1
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Meogrossi G, Tollapi E, Rencinai A, Brunetti J, Scali S, Paccagnini E, Gentile M, Lupetti P, Pollini S, Rossolini GM, Bernini A, Pini A, Bracci L, Falciani C. Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Branched Peptides Derived from Natural Host Defense Sequences. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 39260445 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a major global health threat, necessitating the development of new treatments and diverse molecules to combat severe infections and preserve the efficacy of existing drugs. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer a versatile arsenal against bacteria, and peptide structure branching can enhance their resistance to proteases and improve their overall efficacy. A small library of peptides derived from natural host defense peptides and synthesized in a tetrabranched form was selected against E. coli. Six selected branched peptides were further studied for antibacterial activity against a panel of strains, biofilm inhibition, protease resistance, and cytotoxicity. Their structure was predicted computationally and their mechanism of action was investigated by electron microscopy and by using fluorescent dyes. The peptide BAMP2 showed promise in a mouse skin infection model, indicating the potential for local infection treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Meogrossi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Eva Tollapi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rencinai
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Jlenia Brunetti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Silvia Scali
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Pietro Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Simona Pollini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Rossolini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Bernini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Santa Maria alle Scotte University Hospital, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Setlance srl, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Luisa Bracci
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Santa Maria alle Scotte University Hospital, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Falciani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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2
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Singh S, Mandal K, Chakravarty M. Access to Diverse Glutamic Acid Dendrons and a Janus Peptide Dendrimer Using an Atypical Solid Phase Synthesis. J Org Chem 2024; 89:11261-11271. [PMID: 39104055 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.4c00909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
The negligible cytotoxicity of anion surface-linked dendrons makes glutamic acid-based dendrons a potential candidate for materials and biological applications. Despite the inherent drawbacks of the conventional solution phase synthesis of glutamic acid-based dendrons, there have been no advancements in these protocols. Herein, we demonstrate the first-ever convergent solid phase synthesis of dendrons, up to fourth generation, having glutamic acid branching points produced by preactivation of dicarboxylic acid groups with N-hydroxysuccinimide and simultaneous coupling with amine groups of two growing peptide chains, with excellent yields (30-70%). In addition to the general advantages, such as the easy workup, a final single purification step, and an overall short synthesis duration, the convergent solid phase synthesis allowed us to chemically synthesize glutamic acid branching-based dendrons that cannot be accessed by standard divergent solid phase synthesis. This method has also been validated for its application in synthesizing hard-to-achieve Janus peptide dendrimers in a single stretch on a solid support. Our work corroborates the efficacy of controlled -COOH activation to accomplish an atypical solid phase synthesis of diverse glutamic acid dendrons in a convergent fashion. This is the first example of a Janus peptide dendrimer being synthesized on a solid support, utilizing both convergent and divergent approaches simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Pilani-Hyderabad Campus Jawahar Nagar, Shamirpet, Hyderabad 500078, India
| | - Kalyaneswar Mandal
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad, 36/p Gopanpally, Hyderabad, Telangana 500046, India
| | - Manab Chakravarty
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Pilani-Hyderabad Campus Jawahar Nagar, Shamirpet, Hyderabad 500078, India
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3
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Wang Y, Zhang Y, Su R, Wang Y, Qi W. Antimicrobial therapy based on self-assembling peptides. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:5061-5075. [PMID: 38726712 DOI: 10.1039/d4tb00260a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of drug-resistant microorganisms has threatened global health, and microbial infections have severely limited the use of medical materials. For example, the attachment and colonization of pathogenic bacteria to medical implant materials can lead to wound infections, inflammation and complications, as well as implant failure, shortening their lifespan and even resulting in patient death. In the era of antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial drug discovery needs to prioritize unconventional therapies that act on new targets or adopt new mechanisms. In this regard, supramolecular antimicrobial peptides have emerged as attractive therapeutic platforms, both as bactericides for combination antibiotics and as delivery vehicles. By taking advantage of their programmable intermolecular and intramolecular interactions, peptides can be modified to form higher-order structures (including nanofibers and nanoparticles) with unique functionality. This paper begins with an analysis of the relationship between peptide self-assembly and antimicrobial activity, describes in detail the research and development of various self-assembled antimicrobial peptides in recent years, and finally explores different combinatorial strategies for self-assembling antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Wang
- Chemical Engineering Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China.
| | - Yexi Zhang
- Chemical Engineering Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China.
| | - Rongxin Su
- Chemical Engineering Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China.
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Yuefei Wang
- Chemical Engineering Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China.
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Wei Qi
- Chemical Engineering Research Center, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China.
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
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4
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Cresti L, Cappello G, Pini A. Antimicrobial Peptides towards Clinical Application-A Long History to Be Concluded. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4870. [PMID: 38732089 PMCID: PMC11084544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are molecules with an amphipathic structure that enables them to interact with bacterial membranes. This interaction can lead to membrane crossing and disruption with pore formation, culminating in cell death. They are produced naturally in various organisms, including humans, animals, plants and microorganisms. In higher animals, they are part of the innate immune system, where they counteract infection by bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. AMPs can also be designed de novo by bioinformatic approaches or selected from combinatorial libraries, and then produced by chemical or recombinant procedures. Since their discovery, AMPs have aroused interest as potential antibiotics, although few have reached the market due to stability limits or toxicity. Here, we describe the development phase and a number of clinical trials of antimicrobial peptides. We also provide an update on AMPs in the pharmaceutical industry and an overall view of their therapeutic market. Modifications to peptide structures to improve stability in vivo and bioavailability are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cresti
- Medical Biotechnology Department, University of Siena, Via A Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Giovanni Cappello
- Medical Biotechnology Department, University of Siena, Via A Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Medical Biotechnology Department, University of Siena, Via A Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (A.P.)
- SetLance srl, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Santa Maria alle Scotte University Hospital, 53100 Siena, Italy
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5
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Paul S, Verma S, Chen YC. Peptide Dendrimer-Based Antibacterial Agents: Synthesis and Applications. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1034-1055. [PMID: 38428037 PMCID: PMC11019562 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria cause the deaths of millions of people every year. With the development of antibiotics, hundreds and thousands of people's lives have been saved. Nevertheless, bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics, rendering them insensitive to antibiotics over time. Peptides containing specific amino acids can be used as antibacterial agents; however, they can be easily degraded by proteases in vivo. To address these issues, branched peptide dendrimers are now being considered as good antibacterial agents due to their high efficacy, resistance to protease degradation, and low cytotoxicity. The ease with which peptide dendrimers can be synthesized and modified makes them accessible for use in various biological and nonbiological fields. That is, peptide dendrimers hold a promising future as antibacterial agents with prolonged efficacy without bacterial resistance development. Their in vivo stability and multivalence allow them to effectively target multi-drug-resistant strains and prevent biofilm formation. Thus, it is interesting to have an overview of the development and applications of peptide dendrimers in antibacterial research, including the possibility of employing machine learning approaches for the design of AMPs and dendrimers. This review summarizes the synthesis and applications of peptide dendrimers as antibacterial agents. The challenges and perspectives of using peptide dendrimers as the antibacterial agents are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchita Paul
- Institute
of Semiconductor Technology, National Yang
Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
- Department
of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology
Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sandeep Verma
- Department
of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology
Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Gangwal
School of Medical Sciences and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Yu-Chie Chen
- Institute
of Semiconductor Technology, National Yang
Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
- Department
of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming
Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
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6
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Eloïse L, Petit L, Nominé Y, Heurtault B, Ben Hadj Kaddour I, Senger B, Rodon Fores J, Vrana NE, Barbault F, Lavalle P. The antibacterial properties of branched peptides based on poly(l-arginine): In vitro antibacterial evaluation and molecular dynamic simulations. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116224. [PMID: 38387338 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics is a major issue in the medical field. Antimicrobial peptides are widely studied as they do not generate as much resistant bacterial strains as conventional antibiotics and present a broad range of activity. Among them, the homopolypeptide poly(l-arginine) presents promising antibacterial properties, especially in the perspective of its use in biomaterials. Linear poly(l-arginine) has been extensively studied but the impact of its 3D structure remains unknown. In this study, the antibacterial properties of newly synthesized branched poly(l-arginine) peptides, belonging to the family of multiple antigenic peptides, are evaluated. First, in vitro activities of the peptides shows that branched poly(l-arginine) is more efficient than linear poly(l-arginine) containing the same number of arginine residues. Surprisingly, peptides with more arms and more residues are not the most effective. To better understand these unexpected results, interactions between these peptides and the membranes of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria are simulated thanks to molecular dynamic. It is observed that the bacterial membrane is more distorted by the branched structure than by the linear one and by peptides containing smaller arms. This mechanism of action is in full agreement with in vitro results and suggest that our simulations form a robust model to evaluate peptide efficiency towards pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lebaudy Eloïse
- Inserm UMR_S 1121, EMR 7003 CNRS, Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, F67000, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Lauriane Petit
- Inserm UMR_S 1121, EMR 7003 CNRS, Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, F67000, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Strasbourg, France; SPARTHA Medical, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yves Nominé
- Institut de génétique et de biologie moléculaire et cellulaire, IGBMC, Illkirch, France
| | - Béatrice Heurtault
- Université de Strasbourg, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives UMR 7199, Faculté de Pharmacie, Illkirch, France
| | - Inès Ben Hadj Kaddour
- Inserm UMR_S 1121, EMR 7003 CNRS, Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, F67000, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Strasbourg, France; SPARTHA Medical, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Bernard Senger
- Inserm UMR_S 1121, EMR 7003 CNRS, Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, F67000, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jennifer Rodon Fores
- Inserm UMR_S 1121, EMR 7003 CNRS, Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, F67000, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Nihal Engin Vrana
- Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Strasbourg, France; SPARTHA Medical, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Philippe Lavalle
- Inserm UMR_S 1121, EMR 7003 CNRS, Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, F67000, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Strasbourg, France; SPARTHA Medical, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
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7
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D'Aloisio V, Schofield A, Kendall DA, Hutcheon GA, Coxon CR. The development and optimisation of an HPLC-based in vitro serum stability assay for a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist peptide. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3539. [PMID: 37605343 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Evaluation of the stability of peptide drug candidates in biological fluids, such as blood serum, is of high importance during the lead optimisation phase. Here, we describe the optimisation and validation of a method for the evaluation of the stability of a lead calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonist peptide (P006) in blood serum. After initially determining appropriate peptide and human serum concentrations and selection of the quenching reagent, the HPLC method optimisation used two experimental designs, Plackett-Burman design and Taguchi design. The analytical method was validated as complying with the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use guidelines. The optimised method allowed the successful resolution of the parent peptide from its metabolites using RP-HPLC and identification of the major metabolites of P006 by mass spectrometry. This paradigm may be widely adopted as a robust early-stage platform for screening peptide stability to rule out candidates with low in vitro stability, which would likely translate into poor in vivo pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera D'Aloisio
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
- EaStChem School of Chemistry, The University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Adam Schofield
- EaStChem School of Chemistry, The University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Gillian A Hutcheon
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Christopher R Coxon
- EaStChem School of Chemistry, The University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, Edinburgh, UK
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8
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Scoffone VC, Barbieri G, Irudal S, Trespidi G, Buroni S. New Antimicrobial Strategies to Treat Multi-Drug Resistant Infections Caused by Gram-Negatives in Cystic Fibrosis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:71. [PMID: 38247630 PMCID: PMC10812592 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) suffer from recurrent bacterial infections which induce inflammation, lung tissue damage and failure of the respiratory system. Prolonged exposure to combinatorial antibiotic therapies triggers the appearance of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The development of alternative antimicrobial strategies may provide a way to mitigate antimicrobial resistance. Here we discuss different alternative approaches to the use of classic antibiotics: anti-virulence and anti-biofilm compounds which exert a low selective pressure; phage therapies that represent an alternative strategy with a high therapeutic potential; new methods helping antibiotics activity such as adjuvants; and antimicrobial peptides and nanoparticle formulations. Their mechanisms and in vitro and in vivo efficacy are described, in order to figure out a complete landscape of new alternative approaches to fight MDR Gram-negative CF pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Silvia Buroni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (V.C.S.); (G.B.); (S.I.); (G.T.)
