 in E. coli. AMB Express 2017; 7:33. [PMID: 28168572 PMCID: PMC5293700 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-016-0300-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is associated with tumour growth and metastasis. Because VEGF is the major player in both angiogenesis and vascular permeability and the most explored factor in angio-inhibitory therapies, many expression procedures have been developed to produce functional VEGF165 in convenient yield. In this study, recombinant human VEGF165 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli (BL21)-DE3 cells and large scale production was performed by fermentation. A high yield of active soluble protein was obtained after protein extraction employing both lysozyme and sonication treatment. Inclusion bodies were also isolated from the cell lysate and subjected to a simple protocol of solubilisation and refolding. Single-step purification was performed using nickel affinity chromatography and the purified proteins were able to recognize monoclonal Anti-poly-His antibody. The biological activity of the VEGF165 was successfully tested using the Chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay, wound-healing migration and proliferation assay on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).
Collapse
|
21
|
Wang L, Zhou L, Reille-Seroussi M, Gagey-Eilstein N, Broussy S, Zhang T, Ji L, Vidal M, Liu WQ. Identification of Peptidic Antagonists of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 1 by Scanning the Binding Epitopes of Its Ligands. J Med Chem 2017; 60:6598-6606. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- UMR 8638 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4 Avenue de l’Observatoire, Paris 75006, France
| | - Lingyu Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Complex Prescription and The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Marie Reille-Seroussi
- UMR 8638 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4 Avenue de l’Observatoire, Paris 75006, France
| | - Nathalie Gagey-Eilstein
- UMR 8638 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4 Avenue de l’Observatoire, Paris 75006, France
| | - Sylvain Broussy
- UMR 8638 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4 Avenue de l’Observatoire, Paris 75006, France
| | - Tianyu Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Complex Prescription and The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lili Ji
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Complex Prescription and The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Michel Vidal
- UMR 8638 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4 Avenue de l’Observatoire, Paris 75006, France
- UF Pharmacocinétique
et Pharmacochimie, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, 27 Rue du Faubourg Saint Jacques, Paris 75014, France
| | - Wang-Qing Liu
- UMR 8638 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4 Avenue de l’Observatoire, Paris 75006, France
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Hanold LE, Fulton MD, Kennedy EJ. Targeting kinase signaling pathways with constrained peptide scaffolds. Pharmacol Ther 2017; 173:159-170. [PMID: 28185915 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Kinases are amongst the largest families in the human proteome and serve as critical mediators of a myriad of cell signaling pathways. Since altered kinase activity is implicated in a variety of pathological diseases, kinases have become a prominent class of proteins for targeted inhibition. Although numerous small molecule and antibody-based inhibitors have already received clinical approval, several challenges may still exist with these strategies including resistance, target selection, inhibitor potency and in vivo activity profiles. Constrained peptide inhibitors have emerged as an alternative strategy for kinase inhibition. Distinct from small molecule inhibitors, peptides can provide a large binding surface area that allows them to bind shallow protein surfaces rather than defined pockets within the target protein structure. By including chemical constraints within the peptide sequence, additional benefits can be bestowed onto the peptide scaffold such as improved target affinity and target selectivity, cell permeability and proteolytic resistance. In this review, we highlight examples of diverse chemistries that are being employed to constrain kinase-targeting peptide scaffolds and highlight their application to modulate kinase signaling as well as their potential clinical implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Hanold
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Melody D Fulton
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Eileen J Kennedy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Xu F, Wang Y, Tao T, Song D, Liu X. Calreticulin attenuated microwave radiation-induced human microvascular endothelial cell injury through promoting actin acetylation and polymerization. Cell Stress Chaperones 2017; 22:87-97. [PMID: 27815707 PMCID: PMC5225063 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-016-0745-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent work reveals that actin acetylation modification has been linked to different normal and disease processes and the effects associated with metabolic and environmental stressors. Herein, we highlight the effects of calreticulin on actin acetylation and cell injury induced by microwave radiation in human microvascular endothelial cell (HMEC). HMEC injury was induced by high-power microwave of different power density (10, 30, 60, 100 mW/cm2, for 6 min) with or without exogenous recombinant calreticulin. The cell injury was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and Cell Counting Kit-8 in culture medium, migration ability, intercellular junction, and cytoskeleton staining in HMEC. Western blotting analysis was used to detected calreticulin expression in cytosol and nucleus and acetylation of globular actin (G-actin). We found that HMEC injury was induced by microwave radiation in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment HMEC with calreticulin suppressed microwave radiation-induced LDH leakage and increased cell viability and improved microwave radiation-induced decrease in migration, intercellular junction, and cytoskeleton. Meanwhile, pretreatment HMEC with exogenous calreticulin upregulated the histone acetyltransferase activity and the acetylation level of G-actin and increased the fibrous actin (F-actin)/G-actin ratio. We conclude that exogenous calreticulin protects HMEC against microwave radiation-induced injury through promoting actin acetylation and polymerization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Xu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - You Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tianqi Tao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dandan Song
