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Li C, Li T, Tian X, An W, Wang Z, Han B, Tao H, Wang J, Wang X. Research progress on the PEGylation of therapeutic proteins and peptides (TPPs). Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1353626. [PMID: 38523641 PMCID: PMC10960368 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1353626] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
With the rapid advancement of genetic and protein engineering, proteins and peptides have emerged as promising drug molecules for therapeutic applications. Consequently, there has been a growing interest in the field of chemical modification technology to address challenges associated with their clinical use, including rapid clearance from circulation, immunogenicity, physical and chemical instabilities (such as aggregation, adsorption, deamination, clipping, oxidation, etc.), and enzymatic degradation. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) modification offers an effective solution to these issues due to its favorable properties. This review presents recent progress in the development and application of PEGylated therapeutic proteins and peptides (TPPs). For this purpose, firstly, the physical and chemical properties as well as classification of PEG and its derivatives are described. Subsequently, a detailed summary is provided on the main sites of PEGylated TPPs and the factors that influence their PEGylation. Furthermore, notable instances of PEG-modified TPPs (including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), interferon, asparaginase and antibodies) are highlighted. Finally, we propose the chemical modification of TPPs with PEG, followed by an analysis of the current development status and future prospects of PEGylated TPPs. This work provides a comprehensive literature review in this promising field while facilitating researchers in utilizing PEG polymers to modify TPPs for disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Li
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Xinya Tian
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Wei An
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenlong Wang
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Han
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Tao
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Jinquan Wang
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Xiumin Wang
- Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
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Cui Z, Crawford MA, Rumble BA, Krogh MM, Hughes MA, Letteri RA. Antimicrobial Peptide-Poly(ethylene glycol) Conjugates: Connecting Molecular Architecture, Solution Properties, and Functional Performance. ACS POLYMERS AU 2024; 4:45-55. [PMID: 38371733 PMCID: PMC10870750 DOI: 10.1021/acspolymersau.3c00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics for treating infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria; yet, many peptides are limited by toxicity to eukaryotic cells and instability in biological environments. Conjugation to linear polymers that reduce cytotoxicity and improve stability, however, often decreases antimicrobial activity. In this work, we combine the biocompatibility advantages of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with the efficacy merits of nonlinear polymer architectures that accommodate multiple AMPs per molecule. By conjugating a chemokine-derived AMP, stapled Ac-P9, to linear and star-shaped PEG with various arm numbers and lengths, we investigated the role of molecular architecture in solution properties (i.e., ζ-potential, size, and morphology) and performance (i.e., antimicrobial activity, hemolysis, and protease resistance). Linear, 4-arm, and 8-arm conjugates with 2-2.5 kDa PEG arms were found to form nanoscale structures in solution with lower ζ-potentials relative to the unconjugated AMP, suggesting that the polymer partially shields the cationic AMP. Reducing the length of the PEG arms of the 8-arm conjugate to 1.25 kDa appeared to better reveal the peptide, seen by the increased ζ-potential, and promote assembly into particles with a larger size and defined spherical morphology. The antimicrobial effects exerted by the short 8-arm conjugate rivaled that of the unconjugated peptide, and the AMP constituents of the short 8-arm conjugate were protected from proteolytic degradation. All other conjugates examined also imparted a degree of protease resistance, but exhibited some reduced level of antimicrobial activity as compared to the AMP alone. None of the conjugates caused significant cytotoxic effects, which bodes well for their future potential to treat infections. While enhancing proteolytic stability often comes with the cost of lower antimicrobial activity, we have found that presenting AMPs at high density on a neutral nonlinear polymer strikes a favorable balance, exhibiting both enhanced stability and high antimicrobial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixian Cui
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, United States
| | - Matthew A. Crawford
- Division
of Infectious Diseases & International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, United States
| | - Blake A. Rumble
- Division
of Infectious Diseases & International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, United States
| | - Megan M. Krogh
- Division
of Infectious Diseases & International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, United States
| | - Molly A. Hughes
- Division
of Infectious Diseases & International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, United States
| | - Rachel A. Letteri
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, United States
