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Bots STF, Harryvan TJ, Groeneveldt C, Kinderman P, Kemp V, van Montfoort N, Hoeben RC. Preclinical evaluation of the gorilla-derived HAdV-B AdV-lumc007 oncolytic adenovirus 'GoraVir' for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:1245-1258. [PMID: 38037840 PMCID: PMC11076997 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy which shows unparalleled therapeutic resistance due to its genetic and cellular heterogeneity, dense stromal tissue, and immune-suppressive tumour microenvironment. Oncolytic virotherapy has emerged as a new treatment modality which uses tumour-specific viruses to eliminate cancerous cells. Non-human primate adenoviruses of the human adenovirus B (HAdV-B) species have demonstrated considerable lytic potential in human cancer cells as well as limited preexisting neutralizing immunity in humans. Previously, we have generated a new oncolytic derivative of the gorilla-derived HAdV-B AdV-lumc007 named 'GoraVir'. Here, we show that GoraVir displays oncolytic efficacy in pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic-cancer-associated fibroblasts. Moreover, it retains its lytic potential in monoculture and co-culture spheroids. In addition, we established the ubiquitously expressed complement receptor CD46 as the main entry receptor for GoraVir. Finally, a single intratumoural dose of GoraVir was shown to delay tumour growth in a BxPC-3 xenograft model at 10 days post-treatment. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the new gorilla-derived oncolytic adenovirus is a potent oncolytic vector candidate that targets both pancreatic cancer cells and tumour-adjacent stroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selas T. F. Bots
- Department of Cell and Chemical BiologyLeiden University Medical CenterThe Netherlands
| | - Tom J. Harryvan
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyLeiden University Medical CenterThe Netherlands
| | | | - Priscilla Kinderman
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyLeiden University Medical CenterThe Netherlands
| | - Vera Kemp
- Department of Cell and Chemical BiologyLeiden University Medical CenterThe Netherlands
| | - Nadine van Montfoort
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyLeiden University Medical CenterThe Netherlands
| | - Rob C. Hoeben
- Department of Cell and Chemical BiologyLeiden University Medical CenterThe Netherlands
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Immunotherapeutic effects of intratumorally injected Zymosan-Adenovirus conjugates encoding constant active IRF3 in a melanoma mouse model. Immunol Res 2022; 71:197-212. [PMID: 36418765 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-022-09336-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a significant role in immunosuppressive conditions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). TAM reprogramming, a dual-pronged therapy, reduces immunosuppression and induces immune favorable conditions in the TME. In this study, recombinant adenoviruses encoding active forms of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) were conjugated to zymosan particles to target phagocytic cells to create a pro-inflammatory immunomodulatory therapy. We determined TAM reprogramming by upregulation and downregulation of M1- and M2-associated genes, respectively, as well as cytokine and transcription factor expression in vitro. The overall shift to immune favorable conditions in the TME was suggested by metabolic, cytokine, and immune cell gene expression. Our data indicated that the zymosan:adenovirus (Zym:Ad) particle itself induced a shift from M2-like to M1-like TAMs, a shift in immune status of the TME, and systemic tumor immunity as determined using a double tumor melanoma mouse model and splenocyte functional assay. Notably, direct intratumoral injection of Zym:Ad IRF3 reduced tumor growth more significantly than Zym:Ad GFP, indicating additional therapeutic benefits due to incorporation of constant active IRF3.