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9
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Cresti L, Cappello G, Vailati S, Melloni E, Brunetti J, Falciani C, Bracci L, Pini A. In Vivo Efficacy and Toxicity of an Antimicrobial Peptide in a Model of Endotoxin-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097967. [PMID: 37175674 PMCID: PMC10178222 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
SET-M33 is a synthetic peptide that is being developed as a new antibiotic against major Gram-negative bacteria. Here we report two in vivo studies to assess the toxicity and efficacy of the peptide in a murine model of pulmonary inflammation. First, we present the toxicity study in which SET-M33 was administered to CD-1 mice by snout inhalation exposure for 1 h/day for 7 days at doses of 5 and 20 mg/kg/day. The results showed adverse clinical signs and effects on body weight at the higher dose, as well as some treatment-related histopathology findings (lungs and bronchi, nose/turbinates, larynx and tracheal bifurcation). On this basis, the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) was considered to be 5 mg/kg/day. We then report an efficacy study of the peptide in an endotoxin (LPS)-induced pulmonary inflammation model. Intratracheal administration of SET-M33 at 0.5, 2 and 5 mg/kg significantly inhibited BAL neutrophil cell counts after an LPS challenge. A significant reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines, KC, MIP-1α, IP-10, MCP-1 and TNF-α was also recorded after SET-M33 administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cresti
- U.O.C. Clinical Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Via M. Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Medical Biotechnology Department, University of Siena, Via A Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cappello
- Medical Biotechnology Department, University of Siena, Via A Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- SetLance srl, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Elsa Melloni
- Zambon spa, Via A. Meucci 3, 20091 Bresso, Italy
| | - Jlenia Brunetti
- Medical Biotechnology Department, University of Siena, Via A Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Falciani
- Medical Biotechnology Department, University of Siena, Via A Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Luisa Bracci
- U.O.C. Clinical Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Via M. Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Medical Biotechnology Department, University of Siena, Via A Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pini
- U.O.C. Clinical Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Via M. Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Medical Biotechnology Department, University of Siena, Via A Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
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10
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Brouillard M, Kinet R, Joyeux M, Dehay B, Crauste-Manciet S, Desvergnes V. Modulating Lysosomal pH through Innovative Multimerized Succinic Acid-Based Nucleolipid Derivatives. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:572-580. [PMID: 36853958 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
The multimerization of active compounds has emerged as a successful approach, mainly to address the multivalency of numerous biological targets. Regarding the pharmaceutical prospect, carrying several active ingredient units on the same synthetic scaffold was a practical approach to enhance drug delivery or biological activity with a lower global concentration. Various examples have highlighted better in vivo stability and therapeutic efficiency through sustained action over monomeric molecules. The synthesis strategy aims to covalently connect biologically active monomers to a central core using simple and efficient reaction steps. Despite extensive studies reporting carbohydrate or even peptide multimerization developed for therapeutic activities, very few are concerned with nucleic acid derivatives. In the context of our efforts to build non-viral nucleolipid (NL)-based nanocarriers to restore lysosomal acidification defects, we report here a straightforward synthesis of tetrameric NLs, designed as prodrugs that are able to release no more than one but four biocompatible succinic acid units. The use of oil-in-water nanoemulsion-type vehicles allowed the development of lipid nanosystems crossing the membranes of human neuroblastoma cells. Biological evaluations have proved the effective release of the acid within the lysosome of a genetic and cellular model of Parkinson's disease through the recovery of an optimal lysosomal pH associated with a remarkably fourfold lower concentration of active ingredients than with the corresponding monomers. Overall, these results suggest the feasibility, the therapeutic opportunity, and the better tolerance of multimeric compounds compared to only monomer molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Brouillard
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM U1212, UMR CNRS 5320, Bordeaux 33405, France
| | - Rémi Kinet
- Univ. de Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, Bordeaux F-33000, France
| | - Marie Joyeux
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM U1212, UMR CNRS 5320, Bordeaux 33405, France
| | - Benjamin Dehay
- Univ. de Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, Bordeaux F-33000, France
| | - Sylvie Crauste-Manciet
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM U1212, UMR CNRS 5320, Bordeaux 33405, France
- Univ. Angers, CHU Angers, INSERM, CNRS, MINT, SFR ICAT, F-49000 Angers, France
| | - Valérie Desvergnes
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM U1212, UMR CNRS 5320, Bordeaux 33405, France
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11
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Safety evaluations of a synthetic antimicrobial peptide administered intravenously in rats and dogs. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19294. [PMID: 36369523 PMCID: PMC9652379 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23841-2] [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: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The antimicrobial peptide SET-M33 is under study for the development of a new antibiotic against major Gram-negative pathogens. Here we report the toxicological evaluation of SET-M33 administered intravenously to rats and dogs. Dose range finding experiments determined the doses to use in toxicokinetic evaluation, clinical biochemistry analysis, necroscopy and in neurological and respiratory measurements. Clinical laboratory investigations in dogs and rats showed a dose-related increase in creatinine and urea levels, indicating that the kidneys are the target organ. This was also confirmed by necroscopy studies of animal tissues, where signs of degeneration and regeneration were found in kidney when SET-M33 was administered at the highest doses in the two animal species. Neurological toxicity measurements by the Irwin method and respiratory function evaluation in rats did not reveal any toxic effect even at the highest dose. Finally, repeated administration of SET-M33 by short infusion in dogs revealed a no-observed-adverse-effect-level of 0.5 mg/kg/day.
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12
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Mai R, Deng B, Zhao H, Li L, Fang Y, Li S, Deng X, Chen J. Design, Synthesis, and Bioevaluation of Novel Enzyme-Triggerable Cell Penetrating Peptide-Based Dendrimers for Targeted Delivery of Camptothecin and Cancer Therapy. J Med Chem 2022; 65:5850-5865. [PMID: 35380045 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Novel enzyme-triggerable cell penetrating peptide (ETCPP) dendrimers with a camptothecin (CPT) warhead were designed and synthesized based on an amphiphilic penetrating peptide (FKKFFRKLL, discovered by us before). Among the newly synthesized ETCPP dendrimer conjugates, BL_Oc-SS-CPT (a high-generation dendrimer) exhibited the highest activity with IC50s in the nanomolar range (31-747 nM) against a panel of cancer cells, which is 3-10 times better than that of CPT. BL_Oc-SS-CPT remained intact during transit to target cells and in normal tissues with a plasma half-life of 4.2 h, 2.3-fold longer than that of the monomer (1.8 h). Once reaching the tumor site, BL_Oc-SS-CPT gradually released CPT in the presence of excessive matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 and GSH in cancer cells. Importantly, BL_Oc-SS-CPT exhibited excellent in vivo tumor targeting capability and antitumor efficacy with benign toxicity profiles. Thus, the novel ETCPP dendrimer-based drug delivery system (e.g., BL_Oc-SS-CPT) represents a safe and effective strategy for targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyao Mai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Bulian Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Huiting Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ling Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yuyu Fang
- Department of Nephrology, First People's Hospital of Pingjiang County, Yueyang 414500, China
| | - Siming Li
- Analytical Applications Center, Shimadzu (China) Co., Ltd. Guangzhou Branch, 230 Gaotang Road, Guangzhou 510656, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou 510515, China
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13
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Lee H, Sun R, Niehrs C. Uncoupling the BMP receptor antagonist function from the WNT agonist function of R-spondin 2 using the inhibitory peptide dendrimer RW d. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101586. [PMID: 35032551 PMCID: PMC8842081 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Signaling by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) plays pivotal roles in embryogenesis, adult tissue homeostasis, and disease. Recent studies revealed that the well-established WNT agonist R-spondin 2 (RSPO2) is also a BMP receptor (BMP receptor type 1A) antagonist, with roles in early Xenopus embryogenesis and human acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To uncouple the BMP antagonist function from the WNT agonist function and to promote development of AML therapeutics, here we identified a 10-mer peptide (RW) derived from the thrombospondin 1 domain of RSPO2, which specifically prevents binding between RSPO2 and BMP receptor type 1A without altering WNT signaling. We also show that a corresponding RW dendrimer (RWd) exhibiting improved half-life relieves inhibition of BMP receptor signaling by RSPO2 in human AML cells, reduces cell growth, and induces differentiation. Moreover, microinjection of RWd in Xenopus embryos ventralizes the dorsoventral embryonic patterning by upregulating BMP signaling without affecting WNT signaling. Our study corroborates the function of RSPO2 as a BMP receptor antagonist and provides a proof of concept for pharmacologically uncoupling BMP antagonist from WNT agonist functions of RSPO2 using the inhibitor peptide RWd with enhanced target selectivity and limited side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeyoon Lee
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rui Sun
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christof Niehrs
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany.
