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Pirhaghi M, Mamashli F, Moosavi-Movahedi F, Arghavani P, Amiri A, Davaeil B, Mohammad-Zaheri M, Mousavi-Jarrahi Z, Sharma D, Langel Ü, Otzen DE, Saboury AA. Cell-Penetrating Peptides: Promising Therapeutics and Drug-Delivery Systems for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:2097-2117. [PMID: 38440998 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c01167] [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: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Currently, one of the most significant and rapidly growing unmet medical challenges is the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). This challenge encompasses the imperative development of efficacious therapeutic agents and overcoming the intricacies of the blood-brain barrier for successful drug delivery. Here we focus on the delivery aspect with particular emphasis on cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), widely used in basic and translational research as they enhance drug delivery to challenging targets such as tissue and cellular compartments and thus increase therapeutic efficacy. The combination of CPPs with nanomaterials such as nanoparticles (NPs) improves the performance, accuracy, and stability of drug delivery and enables higher drug loads. Our review presents and discusses research that utilizes CPPs, either alone or in conjugation with NPs, to mitigate the pathogenic effects of neurodegenerative diseases with particular reference to AD and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Pirhaghi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan 6673145137, Iran
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mamashli
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran
| | | | - Payam Arghavani
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran
| | - Ahmad Amiri
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran
| | - Bagher Davaeil
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran
| | - Mahya Mohammad-Zaheri
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran
| | - Zahra Mousavi-Jarrahi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran
| | - Deepak Sharma
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh 160036, India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - Ülo Langel
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm 10691, Sweden
| | - Daniel Erik Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C 1592-224, Denmark
| | - Ali Akbar Saboury
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614335, Iran
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2
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Estapé Senti M, García Del Valle L, Schiffelers RM. mRNA delivery systems for cancer immunotherapy: Lipid nanoparticles and beyond. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 206:115190. [PMID: 38307296 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
mRNA-based vaccines are emerging as a promising alternative to standard cancer treatments and the conventional vaccines. Moreover, the FDA-approval of three nucleic acid based therapeutics (Onpattro, BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273) has further increased the interest and trust on this type of therapeutics. In order to achieve a significant therapeutic efficacy, the mRNA needs from a drug delivery system. In the last years, several delivery platforms have been explored, being the lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) the most well characterized and studied. A better understanding on how mRNA-based therapeutics operate (both the mRNA itself and the drug delivery system) will help to further improve their efficacy and safety. In this review, we will provide an overview of what mRNA cancer vaccines are and their mode of action and we will highlight the advantages and challenges of the different delivery platforms that are under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariona Estapé Senti
- CDL Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lucía García Del Valle
- CDL Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Raymond M Schiffelers
- CDL Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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3
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So RB, Li G, Brentville V, Daly JM, Dixon JE. Combined biolistic and cell penetrating peptide delivery for the development of scalable intradermal DNA vaccines. J Control Release 2024; 367:209-222. [PMID: 38244841 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.01.031] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Physical-based gene delivery via biolistic methods (such as the Helios gene gun) involve precipitation of nucleic acids onto microparticles and direct transfection through cell membranes of exposed tissue (e.g. skin) by high velocity acceleration. The glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-binding enhanced transduction (GET) system exploits novel fusion peptides consisting of cell-binding, nucleic acid condensing, and cell-penetrating domains, which enable enhanced transfection across multiple cell types. In this study, we combined chemical (GET) and physical (gene gun) DNA delivery systems, and hypothesized the combination would generate enhanced distribution and effective uptake in cells not initially transfected by biolistic penetration. Physicochemical characterization, optimization of bullet contents and transfection experiments in vitro in cell monolayers and engineered tissue demonstrated these formulations transfected efficiently, including DC2.4 dendritic cells. We incorporated these formulations into a biolistic format for gene gun by forming fireable dry bullets obtained via lyophilization (freeze drying). This system is simple and with enhanced scalability compared to conventional methods to generate bullets. Flushed GET bullet contents retained their ability to mediate transfection (17-fold greater and 13-fold greater reporter gene expression than standard spermidine bullets in the absence and presence of serum, respectively). Fired GET bullets in vitro (in cells and collagen gels) and in vivo (mice) showed increased reporter gene transfection compared to untreated controls, whilst maintaining cell viability in vitro and having no obvious toxicity in vivo. Lastly, a SARS-CoV-2 plasmid DNA vaccine with spike (S) protein-receptor binding domain (S-RBD) was delivered by gene gun using GET bullets. Specific T cell and antibody responses comparable to the conventional system were generated. The non-physical and physical combination of GET‑gold-DNA carriers using gene gun shows potential as an alternative DNA delivery method that is scalable for mass deployable vaccination and intradermal gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roizza Beth So
- Regenerative Medicine & Cellular Therapies (RMCT), Biodiscovery Institute (BDI), School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Gang Li
- Regenerative Medicine & Cellular Therapies (RMCT), Biodiscovery Institute (BDI), School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Victoria Brentville
- Scancell Ltd, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Janet M Daly
- One Virology, Wolfson Centre for Global Virus Research, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - James E Dixon
- Regenerative Medicine & Cellular Therapies (RMCT), Biodiscovery Institute (BDI), School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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4
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Bai C, Wang C, Lu Y. Novel Vectors and Administrations for mRNA Delivery. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2303713. [PMID: 37475520 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
mRNA therapy has shown great potential in infectious disease vaccines, cancer immunotherapy, protein replacement therapy, gene editing, and other fields due to its central role in all life processes. However, mRNA is challenging to pass through the cell membrane due to its significant negative charges and degradation from RNase, so the key to mRNA therapy is efficient packaging and delivery of it with appropriate vectors. Presently researchers have developed various vectors such as viruses and liposomes, but these conventional vectors are now difficult to meet the growing requirement like safety, efficiency, and targeting, so many novel delivery vectors with unique advantages have emerged recently. This review mainly introduces two categories of novel vectors: biomacromolecules and inorganic nanoparticles, as well as two novel methods of control and administration based on these novel vectors: controlled-release administration and non-invasive administration. These novel delivery strategies have the advantages of high safety, biocompatibility, versatility, intelligence, and targeting. This paper analyzes the challenges faced by the field of mRNA delivery in depth, and discusses how to use the characteristics of novel vectors and administrations to solve these problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghai Bai
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yuan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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5
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Semizo H, Yabu R, Ohgishi Y, Kai H, Nishimura H, Matsuo Y. Proton Conduction in Gly-X (X = Ser, Ser-Gly-Ser) and GS50. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1223. [PMID: 37892953 PMCID: PMC10604563 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10101223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the use of biomaterials has been required from the viewpoint of biocompatibility of electronic devices. In this study, the proton conductivity of Glycyl-L-serine (Gly-Ser) was investigated to clarify the relationship between hydration and proton conduction in peptides. From the crystal and conductivity data, it was inferred that the proton conductivity in hydrated Gly-Ser crystals is caused by the cleavage and rearrangement of hydrogen bonds between hydration shells formed by hydrogen bonds between amino acids and water molecules. Moreover, a staircase-like change in proton conduction with hydration was observed at n = 0.3 and 0.5. These results indicate that proton transport in Gly-Ser is realized by hydration water. In addition, we also found that hydration of GSGS and GS50 can achieve proton conduction of Gly-Ser tetrameric GSGS and GS50 containing repeating sequences. The proton conductivity at n = 0.3 is due to percolation by the formation of proton-conducting pathways. In addition to these results, we found that proton conductivity at GS50 is realized by the diffusion constant of 3.21 × 10-8 cm2/s at GS50.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoki Semizo
- Faculty of Science & Engineering, Setsunan University, Ikeda-Nakamachi, Neyagawa 572-8508, Japan; (R.Y.); (Y.O.); (H.K.); (H.N.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Yasumitsu Matsuo
- Faculty of Science & Engineering, Setsunan University, Ikeda-Nakamachi, Neyagawa 572-8508, Japan; (R.Y.); (Y.O.); (H.K.); (H.N.)
