1
|
Graceffa V. Intracellular protein delivery: New insights into the therapeutic applications and emerging technologies. Biochimie 2023; 213:82-99. [PMID: 37209808 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.05.011] [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] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The inability to cross the plasma membranes traditionally limited the therapeutic use of recombinant proteins. However, in the last two decades, novel technologies made delivering proteins inside the cells possible. This allowed researchers to unlock intracellular targets, once considered 'undruggable', bringing a new research area to emerge. Protein transfection systems display a large potential in a plethora of applications. However, their modality of action is often unclear, and cytotoxic effects are elevated, whereas experimental conditions to increase transfection efficacy and cell viability still need to be identified. Furthermore, technical complexity often limits in vivo experimentation, while challenging industrial and clinical translation. This review highlights the applications of protein transfection technologies, and then critically discuss the current methodologies and their limitations. Physical membrane perforation systems are compared to systems exploiting cellular endocytosis. Research evidence of the existence of either extracellular vesicles (EVs) or cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs)- based systems, that circumvent the endosomal systems is critically analysed. Commercial systems, novel solid-phase reverse protein transfection systems, and engineered living intracellular bacteria-based mechanisms are finally described. This review ultimately aims at finding new methodologies and possible applications of protein transfection systems, while helping the development of an evidence-based research approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Graceffa
- Cellular Health and Toxicology Research Group (CHAT), Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Intelligent Systems for Health and Environment (MISHE), Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Sligo, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Palacio-Castañeda V, van de Crommert B, Verploegen E, Overeem M, van Oostrum J, Verdurmen WP. Potent and selective eradication of tumor cells by an EpCAM-targeted Ras-degrading enzyme. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 30:16-26. [PMID: 37485031 PMCID: PMC10362089 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.06.002] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of efforts, an urgent need remains to develop tumor cell-selective rat sarcoma (Ras)-targeting therapies that can treat patients with Ras-driven tumors. Here we report modular engineered proteins that degrade Ras selectively in tumor cells that overexpress the tumor cell marker epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) by fusing the Ras degrader Ras-Rap1-specific endopeptidase with the translocation domain of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA) or diphtheria toxin (DT). Redirection to EpCAM is achieved by a designed ankyrin repeat protein. In two-dimensional tumor cell cultures, complete degradation of Ras proteins after 24 h was observed with EpCAM-targeted Ras degraders fused to ETA or DT in EpCAM-overexpressing MCF7 and HCT116 cells, with median inhibition concentration values at sub-nanomolar levels. The viability of EpCAM-low non-cancerous fibroblasts remained unaffected. In a three-dimensional (3D) tumor-on-a-chip system that mimics the natural tumor microenvironment, effective Ras degradation and selective toxicity toward tumor cells, particularly with the ETA-fused constructs, was determined on-chip. To conclude, we demonstrate the potential of modular engineered proteins to kill tumor cells highly selectively by simultaneously exploiting EpCAM as a tumor-specific cell surface molecule as well as Ras as an intracellular oncotarget in a 3D system mimicking the natural tumor microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Palacio-Castañeda
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Bas van de Crommert
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Elke Verploegen
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Mike Overeem
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jenny van Oostrum
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter P.R. Verdurmen
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Palacio-Castañeda V, Oude Egberink R, Sait A, Andrée L, Sala BM, Hassani Besheli N, Oosterwijk E, Nilvebrant J, Leeuwenburgh SCG, Brock R, Verdurmen WPR. Mimicking the Biology of Engineered Protein and mRNA Nanoparticle Delivery Using a Versatile Microfluidic Platform. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111944. [PMID: 34834361 PMCID: PMC8624409 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate the delivery of next-generation macromolecular drugs, such as engineered proteins and mRNA-containing nanoparticles, there is an increasing push towards the use of physiologically relevant disease models that incorporate human cells and do not face ethical dilemmas associated with animal use. Here, we illustrate the versatility and ease of use of a microfluidic platform for studying drug delivery using high-resolution microscopy in 3D. Using this microfluidic platform, we successfully demonstrate the specific targeting of carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) on cells overexpressing the protein in a tumor-mimicking chip system using affibodies, with CAIX-negative cells and non-binding affibodies as controls. Furthermore, we demonstrate this system’s feasibility for testing mRNA-containing biomaterials designed to regenerate bone defects. To this end, peptide- and lipid-based mRNA formulations were successfully mixed with colloidal gelatin in microfluidic devices, while translational activity was studied by the expression of a green fluorescent protein. This microfluidic platform enables the testing of mRNA delivery from colloidal biomaterials of relatively high densities, which represents a first important step towards a bone-on-a-chip platform. Collectively, by illustrating the ease of adaptation of our microfluidic platform towards use in distinct applications, we show that our microfluidic chip represents a powerful and flexible way to investigate drug delivery in 3D disease-mimicking culture systems that recapitulate key parameters associated with in vivo drug application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Palacio-Castañeda
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (V.P.-C.); (R.O.E.); (A.S.)
| | - Rik Oude Egberink
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (V.P.-C.); (R.O.E.); (A.S.)
| | - Arbaaz Sait
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (V.P.-C.); (R.O.E.); (A.S.)
| | - Lea Andrée
- Department of Dentistry—Regenerative Biomaterials, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Philips van Leydenlaan 25, 6525 EX Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (L.A.); (N.H.B.); (S.C.G.L.)
| | - Benedetta Maria Sala
- Division of Protein Engineering, Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, AlbaNova University Center, Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden; (B.M.S.); (J.N.)
| | - Negar Hassani Besheli
- Department of Dentistry—Regenerative Biomaterials, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Philips van Leydenlaan 25, 6525 EX Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (L.A.); (N.H.B.); (S.C.G.L.)
