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Zhou R, Qu J, Liu X, Lin F, Ohulchanskyy TY, Alifu N, Qu J, Yin DC. Biopharmaceutical drug delivery and phototherapy using protein crystals. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2025; 216:115480. [PMID: 39613032 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115480] [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: 07/31/2024] [Revised: 11/14/2024] [Accepted: 11/26/2024] [Indexed: 12/01/2024]
Abstract
Biopharmaceutical drugs, including proteins, peptides, and antibodies, are renowned for their high specificity and efficacy, fundamentally transforming disease treatment paradigms. However, their structural complexity presents challenges for their formulation and delivery. Protein crystals, characterized by high purity, high stability and a porous structure for biopharmaceutical drug encapsulation, providing a potential avenue for formulating and delivering biopharmaceutical drugs. There is increasing interest in engineering protein crystals to delivery biopharmaceutical drugs for biomedical applications. This review summarizes the recent advances in biopharmaceutical drug delivery and phototherapy using protein crystals. First, we evaluate the advantages of using protein crystals for biopharmaceutical drugs delivery. Next, we outline the strategies for in vitro and in vivo crystallization to prepare protein crystals. Importantly, the review highlights the advanced applications of protein crystals in biopharmaceutical drug delivery, tumor phototherapy, and other optical fields. Finally, it provides insights into future perspectives of biopharmaceutical drug delivery using protein crystals. This comprehensive review aims to provide effective insights into design of protein crystals to simplify biopharmaceutical drug delivery and improve disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renbin Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710072, China
| | - Jinghan Qu
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710072, China
| | - Xuejiao Liu
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710072, China
| | - Fangrui Lin
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Tymish Y Ohulchanskyy
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Nuernisha Alifu
- School of Medical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, China
| | - Junle Qu
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; School of Medical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, China
| | - Da-Chuan Yin
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710072, China.
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Gonzalez-Obeso C, Jane Hartzell E, Albert Scheel R, Kaplan DL. Delivering on the promise of recombinant silk-inspired proteins for drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 192:114622. [PMID: 36414094 PMCID: PMC9812964 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Effective drug delivery is essential for the success of a medical treatment. Polymeric drug delivery systems (DDSs) are preferred over systemic administration of drugs due to their protection capacity, directed release, and reduced side effects. Among the numerous polymer sources, silks and recombinant silks have drawn significant attention over the past decade as DDSs. Native silk is produced from a variety of organisms, which are then used as sources or guides of genetic material for heterologous expression or engineered designs. Recombinant silks bear the outstanding properties of natural silk, such as processability in aqueous solution, self-assembly, drug loading capacity, drug stabilization/protection, and degradability, while incorporating specific properties beneficial for their success as DDS, such as monodispersity and tailored physicochemical properties. Moreover, the on-demand inclusion of sequences that customize the DDS for the specific application enhances efficiency. Often, inclusion of a drug into a DDS is achieved by simple mixing or diffusion and stabilized by non-specific molecular interactions; however, these interactions can be improved by the incorporation of drug-binding peptide sequences. In this review we provide an overview of native sources for silks and silk sequences, as well as the design and formulation of recombinant silk biomaterials as drug delivery systems in a variety of formats, such as films, hydrogels, porous sponges, or particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constancio Gonzalez-Obeso
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - Emily Jane Hartzell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - Ryan Albert Scheel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA.
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Lian AA, Yamaji Y, Kajiwara K, Takaki K, Mori H, Liew MWO, Kotani E, Maruta R. A Bioengineering Approach for the Development of Fibroblast Growth Factor-7-Functionalized Sericin Biomaterial Applicable for the Cultivation of Keratinocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179953. [PMID: 36077351 PMCID: PMC9456417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth factors, including fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF-7), are a group of proteins that stimulate various cellular processes and are often used with carriers to prevent the rapid loss of their activities. Sericin with great biocompatibility has been investigated as a proteinaceous carrier to enhance the stability of incorporated proteins. The difficulties in obtaining intact sericin from silkworm cocoons and the handling of growth factors with poor stability necessitate an efficient technique to incorporate the protein into a sericin-based biomaterial. Here, we report the generation of a transgenic silkworm line simultaneously expressing and incorporating FGF-7 into cocoon shells containing almost exclusively sericin. Growth-factor-functionalized sericin cocoon shells requiring simple lyophilization and pulverization processes were successfully used to induce the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes. Moreover, FGF-7 incorporated into sericin-cocoon powder exhibited remarkable stability, with more than 70% of bioactivity being retained after being stored as a suspension at 25 °C for 3 months. Transgenic sericin-cocoon powder was used to continuously supply biologically active FGF-7 to generate a three-dimensionally cultured keratinocyte model in vitro. The outcomes of this study propound a feasible approach to producing cytokine-functionalized sericin materials that are ready to use for cell cultivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai Ai Lian
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Yuka Yamaji
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kajiwara
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Keiko Takaki
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
- Biomedical Research Center, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Hajime Mori
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Mervyn Wing On Liew
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden 11800, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Eiji Kotani
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
- Biomedical Research Center, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (R.M.); Tel.: +81-75-724-7774 (E.K. & R.M.)
| | - Rina Maruta
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (R.M.); Tel.: +81-75-724-7774 (E.K. & R.M.)