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6
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Egberink RO, van Asbeck AH, Boswinkel M, Muradjan G, Dieker J, Brock R. Deciphering Structural Determinants Distinguishing Active from Inactive Cell-Penetrating Peptides for Cytosolic mRNA Delivery. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:1822-1834. [PMID: 37733627 PMCID: PMC10587869 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
The formation of noncovalent complexes by mixing of positively charged polymers with negatively charged oligonucleotides (ONs) is a widely explored concept in nanomedicine to achieve cellular delivery of ONs. Uptake of ON complexes occurs through endocytosis, which then requires release of ON from endosomes. As one type of polymer, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are being used which are peptides of about 8-30 amino acids in length. However, only a few CPPs yield effective cytosolic ON delivery and activity. Several strategies have been devised to increase cellular uptake and enhance endosomal release, among which an increase of osmotic pressure through the so-called proton sponge effect, disruption of membrane integrity through membrane activity, and disulfide-mediated polymerization. Here, we address the relevance of these concepts for mRNA delivery by incorporating structural features into the human lactoferrin-derived CPP, which shows uptake but not delivery. The incorporation of histidines was explored to address osmotic pressure and structural motifs of the delivery-active CPP PepFect14 (PF14) to address membrane disturbance, and finally, the impact of polymerization was explored. Whereas oligomerization increased the stability of polyplexes against heparin-induced decomplexation, neither this approach nor the incorporation of histidine residues to promote a proton-sponge effect yielded activity. Also, the replacement of arginine residues with lysine or ornithine residues, as in PF14, was without effect, even though all polyplexes showed cellular uptake. Ultimately, sufficient activity could only be achieved by transferring amphipathic sequence motifs from PF14 into the hLF context with some benefit of oligomerization demonstrating overarching principles of delivery for CPPs, lipid nanoparticles, and other types of delivery polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rik Oude Egberink
- Department
of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander H. van Asbeck
- Department
of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Milou Boswinkel
- Department
of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Grigor Muradjan
- Department
of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jürgen Dieker
- Department
of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Roland Brock
- Department
of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department
of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 329, Bahrain
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7
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Lee HM, Thai TD, Lim W, Ren J, Na D. Functional small peptides for enhanced protein delivery, solubility, and secretion in microbial biotechnology. J Biotechnol 2023; 375:40-48. [PMID: 37652168 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2023.08.008] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
In microbial biotechnology, there is a constant demand for functional peptides to give new functionality to engineered proteins to address problems such as direct delivery of functional proteins into bacterial cells, enhanced protein solubility during the expression of recombinant proteins, and efficient protein secretion from bacteria. To tackle these critical issues, we selected three types of functional small peptides: cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) enable the delivery of diverse cargoes into bacterial cytoplasm for a variety of purposes, protein-solubilizing peptide tags demonstrate remarkable efficiency in solubilizing recombinant proteins without folding interference, and signal peptides play a key role in enabling the secretion of recombinant proteins from bacterial cells. In this review, we introduced these three functional small peptides that offer effective solutions to address emerging problems in microbial biotechnology. Additionally, we summarized various engineering efforts aimed at enhancing the activity and performance of these peptides, thereby providing valuable insights into their potential for further applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyang-Mi Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, the Republic of Korea
| | - Thi Duc Thai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, the Republic of Korea
| | - Wonseop Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, the Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, the Republic of Korea.
| | - Dokyun Na
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, the Republic of Korea.
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8
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Periyasamy K, Maloverjan M, Biswas A, Remm A, Pook M, Rebane A, Pooga M. PepFect14 mediates the delivery of mRNA into human primary keratinocytes and in vivo. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1219761. [PMID: 37521463 PMCID: PMC10374019 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1219761] [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: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
mRNA-based vaccines and candidate therapeutics have great potential in various medical fields. For the delivery of mRNA into target cells and tissues, lipid formulations are often employed. However, this approach could cause the activation of immune responses, making it unsuitable for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Therefore, alternative delivery systems are highly demanded. In this study, we evaluated the transport efficiency and characteristics of cell-penetrating peptide PepFect14 (PF14) and mRNA nanoparticles in the presence of different additives. Our results show that all PF14-mRNA formulations entered cultured cells, while calcium chloride enhanced the transport and production of the encoded protein in HeLa and HaCaT cell lines, and polysorbate 80 did so in primary human keratinocytes. All formulations had similar physical properties and did not remarkably affect cell viability. By selectively blocking endocytosis pathways, we show that PF14-mRNA nanoparticles primarily entered HeLa cells via macropinocytosis and HaCaT cells via both macropinocytosis and clathrin-mediated endocytosis, while none of the blockers significantly affected the delivery into primary keratinocytes. Finally, subcutaneous injection of PF14-mRNA nanoparticles before inducing mouse irritant contact dermatitis resulted in the expression of a reporter protein without provoking harmful immune responses in the skin. Together, our findings suggest that PF14-mRNA nanoparticles have the potential for developing mRNA-based therapeutics for treating inflammatory skin conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kapilraj Periyasamy
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Abhijit Biswas
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anu Remm
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Martin Pook
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ana Rebane
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Margus Pooga
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Sun Z, Huang J, Fishelson Z, Wang C, Zhang S. Cell-Penetrating Peptide-Based Delivery of Macromolecular Drugs: Development, Strategies, and Progress. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1971. [PMID: 37509610 PMCID: PMC10377493 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), developed for more than 30 years, are still being extensively studied due to their excellent delivery performance. Compared with other delivery vehicles, CPPs hold promise for delivering different types of drugs. Here, we review the development process of CPPs and summarize the composition and classification of the CPP-based delivery systems, cellular uptake mechanisms, influencing factors, and biological barriers. We also summarize the optimization routes of CPP-based macromolecular drug delivery from stability and targeting perspectives. Strategies for enhanced endosomal escape, which prolong its half-life in blood, improved targeting efficiency and stimuli-responsive design are comprehensively summarized for CPP-based macromolecule delivery. Finally, after concluding the clinical trials of CPP-based drug delivery systems, we extracted the necessary conditions for a successful CPP-based delivery system. This review provides the latest framework for the CPP-based delivery of macromolecular drugs and summarizes the optimized strategies to improve delivery efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jinhai Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Zvi Fishelson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Chenhui Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Sihe Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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10
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El Boujnouni N, van der Bent ML, Willemse M, ’t Hoen PA, Brock R, Wansink DG. Block or degrade? Balancing on- and off-target effects of antisense strategies against transcripts with expanded triplet repeats in DM1. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:622-636. [PMID: 37200862 PMCID: PMC10185704 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies for myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) are based on elimination of transcripts containing an expanded repeat or inhibition of sequestration of RNA-binding proteins. This activity is achievable by both degradation of expanded transcripts and steric hindrance, although it is unknown which approach is superior. We compared blocking ASOs with RNase H-recruiting gapmers of equivalent chemistries. Two DMPK target sequences were selected: the triplet repeat and a unique sequence upstream thereof. We assessed ASO effects on transcript levels, ribonucleoprotein foci and disease-associated missplicing, and performed RNA sequencing to investigate on- and off-target effects. Both gapmers and the repeat blocker led to significant DMPK knockdown and a reduction in (CUG)exp foci. However, the repeat blocker was more effective in MBNL1 protein displacement and had superior efficiency in splicing correction at the tested dose of 100 nM. By comparison, on a transcriptome level, the blocking ASO had the fewest off-target effects. In particular, the off-target profile of the repeat gapmer asks for cautious consideration in further therapeutic development. Altogether, our study demonstrates the importance of evaluating both on-target and downstream effects of ASOs in a DM1 context, and provides guiding principles for safe and effective targeting of toxic transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najoua El Boujnouni
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - M. Leontien van der Bent
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke Willemse
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter A.C. ’t Hoen
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Roland Brock
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 293, Bahrain
- Corresponding author Roland Brock, Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Derick G. Wansink
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Corresponding author Derick G. Wansink, Department of Medical BioSciences, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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11
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Wickline SA, Hou KK, Pan H. Peptide-Based Nanoparticles for Systemic Extrahepatic Delivery of Therapeutic Nucleotides. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119455. [PMID: 37298407 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119455] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based nanoparticles (PBN) for nucleotide complexation and targeting of extrahepatic diseases are gaining recognition as potent pharmaceutical vehicles for fine-tuned control of protein production (up- and/or down-regulation) and for gene delivery. Herein, we review the principles and mechanisms underpinning self-assembled formation of PBN, cellular uptake, endosomal release, and delivery to extrahepatic disease sites after systemic administration. Selected examples of PBN that have demonstrated recent proof of concept in disease models in vivo are summarized to offer the reader a comparative view of the field and the possibilities for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A Wickline
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
| | - Kirk K Hou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Hua Pan
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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12
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Noble JE, Vila-Gómez P, Rey S, Dondi C, Briones A, Aggarwal P, Hoose A, Baran M, Ryadnov MG. Folding-Mediated DNA Delivery by α-Helical Amphipathic Peptides. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:2584-2595. [PMID: 37014978 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