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14
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Vanzolini T, Bruschi M, Rinaldi AC, Magnani M, Fraternale A. Multitalented Synthetic Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antiviral Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:545. [PMID: 35008974 PMCID: PMC8745555 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the great strides in healthcare during the last century, some challenges still remained unanswered. The development of multi-drug resistant bacteria, the alarming growth of fungal infections, the emerging/re-emerging of viral diseases are yet a worldwide threat. Since the discovery of natural antimicrobial peptides able to broadly hit several pathogens, peptide-based therapeutics have been under the lenses of the researchers. This review aims to focus on synthetic peptides and elucidate their multifaceted mechanisms of action as antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal agents. Antimicrobial peptides generally affect highly preserved structures, e.g., the phospholipid membrane via pore formation or other constitutive targets like peptidoglycans in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and glucan in the fungal cell wall. Additionally, some peptides are particularly active on biofilm destabilizing the microbial communities. They can also act intracellularly, e.g., on protein biosynthesis or DNA replication. Their intracellular properties are extended upon viral infection since peptides can influence several steps along the virus life cycle starting from viral receptor-cell interaction to the budding. Besides their mode of action, improvements in manufacturing to increase their half-life and performances are also taken into consideration together with advantages and impairments in the clinical usage. Thus far, the progress of new synthetic peptide-based approaches is making them a promising tool to counteract emerging infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Vanzolini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, PU, Italy; (T.V.); (M.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Michela Bruschi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, PU, Italy; (T.V.); (M.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Andrea C. Rinaldi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy;
| | - Mauro Magnani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, PU, Italy; (T.V.); (M.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Alessandra Fraternale
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, PU, Italy; (T.V.); (M.M.); (A.F.)
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15
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Wang Y, Chang RYK, Britton WJ, Chan HK. Advances in the development of antimicrobial peptides and proteins for inhaled therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 180:114066. [PMID: 34813794 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides and proteins (APPs) are becoming increasingly important in targeting multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. APPs is a rapidly emerging area with novel molecules being produced and further optimised to enhance antimicrobial efficacy, while overcoming issues associated with biologics such as potential toxicity and low bioavailability resulting from short half-life. Inhalation delivery of these agents can be an effective treatment of respiratory infections owing to the high local drug concentration in the lungs with lower exposure to systemic circulation hence reducing systemic toxicity. This review describes the recent studies on inhaled APPs, including in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities, toxicity assessments, and formulation strategies whenever available. The review also includes studies on combination of APPs with other antimicrobial agents to achieve enhanced synergistic antimicrobial effect. Since different APPs have different biological and chemical stabilities, a targeted formulation strategy should be considered for developing stable and inhalable antimicrobial peptides and proteins. These strategies include the use of sodium chloride to reduce electrostatic interaction between APP and extracellular DNA in sputum, the use of D-enantiomers or dendrimers to minimise protease-mediated degradation and or the use of prodrugs to reduce toxicity. Although great effort has been put towards optimising the biological functions of APPs, studies assessing biological stability in inhalable aerosols are scarce, particularly for novel molecules. As such, formulation and manufacture of inhalable liquid and powder formulations of APPs are underexplored, yet they are crucial areas of research for clinical translation.
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16
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Peptide Multimerization as Leads for Therapeutic Development. Biologics 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/biologics2010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Multimerization of peptide structures has been a logical evolution in their development as potential therapeutic molecules. The multivalent properties of these assemblies have attracted much attention from researchers in the past and the development of more complex branching dendrimeric structures, with a wide array of biocompatible building blocks is revealing previously unseen properties and activities. These branching multimer and dendrimer structures can induce greater effect on cellular targets than monomeric forms and act as potent antimicrobials, potential vaccine alternatives and promising candidates in biomedical imaging and drug delivery applications. This review aims to outline the chemical synthetic innovations for the development of these highly complex structures and highlight the extensive capabilities of these molecules to rival those of natural biomolecules.
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17
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Li W, Separovic F, O'Brien-Simpson NM, Wade JD. Chemically modified and conjugated antimicrobial peptides against superbugs. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:4932-4973. [PMID: 33710195 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01026j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats to human health that, by 2050, will lead to more deaths from bacterial infections than cancer. New antimicrobial agents, both broad-spectrum and selective, that do not induce AMR are urgently required. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a novel class of alternatives that possess potent activity against a wide range of Gram-negative and positive bacteria with little or no capacity to induce AMR. This has stimulated substantial chemical development of novel peptide-based antibiotics possessing improved therapeutic index. This review summarises recent synthetic efforts and their impact on analogue design as well as their various applications in AMP development. It includes modifications that have been reported to enhance antimicrobial activity including lipidation, glycosylation and multimerization through to the broad application of novel bio-orthogonal chemistry, as well as perspectives on the direction of future research. The subject area is primarily the development of next-generation antimicrobial agents through selective, rational chemical modification of AMPs. The review further serves as a guide toward the most promising directions in this field to stimulate broad scientific attention, and will lead to new, effective and selective solutions for the several biomedical challenges to which antimicrobial peptidomimetics are being applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyi Li
- Melbourne Dental School, Centre for Oral Health Research, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. and Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Frances Separovic
- Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia and School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Neil M O'Brien-Simpson
- Melbourne Dental School, Centre for Oral Health Research, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. and Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - John D Wade
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia and The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
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18
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Volpina OM, Koroev DO, Serebryakova MV, Volkova TD, Kamynina AV, Bobkova NV. Proteolytic degradation patterns of the receptor for advanced glycation end products peptide fragments correlate with their neuroprotective activity in Alzheimer's disease models. Drug Dev Res 2021; 82:1217-1226. [PMID: 34060112 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) plays an essential role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We previously demonstrated that a fragment (60-76) of RAGE improved the memory of olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) and Tg 5 × FAD mice - animal models of AD. The peptide analog (60-76) with protected N- and C-terminal groups was more active than the free peptide in Tg 5 × FAD mice. This study investigated proteolytic cleavage of the RAGE fragment (60-76) and its C- and N-terminally modified analog by blood serum using HPLC and mass spectrometry. The modified peptide was proteolyzed slower than the free peptide. Degrading the protected analog resulted in shortened fragments with memory-enhancing effects, whereas the free peptide yielded inactive fragments. After administering the different peptides to OBX mice, their performance in a spatial memory task revealed that the effective dose of the modified peptide was five times lower than that of the free peptide. HPLC and mass spectrometry analysis of the proteolytic products allowed us to clarify the differences in the neuroprotective activity conferred by administering these two peptides to AD animal models. The current study suggests that the modified RAGE fragment is more promising for the development of anti-AD therapy than its free analog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga M Volpina
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Laboratory of Synthetic Vaccines, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry (RAS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitriy O Koroev
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Laboratory of Synthetic Vaccines, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry (RAS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina V Serebryakova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatyana D Volkova
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Laboratory of Synthetic Vaccines, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry (RAS), Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna V Kamynina
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Laboratory of Synthetic Vaccines, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry (RAS), Moscow, Russia.,Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Natalia V Bobkova
- Laboratory of Cellular Mechanisms of Memory Pathology, Institute of Cell Biophysics (RAS), Pushchino, Russia
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19
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Use of a Novel Peptide Welding Technology Platform for the Development of B- and T-Cell Epitope-Based Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9050526. [PMID: 34069535 PMCID: PMC8160815 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9050526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide vaccines incorporating B- and T-cell epitopes have shown promise in the context of various cancers and infections. These vaccines are relatively simple to manufacture, but more immunogenic formulations are considered a priority. We developed tetrabranched derivatives for this purpose based on a novel peptide welding technology (PWT). PWTs provide molecular scaffolds for the efficient synthesis of ultrapure peptide dendrimers, which allow the delivery of multiple ligands within a single macromolecular structure. Peptide vaccines incorporating T-cell epitopes derived from melanoma and B-cell epitopes derived from human immunodeficiency virus, synthesized using this approach, elicited primary immune responses in vitro and in vivo. Subcutaneous administration of the B-cell epitope-based vaccines also elicited more potent humoral responses than subcutaneous administration of the corresponding peptides alone. Highly immunogenic peptide epitope-based vaccines can therefore be generated quickly and easily using a novel PWT.