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Wei YG, Yang CK, Wei ZL, Liao XW, He YF, Zhou X, Huang HS, Lan CL, Han CY, Peng T. High-Mobility Group AT-Hook 1 Served as a Prognosis Biomarker and Associated with Immune Infiltrate in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Gen Med 2022; 15:609-621. [PMID: 35058711 PMCID: PMC8765458 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s344858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The protein high-mobility group AT-hook 1 (HMGA1) has been demonstrated that modulated cellular proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis with a poor prognosis in miscellaneous carcinomas. However, the mechanism of circumstantial carcinogenesis and association with the immune microenvironment of HMGA1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) had not been extensively explored. METHODS The gene expression, clinicopathological correlation, and prognosis analysis were performed in the data obtained from TCGA. The results were further validated by ICGC and GEO database and external validation cohort from Guangxi. The HMGA1 protein expression was further examined in the HPA database. Biological function analyses were conducted by GSEA, STRING database, and Coexpedia online tool. Using TIMER and CIBERSORT method, the relationship between immune infiltrate and HMGA1 was investigated. RESULTS In HCC, HMGA1 had much higher transcriptional and proteomic expression than in corresponding paraneoplastic tissue. Patients with high HMGA1 expression had a poor prognosis and unpromising clinicopathological features. High HMGA1 expression was closely related to the cell cycle, tumorigenesis, substance metabolism, and immune processes by regulating complex signaling pathways. Notably, HMGA1 may be associated with TP53 mutational carcinogenesis. Moreover, increased HMGA1 expression may lead to an increase in immune infiltration and a decrease in tumor purity in HCC. CIBERSORT analysis elucidated that the amount of B cell naive, B cell memory, T cells gamma delta, macrophages M2, and mast cell resting decreased when HMGA1 expression was high, whereas T cells follicular helper, macrophages M0, and Dendritic cells resting increased. CONCLUSION In conclusions, HMGA1 is a potent prognostic biomarker and a sign of immune infiltration in HCC, which may be a potential immunotherapy target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Guang Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cheng-Kun Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhong-Liu Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi-Wen Liao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong-Fei He
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hua-Sheng Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chen-Lu Lan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chuang-Ye Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
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Bertzbach LD, Ip WH, Dobner T. Animal Models in Human Adenovirus Research. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10121253. [PMID: 34943168 PMCID: PMC8698265 DOI: 10.3390/biology10121253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Animal models are widely used to study various aspects of human diseases and disorders. Likewise, they are indispensable for preclinical testing of medicals and vaccines. Human adenovirus infections are usually self-limiting, and can cause mild respiratory symptoms with fever, eye infection or gastrointestinal symptoms, but occasional local outbreaks with severe disease courses have been reported. In addition, adenovirus infections pose a serious risk for children and patients with a weakened immune system. Human adenovirus research in animal models to study adenovirus-induced disease and tumor development started in the 1950s. Various animal species have been tested for their susceptibility to human adenovirus infection since then, and some have been shown to mimic key characteristics of the infection in humans, including persistent infection. Furthermore, some rodent species have been found to develop tumors upon human adenovirus infection. Our review summarizes the current knowledge on animal models in human adenovirus research, describing the pros and cons along with important findings and future perspectives. Abstract Human adenovirus (HAdV) infections cause a wide variety of clinical symptoms, ranging from mild upper respiratory tract disease to lethal outcomes, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. To date, neither widely available vaccines nor approved antiadenoviral compounds are available to efficiently deal with HAdV infections. Thus, there is a need to thoroughly understand HAdV-induced disease, and for the development and preclinical evaluation of HAdV therapeutics and/or vaccines, and consequently for suitable standardizable in vitro systems and animal models. Current animal models to study HAdV pathogenesis, persistence, and tumorigenesis include rodents such as Syrian hamsters, mice, and cotton rats, as well as rabbits. In addition, a few recent studies on other species, such as pigs and tree shrews, reported promising data. These models mimic (aspects of) HAdV-induced pathological changes in humans and, although they are relevant, an ideal HAdV animal model has yet to be developed. This review summarizes the available animal models of HAdV infection with comprehensive descriptions of virus-induced pathogenesis in different animal species. We also elaborate on rodent HAdV animal models and how they contributed to insights into adenovirus-induced cell transformation and cancer.
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Pegoraro S, Ros G, Sgubin M, Petrosino S, Zambelli A, Sgarra R, Manfioletti G. Targeting the intrinsically disordered architectural High Mobility Group A (HMGA) oncoproteins in breast cancer: learning from the past to design future strategies. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:953-969. [PMID: 32970506 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1814738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most difficult breast cancer subtype to treat because of its heterogeneity and lack of specific therapeutic targets. High Mobility Group A (HMGA) proteins are chromatin architectural factors that have multiple oncogenic functions in breast cancer, and they represent promising molecular therapeutic targets for this disease. AREAS COVERED We offer an overview of the strategies that have been exploited to counteract HMGA oncoprotein activities at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. We also present the possibility of targeting cancer-associated factors that lie downstream of HMGA proteins and discuss the contribution of HMGA proteins to chemoresistance. EXPERT OPINION Different strategies have been exploited to counteract HMGA protein activities; these involve interfering with their nucleic acid binding properties and the blocking of HMGA expression. Some approaches have provided promising results. However, some unique characteristics of the HMGA proteins have not been exploited; these include their extensive protein-protein interaction network and their intrinsically disordered status that present the possibility that HMGA proteins could be involved in the formation of proteinaceous membrane-less organelles (PMLO) by liquid-liquid phase separation. These unexplored characteristics could open new pharmacological avenues to counteract the oncogenic contributions of HMGA proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pegoraro