The renaissance gene therapy experiences these days requires specialist biomaterials and a systemic understanding of major factors influencing their ability to deliver genetic material. Peptide transfection systems represent a major class of such biomaterials. Several peptidic reagents have been commercialized to date. However, a comparative assessment of peptide sequences alone without auxiliary support or excipients against a common determinant for their ability to complex and deliver DNA has been lacking. This study cross-compares commercial and experimental transfection reagents from the same family of helical amphiphiles. Factors defining the efficacy of DNA delivery including cell uptake and gene expression are assessed along with cytotoxicity and DNA complexation. The results show that despite differences in sequence composition, length, and origin, peptide reagents of the same structural family exhibit similar characteristics and limitations with common variability trends. The cross-comparison revealed that functional DNA delivery is independent of the peptide sequence used but is mediated by the ability of the reagents to co-fold with DNA. Peptide folding proved to be the common determinant for DNA complexation and delivery by peptidic transfection reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Noble
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Paula Vila-Gómez
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London W12 0TR, U.K
| | - Stephanie Rey
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Camilla Dondi
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Andrea Briones
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Purnank Aggarwal
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Alex Hoose
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Maryana Baran
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Maxim G Ryadnov
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, U.K
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13
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Hundahl AC, Weller A, Larsen JB, Hjørringgaard CU, Hansen MB, Mündler AK, Knuhtsen A, Kristensen K, Arnspang EC, Andresen TL, Mortensen KI, Marie R. Quantitative live-cell imaging of lipidated peptide transport through an epithelial cell layer. J Control Release 2023; 355:122-134. [PMID: 36724849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.01.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Oral drug delivery increases patient compliance and is thus the preferred administration route for most drugs. However, for biologics the intestinal barrier greatly limits the absorption and reduces their bioavailability. One strategy employed to improve on this is chemical modification of the biologic through the addition of lipid side chains. While it has been established that lipidation of peptides can increase transport, a mechanistic understanding of this effect remains largely unexplored. To pursue this mechanistic understanding, end-point detection of biopharmaceuticals transported through a monolayer of fully polarized epithelial cells is typically used. However, these methods are time-consuming and tedious. Furthermore, most established methods cannot be combined easily with high-resolution live-cell fluorescence imaging that could provide a mechanistic insight into cellular uptake and transport. Here we address this challenge by developing an axial PSF deconvolution scheme to quantify the transport of peptides through a monolayer of Caco-2 cells using single-cell analysis with live-cell confocal fluorescence microscopy. We then measure the known cross-barrier transport of several compounds in our model and compare the results with results obtained in an established microfluidic model finding similar transport phenotypes. This verifies that already after two days the Caco-2 cells in our model form a tight monolayer and constitute a functional barrier model. We then apply this assay to investigate the effects of side chain lipidation of the model peptide drug salmon calcitonin (sCT) modified with 4‑carbon and 8‑carbon-long fatty acid chains. Furthermore, we compare that with experiments performed at lower temperature and using inhibitors for some endocytotic pathways to pinpoint how lipidation length modifies the main avenues for the transport. We thus show that increasing the length of the lipid chain increases the transport of the drug significantly but also makes endocytosis the primary transport mechanism in a short-term cell culture model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Coln Hundahl
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Arjen Weller
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jannik Bruun Larsen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Claudia U Hjørringgaard
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Morten B Hansen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ann-Kathrin Mündler
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Astrid Knuhtsen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kasper Kristensen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Eva C Arnspang
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas Lars Andresen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kim I Mortensen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Rodolphe Marie
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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14
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Zhang Q, Liu N, Wang J, Liu Y, Wang K, Zhang J, Pan X. The Recent Advance of Cell-Penetrating and Tumor-Targeting Peptides as Drug Delivery Systems Based on Tumor Microenvironment. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:789-809. [PMID: 36598861 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer has become the primary reason for industrial countries death. Although first-line treatments have achieved remarkable results in inhibiting tumors, they could have serious side effects because of insufficient selectivity. Therefore, specific localization of tumor cells is currently the main desire for cancer treatment. In recent years, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), as a kind of promising delivery vehicle, have attracted much attention because they mediate the high-efficiency import of large quantities of cargos in vivo and vitro. Unfortunately, the poor targeting of CPPs is still a barrier to their clinical application. In order to solve this problem, researchers use the various characteristics of tumor microenvironment and multiple receptors to improve the specificity toward tumors. This review focuses on the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment, and introduces the development of strategies and peptides based on these characteristics as drug delivery system in the tumor-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Nanxin Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jin Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yuying Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Kai Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xiaoyan Pan
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
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15
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Choosing an Optimal Solvent Is Crucial for Obtaining Cell-Penetrating Peptide Nanoparticles with Desired Properties and High Activity in Nucleic Acid Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020396. [PMID: 36839718 PMCID: PMC9963036 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020396] [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: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are highly promising transfection agents that can deliver various compounds into living cells, including nucleic acids (NAs). Positively charged CPPs can form non-covalent complexes with negatively charged NAs, enabling simple and time-efficient nanoparticle preparation. However, as CPPs have substantially different chemical and physical properties, their complexation with the cargo and characteristics of the resulting nanoparticles largely depends on the properties of the surrounding environment, i.e., solution. Here, we show that the solvent used for the initial dissolving of a CPP determines the properties of the resulting CPP particles formed in an aqueous solution, including the activity and toxicity of the CPP-NA complexes. Using different biophysical methods such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), we show that PepFect14 (PF14), a cationic amphipathic CPP, forms spherical particles of uniform size when dissolved in organic solvents, such as ethanol and DMSO. Water-dissolved PF14, however, tends to form micelles and non-uniform aggregates. When dissolved in organic solvents, PF14 retains its α-helical conformation and biological activity in cell culture conditions without any increase in cytotoxicity. Altogether, our results indicate that by using a solvent that matches the chemical nature of the CPP, the properties of the peptide-cargo particles can be tuned in the desired way. This can be of critical importance for in vivo applications, where CPP particles that are too large, non-uniform, or prone to aggregation may induce severe consequences.
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16
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Hadjicharalambous A, Bournakas N, Newman H, Skynner MJ, Beswick P. Antimicrobial and Cell-Penetrating Peptides: Understanding Penetration for the Design of Novel Conjugate Antibiotics. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:1636. [PMID: 36421280 PMCID: PMC9686638 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11111636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short oligopeptides that can penetrate the bacterial inner and outer membranes. Together with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), they are called membrane active peptides; peptides which can translocate across biological membranes. Over the last fifty years, attempts have been made to understand the molecular features that drive the interactions of membranes with membrane active peptides. This review examines the features of a membrane these peptides exploit for translocation, as well as the physicochemical characteristics of membrane active peptides which are important for translocation. Moreover, it presents examples of how these features have been used in recent years to create conjugates consisting of a membrane active peptide, called a "vector", attached to either a current or novel antibiotic, called a "cargo" or "payload". In addition, the review discusses what properties may contribute to an ideal peptide vector able to deliver cargoes across the bacterial outer membrane as the rising issue of antimicrobial resistance demands new strategies to be employed to combat this global public health threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hadjicharalambous
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
- BicycleTx Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, UK
| | - Nikolaos Bournakas
- BicycleTx Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, UK
| | - Hector Newman
- BicycleTx Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Michael J. Skynner
- BicycleTx Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, UK
| | - Paul Beswick
- BicycleTx Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, UK
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17
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Biomaterial-Mediated Protein Expression Induced by Peptide-mRNA Nanoparticles Embedded in Lyophilized Collagen Scaffolds. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081619. [PMID: 36015245 PMCID: PMC9414905 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In our aging society, the number of patients suffering from poorly healing bone defects increases. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are used in the clinic to promote bone regeneration. However, poor control of BMP delivery and thus activity necessitates high doses, resulting in adverse effects and increased costs. It has been demonstrated that messenger RNA (mRNA) provides a superior alternative to protein delivery due to local uptake and prolonged expression restricted to the site of action. Here, we present the development of porous collagen scaffolds incorporating peptide-mRNA nanoparticles (NPs). Nanoparticles were generated by simply mixing aqueous solutions of the cationic cell-penetrating peptide PepFect14 (PF14) and mRNA. Peptide-mRNA complexes were uniformly distributed throughout the scaffolds, and matrices fully preserved cell attachment and viability. There was a clear dependence of protein expression on the incorporated amount of mRNA. Importantly, after lyophilization, the mRNA formulation in the collagen scaffolds retained activity also at 4 °C over two weeks. Overall, our results demonstrate that collagen scaffolds incorporating peptide-mRNA complexes hold promise as off-the-shelf functional biomaterials for applications in regenerative medicine and constitute a viable alternative to lipid-based mRNA formulations.