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20
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Suyama K, Mawatari M, Tatsubo D, Maeda I, Nose T. Simple Regulation of the Self-Assembling Ability by Multimerization of Elastin-Derived Peptide (FPGVG) n Using Nitrilotriacetic Acid as a Building Block. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:5705-5716. [PMID: 33681610 PMCID: PMC7931394 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c06140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Elastin comprises hydrophobic repetitive sequences, such as Val-Pro-Gly-Val-Gly, which are thought to be important for the temperature-dependent reversible self-association (coacervation). Elastin and elastin-like peptides (ELPs), owing to their characteristics, are expected to be applied as base materials for the development of new molecular tools, such as drug-delivery system carrier and metal-scavenging agents. Recently, several studies have been reported on the dendritic or branching ELP analogues. Although the topological difference of the branched ELPs compared to their linear counterparts may lead to useful properties in biomaterials, the available information regarding the effect of branching on molecular architecture and thermoresponsive behavior of ELPs is scarce. To obtain further insight into the thermoresponsive behavior of branched ELPs, novel ELPs, such as nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)-(FPGVG) n conjugates, that is, (NTA)-Fn analogues possessing 1-3 (FPGVG) n (n = 3, 5) molecule(s), were synthesized and investigated for their coacervation ability. Turbidity measurement of the synthesized peptide analogues revealed that (NTA)-Fn analogues showed strong coacervation ability with various strengths. The transition temperature of NTA-Fn analogues exponentially decreased with increasing number of residues. In the circular dichroism measurements, trimerization did not alter the secondary structure of each peptide chain of the NTA-Fn analogue. In addition, it was also revealed that the NTA-Fn analogue possesses one peptide chain that could be utilized as metal-scavenging agents. The study findings indicated that multimerization of short ELPs via NTA is a useful and powerful strategy to obtain thermoresponsive molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keitaro Suyama
- Laboratory
of Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Mika Mawatari
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty and Graduate School
of Science, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Daiki Tatsubo
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty and Graduate School
of Science, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Iori Maeda
- Department
of Physics and Information Technology, Kyushu
Institute of Technology, Iizuka, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
| | - Takeru Nose
- Laboratory
of Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty and Graduate School
of Science, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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21
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Cardoso P, Glossop H, Meikle TG, Aburto-Medina A, Conn CE, Sarojini V, Valery C. Molecular engineering of antimicrobial peptides: microbial targets, peptide motifs and translation opportunities. Biophys Rev 2021; 13:35-69. [PMID: 33495702 PMCID: PMC7817352 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00784-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The global public health threat of antimicrobial resistance has led the scientific community to highly engage into research on alternative strategies to the traditional small molecule therapeutics. Here, we review one of the most popular alternatives amongst basic and applied research scientists, synthetic antimicrobial peptides. The ease of peptide chemical synthesis combined with emerging engineering principles and potent broad-spectrum activity, including against multidrug-resistant strains, has motivated intense scientific focus on these compounds for the past decade. This global effort has resulted in significant advances in our understanding of peptide antimicrobial activity at the molecular scale. Recent evidence of molecular targets other than the microbial lipid membrane, and efforts towards consensus antimicrobial peptide motifs, have supported the rise of molecular engineering approaches and design tools, including machine learning. Beyond molecular concepts, supramolecular chemistry has been lately added to the debate; and helped unravel the impact of peptide self-assembly on activity, including on biofilms and secondary targets, while providing new directions in pharmaceutical formulation through taking advantage of peptide self-assembled nanostructures. We argue that these basic research advances constitute a solid basis for promising industry translation of rationally designed synthetic peptide antimicrobials, not only as novel drugs against multidrug-resistant strains but also as components of emerging antimicrobial biomaterials. This perspective is supported by recent developments of innovative peptide-based and peptide-carrier nanobiomaterials that we also review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Cardoso
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Hugh Glossop
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | | | - Celine Valery
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
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22
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Hussein WM, Skwarczynski M, Toth I. Double Conjugation Using Mercapto-Acryloyl and Alkyne-Azide Reactions for the Synthesis of Branched Multiantigenic Vaccine Candidates. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2355:141-150. [PMID: 34386957 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1617-8_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Chemical conjugation of peptide epitopes and lipids into a single branched lipopeptide is a promising strategy for the generation of multiantigenic vaccines. We developed a double conjugation strategy that utilizes a mercapto-acryloyl Michael addition reaction between two unprotected peptides, followed by a copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction. The technique proved capable of producing branched multiantigenic vaccine candidates with an overall yield of 78%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed M Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
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23
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Depau L, Brunetti J, Falciani C, Mandarini E, Riolo G, Zanchi M, Karousou E, Passi A, Pini A, Bracci L. Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans Can Promote Opposite Effects on Adhesion and Directional Migration of Different Cancer Cells. J Med Chem 2020; 63:15997-16011. [PMID: 33284606 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans take part in crucial events of cancer progression, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cell migration, and cell invasion. Through sulfated groups on their glycosaminoglycan chains, heparan sulfate proteoglycans interact with growth factors, morphogens, chemokines, and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The amount and position of sulfated groups are highly variable, thus allowing differentiated ligand binding and activity of heparan sulfate proteoglycans. This variability and the lack of specific ligands have delayed comprehension of the molecular basis of heparan sulfate proteoglycan functions. Exploiting a tumor-targeting peptide tool that specifically recognizes sulfated glycosaminoglycans, we analyzed the role of membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans in the adhesion and migration of cancer cell lines. Starting from the observation that the sulfated glycosaminoglycan-specific peptide exerts a different effect on adhesion, migration, and invasiveness of different cancer cell lines, we identified and characterized three cell migration phenotypes, where different syndecans are associated with alternative signaling for directional cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Depau
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Jlenia Brunetti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Falciani
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Riolo
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Marta Zanchi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Evgenia Karousou
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Alberto Passi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Luisa Bracci
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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24
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Brunetti J, Carnicelli V, Ponzi A, Di Giulio A, Lizzi AR, Cristiano L, Cresti L, Cappello G, Pollini S, Mosconi L, Rossolini GM, Bracci L, Falciani C, Pini A. Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of an Antimicrobial Peptide Synthesized with D Amino Acids. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9120840. [PMID: 33255172 PMCID: PMC7760307 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9120840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The peptide SET-M33 is a molecule synthesized in tetra-branched form which is being developed as a new antibiotic against Gram-negative bacteria. Its isomeric form with D amino acids instead of the L version (SET-M33D) is also able to kill Gram-positive bacteria because of its higher resistance to bacterial proteases (Falciani et al., PLoS ONE, 2012, 7, e46259). Here we report the strong in vitro activity of SET-M33D (MIC range 0.7-6.0 µM) against multiresistant pathogens of clinical interest, including Gram-positives Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Enterococcus faecalis, and various Gram-negative enterobacteriaceae. SET-M33D antibacterial activity is also confirmed in vivo against a MRSA strain of S. aureus with doses perfectly compatible with clinical use (5 and 2.5 mg/Kg). Moreover, SET-M33D strongly neutralized lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA), thus exerting a strong anti-inflammatory effect, reducing expression of cytokines, enzymes, and transcription factors (TNF-α, IL6, COX-2, KC, MIP-1, IP10, iNOS, NF-κB) involved in the onset and evolution of the inflammatory process. These results, along with in vitro and in vivo toxicity data and the low frequency of resistance selection reported here, make SET-M33D a strong candidate for the development of a new broad spectrum antibiotic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jlenia Brunetti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (L.B.); (C.F.); (A.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Veronica Carnicelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (V.C.); (A.P.); (A.D.G.); (A.R.L.)
| | - Alessia Ponzi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (V.C.); (A.P.); (A.D.G.); (A.R.L.)
| | - Antonio Di Giulio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (V.C.); (A.P.); (A.D.G.); (A.R.L.)
| | - Anna Rita Lizzi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (V.C.); (A.P.); (A.D.G.); (A.R.L.)
| | - Loredana Cristiano
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Laura Cresti
- SetLance srl, Toscana Life Sciences, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Cappello
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (L.B.); (C.F.); (A.P.)
| | - Simona Pollini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.P.); (L.M.); (G.M.R.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Lara Mosconi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.P.); (L.M.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Gian Maria Rossolini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (S.P.); (L.M.); (G.M.R.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Luisa Bracci
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (L.B.); (C.F.); (A.P.)
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Santa Maria alle Scotte Hospital, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Falciani
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (L.B.); (C.F.); (A.P.)
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (L.B.); (C.F.); (A.P.)
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Santa Maria alle Scotte Hospital, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Ma C, Zhu D, Chen Y, Dong Y, Lin W, Li N, Zhang W, Liu X. Amphiphilic peptide dendrimer-based nanovehicles for safe and effective siRNA delivery. BIOPHYSICS REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s41048-020-00120-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractSmall interfering RNA (siRNA)-based RNA interference has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of a wide range of incurable diseases. However, the safe and effective delivery of siRNA therapeutics into the interior of target cells remains challenging. Here, we disclosed novel amphiphilic peptide dendrimers (AmPDs) that composed of hydrophobic two lipid-like alkyl chains and hydrophilic poly(lysine) dendrons with different generations (2C18-KK2 and 2C18-KK2K4) as nanovehicles for siRNA delivery. These AmPDs are able to self-assemble into supramolecular nanoassemblies that are capable of entrapping siRNA molecules into nanoparticles to protect siRNA from enzymatic degradation and promote efficient intracellular uptake without evident toxicity. Interestingly, by virtue of the optimal balance of hydrophobic lipid-like entity and hydrophilic poly(lysine) dendron generations, AmPD 2C18-KK2K4 bearing bigger hydrophilic dendron can package siRNA to form stable, but more ready to disassemble complexes, thereby resulting in more efficient siRNA releasing and better gene silencing effect in comparison with AmPD 2C18-KK2 bearing smaller dendron. Additional studies confirmed that 2C18-KK2K4 can capitalize on the advantages of lipid and peptide dendrimer vectors for effective siRNA delivery. Collectively, our AmPD-based nanocarriers indeed represent a safe and effective siRNA delivery system. Our findings also provide a new perspective on the modulation of self-assembly amphiphilic peptide dendrimers for the functional and adaptive delivery of siRNA therapeutics.