- Department of Pathophysiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuhua Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
|
25
|
Targeted vaccination against the bevacizumab binding site on VEGF using 3D-structured peptides elicits efficient antitumor activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:12532-12537. [PMID: 27791128 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1610258113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic targeting of the VEGF signaling axis by the VEGF-neutralizing monoclonal antibody bevacizumab has clearly demonstrated clinical benefit in cancer patients. To improve this strategy using a polyclonal approach, we developed a vaccine targeting VEGF using 3D-structured peptides that mimic the bevacizumab binding site. An in-depth study on peptide optimization showed that the antigen's 3D structure is essential to achieve neutralizing antibody responses. Peptide 1 adopts a clear secondary, native-like structure, including the typical cysteine-knot fold, as evidenced by CD spectroscopy. Binding and competition studies with bevacizumab in ELISA and surface plasmon resonance analysis revealed that peptide 1 represents the complete bevacizumab binding site, including the hairpin loop (β5-turn-β6) and the structure-supporting β2-α2-β3 loop. Vaccination with peptide 1 elicited high titers of cross-reactive antibodies to VEGF, with potent neutralizing activity. Moreover, vaccination-induced antisera displayed strong angiostatic and tumor-growth-inhibiting properties in a preclinical mouse model for colorectal carcinoma, whereas antibodies raised with peptides exclusively encompassing the β5-turn-β6 loop (peptides 15 and 20) did not. Immunization with peptide 1 or 7 (murine analog of 1) in combination with the potent adjuvant raffinose fatty acid sulfate ester (RFASE) showed significant inhibition of tumor growth in the B16F10 murine melanoma model. Based on these data, we conclude that this vaccination technology, which is currently being investigated in a phase I clinical trial (NCT02237638), can potentially outperform currently applied anti-VEGF therapeutics.
Collapse
|
26
|
Grasso G, Santoro AM, Magrì A, La Mendola D, Tomasello MF, Zimbone S, Rizzarelli E. The Inorganic Perspective of VEGF: Interactions of Cu2+ with Peptides Encompassing a Recognition Domain of the VEGF Receptor. J Inorg Biochem 2016; 159:149-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
27
|
Kaumaya PTP. A paradigm shift: Cancer therapy with peptide-based B-cell epitopes and peptide immunotherapeutics targeting multiple solid tumor types: Emerging concepts and validation of combination immunotherapy. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 11:1368-86. [PMID: 25874884 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1026495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a recognizable and urgent need to speed the development and application of novel, more efficacious anti-cancer vaccine therapies that inhibit tumor progression and prevent acquisition of tumor resistance. We have created and established a portfolio of validated peptide epitopes against multiple receptor tyrosine kinases and we have identified the most biologically effective combinations of EGFR (HER-1), HER-2, HER-3, VEGF and IGF-1R peptide vaccines/mimics to selectively inhibit multiple receptors and signaling pathways. The strategy is based on the use of chimeric conformational B-cell epitope peptides incorporating "promiscuous" T-cell epitopes that afford the possibility of generating an enduring immune response, eliciting protein-reactive high-affinity anti-peptide antibodies as potential vaccines and peptide mimics that act as antagonists to receptor signaling that drive cancer metastasis. In this review we will summarize our ongoing studies based on the development of combinatorial immunotherapeutic strategies that act synergistically to enhance immune-mediated tumor killing aimed at addressing mechanisms of tumor resistance for several tumor types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pravin T P Kaumaya
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center ; Columbus , OH , USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Xu FF, Tao TQ, Wang XR, Li YZ, Song DD, Liu M, Liu XH. Cytosolic calreticulin inhibits microwave radiation-induced microvascular endothelial cell injury through the integrin-focal adhesion kinase pathway. Microcirculation 2015; 21:717-29. [PMID: 24930861 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of cytosolic CRT on MR-induced MMEC injury, and the underlying mechanism. METHODS MMECs were randomized into eight groups: control, AdCRT (infected with pAdCMV/V5-DEST-CRT adenovirus), stCRT (transfected with rCRT-siRNAs), Mock (transfected with scrambled siRNAs), MR (exposed to MR for six minutes), AdCRT + MR, stCRT + MR, and Mock + MR. The magnitude of cell injury were assessed by Annexin V-PI staining, LDH activity in culture medium, MMEC migration ability, ultrastructure and cytoskeletal stability. Subcellular colocalization of CRT and ConA or integrin were evaluated by immunocytochemistry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of target genes were examined by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. RESULTS MR-induced cytotoxicity was dose-dependent. Overexpression of cytosolic CRT suppressed MR injury, shown as decreased cell apoptosis, reduced LDH activity, enhanced cell migration capability, and maintenance of ultrastructure and cytoskeleton integrity. Conversely, CRT deficiency aggravated MR-induced injury. Exposure of AdCRT MMECs to MR promoted membrane translocation of CRT and the interaction of CRT-integrin-α. Correlation analysis revealed that integrin-α expression or FAK phosphorylation was positively associated with cytosolic CRT expression. CONCLUSIONS Cytosolic CRT inhibits MR-induced MMEC injury through activation