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Sarkar A, Sarkhel S, Bisht D, Jaiswal A. Cationic dextrin nanoparticles for effective intracellular delivery of cytochrome C in cancer therapy. RSC Chem Biol 2024; 5:249-261. [PMID: 38456040 PMCID: PMC10915965 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00090g] [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: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Intracellular protein delivery shows promise as a selective and specific approach to cancer therapy. However, a major challenge is posed by delivering proteins into the target cells. Despite the development of nanoparticle (NP)-based approaches, a versatile and biocompatible delivery system that can deliver active therapeutic cargo into the cytosol while escaping endosome degradation remains elusive. In order to overcome these challenges, a polymeric nanocarrier was prepared using cationic dextrin (CD), a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, to encapsulate and deliver cytochrome C (Cyt C), a therapeutic protein. The challenge of endosomal escape of the nanoparticles was addressed by co-delivering the synthesized NP construct with chloroquine, which enhances the endosomal escape of the therapeutic protein. No toxicity was observed for both CD NPs and chloroquine at the concentration tested in this study. Spectroscopic investigations confirmed that the delivered protein, Cyt C, was structurally and functionally active. Additionally, the delivered Cyt C was able to induce apoptosis by causing depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane in HeLa cells, as evidenced by flow cytometry and microscopic observations. Our findings demonstrate that an engineered delivery system using CD NPs is a promising platform in nanomedicine for protein delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Sarkar
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi Kamand Mandi 175075 Himachal Pradesh India
| | - Sanchita Sarkhel
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi Kamand Mandi 175075 Himachal Pradesh India
| | - Deepali Bisht
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi Kamand Mandi 175075 Himachal Pradesh India
| | - Amit Jaiswal
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi Kamand Mandi 175075 Himachal Pradesh India
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2
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Lyu M, Yazdi M, Lin Y, Höhn M, Lächelt U, Wagner E. Receptor-Targeted Dual pH-Triggered Intracellular Protein Transfer. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:99-114. [PMID: 35802884 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Protein therapeutics are of widespread interest due to their successful performance in the current pharmaceutical and medical fields, even though their broad applications have been hindered by the lack of an efficient intracellular delivery approach. Herein, we fabricated an active-targeted dual pH-responsive delivery system with favorable tumor cell entry augmented by extracellular pH-triggered charge reversal and tumor receptor targeting and pH-controlled endosomal release in a traceless fashion. As a traceable model protein, the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) bearing a nuclear localization signal was covalently coupled with a pH-labile traceless azidomethyl-methylmaleic anhydride (AzMMMan) linker followed by functionalization with different molar equivalents of two dibenzocyclooctyne-octa-arginine-cysteine (DBCO-R8C)-modified moieties: polyethylene glycol (PEG)-GE11 peptide for epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated targeting and melittin for endosomal escape. The cationic melittin domain was masked with tetrahydrophthalic anhydride revertible at mild acidic pH 6.5. At the optimally balanced ratio of functional units, the on-demand charge conversion at tumoral extracellular pH 6.5 in combination with GE11-mediated targeting triggered enhanced electrostatic cellular attraction by the R8C cell-penetrating peptides and melittin, as demonstrated by strongly enhanced cellular uptake. Successful endosomal release followed by nuclear localization of the eGFP cargo was obtained by taking advantage of melittin-mediated endosomal escape and rapid traceless release from the AzMMMan linker. The effectiveness of this multifunctional bioresponsive system suggests a promising strategy for delivery of protein drugs toward intracellular targets. A possible therapeutic relevance was indicated by an example of cytosolic delivery of cytochrome c initiating the apoptosis pathway to kill cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Lyu
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Mina Yazdi
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Yi Lin
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Miriam Höhn
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Lächelt
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
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3
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Tang B, Lau KM, Zhu Y, Shao C, Wong WT, Chow LMC, Wong CTT. Chemical Modification of Cytochrome C for Acid-Responsive Intracellular Apoptotic Protein Delivery for Cancer Eradication. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:71. [PMID: 38258082 PMCID: PMC10819283 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010071] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Delivering bioactive proteins into cells without carriers presents significant challenges in biomedical applications due to limited cell membrane permeability and the need for targeted delivery. Here, we introduce a novel carrier-free method that addresses these challenges by chemically modifying proteins with an acid-responsive cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) for selective intracellular delivery within tumours. Cytochrome C, a protein known for inducing apoptosis, served as a model for intracellular delivery of therapeutic proteins for cancer treatment. The CPP was protected with 2,3-dimethyl maleic anhydride (DMA) and chemically conjugated onto the protein surface, creating an acid-responsive protein delivery system. In the acidic tumour microenvironment, DMA deprotects and exposes the positively charged CPP, enabling membrane penetration. Both in vitro and in vivo assays validated the pH-dependent shielding mechanism, demonstrating the modified cytochrome C could induce apoptosis in cancer cells in a pH-selective manner. These findings provide a promising new approach for carrier-free and tumour-targeted intracellular delivery of therapeutic proteins for a wide range of potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Larry M. C. Chow
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; (B.T.); (K.M.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.S.); (W.-T.W.)
| | - Clarence T. T. Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; (B.T.); (K.M.L.); (Y.Z.); (C.S.); (W.-T.W.)