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Endocytosis and Trafficking of Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells Unraveled with a Polycationic Peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218282. [PMID: 33167372 PMCID: PMC7663799 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) internalization has been described as following different pathways. The tumor-specific branched NT4 peptide has been demonstrated to bind HSPGs on the plasma membrane and to be internalized in tumor cell lines. The polycationic peptide has been also shown to impair migration of different cancer cell lines in 2D and 3D models. Our hypothesis was that HSPG endocytosis could affect two important phenomena of cancer development: cell migration and nourishment. Using NT4 as an experimental tool mimicking heparin-binding ligands, we studied endocytosis and trafficking of HSPGs in a triple-negative human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. The peptide entered cells employing caveolin- or clathrin-dependent endocytosis and macropinocytosis, in line with what is already known about HSPGs. NT4 then localized in early and late endosomes in a time-dependent manner. The peptide had a negative effect on CDC42-activation triggered by EGF. The effect can be explained if we consider NT4 a competitive inhibitor of EGF on HS that impairs the co-receptor activity of the proteoglycan, reducing EGFR activation. Reduction of the invasive migratory phenotype of MDA-MB-231 induced by NT4 can be ascribed to this effect. RhoA activation was damped by EGF in MDA-MB-231. Indeed, EGF reduced RhoA-GTP and NT4 did not interfere with this receptor-mediated signaling. On the other hand, the peptide alone determined a small but solid reduction in active RhoA in breast cancer cells. This result supports the observation of few other studies, showing direct activation of the GTPase through HSPG, not mediated by EGF/EGFR.
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Extracellular Vesicles-Based Drug Delivery Systems: A New Challenge and the Exemplum of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155432. [PMID: 32751556 PMCID: PMC7432055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Research for the most selective drug delivery to tumors represents a fascinating key target in science. Alongside the artificial delivery systems identified in the last decades (e.g., liposomes), a family of natural extracellular vesicles (EVs) has gained increasing focus for their potential use in delivering anticancer compounds. EVs are released by all cell types to mediate cell-to-cell communication both at the paracrine and the systemic levels, suggesting a role for them as an ideal nano-delivery system. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) stands out among currently untreatable tumors, also due to the difficulties in achieving an early diagnosis. Thus, early diagnosis and treatment of MPM are both unmet clinical needs. This review looks at indirect and direct evidence that EVs may represent both a new tool for allowing an early diagnosis of MPM and a potential new delivery system for more efficient therapeutic strategies. Since MPM is a relatively rare malignant tumor and preclinical MPM models developed to date are very few and not reliable, this review will report data obtained in other tumor types, suggesting the potential use of EVs in mesothelioma patients as well.
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Shmidov Y, Zhu Y, Matson JB, Bitton R. Effect of Crosslinker Topology on Enzymatic Degradation of Hydrogels. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:3279-3286. [PMID: 32702239 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite the widespread use of hydrogels in biomedical applications, little is known regarding the effect of crosslinker topology on hydrogel degradation. Dendritic and linear elastin-like peptides (ELPs) were used as crosslinkers for hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels, and their enzymatic degradation was studied using trypsin. Rheological studies revealed that hydrogels crosslinked with ELP dendrimers (HA_denELPs) degraded more slowly than those crosslinked with the otherwise equivalent linear ELPs (i.e., both molecules have the same number of pentamers and peripheral lysine residues). The origin of this phenomenon was evaluated using solution studies in which various dendritic and linear ELPs were treated with trypsin. Apart from the expected steric hindrances due to the dendritic topology, we identified the dual directionality of the peptide sequences (generated by a central branching lysine residue) and the likelihood of cleaving a productive crosslinking point as two additional contributors to the lesser degradability of HA_denELPs. Overall, these results highlight how the molecular design of crosslinker topology represents a novel strategy to tune the degradation rate of hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Shmidov
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Yumeng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - John B Matson
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Ronit Bitton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.,Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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Kim JH, Bae C, Kim MJ, Song IH, Ryu JH, Choi JH, Lee CJ, Nam JS, Kim JI. A novel nucleolin-binding peptide for Cancer Theranostics. Theranostics 2020; 10:9153-9171. [PMID: 32802184 PMCID: PMC7415810 DOI: 10.7150/thno.43502] [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: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cancer-specific ligands have been of great interest as pharmaceutical carriers due to the potential for site-specific delivery. In particular, cancer-specific peptides have many advantages over nanoparticles and antibodies, including high biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and the formation of nontoxic metabolites. The goal of the present study was the development of a novel cancer-specific ligand. Methods: Cancer-specific peptide ligands were screened using a one-bead-one-compound (OBOC) combinatorial method combined with a multiple-antigen-peptide (MAP) synthesis method. The specificity of the peptide ligands toward cancer cells was tested in vitro using a whole-cell binding assay, flow cytometry, and fluorescence confocal microscopy. The tissue distribution profile and therapeutic efficacy of a paclitaxel (PTX)-conjugated peptide ligand was assessed in vivo using xenograft mouse models. Results: We discovered that AGM-330 specifically bound to cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with PTX-conjugated AGM-330 dramatically inhibited cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo compared to treatment with PTX alone. The results of pull-down assay and LC-MS/MS analyses showed that membrane nucleolin (NCL) was the target protein of AGM-330. Although NCL is known as a nuclear protein, we observed that it was overexpressed on the membranes of cancer cells. In particular, membrane NCL neutralization inhibited growth in cancer cells in vitro. Conclusions: In summary, our findings indicated that NCL-targeting AGM-330 has great potential for use in cancer diagnosis and targeted drug delivery in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Hyun Kim
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Chanhyung Bae
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Section, Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Min-Jung Kim
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Hye Song
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Ha Ryu
- Pilot Plant, Anygen, Gwangju, Technopark, 333 Cheomdankwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61008, Republic of Korea
| | - Jang-Hyun Choi
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Choong-Jae Lee
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Seok Nam
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Il Kim
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
- Pilot Plant, Anygen, Gwangju, Technopark, 333 Cheomdankwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61008, Republic of Korea
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Shrestha R, Petley EV, Farrand KJ, Jamieson SA, Jiao W, Teesdale-Spittle PH, Mace PD, Hermans IF, Rendle PM. The Synthesis and Anti-tumour Properties of Poly Ethoxy Ethyl Glycinamide (PEE-G) Scaffolds with Multiple PD-1 Peptides Attached. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:1128-1138. [PMID: 32400116 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Multivalent structures can provide multiple interactions at a target site and improve binding affinity. The multivalent presentation of the anti-tumour heptapeptide, SNTSESF, was investigated. This peptide's activity has been attributed to blockade of the PD-1 receptor-mediated signalling pathway. Two and four peptide units were conjugated to poly ethoxy ethyl glycinamide (PEE-G) scaffolds to prepare high-purity products. These conjugates and the peptide were examined in a mouse model implanted with GL261 tumours that indicated that presenting more than two copies of peptide SNTSESF on the dendritic scaffold does not increase anti-tumour activity per peptide. The fluorescent labelled peptide and most active multivalent peptide conjugate were therefore screened for their interaction with the human PD-L1 protein in a fluorescence polarisation assay. No indication of a specific SNTSESF peptide/PD-L1 interaction was observed. This finding was further supported by a molecular modelling binding study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinu Shrestha
- Victoria University of Wellington PO Box 33 436, Petone, 5046, New Zealand
| | - Emma V Petley
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research PO Box 7060, Wellington, 6242, New Zealand
| | - Kathryn J Farrand
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research PO Box 7060, Wellington, 6242, New Zealand
| | - Sam A Jamieson
- University of Otago PO Box 56, 710 Cumberland Street, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Wanting Jiao
- Victoria University of Wellington PO Box 33 436, Petone, 5046, New Zealand
| | | | - Peter D Mace
- University of Otago PO Box 56, 710 Cumberland Street, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ian F Hermans
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research PO Box 7060, Wellington, 6242, New Zealand
| | - Phillip M Rendle
- Victoria University of Wellington PO Box 33 436, Petone, 5046, New Zealand
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Brunetti J, Falciani C, Bernini A, Scali S, Bracci L, Lozzi L. Molecular definition of the interaction between a tumor-specific tetrabranched peptide and LRP6 receptor. Amino Acids 2020; 52:915-924. [PMID: 32556741 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-020-02860-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The tumor-specific tetrabranched peptide NT4 binds membrane sulfate glycosaminoglycans and receptors belonging to the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) family, like LRP6, which are overexpressed in cancer. The binding occurs through a multimeric positively-charged motif of NT4 that interacts with negatively charged motives in both glycosaminoglycans and LRP receptors. LRP6 has an essential function in canonical Wnt signaling, acting together with receptors of the Frizzled family as coreceptor for Wnt ligands. The extracellular domain of LRP6 contains four YWTD β-propellers, which are fundamental for interactions with ligands, such as Wnt and Wnt inhibitors. To investigate the molecular interactions between the NT4 peptide and LRP6 receptor, we synthesized a library of epitope mapping peptides reproducing the YWTD β-propeller 3 and 4 of LRP6. The peptides that showed to bind NT4 represented the portion of LRP6 located on the top face of β-propeller 3 and contained negatively charged residues, including glutamic acid-708 which is known to be involved in Wnt3a interaction. The results pave the way for a possible development of peptide inhibitors of Wnt3a pathway to be used as drugs in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jlenia Brunetti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Chiara Falciani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Bernini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Silvia Scali
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Luisa Bracci
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Luisa Lozzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
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A New NT4 Peptide-Based Drug Delivery System for Cancer Treatment. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25051088. [PMID: 32121130 PMCID: PMC7179244 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of selective tumor targeting agents to deliver multiple units of chemotherapy drugs to cancer tissue would improve treatment efficacy and greatly advance progress in cancer therapy. Here we report a new drug delivery system based on a tetrabranched peptide known as NT4, which is a promising cancer theranostic by virtue of its high cancer selectivity. We developed NT4 directly conjugated with one, two, or three units of paclitaxel and an NT4-based nanosystem, using NIR-emitting quantum dots, loaded with the NT4 tumor-targeting agent and conjugated with paclitaxel, to obtain a NT4-QD-PTX nanodevice designed to simultaneously detect and kill tumor cells. The selective binding and in vitro cytotoxicity of NT4-QD-PTX were higher than for unlabeled QD-PTX when tested on the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29. NT4-QD-PTX tumor-targeted nanoparticles can be considered promising for early tumor detection and for the development of effective treatments combining simultaneous therapy and diagnosis.