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18
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Novel Pharmaceutical Strategies for Enhancing Skin Penetration of Biomacromolecules. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070877. [PMID: 35890174 PMCID: PMC9317023 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin delivery of biomacromolecules holds great advantages in the systemic and local treatment of multiple diseases. However, the densely packed stratum corneum and the tight junctions between keratinocytes stand as formidable skin barriers against the penetration of most drug molecules. The large molecular weight, high hydrophilicity, and lability nature of biomacromolecules pose further challenges to their skin penetration. Recently, novel penetration enhancers, nano vesicles, and microneedles have emerged as efficient strategies to deliver biomacromolecules deep into the skin to exert their therapeutic action. This paper reviews the potential application and mechanisms of novel skin delivery strategies with emphasis on the pharmaceutical formulations.
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19
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Transfection of Heat Shock Protein 70 kDa (HSP70). Int J Pept Res Ther 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-022-10416-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AbstractHeat shock protein 70 kDa (HSP70) is a major protein family in the cell protections against stress-induced denaturation and aggregation and in the folding of nascent proteins. It is a highly conserved protein that can be found in most organisms and is strongly connected to several intracellular pathways such as protein folding and refolding, protein degradation and regulation, and protection against intense stress. Cellular delivery of HSP70 would be of high impact for clarification of its role in these cellular processes.PepFect14 is a cell-penetrating peptide known to be able to mediate the transfection of various oligonucleotides to multiple cell lines with a higher efficacy than most commercially available transfection agents and without inducing significant toxic effects.In this study we demonstrated that PepFect14 was able to form a complex with HSP70 and to deliver it inside cells in the same fashion with oligonucleotide delivery. The delivered HSP70 showed an effect in the cell regulation indicating that the protein was biologically available in the cytoplasm and the interactions with PepFect14 did not impeach its active sites once the plasma barrier crossed.This study reports the first successful delivery of HSP70 to our knowledge and the first protein transfection mediated by PepFect14. It opens new fields of research for both PepFect14 as a delivery agent and HSP70 as a therapeutic agent; with potential in peptide aggregation caused diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
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20
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Luna Velez MV, Paulino da Silva Filho O, Verhaegh GW, van Hooij O, El Boujnouni N, Brock R, Schalken JA. Delivery of antisense oligonucleotides for splice-correction of androgen receptor pre-mRNA in castration-resistant prostate cancer models using cell-penetrating peptides. Prostate 2022; 82:657-665. [PMID: 35098567 PMCID: PMC9303360 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are a promising approach for delivering antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) as they form nanosized complexes through noncovalent interactions that show efficient cellular uptake. Previously, we have designed an AON system to correct splicing of the androgen receptor (AR) pre-mRNA, thereby preventing the generation of the splice variant AR-V7 mRNA. AON-mediated knockdown of AR-V7 resulted in inhibition of androgen-independent cell proliferation. In this study, we evaluated the CPP-mediated delivery of this AON into castration-resistant prostate cancer cell line models 22Rv1, DuCaP (dura mater cancer of the prostate), and VCaP (vertebral cancer of the prostate). METHODS Nanoparticles (polyplexes) of AONs and CPPs were formed through rapid mixing. The impact of the peptide carrier, the formulation parameters, and cell incubation conditions on cellular uptake of fluorescently labeled AONs were assessed through flow cytometry. The cytotoxic activity of these formulations was measured using the CellTiter-Glo cell viability assay. The effectivity of CPP-mediated delivery of the splice-correcting AON-intronic splicing enhancer (ISE) targeting the ISE in the castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)-derived 22Rv1, DuCaP, and VCaP cells was determined by measuring levels of AR-V7 mRNA normalized to those of the human heterochromatin protein 1 binding protein 3 (HP1BP3). Western blot analysis was used to confirm AR-V7 downregulation at a protein level. The cellular distribution of fluorescently labeled AON delivered by a CPP or a transfection reagent was determined through confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS The amphipathic and stearylated CPP PepFect 14 (PF14) showed higher uptake efficiency than arginine-rich CPPs. Through adjustment of formulation parameters, concentration and incubation time, an optimal balance between carrier-associated toxicity and delivery efficiency was found with a formulation consisting of an amino/phosphate ratio of 3, 0.35 μM AON concentration and 30 min incubation time of the cells with polyplexes. Cellular delivery of AON-ISE directed against AR pre-mRNA achieved significant downregulation of AR-V7 by 50%, 37%, and 59% for 22Rv1, DuCaP, and VCaP cells, respectively, and reduced androgen-independent cell proliferation of DuCaP and VCaP cells. CONCLUSIONS This proof-of-principle study constitutes the basis for further development of CPP-mediated delivery of AONs for targeted therapy in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V. Luna Velez
- Department of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | - Omar Paulino da Silva Filho
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
- CAPES FoundationMinistry of Education of BrazilBrasíliaBrazil
| | - Gerald W. Verhaegh
- Department of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | - Onno van Hooij
- Department of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | - Najoua El Boujnouni
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | - Roland Brock
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Medical SciencesArabian Gulf UniversityKingdom of Bahrain
| | - Jack A. Schalken
- Department of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
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21
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Szabó I, Yousef M, Soltész D, Bató C, Mező G, Bánóczi Z. Redesigning of Cell-Penetrating Peptides to Improve Their Efficacy as a Drug Delivery System. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14050907. [PMID: 35631493 PMCID: PMC9146218 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) are promising tools for the transport of a broad range of compounds into cells. Since the discovery of the first members of this peptide family, many other peptides have been identified; nowadays, dozens of these peptides are known. These peptides sometimes have very different chemical–physical properties, but they have similar drawbacks; e.g., non-specific internalization, fast elimination from the body, intracellular/vesicular entrapment. Although our knowledge regarding the mechanism and structure–activity relationship of internalization is growing, the prediction and design of the cell-penetrating properties are challenging. In this review, we focus on the different modifications of well-known CPPs to avoid their drawbacks, as well as how these modifications may increase their internalization and/or change the mechanism of penetration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildikó Szabó
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary;
- Correspondence: (I.S.); (Z.B.)
| | - Mo’ath Yousef
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Dóra Soltész
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Csaba Bató
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Gábor Mező
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary;
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Zoltán Bánóczi
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (M.Y.); (D.S.); (C.B.)
- Correspondence: (I.S.); (Z.B.)
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22
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Karami Fath M, Babakhaniyan K, Zokaei M, Yaghoubian A, Akbari S, Khorsandi M, Soofi A, Nabi-Afjadi M, Zalpoor H, Jalalifar F, Azargoonjahromi A, Payandeh Z, Alagheband Bahrami A. Anti-cancer peptide-based therapeutic strategies in solid tumors. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:33. [PMID: 35397496 PMCID: PMC8994312 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00332-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nowadays, conventional medical treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy cannot cure all types of cancer. A promising approach to treat solid tumors is the use of tumor-targeting peptides to deliver drugs or active agents selectively. Result Introducing beneficial therapeutic approaches, such as therapeutic peptides and their varied methods of action against tumor cells, can aid researchers in the discovery of novel peptides for cancer treatment. The biomedical applications of therapeutic peptides are highly interesting. These peptides, owing to their high selectivity, specificity, small dimensions, high biocompatibility, and easy modification, provide good opportunities for targeted drug delivery. In recent years, peptides have shown considerable promise as therapeutics or targeting ligands in cancer research and nanotechnology. Conclusion This study reviews a variety of therapeutic peptides and targeting ligands in cancer therapy. Initially, three types of tumor-homing and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are described, and then their applications in breast, glioma, colorectal, and melanoma cancer research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Karami Fath
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kimiya Babakhaniyan
- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Zokaei
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Science, Food Science and Technology/National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, Beyza Branch, Islamic Azad University, Beyza, Iran
| | - Azadeh Yaghoubian
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadaf Akbari
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Khorsandi
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Asma Soofi
- Department of Physical Chemistry, School of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of biological science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Zalpoor
- American Association of Kidney Patients, Tampa, FL, USA.,Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Fateme Jalalifar
- School of Medicine, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Payandeh
- Department Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division Medical Inflammation Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Armina Alagheband Bahrami
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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23
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Maloverjan M, Padari K, Abroi A, Rebane A, Pooga M. Divalent Metal Ions Boost Effect of Nucleic Acids Delivered by Cell-Penetrating Peptides. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040756. [PMID: 35203400 PMCID: PMC8870069 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are promising tools for the transfection of various substances, including nucleic acids, into cells. The aim of the current work was to search for novel safe and effective approaches for enhancing transfection efficiency of nanoparticles formed from CPP and splice-correcting oligonucleotide (SCO) without increasing the concentration of peptide. We analyzed the effect of inclusion of calcium and magnesium ions into nanoparticles on CPP-mediated transfection in cell culture. We also studied the mechanism of such transfection as well as its efficiency, applicability in case of different cell lines, nucleic acid types and peptides, and possible limitations. We discovered a strong positive effect of these ions on transfection efficiency of SCO, that translated to enhanced synthesis of functional reporter protein. We observed significant changes in intracellular distribution and trafficking of nanoparticles formed by the addition of the ions, without increasing cytotoxicity. We propose a novel strategy for preparing CPP-oligonucleotide nanoparticles with enhanced efficiency and, thus, higher therapeutic potential. Our discovery may be translated to primary cell cultures and, possibly, in vivo studies, with the aim of increasing CPP-mediated transfection efficiency and the likelihood of using CPPs in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maloverjan
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 1 Nooruse Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (M.M.); (A.A.)