of the integrin-FAK pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Fei Xu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Overholser J, Ambegaokar KH, Eze SM, Sanabria-Figueroa E, Nahta R, Bekaii-Saab T, Kaumaya PTP. Anti-Tumor Effects of Peptide Therapeutic and Peptide Vaccine Antibody Co-targeting HER-1 and HER-2 in Esophageal Cancer (EC) and HER-1 and IGF-1R in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Vaccines (Basel) 2015; 3:519-43. [PMID: 26350593 PMCID: PMC4586465 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines3030519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2015] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the promise of targeted therapies, there remains an urgent need for effective treatment for esophageal cancer (EC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Current FDA-approved drugs have significant problems of toxicity, safety, selectivity, efficacy and development of resistance. In this manuscript, we demonstrate that rationally designed peptide vaccines/mimics are a viable therapeutic strategy for blocking aberrant molecular signaling pathways with high affinity, specificity, potency and safety. Specifically, we postulate that novel combination treatments targeting members of the EGFR family and IGF-1R will yield significant anti-tumor effects in in vitro models of EC and TNBC possibly overcoming mechanisms of resistance. We show that the combination of HER-1 and HER-2 or HER-1 and IGF-1R peptide mimics/vaccine antibodies exhibited enhanced antitumor properties with significant inhibition of tumorigenesis in OE19 EC and MDA-MB-231 TNBC cell lines. Our work elucidates the mechanisms of HER-1/IGF-1R and HER-1/HER-2 signaling in these cancer cell lines, and the promising results support the rationale for dual targeting with HER-1 and HER-2 or IGF-1R as an improved treatment regimen for advanced therapy tailored to difference types of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jay Overholser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Kristen Henkins Ambegaokar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Siobhan M Eze
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Eduardo Sanabria-Figueroa
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Rita Nahta
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Tanios Bekaii-Saab
- James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and the Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Pravin T P Kaumaya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
- James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and the Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Gokhale AS, Satyanarayanajois S. Peptides and peptidomimetics as immunomodulators. Immunotherapy 2015; 6:755-74. [PMID: 25186605 DOI: 10.2217/imt.14.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides and peptidomimetics can function as immunomodulating agents by either blocking the immune response or stimulating the immune response to generate tolerance. Knowledge of B- or T-cell epitopes along with conformational constraints is important in the design of peptide-based immunomodulating agents. Work on the conformational aspects of peptides, synthesis and modified amino acid side chains have contributed to the development of a new generation of therapeutic agents for autoimmune diseases and cancer. The design of peptides/peptidomimetics for immunomodulation in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus and HIV infection is reviewed. In cancer therapy, peptide epitopes are used in such a way that the body is trained to recognize and fight the cancer cells locally as well as systemically.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ameya S Gokhale
- Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 71201, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Lin Y, Sibanda VL, Zhang HM, Hu H, Liu H, Guo AY. MiRNA and TF co-regulatory network analysis for the pathology and recurrence of myocardial infarction. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9653. [PMID: 25867756 PMCID: PMC4394890 DOI: 10.1038/srep09653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of death in the world and many genes are involved in it. Transcription factor (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression. We hypothesized that miRNAs and TFs might play combinatory regulatory roles in MI. After collecting MI candidate genes and miRNAs from various resources, we constructed a comprehensive MI-specific miRNA-TF co-regulatory network by integrating predicted and experimentally validated TF and miRNA targets. We found some hub nodes (e.g. miR-16 and miR-26) in this network are important regulators, and the network can be severed as a bridge to interpret the associations of previous results, which is shown by the case of miR-29 in this study. We also constructed a regulatory network for MI recurrence and found several important genes (e.g. DAB2, BMP6, miR-320 and miR-103), the abnormal expressions of which may be potential regulatory mechanisms and markers of MI recurrence. At last we proposed a cellular model to discuss major TF and miRNA regulators with signaling pathways in MI. This study provides more details on gene expression regulation and regulators involved in MI progression and recurrence. It also linked up and interpreted many previous results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Lin
- Hubei Bioinformatics &Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Vusumuzi Leroy Sibanda
- Hubei Bioinformatics &Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Hong-Mei Zhang
- Hubei Bioinformatics &Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Hui Hu
- Hubei Bioinformatics &Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Hubei Bioinformatics &Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - An-Yuan Guo