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Dzuvor CKO. Toward Clinical Applications: Transforming Nonantibiotic Antibacterials into Effective Next-Generation Supramolecular Therapeutics. ACS NANO 2024; 18:2564-2577. [PMID: 38227832 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c11045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a major driver of morbidity and mortality worldwide, necessitating alternatives. Due to their mechanism of action, bacteriophages, endolysins, and antimicrobial peptides (coined herein as nonantibiotic antibacterials, NAA) have risen to tackle this problem and led to paradigms in treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. However, their clinical applications remain challenging and have been seriously hampered by cytotoxicity, instability, weak bioactivity, low on-target bioavailability, high pro-inflammatory responses, shorter half-life, and circulatory properties. Hence, to transit preclinical phases and beyond, it has become imperative to radically engineer these alternatives into innovative and revolutionary therapeutics to overcome recalcitrant infections. This perspective highlights the promise of these agents, their limitations, promising designs, nanotechnology, and delivery approaches that can be harnessed to transform these agents. Finally, I provide an outlook on the remaining challenges that need to be tackled for their widespread clinical administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian K O Dzuvor
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
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Gao N, Wang J, Fang C, Bai P, Sun Y, Wu W, Shan A. Combating bacterial infections with host defense peptides: Shifting focus from bacteria to host immunity. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 72:101030. [PMID: 38043443 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101030] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections necessitates the exploration of novel paradigms for anti-infective therapy. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as host defense peptides (HDPs), have garnered extensive recognition as immunomodulatory molecules that leverage natural host mechanisms to enhance therapeutic benefits. The unique immune mechanism exhibited by certain HDPs that involves self-assembly into supramolecular nanonets capable of inducing bacterial agglutination and entrapping is significantly important. This process effectively prevents microbial invasion and subsequent dissemination and significantly mitigates selective pressure for the evolution of microbial resistance, highlighting the potential of HDP-based antimicrobial therapy. Recent advancements in this field have focused on developing bio-responsive materials in the form of supramolecular nanonets. A comprehensive overview of the immunomodulatory and bacteria-agglutinating activities of HDPs, along with a discussion on optimization strategies for synthetic derivatives, is presented in this article. These optimized derivatives exhibit improved biological properties and therapeutic potential, making them suitable for future clinical applications as effective anti-infective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Gao
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Jiajun Wang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
| | - Chunyang Fang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Pengfei Bai
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Yu Sun
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Wanpeng Wu
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Anshan Shan
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
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Cavallazzi Sebold B, Li J, Ni G, Fu Q, Li H, Liu X, Wang T. Going Beyond Host Defence Peptides: Horizons of Chemically Engineered Peptides for Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria. BioDrugs 2023; 37:607-623. [PMID: 37300748 PMCID: PMC10432368 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00608-3] [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] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are considered a health threat worldwide, and this problem is set to increase over the decades. The ESKAPE, a group of six pathogens including Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp. is the major source of concern due to their high death incidence and nosocomial acquired infection. Host defence peptides (HDPs) are a class of ribosomally synthesised peptides that have shown promising results in combating MDR, including the ESKAPE group, in- and outside bacterial biofilms. However, their poor pharmacokinetics in physiological mediums may impede HDPs from becoming viable clinical candidates. To circumvent this problem, chemical engineering of HDPs has been seen as an emergent approach to not only improve their pharmacokinetics but also their efficacy against pathogens. In this review, we explore several chemical modifications of HDPs that have shown promising results, especially against ESKAPE pathogens, and provide an overview of the current findings with respect to each modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Cavallazzi Sebold
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia
| | - Junjie Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Guoying Ni
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia
- The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
- Cancer Research Institute, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Quanlan Fu
- The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Hejie Li
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia
| | - Xiaosong Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
- Cancer Research Institute, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China.
| | - Tianfang Wang
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia.
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia.