| | - Kärt Padari
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, 23b Riia Street, 51010 Tartu, Estonia;
| | - Aare Abroi
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 1 Nooruse Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (M.M.); (A.A.)
| | - Ana Rebane
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 14b Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia;
| | - Margus Pooga
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 1 Nooruse Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (M.M.); (A.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +372-737-4836
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24
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Hadianamrei R, Zhao X. Current state of the art in peptide-based gene delivery. J Control Release 2022; 343:600-619. [PMID: 35157938 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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25
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Bio-Membrane Internalization Mechanisms of Arginine-Rich Cell-Penetrating Peptides in Various Species. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12010088. [PMID: 35054614 PMCID: PMC8778423 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12010088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Recently, membrane-active peptides or proteins that include antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), cytolytic proteins, and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have attracted attention due to their potential applications in the biomedical field. Among them, CPPs have been regarded as a potent drug/molecules delivery system. Various cargoes, such as DNAs, RNAs, bioactive proteins/peptides, nanoparticles and drugs, can be carried by CPPs and delivered into cells in either covalent or noncovalent manners. Here, we focused on four arginine-rich CPPs and reviewed the mechanisms that these CPPs used for intracellular uptake across cellular plasma membranes. The varying transduction efficiencies of them alone or with cargoes were discussed, and the membrane permeability was also expounded for CPP/cargoes delivery in various species. Direct membrane translocation (penetration) and endocytosis are two principal mechanisms for arginine-rich CPPs mediated cargo delivery. Furthermore, the amino acid sequence is the primary key factor that determines the cellular internalization mechanism. Importantly, the non-cytotoxic nature and the wide applicability make CPPs a trending tool for cellular delivery.
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Zorko M, Jones S, Langel Ü. Cell-penetrating peptides in protein mimicry and cancer therapeutics. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 180:114044. [PMID: 34774552 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Extensive research has been undertaken in the pursuit of anticancer therapeutics. Many anticancer drugs require specificity of delivery to cancer cells, whilst sparing healthy tissue. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), now well established as facilitators of intracellular delivery, have in recent years advanced to incorporate target specificity and thus possess great potential for the targeted delivery of anticancer cargoes. Though none have yet been approved for clinical use, this novel technology has already entered clinical trials. In this review we present CPPs, discuss their classification, mechanisms of cargo internalization and highlight strategies for conjugation to anticancer moieties including their incorporation into therapeutic proteins. As the mainstay of this review, strategies to build specificity into tumor targeting CPP constructs through exploitation of the tumor microenvironment and the use of tumor homing peptides are discussed, whilst acknowledging the extensive contribution made by CPP constructs to target specific protein-protein interactions integral to intracellular signaling pathways associated with tumor cell survival and progression. Finally, antibody/antigen CPP conjugates and their potential roles in cancer immunotherapy and diagnostics are considered. In summary, this review aims to harness the potential of CPP-aided drug delivery for future cancer therapies and diagnostics whilst highlighting some of the most recent achievements in selective delivery of anticancer drugs, including cytostatic drugs, to a range of tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matjaž Zorko
- University of Ljubljana, Medical Faculty, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sarah Jones
- University of Wolverhampton, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK.
| | - Ülo Langel
- University of Stockholm, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Svante Arrhenius väg 16, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, Tartu, Estonia 50411, Estonia.
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Abstract
In this introductory chapter, we first define cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), give short overview of CPP history and discuss several aspects of CPP classification. Next section is devoted to the mechanism of CPP penetration into the cells, where direct and endocytic internalization of CPP is explained. Kinetics of internalization is discussed more extensively, since this topic is not discussed in other chapters of this book. At the end of this section some features of the thermodynamics of CPP interaction with the membrane is also presented. Finally, we present different cargoes that can be transferred into the cells by CPPs and briefly discuss the effect of cargo on the rate and efficiency of penetration into the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matjaž Zorko
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Ülo Langel
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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PepFect14 Signaling and Transfection. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 34766293 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1752-6_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
PepFect14 is a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) derived from stearylated transportan-10 (strearil-TP10) with which it shares the stearic acid residue on C' terminus and the amino acid sequence except for lysines that in PepFect14 are substituted with ornithines. Being non-proteinogenic amino acids, ornithines make PepFect14 less sensitive to serum proteases and due to its positive charges the CPP can form complexes with negatively charged cargos, such as splice correcting oligonucleotides (SCOs), plasmid DNA (pDNA), and proteins. It has been reported that PepFect14/SCO complexes enter the cells mainly through endocytosis, in particular: macopinocitosys and caveolae-mediated endocytosis through the interaction with two receptors of the scavenger receptors class A family (SCARAs). PepFect14 and its complexes trigger the chaperone-mediated autophagy response involving the heat shock protein family (HSP70) whose inhibition leads to an increase of PepFect14 transfection efficacy. Exploiting the interaction between HSP70 and PepFect14 and their ability to form nanoparticle. HSP70 has been delivered in Bomirsky Hamster Melanoma cells (BHM) using PepFect14 of which a protocol is described at the end of this chapter.
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Use of PepFect14 and siRNA for Targeted Gene Silencing in Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 34766315 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1752-6_37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
The unique properties of human embryonic stem (hES) cells render them invaluable for many scientific and clinical endeavors. Wider application of hES cells requires a comprehensive understanding of their biology that can be dissected using RNA interference-based gene silencing. However, commonly used transfection methods to deliver nucleic acids into a cell often lead to differentiation of hES cells. For that reason, effective transfection technique with minimal side effects is essential for studying and employing hES cells. Here, we describe a CPP-based method for targeted gene silencing in hES cells using siRNA complexed with PepFect 14 (PF14). This approach results in effective downregulation of mRNA and protein levels of a target gene without adverse effects on cell viability and pluripotency.
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30
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Synthetic Molecular Evolution of Cell Penetrating Peptides. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2383:73-89. [PMID: 34766283 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1752-6_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Rational design and optimization of cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) is difficult to accomplish because of the lack of quantitative sequence-structure-function rules describing the activity and because of the complex, poorly understood mechanisms of CPPs. Synthetic molecular evolution is a powerful method to identify gain-of-function cell penetrating peptide variants in this situation. Synthetic molecular evolution requires the design and synthesis of iterative, knowledge-based peptide libraries and the screening of such libraries in complex orthogonal cell-based screens for improved activity. In this chapter, we describe methods for synthesizing powerful combinatorial peptide libraries for synthetic molecular evolution.