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Falciani C, Zevolini F, Brunetti J, Riolo G, Gracia R, Marradi M, Loinaz I, Ziemann C, Cossío U, Llop J, Bracci L, Pini A. Antimicrobial Peptide-Loaded Nanoparticles as Inhalation Therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections. Int J Nanomedicine 2020; 15:1117-1128. [PMID: 32110011 PMCID: PMC7034994 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s218966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antibiotic-resistant bacteria kill 25,000 people every year in the EU. Patients subject to recurrent lung infections are the most vulnerable to severe or even lethal infections. For these patients, pulmonary delivery of antibiotics would be advantageous, since inhalation can achieve higher concentration in the lungs than iv administration and can provide a faster onset of action. This would allow for the delivery of higher doses and hence reduce the number of treatments required. We report here about a new nanosystem (M33-NS) obtained by capturing SET-M33 peptide on single-chain dextran nanoparticles. SET-M33 is a non-natural antimicrobial peptide synthesized in branched form. This form gives the peptide resistance to degradation in biological fluids. SET-M33 has previously shown efficacy in vitro against about one hundred of Gram-negative multidrug and extensively drug-resistant clinical isolates and was also active in preclinical infection models of pneumonia, sepsis and skin infections. METHODS The new nanosystem was evaluated for its efficacy in bacteria cells and in a mouse model of pneumonia. Toxicity and genotoxicity were also tested in vitro. Biodistribution and pharmacokinetic studies in healthy rats were carried out using a radiolabeled derivative of the nanosystem. RESULTS The M33-nanosystem, studied here, showed to be effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in time-kill kinetic experiments. Cytotoxicity towards different animal cell lines was acceptable. Lung residence time of the antimicrobial peptide, administered via aerosol in healthy rats, was markedly improved by capturing SET-M33 on dextran nanoparticles. M33-NS was also efficient in eradicating pulmonary infection in a BALB/c mouse model of pneumonia caused by P. aeruginosa. DISCUSSION This study revealed that the encapsulation of the antimicrobial peptide in dextran nanoparticles markedly improved lung residence time of the peptide administered via aerosol. The result has to be considered among the aims of the development of a new therapeutic option for patients suffering recurrent infections, that will benefit from high local doses of persistent antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Falciani
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Zevolini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Jlenia Brunetti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Raquel Gracia
- CIDETEC, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Marco Marradi
- CIDETEC, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Iraida Loinaz
- CIDETEC, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Christina Ziemann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Hannover, Germany
| | - Unai Cossío
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jordi Llop
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), San Sebastian, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en red Enfermedades Respiratorias – CIBERES, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luisa Bracci
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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NMR Study of the Secondary Structure and Biopharmaceutical Formulation of an Active Branched Antimicrobial Peptide. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24234290. [PMID: 31775296 PMCID: PMC6930567 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24234290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthetic antimicrobial peptide SET-M33 is being developed as a possible new antibacterial candidate for the treatment of multi-drug resistant bacteria. SET-M33 is a branched peptide featuring higher resistance and bioavailability than its linear analogues. SET-M33 shows antimicrobial activity against different species of multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including clinically isolated strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanii and Escherichia coli. The secondary structure of this 40 amino acid peptide was investigated by NMR to fully characterize the product in the framework of preclinical studies. The possible presence of helixes or β-sheets in the structure had to be explored to predict the behavior of the branched peptide in solution, with a view to designing a formulation for parenteral administration. Since the final formulation of SET-M33 will be strictly defined in terms of counter-ions and additives, we also report the studies on a new salt form, SET-M33 chloride, that retains its activity against Gram-negative bacteria and gains in solubility, with a possible improvement in the pharmacokinetic profile. The opportunity of using a chloride counter-ion is very convenient from a process development point of view and did not increase the toxicity of the antimicrobial drug.
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Quercini L, Brunetti J, Riolo G, Bindi S, Scali S, Lampronti I, D'Aversa E, Wronski S, Pollini S, Gentile M, Lupetti P, Rossolini GM, Falciani C, Bracci L, Pini A. An antimicrobial molecule mitigates signs of sepsis in vivo and eradicates infections from lung tissue. FASEB J 2019; 34:192-207. [PMID: 31914681 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901896rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The peptide sequence KKIRVRLSA was synthesized in a dimeric structure (SET-M33DIM) and evaluated as a candidate drug for infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative pathogens. SET-M33DIM showed significant antibacterial activity against MDR strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Escherichia coli (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration [MICs], 1.5-11 µM), and less activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MICs, 11-22 µM). It showed very low toxicity in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo; in cytotoxicity tests, its EC50 was as much as 22 times better than that of SET-M33, a peptide with the same amino-acid sequence, but synthesized in tetra-branched form (638 vs 28 µM). In in vivo and ex vivo experiments, SET-M33DIM cleared P. aeruginosa infection, significantly reducing signs of sepsis in animals, and restoring cell viability in lung tissue after bacterial challenge. It also quelled inflammation triggered by LPS and live bacterial cells, inhibiting expression of inflammatory mediators in lung tissue, cultured macrophages, and bronchial cells from a cystic fibrosis patient.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jlenia Brunetti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Riolo
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefano Bindi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Silvia Scali
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Lampronti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elisabetta D'Aversa
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabine Wronski
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Member of Fraunhofer international Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Hannover, Germany
| | - Simona Pollini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Microbiology and Virology Unit, Florence Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Rossolini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Microbiology and Virology Unit, Florence Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Falciani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luisa Bracci
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Sapra R, Verma RP, Maurya GP, Dhawan S, Babu J, Haridas V. Designer Peptide and Protein Dendrimers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Chem Rev 2019; 119:11391-11441. [PMID: 31556597 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Dendrimers have attracted immense interest in science and technology due to their unique chemical structure that offers a myriad of opportunities for researchers. Dendritic design allows us to present peptides in a branched three-dimensional fashion that eventually leads to a globular shape, thus mimicking globular proteins. Peptide dendrimers, unlike other classes of dendrimers, have immense applications in biomedical research due to their biological origin. The diversity of potential building blocks and innumerable possibilities for design, along with the fact that the area is relatively underexplored, make peptide dendrimers sought-after candidates for various applications. This review summarizes the stepwise evolution of peptidic dendrimers along with their multifaceted applications in various fields. Further, the introduction of biomacromolecules such as proteins to a dendritic scaffold, resulting in complex macromolecules with discrete molecular weights, is an altogether new addition to the area of organic chemistry. The synthesis of highly complex and fully folded biomacromolecules on a dendritic scaffold requires expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and biology. Presently, there are only a handful of examples of protein dendrimers; we believe that these limited examples will fuel further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachit Sapra
- Department of Chemistry , Indian Institute of Technology Delhi , Hauz Khas , New Delhi 110016 , India
| | - Ram P Verma
- Department of Chemistry , Indian Institute of Technology Delhi , Hauz Khas , New Delhi 110016 , India
| | - Govind P Maurya
- Department of Chemistry , Indian Institute of Technology Delhi , Hauz Khas , New Delhi 110016 , India
| | - Sameer Dhawan
- Department of Chemistry , Indian Institute of Technology Delhi , Hauz Khas , New Delhi 110016 , India
| | - Jisha Babu
- Department of Chemistry , Indian Institute of Technology Delhi , Hauz Khas , New Delhi 110016 , India
| | - V Haridas
- Department of Chemistry , Indian Institute of Technology Delhi , Hauz Khas , New Delhi 110016 , India
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Brunetti J, Riolo G, Depau L, Mandarini E, Bernini A, Karousou E, Passi A, Pini A, Bracci L, Falciani C. Unraveling Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan Binding Motif for Cancer Cell Selectivity. Front Oncol 2019; 9:843. [PMID: 31620357 PMCID: PMC6759624 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) regulate cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation and are therefore considered key players in cancer cell development processes. Here, we used the NT4 peptide to investigate how the sulfation pattern of HSPG on cells drives binding specificity. NT4 is a branched peptide that binds the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains of HSPG. It has already been shown to inhibit growth factor-induced migration and invasiveness of cancer cells, implying antagonist binding of HSPG. The binding affinity of NT4 with recombinant HSPG showed that NT4 bound glypican-3 and -4 and, with lower affinity, syndecan-4. NT4 binding to the cancer cell membrane was inversely correlated with sulfatase expression. NT4 binding was higher in cell lines with lower expression of SULF-1 and SULF-2, which confirms the determinant role of sulfate groups for recognition by NT4. Using 8-mer and 9-mer heparan sulfate (HS) oligosaccharides with analog disaccharide composition and different sulfation sites, a possible recognition motif was identified that includes repeated 6-O-sulfates alternating with N- and/or 2-O-sulfates. Molecular modeling provided a fully descriptive picture of binding architecture, showing that sulfate groups on opposite sides of the oligosaccharide can interact with positive residues on two peptide sequences of the branched structure, thus favoring multivalent binding and explaining the high affinity and selectivity of NT4 for highly sulfated GAGs. NT4 and possibly newly selected branched peptides will be essential probes for reconstructing and unraveling binding sites for cancer-involved ligands on GAGs and will pave the way for new cancer detection and treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jlenia Brunetti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Riolo
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Depau
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Bernini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Evgenia Karousou
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Alberto Passi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luisa Bracci
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Falciani
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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38