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste, Italy
| | - Gloria Ros
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste, Italy
| | - Michela Sgubin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Petrosino
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Sgarra
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste, Italy
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Dong H, Sun S, Yan T, Liang C, Zhu J, Miao C, Qin C, Shao P, Wang Z, Li J, Li P. MicroRNA-195 inhibits proliferation and metastasis in renal cell carcinoma via regulating HMGA1. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:2781-2792. [PMID: 32655809 PMCID: PMC7344069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence indicates that aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) contributes to tumorigenesis in various human malignancies. In this study we revealed that miR-195 acted as a tumor suppressor in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) through inhibition of HMGA1 expression. qRT-PCR was used to detect the miR-195 expression in RCC tissues and cell lines. RCC cell line Caki-1 and Caki-2 cells were used in this study. The luciferase report assay and rescue assay were performed to identify HMGA1 as the target gene of miR-195. Additionally, Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test was used to explore the relationship between HMGA1 expression and RCC prognosis. We observed that miR-195 expression was significantly downregulated both in RCC tissues and in RCC cell lines. We observed that miR-195 overexpression inhibits the abilities of RCC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and metastasis in vitro by targeting HMGA1 via epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway. In clinical specimens, HMGA1 was overexpressed in high-grade RCC when compared with its levels in normal tissues and low-grade RCC cancer, its expression levels were inversely correlated with overall survival. Our findings highlight an important role of miR-195 and HMGA1 in the molecular etiology of RCC, indicating that they can serve as potential biomarkers and therapy targets of RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyu Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shengjie Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tao Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chao Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jundong Zhu
- Department of Urology, The First People’s Hospital of ChangzhouChangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chenkui Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chao Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pengfei Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zengjun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
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De Martino M, Fusco A, Esposito F. HMGA and Cancer: A Review on Patent Literatures. Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2020; 14:258-267. [PMID: 31538905 DOI: 10.2174/1574892814666190919152001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high mobility group A proteins modulate the transcription of numerous genes by interacting with transcription factors and/or altering the structure of chromatin. These proteins are involved in both benign and malignant neoplasias as a result of several pathways. A large amount of benign human mesenchymal tumors has rearrangements of HMGA genes. On the contrary, malignant tumors show unarranged HMGA overexpression that is frequently and causally related to neoplastic cell transformation. Here, we review the function of the HMGA proteins in human neoplastic disorders, the pathways by which they contribute to carcinogenesis and the new patents focused on targeting HMGA proteins. OBJECTIVE Current review was conducted to check the involvement of HMGA as a druggable target in cancer treatment. METHODS We reviewed the most recent patents focused on targeting HMGA in cancer treatment analyzing patent literature published during the last years, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO®), United States Patent Trademark Office (USPTO®), Espacenet®, and Google Patents. RESULTS HMGA proteins are intriguing targets for cancer therapy and are objects of different patents based on the use of DNA aptamers, inhibitors, oncolytic viruses, antisense molecules able to block their oncogenic functions. CONCLUSION Powerful strategies able to selectively interfere with HMGA expression and function could represent a helpful approach in the development of new anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco De Martino
- Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale-CNR c/o Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Universita degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", via Pansini 5, Naples 80131, Italy.,Department of Psychology, University of Campania, Caserta 81100, Italy
| | - Alfredo Fusco
- Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale-CNR c/o Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Universita degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", via Pansini 5, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Francesco Esposito
- Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale-CNR c/o Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Universita degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", via Pansini 5, Naples 80131, Italy
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Guo Y, Zhang Z, Xu X, Xu Z, Wang S, Huang D, Li Y, Mou X, Liu F, Xiang C. Menstrual Blood-Derived Stem Cells as Delivery Vehicles for Oncolytic Adenovirus Virotherapy for Colorectal Cancer. Stem Cells Dev 2019; 28:882-896. [PMID: 30991894 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2018.0222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic adenoviruses (Ads) have potential applications in cancer therapy due to their ability to replicate and induce tumor cell death. However, their clinical application has been limited by the lack of efficient cell-based delivery systems that can provide protection from immune attack and prevent virus clearance by neutralizing antibodies. We previously demonstrated that menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs) can specifically target tumor cells and serve as a novel drug delivery platform. We engineered CRAd5/F11 chimeric oncolytic Ads that can infect MenSCs and preserve their tumor targeting ability in vitro. MenSCs loaded with these Ads were transplanted in a mouse tumor model. We found that a large number of the CRAd5/F11 viruses were accumulated in tumor site and mediated marked inhibitory effects against colorectal cancer (CRC). Thus, we concluded that MenSC-cloaked oncolytic Ads hold great potential as a novel virus-delivery platform for the therapy of various cancers, including CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Guo