| | - Egbert Oosterwijk
- Department of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 26/28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Johan Nilvebrant
- Division of Protein Engineering, Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, AlbaNova University Center, Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden; (B.M.S.); (J.N.)
| | - Sander C. G. Leeuwenburgh
- Department of Dentistry—Regenerative Biomaterials, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Philips van Leydenlaan 25, 6525 EX Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (L.A.); (N.H.B.); (S.C.G.L.)
| | - Roland Brock
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (V.P.-C.); (R.O.E.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 329, Bahrain
- Correspondence: (R.B.); (W.P.R.V.)
| | - Wouter P. R. Verdurmen
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (V.P.-C.); (R.O.E.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence: (R.B.); (W.P.R.V.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Eijkenboom L, Palacio-Castañeda V, Groenman F, Braat D, Beerendonk C, Brock R, Verdurmen W, Peek R. Assessing the use of tumor-specific DARPin-toxin fusion proteins for ex vivo purging of cancer metastases from human ovarian cortex before autotransplantation. F&S SCIENCE 2021; 2:330-344. [PMID: 35559858 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the use of tumor-specific designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) fused to a domain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A for purging of cancer metastases from the ovarian cortex. DESIGN Experimental study. SETTING University medical center. PATIENT(S) Human ovarian cortex. INTERVENTION(S) Ovarian cortex harboring artificially induced breast cancer metastases was treated with DARPins targeted to epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The presence of any remaining cancer cells after purging was analyzed by (immuno)histochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Effects on the viability of the ovarian cortex were determined by (immuno)histology, a follicular viability assay, and an assay to determine the in vitro growth capacity of small follicles. RESULT(S) After purging with EpCAM-targeted DARPin, all EpCAM-positive breast cancer cells were eradicated from the ovarian cortex. Although treatment had no effect on the morphology or viability of small follicles, a sharp decrease in oocyte viability during in vitro growth was observed, presumably due to low-level expression of EpCAM on oocytes. The HER2-targeted DARPins had no detrimental effects on the morphology, viability, or in vitro growth of small follicles. HER2-positive breast cancer foci were fully eliminated from the ovarian cortex, and the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction showed a decrease to basal levels of HER2 mRNA after purging. CONCLUSION(S) Purging cancer metastases from ovarian cortex without impairing ovarian tissue integrity is possible by targeting tumor cell surface proteins with exotoxin A-fused DARPins. By adapting the target specificity of the cytotoxic DARPin fusions, it should be possible to eradicate metastases from all types of malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lotte Eijkenboom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | - Valentina Palacio-Castañeda
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Freek Groenman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Didi Braat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Catharina Beerendonk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Roland Brock
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Kingdom of Bahrain
| | - Wouter Verdurmen
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ronald Peek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Palacio-Castañeda V, Dumas S, Albrecht P, Wijgers TJ, Descroix S, Verdurmen WPR. A Hybrid In Silico and Tumor-on-a-Chip Approach to Model Targeted Protein Behavior in 3D Microenvironments. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102461. [PMID: 34070171 PMCID: PMC8158470 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Engineered proteins possess a great therapeutic potential, but the development of such therapies is impeded during preclinical studies by the lack of in vitro models that accurately simulate the human physiology. Animal models, on the other hand, also have difficulties predicting human responses, and are ethically concerning. In this study, we employed a hybrid approach where we combined mathematical modeling with 3D in vitro models that mimic aspects of the tumor microenvironment, in order to simulate the delivery of therapeutic proteins targeting cancer cells and to predict the biological activity. By cross-comparing simulated and experimental data from 3D models, we were able to correctly predict the best dose needed to deliver toxic proteins specifically to tumor cells, while leaving the surrounding non-tumor cells untouched. This study shows the potential of combining computational approaches with novel in vitro models to advance the development of protein therapeutics. Abstract To rationally improve targeted drug delivery to tumor cells, new methods combining in silico and physiologically relevant in vitro models are needed. This study combines mathematical modeling with 3D in vitro co-culture models to study the delivery of engineered proteins, called designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins), in biomimetic tumor microenvironments containing fibroblasts and tumor cells overexpressing epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) or human epithelial growth factor receptor (HER2). In multicellular tumor spheroids, we observed strong binding-site barriers in combination with low apparent diffusion coefficients of 1 µm2·s−1 and 2 µm2 ·s−1 for EpCAM- and HER2-binding DARPin, respectively. Contrasting this, in a tumor-on-a-chip model for investigating delivery in real-time, transport was characterized by hindered diffusion as a consequence of the lower local tumor cell density. Finally, simulations of the diffusion of an EpCAM-targeting DARPin fused to a fragment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A, which specifically kills tumor cells while leaving fibroblasts untouched, correctly predicted the need for concentrations of 10 nM or higher for extensive tumor cell killing on-chip, whereas in 2D models picomolar concentrations were sufficient. These results illustrate the power of combining in vitro models with mathematical modeling to study and predict the protein activity in complex 3D models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Palacio-Castañeda
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (V.P.-C.); (P.A.); (T.J.W.)
| | - Simon Dumas
- Physico-Chemistry Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, Sorbonne University, 75005 Paris, France; (S.D.); (S.D.)
| | - Philipp Albrecht
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (V.P.-C.); (P.A.); (T.J.W.)
| | - Thijmen J. Wijgers
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (V.P.-C.); (P.A.); (T.J.W.)
| | - Stéphanie Descroix
- Physico-Chemistry Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, Sorbonne University, 75005 Paris, France; (S.D.); (S.D.)
| | - Wouter P. R. Verdurmen
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (V.P.-C.); (P.A.); (T.J.W.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-24-3614263
| |
Collapse
|