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4
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Li Z, Nguyen C, Jang H, Hoang D, Min S, Ackerstaff E, Koutcher JA, Shi L. Multimodal imaging of metabolic activities for distinguishing subtypes of breast cancer. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 14:5764-5780. [PMID: 38021123 PMCID: PMC10659775 DOI: 10.1364/boe.500252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive form of cancer. Detecting TNBC early is crucial for improving disease prognosis and optimizing treatment. Unfortunately, conventional imaging techniques fall short in providing a comprehensive differentiation of TNBC subtypes due to their limited sensitivity and inability to capture subcellular details. In this study, we present a multimodal imaging platform that integrates heavy water (D2O)-probed stimulated Raman scattering (DO-SRS), two-photon fluorescence (TPF), and second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging. This platform allows us to directly visualize and quantify the metabolic activities of TNBC subtypes at a subcellular level. By utilizing DO-SRS imaging, we were able to identify distinct levels of de novo lipogenesis, protein synthesis, cytochrome c metabolic heterogeneity, and lipid unsaturation rates in various TNBC subtype tissues. Simultaneously, TPF imaging provided spatial distribution mapping of NAD[P]H and flavin signals in TNBC tissues, revealing a high redox ratio and significant lipid turnover rate in TNBC BL2 (HCC1806) samples. Furthermore, SHG imaging enabled us to observe diverse orientations of collagen fibers in TNBC tissues, with higher anisotropy at the tissue boundary compared to the center. Our multimodal imaging platform offers a highly sensitive and subcellular approach to characterizing not only TNBC, but also other tissue subtypes and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, California, USA
| | - Chloe Nguyen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, California, USA
| | - Hongje Jang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, California, USA
| | - David Hoang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, California, USA
| | - SoeSu Min
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Ellen Ackerstaff
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Jason A. Koutcher
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, USA
| | - Lingyan Shi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, California, USA
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5
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Potts J, Jain A, Amabilino DB, Rawson FJ, Pérez-García L. Molecular Surface Quantification of Multifunctionalized Gold Nanoparticles Using UV-Visible Absorption Spectroscopy Deconvolution. Anal Chem 2023; 95:12998-13002. [PMID: 37621249 PMCID: PMC10483462 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01649] [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: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Multifunctional gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are of great interest, owing to their vast potential for use in many areas including sensing, imaging, delivery, and medicine. A key factor in determining the biological activity of multifunctional AuNPs is the quantification of surface conjugated molecules. There has been a lack of accurate methods to determine this for multifunctionalized AuNPs. We address this limitation by using a new method based on the deconvolution and Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm fitting of UV-visible absorption spectrum to calculate the precise concentration and number of cytochrome C (Cyt C) and zinc porphyrin (Zn Porph) bound to each multifunctional AuNP. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements were used to confirm the functionalization of AuNPs with Cyt C and Zn Porph. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used in conjunction with UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and DLS to identify the AuNP size and confirm that no aggregation had taken place after functionalization. Despite the overlapping absorption bands of Cyt C and Zn Porph, this method was able to reveal a precise concentration and number of Cyt C and Zn Porph molecules attached per AuNP. Furthermore, using this method, we were able to identify unconjugated molecules, suggesting the need for further purification of the sample. This guide provides a simple and effective method to quickly quantify molecules bound to AuNPs, giving users valuable information, especially for applications in drug delivery and biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan
C. Potts
- Division
of Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Akhil Jain
- Bioelectronics
Laboratory, Division of Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies,
School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham,
Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - David B. Amabilino
- Institut
de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB), CSIC, Carrer dels Til·lers, Campus Universitari, 08193 Cerdanyola
del Vallès, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Frankie J. Rawson
- Bioelectronics
Laboratory, Division of Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies,
School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham,
Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Lluïsa Pérez-García
- Division
of Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
- Departament
de Farmacologia, Toxicologia i Química Terapèutica,
Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut
de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia UB (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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Haghighi ZMS, Tabatabaei T, Rafigh M, Karampour R, Babaei F, Amjad ZS, Payandeh M, Roozgari M, Bayat M, Doroudian M, Moghoofei M, Nahand JS. Human papillomavirus maybe is a critical player in the regulation of chemoresistance related factors (P53, Rb, TWIST, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, c-IAP2, cytochrome C, and caspase 3) in breast cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154653. [PMID: 37454490 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