- Hubei Bioinformatics &Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Kazemi-Lomedasht F, Behdani M, Bagheri KP, Habibi-Anbouhi M, Abolhassani M, Arezumand R, Shahbazzadeh D, Mirzahoseini H. Inhibition of angiogenesis in human endothelial cell using VEGF specific nanobody. Mol Immunol 2015; 65:58-67. [PMID: 25645505 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2015.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2014] [Revised: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is an important step in tumor development and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in progression of angiogenesis. VEGF121 and VEGF165 are the most relative forms of VEGF family which contain the full biological activity. Nanobodies derived from camelidae are the smallest biding site of antigen. Unique characteristic of nanobodies make them as a useful candidate for research. In this report, we describe the isolation of VEGF specific nanobodies from dromedaries immunized with purified VEGF antigen using phage display. Four clones that showed the highest signal value in ELISA experiment were selected and expressed as a His-tagged fusion protein. Four selected nanobodies were reacted strongly to VEGF in cross-reactivity assay. The binding affinity of selected nanobodies named Nb22, Nb23, Nb35 and Nb42 were differed from 0.1 to 60nM. The nanobodies inhibited endothelial cell proliferation or tube formation in response of VEGF in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate the potential of nanobodies in inhibition of VEGF and represent a promising candidate for cancer research and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Kazemi-Lomedasht
- Biotechnology Research Center, Biotechnology Department, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Biotechnology Research Center, Biotechnology Department, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kamran Pooshang Bagheri
- Biotechnology Research Center, Biotechnology Department, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohsen Abolhassani
- Immunology Department, Hybridoma Lab., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roghaye Arezumand
- Biotechnology Research Center, Biotechnology Department, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Delavar Shahbazzadeh
- Biotechnology Research Center, Biotechnology Department, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hasan Mirzahoseini
- Biotechnology Research Center, Biotechnology Department, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wentink MQ, Huijbers EJM, de Gruijl TD, Verheul HMW, Olsson AK, Griffioen AW. Vaccination approach to anti-angiogenic treatment of cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2015; 1855:155-71. [PMID: 25641676 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Improvement of patient survival by anti-angiogenic therapy has proven limited. A vaccination approach inducing an immune response against the tumor vasculature combines the benefits of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis, and may overcome the limitations of current anti-angiogenic drugs. Strategies to use whole endothelial cell vaccines and DNA- or protein vaccines against key players in the VEGF signaling axis, as well as specific markers of tumor endothelial cells, have been tested in preclinical studies. Current clinical trials are now testing the promise of this specific anti-cancer vaccination approach. This review will highlight the state-of-the-art in this exciting field of cancer research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madelon Q Wentink
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tanja D de Gruijl
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henk M W Verheul
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anna-Karin Olsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Zhang Q, Lao X, Huang J, Zhu Z, Pang L, Tang Y, Song Q, Huang J, Deng J, Deng N, Yang Q, Sengupta AM, Xiong L. Soluble production and function of vascular endothelial growth factor/basic fibroblast growth factor complex peptide. Biotechnol Prog 2015; 31:194-203. [PMID: 25271020 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Revised: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are important proangiogenic factors in tumor procession. The autocrine and paracrine bFGF and the VEGF in tumor tissue can promote tumor angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis. A VEGF/bFGF Complex Peptide (VBP3) was designed on the basis of epitope peptides from both VEGF and bFGF to elicit in vivo production of anti-bFGF and anti-VEGF antibodies. In this study, we reported on the production of recombinant VBP3 using high cell density fermentation. Fed-batch fermentation for recombinant VBP3 production was conducted, and the production procedure was optimized in a 10-L fermentor. The fraction of soluble VBP3 protein obtained reached 78% of total recombinant protein output under fed-batch fermentation. Purified recombinant VBP3 could inhibit tumor cell proliferation in vitro and stimulate C57BL/6 mice to produce high titer anti-VEGF and anti-bFGF antibodies in vivo. A melanoma-grafted mouse model and an immunohistochemistry assay showed that tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis were significantly inhibited in VBP3-vaccinated mice. These results demonstrated that soluble recombinant VBP3 could be produced by large-scale fermentation, and the product, with good immunogenicity, elicited production of high-titer anti-bFGF and anti-VEGF antibodies, which could be used as a therapeutic tumor vaccine to inhibit tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Abstract
Growth factors (GFs) are major regulatory proteins that can govern cell fate, migration, and organization. Numerous aspects of the cell milieu can modulate cell responses to GFs, and GF regulation is often achieved by the native extracellular matrix (ECM). For example, the ECM can sequester GFs and thereby control GF bioavailability. In addition, GFs can exert distinct effects depending on whether they are sequestered in solution, at two-dimensional interfaces, or within three-dimensional matrices. Understanding how the context of GF sequestering impacts cell function in the native ECM can instruct the design of soluble or insoluble GF sequestering moieties, which can then be used in a variety of bioengineering applications. This Feature Article provides an overview of the natural mechanisms of GF sequestering in the cell milieu, and reviews the recent bioengineering approaches that have sequestered GFs to modulate cell function. Results to date demonstrate that the cell response to GF sequestering depends on the affinity of the sequestering interaction, the spatial proximity of sequestering in relation to cells, the source of the GF (supplemented or endogenous), and the phase of the sequestering moiety (soluble or insoluble). We highlight the importance of context for the future design of biomaterials that can leverage endogenous molecules in the cell milieu and mitigate the need for supplemented factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David G. Belair