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Aoki Y, Rocha CSJ, Lehto T, Miyatake S, Johansson H, Hashimoto Y, Nordin JZ, Mager I, Aoki M, Graham M, Sathyaprakash C, Roberts TC, Wood MJA, Behlke MA, Andaloussi SE. Fine Tuning of Phosphorothioate Inclusion in 2'-O-Methyl Oligonucleotides Contributes to Specific Cell Targeting for Splice-Switching Modulation. Front Physiol 2021; 12:689179. [PMID: 34721051 PMCID: PMC8548633 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.689179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Splice-switching antisense oligonucleotide- (SSO-) mediated correction of framedisrupting mutation-containing premessenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts using exon skipping is a highly promising treatment method for muscular diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Phosphorothioate (PS) chemistry, a commonly used oligonucleotide modification, has been shown to increase the stability of and improve the pharmacokinetics of SSOs. However, the effect of PS inclusion in 2′-O-methyl SSOs (2OMe) on cellular uptake and splice switching is less well-understood. At present, we demonstrate that the modification of PS facilitates the uptake of 2OMe in H2k-mdx myoblasts. Furthermore, we found a dependency of SSO nuclear accumulation and high splice-switching activity on PS inclusion in 2OMe (2OMePS), as tested in various reporter cell lines carrying pLuc/705. Increased exon-inclusion activity was observed in muscle, neuronal, liver, and bone cell lineages via both the gymnotic uptake and lipofection of 2OMePS. Using the photoactivatable ribonucleoside-enhanced crosslinking and a subsequent proteomic approach, we identified several 2OMePS-binding proteins, which are likely to play a role in the trafficking of 2OMePS to the nucleus. Ablation of one of them, Ncl by small-interfering RNA (siRNA) enhanced 2OMePS uptake in C2C12 myoblasts and upregulated luciferase RNA splicing in the HeLa Luc/705 reporter cell line. Overall, we demonstrate that PS inclusion increases nuclear delivery and splice switching in muscle, neuronal, liver, and bone cell lineages and that the modulation of 2OMePS-binding partners may improve SSO delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitsugu Aoki
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Cristina S J Rocha
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Taavi Lehto
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Shouta Miyatake
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Henrik Johansson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Yasumasa Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Joel Z Nordin
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Imre Mager
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Misako Aoki
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - McClorey Graham
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Chaitra Sathyaprakash
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Thomas C Roberts
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A Behlke
- Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., Coralville, IA, United States
| | - Samir El Andaloussi
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
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Shoari A, Tooyserkani R, Tahmasebi M, Löwik DWPM. Delivery of Various Cargos into Cancer Cells and Tissues via Cell-Penetrating Peptides: A Review of the Last Decade. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1391. [PMID: 34575464 PMCID: PMC8470549 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13091391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), also known as protein transduction domains, are a class of diverse amino acid sequences with the ability to cross cellular membranes. CPPs can deliver several bioactive cargos, including proteins, peptides, nucleic acids and chemotherapeutics, into cells. Ever since their discovery, synthetic and natural CPPs have been utilized in therapeutics delivery, gene editing and cell imaging in fundamental research and clinical experiments. Over the years, CPPs have gained significant attention due to their low cytotoxicity and high transduction efficacy. In the last decade, multiple investigations demonstrated the potential of CPPs as carriers for the delivery of therapeutics to treat various types of cancer. Besides their remarkable efficacy owing to fast and efficient delivery, a crucial benefit of CPP-based cancer treatments is delivering anticancer agents selectively, rather than mediating toxicities toward normal tissues. To obtain a higher therapeutic index and to improve cell and tissue selectivity, CPP-cargo constructions can also be complexed with other agents such as nanocarriers and liposomes to obtain encouraging outcomes. This review summarizes various types of CPPs conjugated to anticancer cargos. Furthermore, we present a brief history of CPP utilization as delivery systems for anticancer agents in the last decade and evaluate several reports on the applications of CPPs in basic research and preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Shoari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-111, Iran; (A.S.); (R.T.); (M.T.)
- Bio-Organic Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Raheleh Tooyserkani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-111, Iran; (A.S.); (R.T.); (M.T.)
- Bio-Organic Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mehdi Tahmasebi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-111, Iran; (A.S.); (R.T.); (M.T.)
| | - Dennis W. P. M. Löwik
- Bio-Organic Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Tarvirdipour S, Skowicki M, Schoenenberger CA, Palivan CG. Peptide-Assisted Nucleic Acid Delivery Systems on the Rise. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9092. [PMID: 34445799 PMCID: PMC8396486 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Concerns associated with nanocarriers' therapeutic efficacy and side effects have led to the development of strategies to advance them into targeted and responsive delivery systems. Owing to their bioactivity and biocompatibility, peptides play a key role in these strategies and, thus, have been extensively studied in nanomedicine. Peptide-based nanocarriers, in particular, have burgeoned with advances in purely peptidic structures and in combinations of peptides, both native and modified, with polymers, lipids, and inorganic nanoparticles. In this review, we summarize advances on peptides promoting gene delivery systems. The efficacy of nucleic acid therapies largely depends on cell internalization and the delivery to subcellular organelles. Hence, the review focuses on nanocarriers where peptides are pivotal in ferrying nucleic acids to their site of action, with a special emphasis on peptides that assist anionic, water-soluble nucleic acids in crossing the membrane barriers they encounter on their way to efficient function. In a second part, we address how peptides advance nanoassembly delivery tools, such that they navigate delivery barriers and release their nucleic acid cargo at specific sites in a controlled fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Tarvirdipour
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (S.T.); (M.S.)
- Department of Biosystem Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michal Skowicki
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (S.T.); (M.S.)
- NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, BPR1095, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cora-Ann Schoenenberger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (S.T.); (M.S.)
- NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, BPR1095, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia G. Palivan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; (S.T.); (M.S.)
- NCCR-Molecular Systems Engineering, BPR1095, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
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Konate K, Josse E, Tasic M, Redjatti K, Aldrian G, Deshayes S, Boisguérin P, Vivès E. WRAP-based nanoparticles for siRNA delivery: a SAR study and a comparison with lipid-based transfection reagents. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:236. [PMID: 34380479 PMCID: PMC8359084 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-00972-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we designed novel amphipathic cell-penetrating peptides, called WRAP, able to transfer efficiently siRNA molecules into cells. In order to gain more information about the relationship between amino acid composition, nanoparticle formation and cellular internalization of these peptides composed of only three amino acids (leucine, arginine and tryptophan), we performed a structure–activity relationship (SAR) study. First, we compared our WRAP1 and WRAP5 peptides with the C6M1 peptide also composed of the same three amino acids and showing similar behaviors in siRNA transfection. Afterwards, to further define the main determinants in the WRAP activity, we synthesized 13 new WRAP analogues harboring different modifications like the number and location of leucine and arginine residues, the relative location of tryptophan residues, as well as the role of the α-helix formation upon proline insertions within the native WRAP sequence. After having compared the ability of these peptides to form peptide-based nanoparticles (PBNs) using different biophysical methods and to induce a targeted gene silencing in cells, we established the main sequential requirements of the amino acid composition of the WRAP peptide. In addition, upon measuring the WRAP-based siRNA transfection ability into cells compared to several non-peptide transfection agents available on the markets, we confirmed that WRAP peptides induced an equivalent level of targeted gene silencing but in most of the cases with lower cell toxicity as clearly shown in clonogenic assays. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Karidia Konate
- PhyMedExp - Université de Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, CHU Arnaud de Villeneuve, 371 av. doyen Giraud, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Emilie Josse
- PhyMedExp - Université de Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, CHU Arnaud de Villeneuve, 371 av. doyen Giraud, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Milana Tasic
- PhyMedExp - Université de Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, CHU Arnaud de Villeneuve, 371 av. doyen Giraud, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Karima Redjatti
- PhyMedExp - Université de Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, CHU Arnaud de Villeneuve, 371 av. doyen Giraud, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Gudrun Aldrian
- Sys2Diag, UMR 9005-CNRS/ALCEDIAG, 1682 Rue de la Valsière, 34184, Montpellier CEDEX 4, France
| | - Sébastien Deshayes
- PhyMedExp - Université de Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, CHU Arnaud de Villeneuve, 371 av. doyen Giraud, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Prisca Boisguérin
- PhyMedExp - Université de Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, CHU Arnaud de Villeneuve, 371 av. doyen Giraud, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Eric Vivès
- PhyMedExp - Université de Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, CHU Arnaud de Villeneuve, 371 av. doyen Giraud, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
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Cell-Penetrating Peptides and Transportan. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13070987. [PMID: 34210007 PMCID: PMC8308968 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13070987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the most recent 25–30 years, multiple novel mechanisms and applications of cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) have been demonstrated, leading to novel drug delivery systems. In this review, I present a brief introduction to the CPP area with selected recent achievements. This is followed by a nostalgic journey into the research in my own laboratories, which lead to multiple CPPs, starting from transportan and paving a way to CPP-based therapeutic developments in the delivery of bio-functional materials, such as peptides, proteins, vaccines, oligonucleotides and small molecules, etc.