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Liu L, Kuang Y, Yang H, Chen Y. An amplification strategy using DNA-Peptide dendrimer probe and mass spectrometry for sensitive MicroRNA detection in breast cancer. Anal Chim Acta 2019; 1069:73-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Pacifico S, Albanese V, Illuminati D, Fantinati A, Marzola E, Ferrari F, Neto JA, Sturaro C, Ruzza C, Calò G, Preti D, Guerrini R. Tetrabranched Hetero-Conjugated Peptides as Bifunctional Agonists of the NOP and Mu Opioid Receptors. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:2444-2451. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Pacifico
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Valentina Albanese
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Davide Illuminati
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Anna Fantinati
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Erika Marzola
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Federica Ferrari
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Joaquim Azevedo Neto
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Chiara Sturaro
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calò
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Delia Preti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara 44121, Italy
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Dai Y, Wynn JE, Peralta AN, Sherpa C, Jayaraman B, Li H, Verma A, Frankel AD, Le Grice SF, Santos WL. Discovery of a Branched Peptide That Recognizes the Rev Response Element (RRE) RNA and Blocks HIV-1 Replication. J Med Chem 2018; 61:9611-9620. [PMID: 30289719 PMCID: PMC6557124 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We synthesized and screened a unique 46 656-member library composed of unnatural amino acids that revealed several hits against RRE IIB RNA. Among the hit peptides identified, peptide 4A5 was found to be selective against competitor RNAs and inhibited HIV-1 Rev-RRE RNA interaction in cell culture in a p24 ELISA assay. Biophysical characterization in a ribonuclease protection assay suggested that 4A5 bound to the stem-loop region in RRE IIB while SHAPE MaP probing with 234 nt RRE RNA indicated additional interaction with secondary Rev binding sites. Taken together, our investigation suggests that HIV replication is inhibited by 4A5 blocking binding of Rev and subsequent multimerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Dai
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24060, United States
| | - Jessica E. Wynn
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24060, United States
| | - Ashley N. Peralta
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24060, United States
| | - Chringma Sherpa
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, 21702, United States
| | - Bhargavi Jayaraman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, California, 94158, United States
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24060, United States
| | - Astha Verma
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24060, United States
| | - Alan D. Frankel
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, California, 94158, United States
| | - Stuart F. Le Grice
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, 21702, United States
| | - Webster L. Santos
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24060, United States
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Brunetti J, Falciani C, Bracci L, Pini A. Branched peptides as bioactive molecules for drug design. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jlenia Brunetti
- Department of Medical BiotechnologiesUniversity of Siena Siena Italy
| | - Chiara Falciani
- Department of Medical BiotechnologiesUniversity of Siena Siena Italy
| | - Luisa Bracci
- Department of Medical BiotechnologiesUniversity of Siena Siena Italy
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Medical BiotechnologiesUniversity of Siena Siena Italy
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42
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Romero E, Moussodia RO, Jamart-Grégoire B, Acherar S. Synthesis and Conformational Analysis of 1:1 [α/α- N
α
-Bn-Hydrazino] and 1:1 [α- N
α
-Bn-Hydrazino/α] Trimers: Determination of the Δ δ
Value for the γ-Turn Structuration. European J Org Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201800755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eugénie Romero
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique Macromoléculaire (LCPM); UMR CNRS-UL 7375; ENSIC; Université de Lorraine; 1 rue Grandville BP451 54001 Nancy France
| | - Ralph-Olivier Moussodia
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique Macromoléculaire (LCPM); UMR CNRS-UL 7375; ENSIC; Université de Lorraine; 1 rue Grandville BP451 54001 Nancy France
| | - Brigitte Jamart-Grégoire
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique Macromoléculaire (LCPM); UMR CNRS-UL 7375; ENSIC; Université de Lorraine; 1 rue Grandville BP451 54001 Nancy France
| | - Samir Acherar
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique Macromoléculaire (LCPM); UMR CNRS-UL 7375; ENSIC; Université de Lorraine; 1 rue Grandville BP451 54001 Nancy France
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Wu Y, Fan Q, Zeng F, Zhu J, Chen J, Fan D, Li X, Duan W, Guo Q, Cao Z, Briley-Saebo K, Li C, Tao X. Peptide-Functionalized Nanoinhibitor Restrains Brain Tumor Growth by Abrogating Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition Factor (MET) Signaling. NANO LETTERS 2018; 18:5488-5498. [PMID: 30067910 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b01879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Malignant gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors and are associated with aggressive growth, high morbidity, and mortality. Aberrant mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) activation occurs in approximately 30% of glioma patients and correlates with poor prognosis, elevated invasion, and increased drug resistance. Therefore, MET has emerged as an attractive target for glioma therapy. In this study, we developed a novel nanoinhibitor by conjugating MET-targeting cMBP peptides on the G4 dendrimer. Compared to the binding affinity of the free peptide ( KD = 3.96 × 10-7 M), the binding affinity of the nanoinhibitor to MET increased 3 orders of magnitude to 1.32 × 10-10 M. This nanoinhibitor efficiently reduced the proliferation and invasion of human glioblastoma U87MG cells in vitro by blocking MET signaling with remarkably attenuated levels of phosphorylated MET ( pMET) and its downstream signaling proteins, such as pAKT and pERK1/2. Although no obvious therapeutic effect was observed after treatment with free cBMP peptide, in vivo T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a significant delay in tumor growth after intravenous injection of the nanoinhibitor. The medium survival in mouse models was extended by 59%, which is similar to the effects of PF-04217903, a small molecule MET inhibitor currently in clinical trials. Immunoblotting studies of tumor homogenate verified that the nanoinhibitor restrained glioma growth by blocking MET downstream signaling. pMET and its downstream proteins pAKT and pERK1/2, which are involved in the survival and invasion of cancer cells, decreased in the nanoinhibitor-treated group by 44.2%, 62.2%, and 32.3%, respectively, compared with those in the control group. In summary, we developed a peptide-functionalized MET nanoinhibitor that showed extremely high binding affinity to MET and effectively inhibited glioma growth by blocking MET downstream signaling. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of therapeutic inhibition of glioma growth by blocking MET signaling with a novel nanoinhibitor. Compared to antibodies and chemical inhibitors in clinical trials, the nanoinhibitor blocks MET signaling and provides a new approach for the treatment of glioma with the advantages of high efficiency, affordability, and, most importantly, potentially reduced drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingwei Wu
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital , Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200011 , China
| | - Qi Fan
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital , Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200011 , China
| | - Feng Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy , Fudan University , Shanghai 201203 , China
| | - Jinyu Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital , Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200011 , China
| | - Jian Chen
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy , Fudan University , Shanghai 201203 , China
| | - Dandan Fan
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy , Fudan University , Shanghai 201203 , China
| | - Xinwei Li
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy , Fudan University , Shanghai 201203 , China
| | - Wenjia Duan
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy , Fudan University , Shanghai 201203 , China
| | - Qinghua Guo
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy , Fudan University , Shanghai 201203 , China
| | - Zhonglian Cao
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy , Fudan University , Shanghai 201203 , China
| | - Karen Briley-Saebo
- Department of Radiology , the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging , Columbus , Ohio 43210 , United States
| | - Cong Li
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy , Fudan University , Shanghai 201203 , China
| | - Xiaofeng Tao
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital , Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200011 , China
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Suyama K, Tatsubo D, Iwasaki W, Miyazaki M, Kiyota Y, Takahashi I, Maeda I, Nose T. Enhancement of Self-Aggregation Properties of Linear Elastin-Derived Short Peptides by Simple Cyclization: Strong Self-Aggregation Properties of Cyclo[FPGVG] n, Consisting Only of Natural Amino Acids. Biomacromolecules 2018; 19:3201-3211. [PMID: 29932654 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Elastin-like peptides (ELPs) consist of distinctive repetitive sequences, such as (VPGVG) n, exhibit temperature-dependent reversible self-assembly (coacervation), and have been considered to be useful for the development of thermoresponsive materials. Further fundamental studies evaluating coacervative properties of novel nonlinear ELPs could present design concepts for new thermoresponsive materials. In this study, we prepared novel ELPs, cyclic (FPGVG) n (cyclo[FPGVG] n, n = 1-5), and analyzed their self-assembly properties and structural characteristics. Cyclo[FPGVG] n ( n = 3-5) demonstrated stronger coacervation capacity than the corresponding linear peptides. The coacervate of cyclo[FPGVG]5 was able to retain water-soluble dye molecules at 40 °C, which implied that cyclo[FPGVG]5 could be employed as a base material of DDS (drug delivery system) matrices and other biomaterials. The results of molecular dynamics simulations and circular dichroism measurements suggested that a certain chain length was required for cyclo[FPGVG] n to demonstrate alterations in molecular structure that were critical to the exhibition of coacervation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keitaro Suyama
- Faculty of Arts and Science , Kyushu University , Fukuoka 819-0395 , Japan
| | - Daiki Tatsubo
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty and Graduate School of Science , Kyushu University , Fukuoka 819-0395 , Japan
| | - Wataru Iwasaki
- Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute , National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) , Tosu, Saga 841-0052 , Japan
| | - Masaya Miyazaki
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics , Kyushu Institute of Technology , Iizuka, Fukuoka 820-8502 , Japan
| | - Yuhei Kiyota
- Division of Applied Chemistry , Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University , Sapporo 060-0810 , Japan
| | - Ichiro Takahashi
- Division of Oral Health, Growth and Development, Faculty of Dental Science , Kyushu University , Fukuoka 812-8582 , Japan
| | - Iori Maeda
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics , Kyushu Institute of Technology , Iizuka, Fukuoka 820-8502 , Japan
| | - Takeru Nose
- Faculty of Arts and Science , Kyushu University , Fukuoka 819-0395 , Japan.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty and Graduate School of Science , Kyushu University , Fukuoka 819-0395 , Japan
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45