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Ibuki T, Iwasawa S, Lian AA, Lye PY, Maruta R, Asano SI, Kotani E, Mori H. Development of a cypovirus protein microcrystal-encapsulated Bacillus thuringiensis UV-tolerant and mosquitocidal δ-endotoxin. Biol Open 2022; 11:276429. [PMID: 36017723 PMCID: PMC9548375 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059363] [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: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The δ-endotoxin Cry4Aa from Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) has insecticidal characteristics specific to insects of the order Diptera. Although Cry4Aa has shown potential as an effective proteinaceous pesticide against mosquitoes, it has an ultraviolet (UV)-intolerant property that limits its outdoor use. Our previous research showed that protein microcrystal polyhedra from Bombyx mori cypovirus can encapsulate diverse foreign proteins and maintain long-term protein activity under hostile environmental conditions, including UV irradiation. In this study, we report the development of polyhedra encapsulating the Cry4Aa insecticidal activity domain by using a modified baculovirus expression system. We confirmed the oral intake of recombinant polyhedra introduced into the experimental environment by the larvae of a mosquito, Aedes albopictus, and delivery of encapsulated proteins into the digestive tract. The polyhedra encapsulating partial Cry4Aa showed mosquito larvicidal activity during incubation of larvae with 50% lethal-dose value of 23.717×104 cubes for 10 Aedes albopictus larvae in 1 ml water. In addition, polyhedra showed a specific property to reduce the impact of UV-C irradiation on the activity of encapsulated partial Cry4Aa, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of encapsulating Bti δ-endotoxins inside polyhedra to increase the availability of proteinaceous pesticides for outdoor use for mosquito control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Ibuki
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Satoshi Iwasawa
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Ai Ai Lian
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Ping Ying Lye
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Rina Maruta
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichiro Asano
- Laboratory of Applied Molecular Entomology, Division of Agrobiology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Eiji Kotani
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Hajime Mori
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
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Yamano M, Hirose R, Lye PY, Takaki K, Maruta R, On Liew MW, Sakurai S, Mori H, Kotani E. Bioengineered Silkworm for Producing Cocoons with High Fibroin Content for Regenerated Fibroin Biomaterial-Based Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137433. [PMID: 35806440 PMCID: PMC9267247 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Silk fibroin exhibits high biocompatibility and biodegradability, making it a versatile biomaterial for medical applications. However, contaminated silkworm-derived substances in remnant sericin from the filature and degumming process can result in undesired immune reactions and silk allergy, limiting the widespread use of fibroin. Here, we established transgenic silkworms with modified middle silk glands, in which sericin expression was repressed by the ectopic expression of cabbage butterfly-derived cytotoxin pierisin-1A, to produce cocoons composed solely of fibroin. Intact, nondegraded fibroin can be prepared from the transgenic cocoons without the need for sericin removal by the filature and degumming steps that cause fibroin degradation. A wide-angle X-ray diffraction analysis revealed low crystallinity in the transgenic cocoons. However, nondegraded fibroin obtained from transgenic cocoons enabled the formation of fibroin sponges with varying densities by using 1–5% (v/v) alcohol. The effective chondrogenic differentiation of ATDC5 cells was induced following their cultivation on substrates coated with intact fibroin. Our results showed that intact, allergen-free fibroin can be obtained from transgenic cocoons without the need for sericin removal, providing a method to produce fibroin-based materials with high biocompatibility for biomedical uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mana Yamano
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (M.Y.); (R.H.); (P.Y.L.); (K.T.); (R.M.); (H.M.)
| | - Ryoko Hirose
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (M.Y.); (R.H.); (P.Y.L.); (K.T.); (R.M.); (H.M.)
| | - Ping Ying Lye
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (M.Y.); (R.H.); (P.Y.L.); (K.T.); (R.M.); (H.M.)
| | - Keiko Takaki
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (M.Y.); (R.H.); (P.Y.L.); (K.T.); (R.M.); (H.M.)
- Biomedical Research Center, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Rina Maruta
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (M.Y.); (R.H.); (P.Y.L.); (K.T.); (R.M.); (H.M.)
| | - Mervyn Wing On Liew
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang 11800, Malaysia;
| | - Shinichi Sakurai
- Department of Biobased Materials Science, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Hajime Mori
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (M.Y.); (R.H.); (P.Y.L.); (K.T.); (R.M.); (H.M.)
| | - Eiji Kotani
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (M.Y.); (R.H.); (P.Y.L.); (K.T.); (R.M.); (H.M.)
- Biomedical Research Center, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-75-724-7774
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