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
| | - Ngoc Nhi Le
- Department of Material Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
| | - William L. Murphy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
- Department of Material Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Foy KC, Miller MJ, Overholser J, Donnelly SM, Nahta R, Kaumaya PT. IGF-1R peptide vaccines/mimics inhibit the growth of BxPC3 and JIMT-1 cancer cells and exhibit synergistic antitumor effects with HER-1 and HER-2 peptides. Oncoimmunology 2014; 3:e956005. [PMID: 25941587 DOI: 10.4161/21624011.2014.956005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) plays a crucial role in cellular growth, proliferation, transformation, and inhibition of apoptosis. A myriad of human cancer types have been shown to overexpress IGF-1R, including breast and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. IGF-1R signaling interferes with numerous receptor pathways, rendering tumor cells resistant to chemotherapy, anti-hormonal therapy, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, also known as HER-1) and v-erb-b2 avian erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2, (ERBB2, best known as HER-2) -targeted therapies. Targeting the IGF:IGF-1R axis with innovative peptide inhibitors and vaccine antibodies thus represents a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome drug resistance and to provide new avenues for individualized and combinatorial treatment strategies. In this study, we designed, synthesized, and characterized several B-cell epitopes from the IGF-1:IGF-1R axis. The chimeric peptide epitopes were highly immunogenic in outbred rabbits, eliciting high levels of peptide vaccine antibodies. The IGF-1R peptide antibodies and peptide mimics inhibited cell proliferation and receptor phosphorylation, induced apoptosis and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and significantly inhibited tumor growth in the transplantable BxPC-3 pancreatic and JIMT-1 breast cancer models. Our results showed that the peptides and antibodies targeting residues 56-81 and 233-251 are potential therapeutic and vaccine candidates for the treatment of IGF-1R-expressing cancers, including those that are resistant to the HER-2-targeted antibody, trastuzumab. Additionally, we found additive antitumor effects for the combination treatment of the IGF-1R 56-81 epitope with HER-1-418 and HER-2-597 epitopes. Treatment with the IGF-1R/HER-1 or IGF-1R/HER-2 combination inhibited proliferation, invasion, and receptor phosphorylation, and induced apoptosis and ADCC, to a greater degree than single agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Chu Foy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; The Ohio State University ; Columbus, OH USA
| | - Megan J Miller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; The Ohio State University ; Columbus, OH USA ; Department of Microbiology; The Ohio State University ; Columbus, OH USA
| | - Jay Overholser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; The Ohio State University ; Columbus, OH USA
| | | | - Rita Nahta
- Department of Pharmacology; Emory University ; Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Pravin Tp Kaumaya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; The Ohio State University ; Columbus, OH USA ; Department of Microbiology; The Ohio State University ; Columbus, OH USA ; James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and the Comprehensive Cancer Center; The Ohio State University ; Columbus, OH USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Su T, Long Y, Deng C, Feng L, Zhang X, Chen Z, Li C. Construction of a two-in-one liposomal system (TWOLips) for tumor-targeted combination therapy. Int J Pharm 2014; 476:241-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2014.09.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Revised: 09/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
38
|
Angiogenic growth factors interactome and drug discovery: The contribution of surface plasmon resonance. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2014; 26:293-310. [PMID: 25465594 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2014.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is implicated in several pathological conditions, including cancer, and in regenerative processes, including the formation of collateral blood vessels after stroke. Physiological angiogenesis is the outcome of a fine balance between the action of angiogenic growth factors (AGFs) and anti-angiogenic molecules, while pathological angiogenesis occurs when this balance is pushed toward AGFs. AGFs interact with multiple endothelial cell (EC) surface receptors inducing cell proliferation, migration and proteases upregulation. On the contrary, free or extracellular matrix-associated molecules inhibit angiogenesis by sequestering AGFs (thus hampering EC stimulation) or by interacting with specific EC receptors inducing apoptosis or decreasing responsiveness to AGFs. Thus, angiogenesis results from an intricate network of interactions among pro- and anti-angiogenic molecules, EC receptors and various modulators. All these interactions represent targets for the development of pro- or anti-angiogenic therapies. These aims call for suitable technologies to study the countless interactions occurring during neovascularization. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a label-free optical technique to study biomolecular interactions in real time. It has become the golden standard technology for interaction analysis in biomedical research, including angiogenesis. From a survey of the literature it emerges that SPR has already contributed substantially to the better understanding of the neovascularization process, laying the basis for the decoding of the angiogenesis "interactome" and the identification of "hub molecules" that may represent preferential targets for an efficacious modulation of angiogenesis. Here, the still unexploited full potential of SPR is enlightened, pointing to improvements in its use for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of neovascularization and the identification of novel anti-angiogenic drugs.