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Serra I, Casu M, Ceccarelli M, Gameiro P, Rinaldi AC, Scorciapino MA. Effects of amphipathic profile regularization on structural order and interaction with membrane models of two highly cationic branched peptides with β-sheet propensity. Peptides 2018; 105:28-36. [PMID: 29800587 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2018.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides attracted increasing interest in last decades due to the rising concern of multi-drug resistant pathogens. Dendrimeric peptides are branched molecules with multiple copies of one peptide functional unit bound to the central core. Compared to linear analogues, they usually show improved activity and lower susceptibility to proteases. Knowledge of structure-function relationship is fundamental to tailor their properties. This work is focused on SB056, the smallest example of dendrimeric peptide, whose amino acid sequence is WKKIRVRLSA. Two copies are bound to the α- and ε- nitrogen of one lysine core. An 8-aminooctanamide was added at the C-terminus to improve membrane affinity. Its propensity for β-type structures is also interesting, since helical peptides were already thoroughly studied. Moreover, SB056 maintains activity at physiological osmolarity, a typical limitation of natural peptides. An optimized analogue with improved performance was designed, β-SB056, which differs only in the relative position of the first two residues (KWKIRVRLSA). This produced remarkable differences. Structure order and aggregation behavior were characterized by using complementary techniques and membrane models with different negative charge. Infrared spectroscopy showed different propensity for ordered β-sheets. Lipid monolayers' surface pressure was measured to estimate the area/peptide and the ability to perturb lipid packing. Fluorescence spectroscopy was applied to compare peptide insertion into the lipid bilayer. Such small change in primary structure produced fundamental differences in their aggregation behavior. A regular amphipathic peptide's primary structure was responsible for ordered β-sheets in a charge independent fashion, in contrast to unordered aggregates formed by the former analogue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Serra
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Mariano Casu
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Matteo Ceccarelli
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Paula Gameiro
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Requimte, LAQV, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Andrea C Rinaldi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry Unit, University of Cagliari, Monserrato (CA), Italy
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46
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Abstract
The nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ)-N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor system is widely distributed at both the peripheral and central level where it modulates important biological functions with increasing therapeutic implications. This chapter wants to provide a comprehensive and updated overview focused on the available structure-activity relationship studies on NOP receptor peptide ligands developed through different rational approaches. Punctual modifications and cyclizations of the N/OFQ sequence have been properly combined furnishing potent NOP selective ligands with different pharmacological activities (full and partial agonists, pure antagonists) and enhanced metabolic stability in vivo. The screening of peptide libraries provided a second family of NOP ligands that have been successfully optimized. Moreover, recent findings suggest the possibility to apply different multimerization strategies for the realization of multi-target NOP/opioid receptor ligands or tetrabranched N/OFQ derivatives with extraordinarily prolonged duration of action in vivo. The diverse approaches led to the identification of important pharmacological tools along with drug candidates currently in clinical development such as Rec 0438 (aka UFP-112) for the treatment of overactive bladder and SER 100 (aka ZP120) for the clinical management of systolic hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Preti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Girolamo Caló
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neurosciences, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
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47
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Calo' G, Rizzi A, Ruzza C, Ferrari F, Pacifico S, Gavioli EC, Salvadori S, Guerrini R. Peptide welding technology - A simple strategy for generating innovative ligands for G protein coupled receptors. Peptides 2018; 99:195-204. [PMID: 29031796 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Based on their high selectivity of action and low toxicity, naturally occurring peptides have great potential in terms of drug development. However, the pharmacokinetic properties of peptides, in particular their half life, are poor. Among different strategies developed for reducing susceptibility to peptidases, and thus increasing the duration of action of peptides, the generation of branched peptides has been described. However, the synthesis and purification of branched peptides are extremely complicated thus limiting their druggability. Here we present a novel and facile synthesis of tetrabranched peptides acting as GPCR ligands and their in vitro and vivo pharmacological characterization. Tetrabranched derivatives of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), N/OFQ related peptides, opioid peptides, tachykinins, and neuropeptide S were generated with the strategy named peptide welding technology (PWT) and characterized by high yield and purity of the desired final product. In general, PWT derivatives displayed a pharmacological profile similar to that of the natural sequence in terms of affinity, pharmacological activity, potency, and selectivity of action in vitro. More importantly, in vivo studies demonstrated that PWT peptides are characterized by increased potency associated with long lasting duration of action. In conclusion, PWT derivatives of biologically active peptides can be viewed as innovative pharmacological tools for investigating those conditions and states in which selective and prolonged receptor stimulation promotes beneficial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Girolamo Calo'
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Anna Rizzi
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federica Ferrari
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pacifico
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elaine C Gavioli
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Severo Salvadori
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and LTTA, University of Ferrara, Italy
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48
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Moussodia RO, Romero E, Wenger E, Jamart-Grégoire B, Acherar S. Self-Organization Ability of Chiral N α-Substituted, N β-Boc Protected α-Hydrazinoacetamides in the Crystal and Solution States. J Org Chem 2017; 82:9937-9945. [PMID: 28847151 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.7b01004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The limitations of peptides have severely hampered their use in pharmacology, thus prompting the design of new peptidomimetic foldamers. This requires precise knowledge of the secondary structure of new compounds and the ability to predict their folding. Conformational studies of the basic units of these foldamers can be of invaluable assistance in designing new bioactive compounds. To this end, we investigated the conformation of three chiral Nα-substituted, Nβ-Boc protected α-hydrazinoacetamide model compounds containing various side chains both on the Nα- and Cα-atoms in both the crystal and solution states. On the basis of IR absorption spectroscopy, NMR, molecular dynamics calculations and X-ray diffraction experiments, we demonstrated that these three models adopt conformational preferences, relying on eight-, six- or five-membered H-bonded pseudocycles (C8, C6 or C5), depending on the steric bulk of both Nα- or Cα-side chains. This study sheds light onto the versatile folding ability of the specific class of α-Nα-hydrazinopeptides and emphasizes the key role of the Cα-side chain on the conformational preference of the folding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph-Olivier Moussodia
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique Macromoléculaire (LCPM), Université de Lorraine-CNRS , UMR 7375, 1 rue Grandville, BP 20451, 54001 Nancy cedex, France
| | - Eugénie Romero
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique Macromoléculaire (LCPM), Université de Lorraine-CNRS , UMR 7375, 1 rue Grandville, BP 20451, 54001 Nancy cedex, France
| | - Emmanuel Wenger
- Laboratoire de Cristallographie, Résonance Magnétique et Modélisations (CRM2), Université de Lorraine-CNRS , UMR 7036, Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, BP 70239, Boulevard des Aiguillettes, 54506 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy cedex, France
| | - Brigitte Jamart-Grégoire
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique Macromoléculaire (LCPM), Université de Lorraine-CNRS , UMR 7375, 1 rue Grandville, BP 20451, 54001 Nancy cedex, France
| | - Samir Acherar
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique Macromoléculaire (LCPM), Université de Lorraine-CNRS , UMR 7375, 1 rue Grandville, BP 20451, 54001 Nancy cedex, France
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Coupling to a cancer-selective heparan-sulfate-targeted branched peptide can by-pass breast cancer cell resistance to methotrexate. Oncotarget 2017; 8:76141-76152. [PMID: 29100299 PMCID: PMC5652693 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-selective tetra-branched peptides, named NT4, can be coupled to different functional units for cancer cell imaging or therapy. NT4 peptides specifically bind to lipoprotein receptor-related proteins (LRP) receptors and to heparan sulfate chains on membrane proteoglycans and can be efficiently internalized by cancer cells expressing these membrane targets. Since binding and internalization of NT4 peptides is mediated by specific NT4 receptors on cancer cell membranes and this may allow drug resistance produced by drug membrane transporters to be by-passed, we tested the ability of drug-armed NT4 to by-pass drug resistance in cancer cell lines. We found that MTX-conjugated NT4 allows drug resistance to be by-passed in MTX-resistant human breast cancer cells lacking expression of folate reduced carrier. NT4 peptides appear to be extremely promising cancer-selective targeting agents that can be exploited as theranostics in personalized oncological applications.
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van der Weide H, Brunetti J, Pini A, Bracci L, Ambrosini C, Lupetti P, Paccagnini E, Gentile M, Bernini A, Niccolai N, Jongh DVD, Bakker-Woudenberg IAJM, Goessens WHF, Hays JP, Falciani C. Investigations into the killing activity of an antimicrobial peptide active against extensively antibiotic-resistant K. pneumon iae and P. aeruginosa. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1859:1796-1804. [PMID: 28583831 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
SET-M33 is a multimeric antimicrobial peptide active against Gram-negative bacteria in vitro and in vivo. Insights into its killing mechanism could elucidate correlations with selectivity. SET-M33 showed concentration-dependent bactericidal activity against colistin-susceptible and resistant isolates of P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae. Scanning and transmission microscopy studies showed that SET-M33 generated cell blisters, blebs, membrane stacks and deep craters in K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa cells. NMR analysis and CD spectra in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles showed a transition from an unstructured state to a stable α-helix, driving the peptide to arrange itself on the surface of micelles. SET-M33 kills Gram-negative bacteria after an initial interaction with bacterial LPS. The molecule becomes then embedded in the outer membrane surface, thereby impairing cell function. This activity of SET-M33, in contrast to other similar antimicrobial peptides such as colistin, does not generate resistant mutants after 24h of exposure, non-specific interactions or toxicity against eukaryotic cell membranes, suggesting that SET-M33 is a promising new option for the treatment of Gram-negative antibiotic-resistant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hessel van der Weide
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jlenia Brunetti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Luisa Bracci
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrea Bernini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Neri Niccolai
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Denise Vermeulen-de Jongh
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Irma A J M Bakker-Woudenberg
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wil H F Goessens
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John P Hays
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chiara Falciani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Italy; Setlance srl, Research and Development Department, Siena, Italy.
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