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Sahsuvar S, Kocagoz T, Gok O, Can O. In vitro efficacy of different PEGylation designs on cathelicidin-like peptide with high antibacterial and antifungal activity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11213. [PMID: 37433952 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38449-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent reports on antibiotic resistance have highlighted the need to reduce the impact of this global health issue through urgent prevention and control. The World Health Organization currently considers antibiotic resistance as one of the most dangerous threats to global health. Therefore, Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising for the development of novel antibiotic molecules due to their high antimicrobial effects, non-inducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) properties, and broad spectrum. Hence, in this study, we developed novel antimicrobial peptide/polymer conjugates to reduce the adverse effects of TN6 (RLLRLLLRLLR) peptide. We demonstrate how our constructs function in vitro in terms of antimicrobial activity, hemolytic activity, cytotoxicity, and protease resistance. Our findings show that our molecules are effective against different types of microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enteroccus faecium, and Candida albicans, which are known to be pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant. Our constructs generally showed low cytotoxicity relative to the peptide in HaCaT and 3T3 cells. Especially these structures are very successful in terms of hemotoxicity. In the bacteremia model with S. aureus, the naked peptide (TN6) was hemotoxic even at 1 µg/mL, while the hemotoxicity of the conjugates was considerably lower than the peptide. Remarkably in this model, the hemolytic activity of PepC-PEG-pepC conjugate decreased 15-fold from 2.36 to 31.12 µg/mL compared to the bacteria-free 60-min treatment. This is proof that in the case of bacteremia and sepsis, the conjugates specifically direct to bacterial cell membranes rather than red blood cells. In addition, the PepC-PEG-pepC conjugate is resistant to plasma proteases. Moreover, morphological and intracellular damage of the peptide/conjugates to Escherichia coli are demonstrated in SEM and TEM images. These results suggest our molecules can be considered potential next-generation broad-spectrum antibiotic molecule/drug candidates that might be used in clinical cases such as bacteremia and sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seray Sahsuvar
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Health Sciences, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tanil Kocagoz
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Health Sciences, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozgul Gok
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Ozge Can
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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7
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Etayash H, Yip F, Hancock REW. Impacts of PEGylation and Glycosylation on the Biological Properties of Host Defense Peptide IDR1018. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051391. [PMID: 37242633 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051391] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The multifunctional properties of host defense peptides (HDPs) make them promising drug candidates to tackle bacterial infections and tissue inflammation. However, these peptides tend to aggregate and can harm host cells at high doses, potentially limiting their clinical use and applications. In this study, we explored the influences of both pegylation and glycosylation on the biocompatibility and biological properties of HDPs, particularly the innate defense regulator IDR1018. Two peptide conjugates were designed by attaching either polyethylene glycol (PEG6) or a glucose moiety to the peptide towards the N-terminus. Significantly, both derivatives reduced the aggregation, hemolysis, and cytotoxicity of the parent peptide by orders of magnitude. In addition, while the pegylated conjugate, PEG6-IDR1018, retained an excellent immunomodulatory profile, similar to that observed for IDR1018 itself, the glycosylated conjugate, Glc-IDR1018, significantly outperformed the parent peptide in inducing anti-inflammatory mediators, MCP1 and IL-1RA and in suppressing the level of lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Conversely, the conjugates led to a partial reduction in antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. These findings underline the impacts of both pegylation and glycosylation on the biological properties of the HDP IDR1018 and indicate the potential of glycosylation to enhance the design of highly effective immunomodulatory peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hashem Etayash
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, 2259 Lower Mall Research Station, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Fione Yip
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, 2259 Lower Mall Research Station, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Robert E W Hancock
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, 2259 Lower Mall Research Station, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Li G, Lai Z, Shan A. Advances of Antimicrobial Peptide-Based Biomaterials for the Treatment of Bacterial Infections. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206602. [PMID: 36722732 PMCID: PMC10104676 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Owing to the increase in multidrug-resistant bacterial isolates in hospitals globally and the lack of truly effective antimicrobial agents, antibiotic resistant bacterial infections have increased substantially. There is thus an urgent need to develop new antimicrobial drugs and their related formulations. In recent years, natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), AMP optimization, self-assembled AMPs, AMP hydrogels, and biomaterial-assisted delivery of AMPs have shown great potential in the treatment of bacterial infections. In this review, it is focused on the development prospects and shortcomings of various AMP-based biomaterials for treating animal model infections, such as abdominal, skin, and eye infections. It is hoped that this review will inspire further innovations in the design of AMP-based biomaterials for the treatment of bacterial infections and accelerate their commercialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoyu Li
- The Institute of Animal NutritionNortheast Agricultural UniversityHarbin150030P. R. China
| | - Zhenheng Lai
- The Institute of Animal NutritionNortheast Agricultural UniversityHarbin150030P. R. China
| | - Anshan Shan
- The Institute of Animal NutritionNortheast Agricultural UniversityHarbin150030P. R. China
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