Collapse
|
39
|
Foy KC, Miller MJ, Moldovan N, Carson WE, Kaumaya PTP. Combined vaccination with HER-2 peptide followed by therapy with VEGF peptide mimics exerts effective anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic effects in vitro and in vivo. Oncoimmunology 2014; 1:1048-1060. [PMID: 23170253 PMCID: PMC3494619 DOI: 10.4161/onci.20708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of HER-2 and VEGF plays a key role in the development and metastasis of several human cancers. Many FDA-approved therapies targeting both HER-2 (Trastuzumab, Herceptin) and VEGF (Bevacizumab, Avastin) are expensive, have unacceptable toxicities and are often associated with the development of resistance. Here, we evaluate the dual antitumor effects of combining designed particular HER-2 peptide vaccine with VEGF peptide mimics. In vitro, HER-2 phosphorylation and antibody-dependent cellular toxicity were used to validate whether combining HER-2- and VEGF-targeting therapies would be effective. Moreover, a two-pronged approach was tested in vivo: (1) active immunotherapy with conformational HER-2 B-cell epitope vaccines and (2) anti-angiogenic therapy with a peptide structured to mimic VEGF. A transplantable BALB/c mouse model challenged with TUBO cells was used to test the effects of the HER-2 peptide vaccine combined with VEGF peptide mimics. Tumor sections after treatment were stained for blood vessel density and actively dividing cells. Our results show that immunization with an HER-2 peptide epitope elicits high affinity HER-2 native antibodies that are effective in inhibiting tumor growth in vivo, an effect that is enhanced by VEGF peptide mimics. We demonstrate that the combination of HER-2 and VEGF peptides induces potent anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Foy
- Department of Microbiology; The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH USA ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH USA
| | - Megan J Miller
- Department of Microbiology; The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH USA ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH USA
| | - Nicanor Moldovan
- Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Cardivascular Medicine; The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH USA
| | - William E Carson
- James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and the Comprehensive Cancer Center; The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH USA
| | - Pravin T P Kaumaya
- Department of Microbiology; The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH USA ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH USA ; James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and the Comprehensive Cancer Center; The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Foy KC, Miller MJ, Moldovan N, Bozanovic T, Carson WE, Kaumaya PTP. Immunotherapy with HER-2 and VEGF peptide mimics plus metronomic paclitaxel causes superior antineoplastic effects in transplantable and transgenic mouse models of human breast cancer. Oncoimmunology 2014; 1:1004-1016. [PMID: 23170249 PMCID: PMC3494615 DOI: 10.4161/onci.21057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
HER-2 and the vascular endothelial factor receptor (VEGF) represent validated targets for the therapy of multiple tumor types and inhibitors of these receptors have gained increasing importance in the clinic. In this context, novel bioactive agents associated with better therapeutic outcomes and improved safety profile are urgently required. Specifically engineered HER-2- and VEGF-derived peptides in combination with low-dose chemotherapy might provide a substantial impact on tumor metastasis and cancer progression. We tested the antitumor effects of HER-2 and VEGF peptide mimics in combination with metronomic paclitaxel in both PyMT and Balb/c murine model challenged with TUBO cells. The combination of low-dose paclitaxel and HER-2 or VEGF peptide mimics had greater inhibitory effects than either agent alone. Peptide treatment caused virtually no cardiotoxic effects, while paclitaxel and the anti-HER-2 antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin), exerted consistent cardiotoxicity. The combination regimen also promoted significant reductions in tumor burden and prolonged survival rates in both transgenic and transplantable tumor models. Tumor weights were significantly reduced in mice treated with HER-2 peptides alone, and even more in animals that received HER-2 peptide with low-dose paclitaxel, which alone had no significant effects on tumor growth in the transgenic model. Specifically engineered native peptide sequences from HER-2 and VEGF used in combination with metronomic paclitaxel demonstrate enhanced anticancer efficacy and an encouraging safety profile. This novel approach to targeted therapy may offer new avenues for the treatment of breast cancer and other solid tumors that overexpress HER-2 and VEGF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Foy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Columbus, OH USA ; Department of Microbiology; The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Columbus, OH USA
| | - Megan J Miller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Columbus, OH USA ; Department of Microbiology; The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Columbus, OH USA
| | - Nicanor Moldovan
- Department of Internal Medicine; The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Columbus, OH USA
| | - Tatjana Bozanovic
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics; School of Medicine; University of Belgrade; Belgrade, Serbia
| | - William E Carson
- James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and the Comprehensive Cancer Center; The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH USA
| | - Pravin T P Kaumaya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Columbus, OH USA ; Department of Microbiology; The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Columbus, OH USA ; James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and the Comprehensive Cancer Center; The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Wang L, Gagey-Eilstein N, Broussy S, Reille-Seroussi M, Huguenot F, Vidal M, Liu WQ. Design and synthesis of C-terminal modified cyclic peptides as VEGFR1 antagonists. Molecules 2014; 19:15391-407. [PMID: 25264829 PMCID: PMC6270838 DOI: 10.3390/molecules191015391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously designed cyclic peptide antagonist c[YYDEGLEE]-NH2 disrupts the interaction between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFRs). It represents a promising tool in the fight against cancer and age-related macular degeneration. We described in this paper the optimization of the lead peptide by C-terminal modification. A new strategy for the synthesis of cyclic peptides is developed, improving the cyclisation efficiency. At 100 µM, several new peptides with an aromatic group flexibly linked at C-terminal end showed significantly increased receptor binding affinities in competition ELISA test. The most active peptide carrying a coumarin group may be a useful tool in anti-angiogenic biological studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- UMR 8638 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4 avenue de l'observatoire, Paris 75006, France.