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Rauch DA, Harding JC, Ratner L, Wickline SA, Pan H. Targeting NF-κB with Nanotherapy in a Mouse Model of Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:1582. [PMID: 34208564 PMCID: PMC8234599 DOI: 10.3390/nano11061582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is an aggressive, clonal malignancy of mature T cells caused by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1. Although it is a rare tumor type, it serves as an excellent model of a virus driven process that transforms cells and engenders a highly malignant tumor that is extraordinarily difficult to treat. The viral transcriptional transactivator (Tax) in the HTLV-1 genome directly promotes tumorigenesis, and Tax-induced oncogenesis depends on its ability to constitutively activate NF-κB signaling. Accordingly, we developed and evaluated a nano-delivery system that simultaneously inhibits both canonical (p65) and noncanonical (p100) NF-κB signaling pathways locally in tumors after systemic administration. Our results demonstrate that siRNA is delivered rapidly to ATLL tumors after either i.p. or i.v. injection. The siRNA treatment significantly reduced both p65 and p100 mRNA and protein expression. Anti-NF-κB nanotherapy significantly inhibited tumor growth in two distinct tumor models in mice: a spontaneous Tax-driven tumor model, and a Tax tumor cell transplant model. Moreover, siRNA nanotherapy sensitized late-stage ATLL tumors to the conventional chemotherapeutic agent etoposide, indicating a pleiotropic benefit for localized siRNA nanotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A. Rauch
- Department of Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (J.C.H.); (L.R.)
| | - John C. Harding
- Department of Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (J.C.H.); (L.R.)
| | - Lee Ratner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (J.C.H.); (L.R.)
| | - Samuel A. Wickline
- USF Health Heart Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA;
| | - Hua Pan
- USF Health Heart Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA;
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Efficient Peptide-Mediated In Vitro Delivery of Cas9 RNP. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13060878. [PMID: 34198625 PMCID: PMC8232299 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13060878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The toolbox for genetic engineering has quickly evolved from CRISPR/Cas9 to a myriad of different gene editors, each with promising properties and enormous clinical potential. However, a major challenge remains: delivering the CRISPR machinery to the nucleus of recipient cells in a nontoxic and efficient manner. In this article, we repurpose an RNA-delivering cell-penetrating peptide, PepFect14 (PF14), to deliver Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP). The RNP-CPP complex achieved high editing rates, e.g., up to 80% in HEK293T cells, while being active at low nanomolar ranges without any apparent signs of toxicity. The editing efficiency was similar to or better compared to the commercially available reagents RNAiMAX and CRISPRMax. The efficiency was thoroughly evaluated in reporter cells and wild-type cells by restriction enzyme digest and next-generation sequencing. Furthermore, the CPP-Cas9-RNP complexes were demonstrated to withstand storage at different conditions, including freeze-thaw cycles and freeze-drying, without a loss in editing efficiency. This CPP-based delivery strategy complements existing technologies and further opens up new opportunities for Cas9 RNP delivery, which can likely be extended to other gene editors in the future.
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38
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Beheshtirouy S, Mirzaei F, Eyvazi S, Tarhriz V. Recent Advances in Therapeutic Peptides for Breast Cancer Treatment. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2021; 22:74-88. [PMID: 33208071 DOI: 10.2174/1389203721999201117123616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous malignancy and is the second leading cause of mortality among women around the world. Increasing the resistance to anti-cancer drugs in breast cancer cells persuades researchers to search the novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of this malignancy. Among the novel methods, therapeutic peptides that target and disrupt tumor cells have been of great interest. Therapeutic peptides are short amino acid monomer chains with high specificity to bind and modulate a protein interaction of interest. Several advantages of peptides, such as specific binding on tumor cells surface, low molecular weight, and low toxicity on normal cells, make the peptides appealing therapeutic agents against solid tumors, particularly breast cancer. Also, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) describes therapeutic peptides as a suitable candidate for the treatment of drug-resistant breast cancer. In this review, we attempt to review the different therapeutic peptides against breast cancer cells that can be used in the treatment and diagnosis of the malignancy. Meanwhile, we presented an overview of peptide vaccines that have been developed for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samad Beheshtirouy
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farhad Mirzaei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Shirin Eyvazi
- Department of Biology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Vahideh Tarhriz
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Boisguérin P, Konate K, Josse E, Vivès E, Deshayes S. Peptide-Based Nanoparticles for Therapeutic Nucleic Acid Delivery. Biomedicines 2021; 9:583. [PMID: 34065544 PMCID: PMC8161338 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy offers the possibility to skip, repair, or silence faulty genes or to stimulate the immune system to fight against disease by delivering therapeutic nucleic acids (NAs) to a patient. Compared to other drugs or protein treatments, NA-based therapies have the advantage of being a more universal approach to designing therapies because of the versatility of NA design. NAs (siRNA, pDNA, or mRNA) have great potential for therapeutic applications for an immense number of indications. However, the delivery of these exogenous NAs is still challenging and requires a specific delivery system. In this context, beside other non-viral vectors, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) gain more and more interest as delivery systems by forming a variety of nanocomplexes depending on the formulation conditions and the properties of the used CPPs/NAs. In this review, we attempt to cover the most important biophysical and biological aspects of non-viral peptide-based nanoparticles (PBNs) for therapeutic nucleic acid formulations as a delivery system. The most relevant peptides or peptide families forming PBNs in the presence of NAs described since 2015 will be presented. All these PBNs able to deliver NAs in vitro and in vivo have common features, which are characterized by defined formulation conditions in order to obtain PBNs from 60 nm to 150 nm with a homogeneous dispersity (PdI lower than 0.3) and a positive charge between +10 mV and +40 mV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sébastien Deshayes
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, 34295 Montpellier, France; (P.B.); (K.K.); (E.J.); (E.V.)
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40
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Luo J, Wagner E, Wang Y. Artificial peptides for antitumoral siRNA delivery. J Mater Chem B 2021; 8:2020-2031. [PMID: 32091038 DOI: 10.1039/c9tb02756d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular delivery has been critical for the success of siRNA and related therapeutic nucleic acids. Improvement of delivery carriers will positively influence the efficacy of future nanomedicines. Our strategy for optimizing siRNA nanocarriers focuses on a bioinspired sequence-defined process including (i) identification of artificial amino acids active in specific delivery steps, (ii) assembly into defined sequences by solid phase-assisted synthesis (SPS), and (iii) screening for siRNA delivery, selection of top candidates and understanding structure-activity relations, followed by (iv) sequence variation for the next round of carrier selection. In the current review, our experience with this artificial peptide evolution in tumor-directed siRNA delivery is addressed. The medium-sized oligoaminoamides show better biological compatibility and can be functionalized to meet the requirements of siRNA delivery, such as formation of stable nanoparticles, shielding against proteins in the bloodstream, targeting into tumor tissue, and intracellular siRNA release in bioactive form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Luo
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - Yanfang Wang
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-based Drug Research Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
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41
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Baranyai Z, Biri-Kovács B, Krátký M, Szeder B, Debreczeni ML, Budai J, Kovács B, Horváth L, Pári E, Németh Z, Cervenak L, Zsila F, Méhes E, Kiss É, Vinšová J, Bősze S. Cellular Internalization and Inhibition Capacity of New Anti-Glioma Peptide Conjugates: Physicochemical Characterization and Evaluation on Various Monolayer- and 3D-Spheroid-Based in Vitro Platforms. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2982-3005. [PMID: 33719423 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Most therapeutic agents used for treating brain malignancies face hindered transport through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and poor tissue penetration. To overcome these problems, we developed peptide conjugates of conventional and experimental anticancer agents. SynB3 cell-penetrating peptide derivatives were applied that can cross the BBB. Tuftsin derivatives were used to target the neuropilin-1 transport system for selectivity and better tumor penetration. Moreover, SynB3-tuftsin tandem compounds were synthesized to combine the beneficial properties of these peptides. Most of the conjugates showed high and selective efficacy against glioblastoma cells. SynB3 and tandem derivatives demonstrated superior cellular internalization. The penetration profile of the conjugates was determined on a lipid monolayer and Transwell co-culture system with noncontact HUVEC-U87 monolayers as simple ex vivo and in vitro BBB models. Importantly, in 3D spheroids, daunomycin-peptide conjugates possessed a better tumor penetration ability than daunomycin. These conjugates are promising tools for the delivery systems with tunable features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsa Baranyai
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beáta Biri-Kovács
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Martin Krátký
- Department of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Bálint Szeder
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Körútja 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márta L Debreczeni
- 3rd Department of Medicine Research Laboratory, Semmelweis University, Kútvölgyi út 4, H-1125 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Johanna Budai
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bence Kovács
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Alkotmány u. 2-4, H-2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
| | - Lilla Horváth
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Edit Pári
- Laboratory of Interfaces and Nanostructures, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Németh
- 3rd Department of Medicine Research Laboratory, Semmelweis University, Kútvölgyi út 4, H-1125 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Cervenak
- 3rd Department of Medicine Research Laboratory, Semmelweis University, Kútvölgyi út 4, H-1125 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Zsila
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar Tudósok Körútja 2, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Előd Méhes
- Department of Biological Physics, Institute of Physics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Kiss
- Laboratory of Interfaces and Nanostructures, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jarmila Vinšová
- Department of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Szilvia Bősze
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/A, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
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42
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Reissmann S, Filatova MP. New generation of cell‐penetrating peptides: Functionality and potential clinical application. J Pept Sci 2021; 27:e3300. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.3300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Siegmund Reissmann
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Friedrich Schiller University Dornburger Str. 25 Jena Thueringia 07743 Germany
| | - Margarita P. Filatova
- Shemyakin‐Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Russia
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43
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Kim GC, Cheon DH, Lee Y. Challenge to overcome current limitations of cell-penetrating peptides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2021; 1869:140604. [PMID: 33453413 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2021.140604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The penetration of biological membranes is a prime obstacle for the delivery of pharmaceutical drugs. Cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) is an efficient vehicle that can deliver various cargos across the biological membranes. Since the discovery, CPPs have been rigorously studied to unveil the underlying penetrating mechanism as well as to exploit CPPs for various biomedical applications. This review will focus on the various strategies to overcome current limitations regarding stability, selectivity, and efficacy of CPPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyu Chan Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Hee Cheon
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea
| | - Yan Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.