As one of the frequent malignancies, breast cancer (BCa) is the foremost reason for cancer-related deaths among women. The role of Human papillomavirus (HPV) in chemoresistance has rarely been investigated in previous studies. The current study sets out to the possible role of HPV in BCa chemoresistance. In this research, 90 BCa tissue and 33 normal breast tissue were collected. We evaluated the presence of the HPV genome along with the viral (E2, E6, E7) and cellular gene expression associated with cell resistance to death. Statically significant differences in the prevalence of HPV between the BCa group (25.2% or 23/90) and the control group (21.8% or 7/32) were not found. HPV-16 and HPV-18 genotypes were the abundant HPV genotypes. Resistance to the Adriamycin-Cyclophosphamide (AC), paclitaxel regimen was elevated in the HPV- group (56/70) in comparison to the HPV+ group (14/70). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of resistance to AC + paclitaxel + triple-negative breast cancer combination therapy between the HPV+ group (9/20) and in the HPV- group (11/20). In the BCa group in contrast to the control group, the expression level of Bcl-2, BCL-XL, and c-IAP2 demonstrated a significant decrease, while, the expression level of cytochrome C and caspase 3 was significantly increased. This study suggests that HPV infection might contribute to BCa chemoresistance through disrupt cellular genes involved in cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tahere Tabatabaei
- Department of Hematolohy and Blood Transfusion, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Rafigh
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Romina Karampour
- Department of Pathobiology and Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Farhad Babaei
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Zahra Sobhi Amjad
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Payandeh
- Cancer Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mahsa Roozgari
- Radiation Oncology Research Centre (RORC), Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mobina Bayat
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Doroudian
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Moghoofei
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Javid Sadri Nahand
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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7
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Cytochrome c in cancer therapy and prognosis. Biosci Rep 2022; 42:232225. [PMID: 36479932 PMCID: PMC9780037 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20222171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome c (cyt c) is an electron transporter of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Upon permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane, cyt c is released into the cytoplasm, where it triggers the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Cytoplasmic cyt c can further reach the bloodstream. Apoptosis inhibition is one of the hallmarks of cancer and its induction in tumors is a widely used therapeutic approach. Apoptosis inhibition and induction correlate with decreased and increased serum levels of cyt c, respectively. The quantification of cyt c in the serum is useful in the monitoring of patient response to chemotherapy, with potential prognosis value. Several highly sensitive biosensors have been developed for the quantification of cyt c levels in human serum. Moreover, the delivery of exogenous cyt c to the cytoplasm of cancer cells is an effective approach for inducing their apoptosis. Similarly, several protein-based and nanoparticle-based systems have been developed for the therapeutic delivery of cyt c to cancer cells. As such, cyt c is a human protein with promising value in cancer prognosis and therapy. In addition, its thermal stability can be extended through PEGylation and ionic liquid storage. These processes could contribute to enhancing its therapeutic exploitation in clinical facilities with limited refrigeration conditions. Here, I discuss these research lines and how their timely conjunction can advance cancer therapy and prognosis.
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Ugone V, Pisanu F, Garribba E. Interaction of pharmacologically active pyrone and pyridinone vanadium(IV,V) complexes with cytochrome c. J Inorg Biochem 2022; 234:111876. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2022.111876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Cytochrome c Interaction with Cardiolipin Plays a Key Role in Cell Apoptosis: Implications for Human Diseases. Symmetry (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/sym14040767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the cell cytochrome, c performs different functions depending on the environment in which it acts; therefore, it has been classified as a multifunction protein. When anchored to the outer side of the inner mitochondrial membrane, native cytochrome c acts as a Schweitzer-StennerSchweitzer-Stenner that transfers electrons from cytochrome c reductase to cytochrome c oxidase in the respiratory chain. On the other hand, to interact with cardiolipin (one of the phospholipids making up the mitochondrial membrane) and form the cytochrome c/cardiolipin complex in the apoptotic process, the protein reorganizes its structure into a non-native state characterized by different asymmetry. The formation of the cytochrome c/cardiolipin complex is a fundamental step of the apoptotic pathway, since the structural rearrangement induces peroxidase activity in cytochrome c, the subsequent permeabilization of the membrane, and the release of the free protein into the cytoplasm, where cytochrome c activates the apoptotic process. Apoptosis is closely related to the pathogenesis of neoplastic, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases; in this contest, the biosynthesis and remodeling of cardiolipin are crucial for the regulation of the apoptotic process. Since the role of cytochrome c as a promoter of apoptosis strictly depends on the non-native conformation(s) that the protein acquires when bound to the cardiolipin and such event leads to cytochrome c traslocation into the cytosol, the structural and functional properties of the cytochrome c/cardiolipin complex in cell fate will be the focus of the present review.
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