| | - Nathalie Gagey-Eilstein
- UMR 8638 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4 avenue de l'observatoire, Paris 75006, France.
| | - Sylvain Broussy
- UMR 8638 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4 avenue de l'observatoire, Paris 75006, France.
| | - Marie Reille-Seroussi
- UMR 8638 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4 avenue de l'observatoire, Paris 75006, France.
| | - Florent Huguenot
- UMR 8638 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4 avenue de l'observatoire, Paris 75006, France.
| | - Michel Vidal
- UMR 8638 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4 avenue de l'observatoire, Paris 75006, France.
| | - Wang-Qing Liu
- UMR 8638 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4 avenue de l'observatoire, Paris 75006, France.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Kaumaya PTP. Bridging oncology and immunology: expanding horizons with innovative peptide vaccines and peptidomimetics. Immunotherapy 2014; 5:1159-63. [PMID: 24188668 DOI: 10.2217/imt.13.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pravin T P Kaumaya
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 410 W 10th Avenue N729, Columbus, OH 43210, USA and The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 300 W 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
De Rosa L, Diana D, Basile A, Russomanno A, Isernia C, Turco MC, Fattorusso R, D'Andrea LD. Design, structural and biological characterization of a VEGF inhibitor β-hairpin-constrained peptide. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 73:210-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2013] [Revised: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|
44
|
Foy KC, Wygle RM, Miller MJ, Overholser JP, Bekaii-Saab T, Kaumaya PTP. Peptide vaccines and peptidomimetics of EGFR (HER-1) ligand binding domain inhibit cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 191:217-27. [PMID: 23698748 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a validated target for several cancers including lung, colorectal, and certain subtypes of breast cancer. Cetuximab targets ligand binding of EGFR, but major problems like high cost, short t1/2, toxicity, and emergence of resistance are associated with the drug. Immunization with EGFR B cell epitopes will train the immune system to produce specific Abs that can kill cancer cells. Also, therapy with stable, less-expensive, and nontoxic EGFR peptide mimics will block EGFR signaling and inhibit cancer growth. We designed three peptides based on the contact sites between EGF and EGFR. The B cell epitopes were synthesized alone and also linked with the measles virus T cell epitope to produce a chimeric peptide vaccine. The peptide vaccines were immunogenic in both mice and rabbits and Abs raised against the vaccine specifically bound EGFR-expressing cells and recombinant human EGFR protein. The peptide mimics and the anti-peptide Abs were able to inhibit EGFR signaling pathways. Immunization with the peptide vaccine or treatment with the B cell epitopes significantly reduced tumor growth in both transplantable breast and lung cancer models. Immunohistochemical analysis also showed significant reductions in microvascular density and actively dividing cells in the tumor sections after treatment in the FVB/n breast cancer model. The 418-435 B cell epitope was the best candidate both as a vaccine or peptide mimic because it caused significant inhibition in the two mouse models. Our results show that this novel EGFR B cell epitope has great potential to be used as a vaccine or treatment option for EGFR-expressing cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Chu Foy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Kaumaya PTP, Foy KC. Peptide vaccines and targeting HER and VEGF proteins may offer a potentially new paradigm in cancer immunotherapy. Future Oncol 2012; 8:961-87. [PMID: 22894670 DOI: 10.2217/fon.12.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The ErbB family (HER-1, HER-2, HER-3 and HER-4) of receptor tyrosine kinases has been the focus of cancer immunotherapeutic strategies while antiangiogenic therapies have focused on VEGF and its receptors VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. Agents targeting receptor tyrosine kinases in oncology include therapeutic antibodies to receptor tyrosine kinase ligands or the receptors themselves, and small-molecule inhibitors. Many of the US FDA-approved therapies targeting HER-2 and VEGF exhibit unacceptable toxicities, and show problems of efficacy, development of resistance and unacceptable safety profiles that continue to hamper their clinical progress. The combination of different peptide vaccines and peptidomimetics targeting specific molecular pathways that are dysregulated in tumors may potentiate anticancer immune responses, bypass immune tolerance and circumvent resistance mechanisms. The focus of this review is to discuss efforts in our laboratory spanning two decades of rationally developing peptide vaccines and therapeutics for breast cancer. This review highlights the prospective benefit of a new, untapped category of therapies biologically targeted to EGF receptor (HER-1), HER-2 and VEGF with potential peptide 'blockbusters' that could lay the foundation of a new paradigm in cancer immunotherapy by creating clinical breakthroughs for safe and efficacious cancer cures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pravin T P Kaumaya
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, OSU Wexner Medical Center, James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute & the Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Recent work in the development and application of protein–peptide docking. Future Med Chem 2012; 4:1619-44. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc.12.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Interest in the development of novel peptide-based drugs is growing. There is, thus, a pressing need for the development of effective methods to enable novel peptide-based drug discovery. A cogent case can be made for the development and application of computational or in silico methods to assist with peptide discovery. In particular, there is a need for the development of effective protein–peptide docking methods. Here, recent work in the area of protein–peptide docking method development is reviewed and several drug-discovery projects that benefited from protein–peptide docking are discussed. In the present review, special attention is given to the search and scoring problems, the use of peptide docking to enable hit identification, and the use of peptide docking to help rationalize experimental results, and generate and test structure-based hypotheses. Finally, some recommendations are made for improving the future development and application of protein–peptide docking.