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhenzhen Zhang
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaogang Xu
- 2 Zhejiang Hospital and Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Geriatrics, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhenyu Xu
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shibing Wang
- 3 Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.,4 Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dongsheng Huang
- 3 Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.,4 Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yifei Li
- 5 Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaozhou Mou
- 3 Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.,4 Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fanlong Liu
- 6 Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Charlie Xiang
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,5 Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Torres MDT, Pedron CN, Higashikuni Y, Kramer RM, Cardoso MH, Oshiro KGN, Franco OL, Silva Junior PI, Silva FD, Oliveira Junior VX, Lu TK, de la Fuente-Nunez C. Structure-function-guided exploration of the antimicrobial peptide polybia-CP identifies activity determinants and generates synthetic therapeutic candidates. Commun Biol 2018; 1:221. [PMID: 30534613 PMCID: PMC6286318 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-018-0224-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) constitute promising alternatives to classical antibiotics for the treatment of drug-resistant infections, which are a rapidly emerging global health challenge. However, our understanding of the structure-function relationships of AMPs is limited, and we are just beginning to rationally engineer peptides in order to develop them as therapeutics. Here, we leverage a physicochemical-guided peptide design strategy to identify specific functional hotspots in the wasp-derived AMP polybia-CP and turn this toxic peptide into a viable antimicrobial. Helical fraction, hydrophobicity, and hydrophobic moment are identified as key structural and physicochemical determinants of antimicrobial activity, utilized in combination with rational engineering to generate synthetic AMPs with therapeutic activity in a mouse model. We demonstrate that, by tuning these physicochemical parameters, it is possible to design nontoxic synthetic peptides with enhanced sub-micromolar antimicrobial potency in vitro and anti-infective activity in vivo. We present a physicochemical-guided rational design strategy to generate peptide antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo D. T. Torres
- Synthetic Biology Group, MIT Synthetic Biology Center; The Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics; Research Laboratory of Electronics, Department of Biological Engineering, and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP 09210580 Brazil
| | - Cibele N. Pedron
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP 09210580 Brazil
| | - Yasutomi Higashikuni
- Synthetic Biology Group, MIT Synthetic Biology Center; The Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics; Research Laboratory of Electronics, Department of Biological Engineering, and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
| | - Robin M. Kramer
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Marlon H. Cardoso
- Programa de Pós-Gradução em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70297400 Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF 71966700 Brazil
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS 79117010 Brazil
| | - Karen G. N. Oshiro
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS 79117010 Brazil
| | - Octávio L. Franco
- Programa de Pós-Gradução em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70297400 Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF 71966700 Brazil
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS 79117010 Brazil
| | - Pedro I. Silva Junior
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP 05503900 Brazil
| | - Fernanda D. Silva
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP 09210580 Brazil
| | - Vani X. Oliveira Junior
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP 09210580 Brazil
| | - Timothy K. Lu
- Synthetic Biology Group, MIT Synthetic Biology Center; The Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics; Research Laboratory of Electronics, Department of Biological Engineering, and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Synthetic Biology Group, MIT Synthetic Biology Center; The Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics; Research Laboratory of Electronics, Department of Biological Engineering, and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
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Kamimura K, Yokoo T, Terai S. Gene Therapy for Pancreatic Diseases: Current Status. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:3415. [PMID: 30384450 PMCID: PMC6275054 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The pancreas is a key organ involved in digestion and endocrine functions in the body. The major diseases of the pancreas include pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic diseases, pancreatic divisum, islet cell tumors, endocrine tumors, diabetes mellitus, and pancreatic pain induced by these diseases. While various therapeutic methodologies have been established to date, however, the improvement of conventional treatments and establishment of novel therapies are essential to improve the efficacy. For example, conventional therapeutic options, including chemotherapy, are not effective against pancreatic cancer, and despite improvements in the last decade, the mortality rate has not declined and is estimated to become the second cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030. Therefore, continuous efforts focus on the development of novel therapeutic options. In this review, we will summarize the progress toward the development of gene therapies for pancreatic diseases, with an emphasis on recent preclinical studies and clinical trials. We aim to identify new areas for improvement of the current methodologies and new strategies that will lead to safe and effective gene therapeutic approaches in pancreatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenya Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, 1-757, Aasahimachi-Dori, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, 1-757, Aasahimachi-Dori, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
| | - Shuji Terai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, 1-757, Aasahimachi-Dori, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
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