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44
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Abstract
Cell-Penetrating Peptides (CPP) are valuable tools capable of crossing the plasma membrane to deliver therapeutic cargo inside cells. Small interfering RNAs (siRNA) are double-stranded RNA molecules capable of silencing the expression of a specific protein triggering the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, but they are unable to cross the plasma membrane and have a short half-life in the bloodstream. In this overview, we assessed the many different approaches used and developed in the last two decades to deliver siRNA through the plasma membrane through different CPPs sorted according to three different loading strategies: covalent conjugation, complex formation, and CPP-decorated (functionalized) nanocomplexes. Each of these strategies has pros and cons, but it appears the latter two are the most commonly reported and emerging as the most promising strategies due to their simplicity of synthesis, use, and versatility. Recent progress with siRNA delivered by CPPs seems to focus on targeted delivery to reduce side effects and amount of drugs used, and it appears to be among the most promising use for CPPs in future clinical applications.
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45
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Freitag F, Wagner E. Optimizing synthetic nucleic acid and protein nanocarriers: The chemical evolution approach. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 168:30-54. [PMID: 32246984 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Optimizing synthetic nanocarriers is like searching for a needle in a haystack. How to find the most suitable carrier for intracellular delivery of a specified macromolecular nanoagent for a given disease target location? Here, we review different synthetic 'chemical evolution' strategies that have been pursued. Libraries of nanocarriers have been generated either by unbiased combinatorial chemistry or by variation and novel combination of known functional delivery elements. As in natural evolution, definition of nanocarriers as sequences, as barcode or design principle, may fuel chemical evolution. Screening in appropriate test system may not only provide delivery candidates, but also a refined understanding of cellular delivery including novel, unpredictable mechanisms. Combined with rational design and computational algorithms, candidates can be further optimized in subsequent evolution cycles into nanocarriers with improved safety and efficacy. Optimization of nanocarriers differs for various cargos, as illustrated for plasmid DNA, siRNA, mRNA, proteins, or genome-editing nucleases.
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46
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Vila-Gómez P, Noble JE, Ryadnov MG. Peptide Nanoparticles for Gene Packaging and Intracellular Delivery. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2208:33-48. [PMID: 32856254 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0928-6_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Efficient gene transfer is necessary for advanced biotechnologies ranging from gene therapy to synthetic biology. Peptide nanoparticles provide suitable packaging systems promoting targeted gene expression or silencing. Though these systems have yet to match the transfection efficacy of viruses, they are typically devoid of drawbacks characteristic of virus-based vectors, including insertional mutagenesis, low packaging capacities, and strong immune responses. Given the promise nanoparticle formulations hold for gene delivery, methods of their preparation and accurate analysis of their physicochemical and biological properties become indispensable for progress toward systems that seek to outperform viral vectors. Herein, we report a comprehensive protocol for the preparation and characterization of archetypal peptide nanoparticles resulting from nonspecific and noncovalent complexation with RNA and DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James E Noble
- National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex, UK
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47
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Advanced Fluorescence Imaging to Distinguish Between Intracellular Fractions of Antisense Oligonucleotides. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2063:119-138. [PMID: 31667767 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0138-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (AON) have been intensively studied as tools in molecular cell biology and as novel therapeutics in various diseases over the past two decades. Especially cellular uptake and endosomal release of AONs are topics of interest, as these are crucial steps in reaching the subcellular AON target sites and achieving biological activity. We used cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) to enhance uptake and endosomal release of AONs, and monitored these two processes and the subsequent fate of the AONs by advanced fluorescence microscopy in living cells. In this chapter, we discuss the use of automated time-lapse confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to follow AON uptake and trafficking in time, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to distinguish between free and AON-bound fluorophore, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to measure subcellular AON concentrations and molecular associations. Additionally, we expand on the analysis of these microscopy data.
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48
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Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Ribosome Biogenesis, Microtubule Dynamics and Expression of Specific lncRNAs to be Part of a Common Response to Cell-Penetrating Peptides. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10111567. [PMID: 33213097 PMCID: PMC7698553 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are short peptides that are able to efficiently penetrate cellular lipid bilayers. Although CPPs have been used as carriers in conjugation with certain cargos to target specific genes and pathways, how rationally designed CPPs per se affect global gene expression has not been investigated. Therefore, following time course treatments with 4 CPPs-penetratin, PepFect14, mtCPP1 and TP10, HeLa cells were transcriptionally profiled by RNA sequencing. Results from these analyses showed a time-dependent response to different CPPs, with specific sets of genes related to ribosome biogenesis, microtubule dynamics and long-noncoding RNAs being differentially expressed compared to untreated controls. By using an image-based high content phenotypic profiling platform we confirmed that differential gene expression in CPP-treated HeLa cells strongly correlates with changes in cellular phenotypes such as increased nucleolar size and dispersed microtubules, compatible with altered ribosome biogenesis and cell growth. Altogether these results suggest that cells respond to different cell penetrating peptides by alteration of specific sets of genes, which are possibly part of the common response to such stimulus.
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Cerrato CP, Kivijärvi T, Tozzi R, Lehto T, Gestin M, Langel Ü. Intracellular delivery of therapeutic antisense oligonucleotides targeting mRNA coding mitochondrial proteins by cell-penetrating peptides. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:10825-10836. [PMID: 33174901 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01106a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides are a promising therapeutic strategy for a wide variety of degenerative diseases, ageing, and cancer. Among the multitude of cell-penetrating peptides, PepFect14 has been preferentially used in our laboratory for oligonucleotide delivery into cells and in vivo mouse models. However, this activity has mainly been reported towards cytoplasm and nuclei, while the mentioned disorders have been linked to mitochondrial defects. Here, we report a library generated from a combinatorial covalent fusion of a mitochondrial-penetrating peptide, mtCPP1, and PepFect14 in order to deliver therapeutic biomolecules to influence mitochondrial protein expression. The non-covalent complexation of these peptides with oligonucleotides resulted in nano-complexes affecting biological functions in the cytoplasm and on mitochondria. This delivery system proved to efficiently target mitochondrial genes, providing a framework for the development of mitochondrial peptide-based oligonucleotide technologies with the potential to be used as a treatment for patients with mitochondrial disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Pasquale Cerrato
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The Arrhenius Laboratories for Natural Sciences, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 16B, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
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50
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Peptides as a material platform for gene delivery: Emerging concepts and converging technologies. Acta Biomater 2020; 117:40-59. [PMID: 32966922 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Successful gene therapies rely on methods that safely introduce DNA into target cells and enable subsequent expression of proteins. To that end, peptides are an attractive materials platform for DNA delivery, facilitating condensation into nanoparticles, delivery into cells, and subcellular release to enable protein expression. Peptides are programmable materials that can be designed to address biocompatibility, stability, and subcellular barriers that limit efficiency of non-viral gene delivery systems. This review focuses on fundamental structure-function relationships regarding peptide design and their impact on nanoparticle physical properties, biologic activity, and biocompatibility. Recent peptide technologies utilize multi-dimensional structures, non-natural chemistries, and combinations of peptides with lipids to achieve desired properties and efficient transfection. Advances in DNA cargo design are also presented to highlight further opportunities for peptide-based gene delivery. Modern DNA designs enable prolonged expression compared to traditional plasmids, providing an additional component that can be synergized with peptide carriers for improved transfection. Peptide transfection systems are poised to become a flexible and efficient platform incorporating new chemistries, functionalities, and improved DNA cargos to usher in a new era of gene therapy.
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