Collapse
|
47
|
Murali R, Greene MI. Structure based antibody-like peptidomimetics. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2012; 5:209-35. [PMID: 24288089 PMCID: PMC3763629 DOI: 10.3390/ph5020209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Revised: 01/17/2012] [Accepted: 01/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Biologics such as monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and soluble receptors represent new classes of therapeutic agents for treatment of several diseases. High affinity and high specificity biologics can be utilized for variety of clinical purposes. Monoclonal antibodies have been used as diagnostic agents when coupled with radionuclide, immune modulatory agents or in the treatment of cancers. Among other limitations of using large molecules for therapy the actual cost of biologics has become an issue. There is an effort among chemists and biologists to reduce the size of biologics which includes monoclonal antibodies and receptors without a reduction of biological efficacy. Single chain antibody, camel antibodies, Fv fragments are examples of this type of deconstructive process. Small high-affinity peptides have been identified using phage screening. Our laboratory used a structure-based approach to develop small-size peptidomimetics from the three-dimensional structure of proteins with immunoglobulin folds as exemplified by CD4 and antibodies. Peptides derived either from the receptor or their cognate ligand mimics the functions of the parental macromolecule. These constrained peptides not only provide a platform for developing small molecule drugs, but also provide insight into the atomic features of protein-protein interactions. A general overview of the reduction of monoclonal antibodies to small exocyclic peptide and its prospects as a useful diagnostic and as a drug in the treatment of cancer are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramachandran Murali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, D5091 Davis Building, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mark I. Greene
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Reddy PJ, Sadhu S, Ray S, Srivastava S. Cancer biomarker detection by surface plasmon resonance biosensors. Clin Lab Med 2011; 32:47-72. [PMID: 22340843 DOI: 10.1016/j.cll.2011.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Panga Jaipal Reddy
- Wadhwani Research Center for Biosciences and Bioengineering, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Kaumaya PT. Could precision-engineered peptide epitopes/vaccines be the key to a cancer cure? Future Oncol 2011; 7:807-10. [PMID: 21732751 DOI: 10.2217/fon.11.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
|
50
|
Diana D, Basile A, De Rosa L, Di Stasi R, Auriemma S, Arra C, Pedone C, Turco MC, Fattorusso R, D'Andrea LD. β-hairpin peptide that targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors: design, NMR characterization, and biological activity. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:41680-41691. [PMID: 21969375 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.257402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
VEGF receptors have been the target of intense research aimed to develop molecules able to inhibit or stimulate angiogenesis. Based on the x-ray structure of the complex placental growth factor-VEGF receptor 1(D2), we designed a VEGF receptor-binding peptide reproducing the placental growth factor β-hairpin region Gln(87)-Val(100) that is involved in receptor recognition. A conformational analysis showed that the designed peptide adopts the expected fold in pure water. Moreover, a combination of NMR interaction analysis and cell binding studies were used to demonstrate that the peptide targets VEGF receptors. The VEGF receptor 1(D2)-interacting residues were characterized at the molecular level, and they correspond to the residues recognizing the placental growth factor sequence Gln(87)-Val(100). Finally, the peptide biological activity was characterized in vitro and in vivo, and it showed a VEGF-like behavior. Indeed, the peptide activated VEGF-dependent intracellular pathways, induced endothelial cell proliferation and rescue from apoptosis, and promoted angiogenesis in vivo. This compound is one of the few peptides known with proangiogenic activity, which makes it a candidate for the development of a novel peptide-based drug for medical applications in therapeutic angiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Diana
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Anna Basile
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche, Università di Salerno, via Ponte don Melillo, 84084 Fisciano (Salerno), Italy
| | - Lucia De Rosa
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Rossella Di Stasi
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Sara Auriemma
- Dipartimento delle Scienze Biologiche, Università di Napoli "Federico II," via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudio Arra
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale," via Mariano Semmola 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Carlo Pedone
- Dipartimento delle Scienze Biologiche, Università di Napoli "Federico II," via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Turco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche, Università di Salerno, via Ponte don Melillo, 84084 Fisciano (Salerno), Italy
| | - Roberto Fattorusso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Seconda Università di Napoli, via Antonio Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Luca Domenico D'Andrea
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|